The Advanced Ceramics Show 2027 – Birmingham, UK

What to expect

The Advanced Ceramics Show 2027 is the United Kingdom’s only free-to-attend exhibition and conference dedicated entirely to advanced and technical ceramics. The event brings together the entire supply chain, from research and development through raw materials, processing, manufacturing technologies and final commercial application. It is designed for professionals who are developing new products, optimising performance or improving sustainability through ceramic materials.

The show is part of a powerful co-located event platform that includes The Advanced Materials Show, Battery Cells & Systems Expo and Vehicle Electrification Expo. With a single registration, visitors gain access to six specialist shows and seven dedicated conference theatres. This creates a unique environment where ceramics experts can meet battery engineers, materials scientists, automotive designers and energy storage developers in one location. The format is intentionally built to encourage cross pollination of ideas.

Visitors can expect to see live demonstrations of ceramic additive manufacturing, precision machining, sintering furnaces, coating systems and characterisation equipment. The exhibition features over 300 exhibitors and more than 5,500 attendees across the co-located events, along with over 150 speakers. The conference is CPD accredited and covers cutting edge innovations that are shaping future products, systems and infrastructure. Testimonials from previous editions highlight how the co-location really works to bring companies together and transfer knowledge between industries.

Event dates

Event Dates: 16th & 17th June 2027

Event Duration: Two full days of exhibition and conference

Opening Hours: Exhibition open from 09:30 to 17:00 on Day One and from 09:30 to 16:30 on Day Two. Conference theatres run from 10:00 to 16:30 on both days.

Venue: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Admission Type: Free to attend for all industry professionals with advance registration

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & exhibition site

The event takes place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, recognised as the UK’s premier exhibition venue. The NEC offers extensive indoor exhibition space with high ceilings, robust floor loading and excellent logistics access for heavy machinery. The venue is located in the heart of the UK’s manufacturing region and provides a central meeting point for national and international visitors.

The full venue address is National Exhibition Centre, North Avenue, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT, United Kingdom. The complex is fully accessible, with step free access, accessible toilets, mobility assistance and a wide range of on site services including restaurants, cafes, business lounges and free Wi-Fi. The exhibition halls are interconnected, allowing seamless movement between The Advanced Ceramics Show and the co-located events. Purpose built conference theatres are positioned directly on the show floor, so visitors can move easily between live product demonstrations and technical sessions.

Full event programme

The full event programme is structured to provide practical, commercial and technical knowledge that can be applied immediately. It combines a large scale exhibition with a world class free conference, interactive features and networking opportunities.

The exhibition showcases the latest innovations in technical ceramics, manufacturing processes and technologies. Visitors can explore ceramic powders, oxides, carbides and nitrides, ceramic matrix composites, ceramic substrates for electronics, piezoceramic sensors, advanced coatings, precision machined components and additively manufactured ceramics.

The conference programme features four tracks running across seven theatres, covering battery technology, advanced materials, ceramics, vehicle electrification, energy storage and distributed energy. Content includes keynote presentations, panel discussions, fireside chats, case studies and technology deep dives. The programme is curated to be comparable to a paid conference, with an investment level that would normally command a fee of over USD 1,265 over two days, yet it remains free for visitors.

Additional programme elements include a poster competition celebrating advanced ceramics research sponsored by the Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group, live webinars in the lead up to the event and a dedicated area for scale up innovators and research institutions to showcase early stage technologies.

Key speakers & keynote speakers

The speaker faculty features global leaders from industry, academia and research organisations who are at the forefront of ceramics innovation and application. Speakers are selected for their ability to share technical knowledge, project experience and practical approaches that benefit others working across the sector.

Confirmed speaker organisations from recent editions include CeramTec, Morgan Advanced Materials, Lucideon, Goodfellow Cambridge, CoorsTek, Ford, Graphene@Manchester, The Graphene Council, University College London, WMG at the University of Warwick, Henry Royce Institute, National Physical Laboratory, Manufacturing Technology Centre, QinetiQ, UK Atomic Energy Authority and the Department for Business and Trade.

Notable contributors include Tony Kinsella, Chief Executive Officer at Lucideon, and Dr Gilda Gasparini, Director of Programmes at Lucideon, who present on process optimisation and scaling of novel materials technologies. Jonathan Phillips, Structural Ceramics Centre of Excellence Leader at Morgan Advanced Materials, provides insight into structural ceramics for extreme environments. James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, and Terrance Barkan from The Graphene Council discuss the intersection of graphene and ceramics. Professors from the Henry Royce Institute and the University of Manchester, including Prof Philip Withers, Regius Professor of Materials, share advances in characterisation and performance optimisation. Technical specialists from CeramTec showcase ceramic substrates, piezoceramic sensors and additively manufactured components for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

Conference sessions & tracks

The conference is organised into multiple tracks that cover the full lifecycle of advanced ceramics, from powder synthesis to end use application.

Ceramic Materials and Powder Processing
This track focuses on raw materials, powder synthesis, granulation, forming methods, sintering, densification and microstructural control. Topics include oxides, non-oxides, ceramic matrix composites and the development of sustainable feedstocks.

Manufacturing and Forming Technologies
This track examines pressing, injection moulding, tape casting, 3D printing and additive manufacturing of ceramics, precision machining, joining and finishing. Special sessions explore how additive manufacturing can accelerate uptake, where it should be applied and where it should be avoided, with input from companies such as Lithoz and Photocentric.

Ceramics for Electronics, Energy and Power
This track covers ceramic substrates, multilayer ceramics, piezo ceramics, solid state battery electrolytes, fuel cells and thermal management. Discussions include power and sensing applications, semiconductor manufacturing and the role of ceramics in electrification and energy storage.

Characterisation, Testing and Performance
This track looks at mechanical, thermal and electrical testing, thermal analysis, Raman spectroscopy, thermophysics research and quality assurance. Speakers from NPL, Thermtest, PerkinElmer and Lucideon share methods for process optimisation and characterisation.

Each track includes moderated panels and Q and A sessions, allowing attendees to engage directly with speakers and discuss challenges specific to their projects.

Session times & schedule

The event operates with a structured daily schedule that balances conference learning with exhibition viewing and networking time.

The exhibition opens early each morning with welcome coffee and networking. Conference theatres begin mid morning with keynote presentations and leadership discussions. Late morning sessions focus on technical deep dives and case studies from OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. The midday break is extended to allow time for lunch, exhibition exploration and pre-arranged business meetings.

Afternoon sessions include technology workshops, investor insights and application focused panels. A short afternoon break provides additional networking time before the final round of sessions, which are often formatted as round tables and interactive discussions. On the first day, the programme concludes with informal networking drinks on the show floor, where visitors and exhibitors can continue conversations in a relaxed setting.

All conference sessions are free to attend and operate on a first come first served basis, so early arrival is recommended for popular topics.

Ticket types & registration

The organisers maintain a free to attend model to maximise access for industry professionals and to encourage broad knowledge sharing.

Expo Visitor Pass
This is the standard pass for all visitors. It provides access to The Advanced Ceramics Show and all co-located events, including seven conference theatres, over two days. It includes access to the event app for meeting scheduling and agenda building. The price is USD 0.

VIP Buyer Pass
This is an invitation only pass for senior procurement leaders, design engineers and materials buyers with active sourcing projects. It includes fast track entry, access to the VIP lounge, hosted lunch and personalised meeting support from the event team. Approved applicants receive the pass at USD 0.

Exhibitor Pass
This pass is for exhibiting company personnel. It includes access to the exhibitor portal, lead retrieval system and exhibitor briefings. It is included as part of the exhibitor package, which starts from approximately USD 5,500 for shell scheme packages based on previous editions.

Research and Poster Contributor Pass
For academics and researchers presenting posters or participating in the research competition. Includes exhibition access and opportunity to present to industry. Price is USD 0 for accepted contributors.

Registration deadlines

Early registration is recommended at least four weeks before the event. Early registrants receive regular updates on exhibitors, speakers and conference agenda, plus early access to the event app to pre-plan meetings.

Standard online registration remains open until 24 hours before the event opens. After that point, visitors can register on site at the NEC atrium registration desks. On site registration is free but may involve queuing during peak times.

Special programme applications have earlier deadlines. VIP Buyer Programme applications and poster competition submissions typically close around six weeks before the event to allow time for vetting and judging. Exhibitor bookings for prime locations close about three months before the show, with final bookings accepted subject to availability.

Exhibitor list & major companies

The event is expected to host over 300 exhibitors across the co-located shows, with more than 218 exhibitors directly focused on advanced ceramics and materials. The exhibitor list represents the global supply chain.

Major Companies and Organisations
The advanced ceramics sector is represented by leading manufacturers such as CeramTec, which showcases ceramic substrates and piezoceramic sensors for electronics, Morgan Advanced Materials, CoorsTek, Goodfellow Cambridge, Lucideon, Formatec Technical Ceramics and Precision Ceramics.

Materials and powder suppliers include companies specialising in alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, aluminium nitride, graphene and advanced carbons. Notable names include Versarien, Haydale, Levidian, HydroGraph Clean Power, Ceylon Graphene Technologies and Gerdau Graphene.

Equipment and processing technology providers include Lithoz for ceramic additive manufacturing, Carbolite for high temperature furnaces, MESTEC for manufacturing execution systems, Thermo Fisher for Raman spectroscopy, PerkinElmer, Thermtest for thermophysics testing and Hitachi High-Tech for thermal analysis.

Research and innovation bodies include the Henry Royce Institute, AMRICC, WMG, NCC UK, CPI, National Physical Laboratory, UK Atomic Energy Authority and the Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group, which brings together business, academic and research bodies to place the Midlands at the heart of the global advanced ceramics industry.

A full exhibitor list is available on the official website and is updated weekly.

Exhibition halls & floor plan

The event occupies two large interconnected halls at the NEC, with a logical zoning system that helps visitors navigate efficiently.

One hall is dedicated to The Advanced Ceramics Show and The Advanced Materials Show. This area hosts materials suppliers, ceramics manufacturers, characterisation equipment and research institutions. The second hall hosts Battery Cells & Systems Expo and Vehicle Electrification Expo, creating natural cross over points for visitors interested in ceramics for energy applications.

Conference theatres are located directly within the halls as open plan theatres, so visitors can move instantly from exhibition stands to conference sessions. Central networking lounges, investor meeting pods and catering areas are positioned between halls. The poster competition area and innovation zone are located near the main entrance to maximise visibility.

The detailed floor plan is published approximately two weeks before the event and can be downloaded from the official website. Stand numbers are sequential, with Founding Partners and major sponsors positioned on main aisles.

Networking & business meetings

Networking is a core element of the event design, with organisers facilitating extensive business and educational connections over two days.

The free event app allows visitors to search the full attendee list, view exhibitor profiles, request meetings and build a personalised agenda. AI powered matchmaking recommends relevant contacts based on interests in ceramics processing, electronics applications or energy storage.

Structured networking includes business matchmaking for buyers and suppliers, dedicated meetings for the Scale-Up Accelerator participants and informal networking drinks on the first day. The co-location format itself is a major networking benefit, as it brings together technical teams from different industries who would not normally meet at a single technology exhibition.

Testimonials from previous editions highlight how the show helps connect with both customers and partners across the materials ecosystem and how having multiple technologies under one roof allows natural innovation and connections to form.

Industry sectors & highlights

The Advanced Ceramics Show serves multiple sectors where technical ceramics deliver exceptional performance.

Key sectors include electronics and semiconductors, where ceramic substrates and piezoceramic sensors are critical, automotive and electrification, aerospace and defence, energy including fuel cells, batteries and thermal management, medical and healthcare, industrial manufacturing and construction.

Event highlights include live demonstrations of ceramic additive manufacturing, a strong focus on sustainability and the circular economy, and insights into how ceramic materials are enabling next generation products. The Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group’s activities are a particular highlight, showcasing how the region is becoming a global hub for advanced ceramics. The poster competition celebrates research excellence and provides researchers with a platform to network with industry.

The co-location benefit is frequently cited as a highlight, as electrification and battery technologies encounter materials challenges that are best solved by having the materials industry next door.

Event rules & visitor information

All attendees must wear their official event badge at all times inside the exhibition halls. Badges are non-transferable and must be shown on request by security or organisers.

The event is strictly for trade and industry professionals. For safety reasons, no one under the age of 16 is permitted on the show floor during build-up, live days or breakdown.

Photography and video for personal use is permitted, but commercial filming requires prior permission. Visitors are expected to adhere to a professional code of conduct, with the organisers committed to providing a harassment free environment.

The dress code is business attire, with safety shoes required in certain demonstration areas where heavy equipment is operating. The venue operates a zero to landfill policy, and visitors are encouraged to use digital brochures and return badge holders for reuse. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the NEC.

How to get there

The NEC is one of the most accessible venues in the UK, located eight miles east of Birmingham city centre with direct motorway, rail and air connections.

If you are travelling by car, the venue has direct access from Junction 6 of the M42 motorway. From the M6, M40 and M1, you can connect via the M42. The postcode for navigation is B40 1NT. Signage for the NEC is well established on all approach roads.

If you are travelling by train, Birmingham International Railway Station is directly connected to the NEC via a covered walkway. The station is served by Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Trains, with direct services from London, Manchester and other major cities.

If you are travelling by air, Birmingham Airport is just five minutes away via a free Air-Rail Link that connects the airport terminal to Birmingham International Station and the NEC.

Public transport & parking

Public transport to the NEC is frequent and well integrated with the venue. Trains run regularly to Birmingham International from across the UK, with the covered walkway providing direct access to the halls. Local buses operated by National Express West Midlands, including routes 900 and X1, connect Birmingham city centre and Coventry to the NEC and airport. National Express coaches also serve Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International Station.

For those driving, the NEC has more than 16,000 parking spaces across several car parks. Parking charges apply and are typically around USD 20 to USD 22 per day for public parking when booked online in advance. Free shuttle buses operate from the more distant car parks to the exhibition halls. Electric vehicle charging points are available in selected car parks, and designated accessible parking bays are located close to hall entrances. On site staff are available to direct visitors to the correct parking area for their hall.

Accommodation areas

Birmingham offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets, and early booking is advised as hotels fill quickly during major NEC events.

The most convenient options are the NEC and Birmingham Airport hotels, which are within walking distance of the venue. These include Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Crowne Plaza NEC and Novotel Birmingham Airport. Staying here is ideal for exhibitors and for those with early morning meetings.

Birmingham city centre is another popular choice. It is only a short train ride from the NEC and offers a wide choice of hotels, from budget to luxury, as well as restaurants and evening entertainment. Popular areas include Broad Street, Brindleyplace and Digbeth.

Solihull and Coventry, located to the south of the NEC, offer boutique hotels and often competitive rates with easy motorway access. Resorts World, which is adjacent to the NEC, provides an accommodation and entertainment complex with dining and leisure facilities.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition welcomed over 4,000 attendees and more than 200 exhibitors for the ceramics and materials focused shows, within a total of over 300 exhibitors across the co-located events. The atmosphere was highly collaborative, with visitors praising the quality of technical talks and the breadth of technologies on display.

Highlights included major showcases from CeramTec on solutions for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, presentations from Lucideon on process optimisation and characterisation, and active participation from the Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group in research and poster competitions. Attendees noted that the co-location of ceramics, advanced materials, battery cells and vehicle electrification created opportunities for innovation that would not happen if people were boxed into one technology exhibition.

The event was also noted for its strong focus on additive manufacturing of ceramics, with live demonstrations and expert panels discussing where AM benefits most and where it should be avoided. Networking was a key success factor, with many visitors reporting new contacts for both business and technology development.

Official registration & tickets

All registrations are handled through the official website. Attendance is free for industry professionals and includes access to all co-located shows, all conference theatres and the networking app.

Official Website: https://advancedceramicsshow.com/

Contact for Exhibiting and Visiting:

• Phone: +44 (0)1273 789560
• Email: danny.scott@event-partners.com

Online registration is recommended to avoid queues and to receive pre-show updates on exhibitors and speakers. On site registration is available during event hours.