A packing member comprising ceramic material, for use in a packed bed. The packing member has a geometric surface area per volume of ≥0.7cm2/cm3 and a side crush strength of ≥250kgf; or ≥1.5cm2/cm3 and ≥150kgf; or ≥3cm2/cm3 and ≥60kgf. Also disclosed is a packing member obtainable by gel casting a composition comprising a ceramic material, an organic binder component, and optionally a pore forming component, polymerisation initiator, and a polymerisation accelerator. The packing member can further comprise catalytic material to form a supported catalyst. Further disclosed is a method for producing a packing member or supported catalyst by: optionally producing a precursor according to a digital model of the packing member or support catalyst using additive manufacturing; optionally forming a cast mould from the precursor; contacting a composition for producing a packing member or supported catalyst with a polymerisation initiator and optionally a polymerisation accelerator; arranging the resulting composition in a mould; demoulding to produce a green body, optionally, drying or baking the green body; calcining the green body and optionally impregnating with a catalytic material.
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