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Case Study
Marine Systems Technology view
GRAND entrance for Carbon Ceramics Ltd
26th May 2010
Cheshire based Carbon Ceramics Ltd makes its entrance into the green materials market place with the support of a Grant for Research and Development awarded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
Managing Director, Julio Faria, co-founder 18 years ago of Surface Transforms, said:
"The planet needs us to move urgently towards sustainable transportation technologies. We are proud to be part of the solution."
"Our lightweight, low emission carbon composite materials, are designed to incorporate recycled feedstocks, involve clean processing and in most applications, provide a much longer product life. They will also be significantly cheaper than the international competition."
Based in Cheshire, but with customers and suppliers around the world, Carbon Ceramics Ltd opens its challenge with a new family of Ultra-Light, Super-Strong materials made by new, innovative processes which are both low cost and environmentally "friendly".
Awarding the grant for £80,000, Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive, NWDA said:
"The NWDA is happy to support regional businesses that are able to harness their talents and develop innovative process and products to grow. With Agency support, Carbon Ceramics will have the means to develop and test a new technology that will create jobs and increase economic growth."
Grant for Research and Development is part of Solutions for Business, the Government's package of publicly funded business support designed to help companies start and grow, helping entrepreneurs and business owners introduce innovative products and processes, including research trials and product testing.
As part of the response to the current economic downturn, GRAND is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with £1.1 million, together with £1.2 million from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
The NWDA is playing a crucial role in response to the current economic downturn, with a number of actions being taken to meet the needs of businesses during these financially challenging times.
To keep updated on the range of support being offered by the NWDA go to - www.nwda.co.uk/supportingbusiness
Global markets such as aerospace, rail, car and truck transportation, and energy generation are now moving quickly to reduce usage of our limited fuel stocks. Carbon Ceramic's technologies manufacture lightweight materials needed for cars trains and aircraft, along with high temperature products which allow major energy efficiency improvements by the energy industries.
All this while carefully using some of the most abundant materials found on planet Earth, silicon and carbon.
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Notes to Editors
For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall on 01925 400256 / 07500 128482 / shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk for urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925 400259. For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk or www.erdfnw.co.uk
ERDF in the Northwest
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to people and businesses in the Northwest. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region's economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment. ERDF in the Northwest is managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). For further information please visit www.erdfnw.co.uk
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) works to deliver economic success in England's Northwest by building the competitiveness of its businesses, people and places. Utilising our technical expertise and strategic influence, we help the region's 250,000+ businesses to develop and grow, as well as supporting international trade and encouraging inward investment.
Carbon Ceramics
Julio Faria
Managing Director
Carbon Ceramics Ltd
Tel: 01928 735868
Linda Galloway
PR Director
Carbon Ceramics Ltd
Tel: 01928 735868
www.carbonceramics.com
Carbon Ceramics Ltd is a new company based in Frodsham, Cheshire, which designs and develops new manufacturing technology for the production of lightweight, high strength carbon composite materials, for use in applications like aircraft, train and car brakes. The company currently supplies first generation automotive products for the high end of the market (cars over £60k in price) which compete on price and performance with the big manufacturers in Germany and Italy.
This innovation award will allow them to develop a major, patented new approach, which, if successful, will virtually eliminate ceramic brake manufacturing emissions and waste while reducing the cost of manufacture of carbon ceramic brakes to a level competitive over the lifetime of the vehicle, with iron, currently used by 95% of the market.
About the founder of Carbon Ceramics Ltd
Along with three other colleagues from ICI, Julio J Faria co-founded Surface Transforms Plc in the early 90's, a pioneering company in the development and manufacture of carbon ceramic materials. He grew the company, mentored the staff and took that company to the OFEX (now PLUS) and the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.
He left in 2008 to resume the technology development needed to re-create a world competitive position. He and his colleagues at Carbon Ceramics Ltd now work with key individuals, companies and Universities around the world in order to provide the carbon ceramic products needed to make step changes in transportation and energy use, at acceptable price levels and minimal environmental impact.
