Surface Transforms (www.surface-transforms.com), which makes carbon-fibre-reinforced ceramic materials, reports that its turnover increased by 12% to £623,000 in the six months to the end of November.

However, the Ellesmere Port company said that its pre-tax losses increased by 27% to £471,000 over the same period.

Chairman David Bundred said: “It is encouraging to report continuing progress at Surface Transforms. The company continues to pursue the twin-track approach of achieving break-even through both retro-fit sales and near-OEM sales, in parallel with gaining opportunities in the automotive and aerospace markets.”