Making a product lighter or ensuring that it is at its optimum (right) weight, whilst ensuring that its existing product characteristics, and hence product performance, are not affected can bring many business benefits.

During the two hours we will discuss the concept of lightweighting and, using proven examples, explore these benefits - from costs reduction and increased profitability to competitive differentiation and enhancement of green credentials.

We have called the event a ‘Brainstorm’ as we want it to be just that - a forum to discuss possibilities, generate ideas, debate advantages and disadvantages, learn from each other and each other’s industries and discuss how to benefit and profit from the concept of lightweighting.

To facilitate ideas generation, we have invited a guest speaker - Geoff Hollington, a Design Mentor to the Materials Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) and editor of ‘Rightweight’, a book published by the Materials and Design Exchange (MaDE) and the Materials KTN, which explores how to create products that are the perfect weight.

If you want to find out more about lightweighting and/or are interested in attending the ‘Brainstorm’, please register your interest using the form below.

Workshop Programme:

  8:00 – 8:30   Registration

  Buffet Breakfast and Networking

The project, part of the Midlands Aerospace Alliances’s Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (ATEP II) and carried out in collaboration with Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems and James Kent Ceramic Materials, looked at how coatings and infusions novel to this use could be used to improve the oxidation resistance of carbon composite aircraft brakes, (a process which leads to wear and ultimately limits the life of the brake).

Using their extensive knowledge of ceramics and glass and their experience of high temperature material testing, the team at Ceram worked with James Kent to determine an optimum material solution aimed at improving the oxidation resistance of the brake materials at the high temperatures encountered on landing.  The result was the development of glass and ceramic-based systems to coat the carbon brakes, and an improved understanding of how these materials performed under such conditions.  The improvements in the brake designs, which were also developed within the project, mean that the aircraft brakes may potentially be made lighter and avoid oxidation which can lead to wear and failure.

Sophisticated thermal modelling techniques were employed to simulate the performance of the new brake systems and to prove the success of the new braking systems; landings and aborted take-off simulations demonstrated their improved endurance.

The Endurance Braking project is one of a number of projects that Ceram is currently working on with suppliers throughout the aerospace supply chain, thanks to their materials expertise which they use to help companies develop new products and improve existing ones to stay ahead of the competition.

The MAA’s Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme was funded by Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund.

The Carbon Management Health Check assesses an organisation’s carbon management systems and their fitness for purpose, identifying energy saving opportunities. The appraisal focuses on four key areas: regulation, people, systems and technology.

The Health Check summary is provided in the form of a report which identifies and recommends areas for carbon management improvement; reducing carbon emissions, lowers energy consumption and energy costs. The report can be used as a powerful communication tool with stakeholders, employees, customers and suppliers. In addition, the report also demonstrates an environmental commitment and enhances sustainability credentials.

Joe Flanagan, Principal Consultant, Sustainability, at Ceram commented: “Although we designed this service with ISO 50001 in mind, the recently launched international energy management standard, it is applicable to any organisation wishing to understand their carbon footprint and reduce energy costs. In addition to providing Carbon Management Health Checks, we are able to assist with the implementation and maintenance of the ISO 50001 Energy Management System (EnMs).

Further information about the new Carbon Management Health Check can be found here.

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The programme, including the Ceram feature can be viewed here.

In 1986, an explosion and fire at the Ukraine plant resulted in large volumes of radiation escaping and contaminating extensive parts of the USSR and Europe. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated and resettled from the worst affected areas, while the catastrophe is expected to lead to thousands of cancer deaths.

Shortly after the accident, a protective shell - or sarcophagus - was built to contain the radiation, but this is starting to deteriorate.

A new sarcophagus, named the New Safe Confinement has been designed and Ceram has been carrying out tests to make sure it will withstand the rigours of the Ukranian climate and contain radiation for a century.

Testing has included dropping 25kg balls of ice on to roof sections and using air bags to simulate tornado-force side winds.

The new structure, which is made of specialist stainless steel, has been in design for the last 10 years, and Ceram has been analysing performance for more than two years.

Ceram chief executive, Tony Kinsella said:

“The implications of the design failing are extremely serious. There are still very high levels of radiation at the plant, and any escapes put people working on remediation projects at risk. It would also harm the surrounding environment further.  We’re extremely proud to be involved in such an essential project, and we’re also proud that Ceram is helping Stoke-on-Trent become known as a world centre for materials expertise.”

The New Safe Confinement, which is on rails so it can slide in and out of position, is due to be completed in 2015.

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During the two hours we will discuss why energy management is becoming a necessity in this era of rising energy costs and increased stakeholder interest in an organisation’s environmental impact.

We are delighted that Jennie Thomas, Environmental Services Manager, and Anne Forbes, Management Systems Manager, from Cleveland Potash, have agreed to join us to give an independent view on why energy management is so important to their business.

Workshop Programme:

8:00 - 8:30   Registration

Buffet Breakfast and Networking

8.30 - 8:35   Introduction and Welcome - Tony Kinsella, CEO, Ceram

8:35 - 8:55   Energy Management in Practice - Jennie Thomas, Environmental Services Manager, and Anne Forbes, Management Systems Manager, Cleveland Potash

As operators of the UK’s only potash mine and a leading producer and supplier of potash fertilizers for agriculture and industry uses, Cleveland Potash is in the early stages of an Energy Management Strategy. Jennie will talk about what the company has done in this area so far, the reasons behind their decisions and their plans regarding ISO 50001.

8:55 - 9:10   Energy Management:  A Must-Have for Business - Joe Flanagan, Principal Consultant, Sustainability, Ceram

Joe will outline why energy management is so important and discuss how having an EnMS can help companies to find ways of using energy more efficiently, potentially reducing energy bills.

9:10 - 9:25   Certification of your EnMS to ISO 50001 – Tim Watts, Operations Manager, CICS

CICS, part of The Ceram Group, offers independent management systems certification and sustainability assurance. Tim will talk about the new international standard and how it can help companies to ensure that their EnMS is maintained and effectively monitored.

9:25 - 9:40   Q&A Session

9:40 - 10.15   Refreshments and Networking

CICS, the management systems certification body and sustainability assurance provider, is offering a special promotion to the first 6 organisations that sign up for ISO 50001 certification services during or following the breakfast workshop. Stage 1* of the ISO 50001 audit will be conducted free of charge.

Not only does this give a significant discount on the standard certification pricing but it provides an opportunity for clients to make an early entry into the “premier league” of ISO 50001 certified companies.

*Stage 1 of the audit involves a visit to your site and is carried out to assess Energy Management System (EnMS) documentation to confirm that it has been planned to conform with all requirements of the audit standard(s); and that the management system is designed to achieve your policy objectives. The audit will also be used to evaluate site specific conditions.

Places are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Please register your interest below and we will contact you shortly with confirmation of your place.

The comprehensive guide catalogues standards and regulations from over 75 countries, and lists the relevant lead and cadmium migration limits and test methods. The guide is primarily a tool for ceramic and glass tableware and cookware manufacturers, however, importers, tableware retailers and glaze or colour manufacturers will also find it a useful resource to ensure their products conform to international standards and regulations.

Electronic and/or hard copies of the guide are now available priced at £495. To purchase a copy or for further information, contact Carol Baddeley: carol.baddeley@ceram.com or +44 (0)1782 764428.

Alternatively, an order form is available for download here.

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For organisations in the Americas, find out more here.

Information for UK and Rest of the World is here.

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Read more here.

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Joe Flanagan, Ceram’s Principal Consultant, Sustainability, has written an article for the latest issue of Environmental Finance.

Read more here

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The controlled release team at Ceram is currently developing novel delivery-based systems (bioceramic, water glass and micro sol-gel), all with specific controlled release rates.

Dr. Zhang said:

“Compared to traditional polymeric systems, glasses and ceramics show a more sustainable and reproducible control of the drug release over an extended period of time. They also have the simplest drug release mechanisms, i.e. through molecular dissolving and/or diffusion rather than breaking covalent chemical bonds as in the polymer systems.

“We are looking to form partnerships with leading pharmaceutical manufacturers and drug developers who are looking for new technologies that are time-/site-specific, biocompatible and bioactive for topical, oral and intravenous administration of controlled release drugs.”

Click here for further information.

To find out more about the Controlled Release Conference and to view the programme click here.

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