Autoclave machine at Lucideon’s AMRICC facility. Source | Lucideon

Lucideon (Staffordshire, U.K.), a materials science and technology consultancy for business across the U.K., U.S. and globally, has acquired new scientific equipment using a £5.6 million equipment finance loan from HSBC UK alongside funding from UKRI. The state-of-the-art equipment includes spectrometers, X-ray machines, ultra-high temperature and multi-atmosphere furnaces and ceramic 3D printers. This will accelerate Lucideon’s ability to test and develop materials for specialist applications, such as in aerospace or for net-zero technologies.

The new equipment will be used to fit-out the recently opened AMRICC center in Stone, which Lucideon hosts and manages on behalf of AMRICC’s members. The site is claimed to be the first laboratory in the country to house all the tools needed to replicate an advanced ceramics production process from start to finish at pilot scale, enabling businesses to trial new materials without pausing production in-house. The open-access facility, with a state-of-the-art technology suite, has capabilities that include the development of ceramic matrix composites (CMC).

Additionally, Lucideon will use the funding to purchase replacements for its existing equipment and grow its assets as the company expands and takes on more customers.

“The equipment acquired using this funding will boost our capabilities and productivity so we can work with more clients on bigger projects,” Tony Kinsella, chief executive at Lucideon, says. “We are committed to investing into Staffordshire, and have invested nearly £4 million locally. This new equipment is not just a boost for our company, but also marks a significant step forward in strengthening the U.K.’s scientific offering.”

Headquartered in Staffordshire, Lucideon three facilities across the U.S. Clients include Rolls-Royce, GE and SpaceX.

For related content, read “Lucideon, NCC partner to develop next-gen CMC solution.”