diff --git a/changelog.txt b/changelog.txt
index c8a5e16..01f469d 100644
--- a/changelog.txt
+++ b/changelog.txt
@@ -2,7 +2,14 @@
 Version: 0.5.0
 Date: 2021-01-15
   Changes:
+    - New default setting for cermet:
+      Cermet is used in LDS (instead of pure Zirconia). Recipe is balanced
+      around this. In space exploration, Cermet is also used in Aeroframe Scaffolds.
+      This may eventually become the only option when cermet is enabled, if
+      supporting the setting gets too difficult. I will support the setting
+      for at least a few months.
     - New Cermet Graphics
+    - Cermet tech is available earlier.
     - Zircon used instead of iron ore in concrete (use Bypass recipes if you wish)
     - Zirconium processing no longer a prerequisite to chemical science
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/data-final-fixes.lua b/data-final-fixes.lua
index 7b29508..2121505 100644
--- a/data-final-fixes.lua
+++ b/data-final-fixes.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 require("modules")
+require("zirconium-recipe-updates-lds")
 require("zirconium-recipe-final-stacking")
 require("zirconium-recipe-final-rrr")
 
@@ -12,7 +13,6 @@ if mods["space-exploration"] then
   data.raw.item["zirconium-plate"].subgroup = "plates"
   data.raw.recipe["zirconium-plate"].subgroup = "plates"
 
-
   -- core mining balancing
   util.add_to_product("se-core-fragment-omni", "zircon", -3)
 end
diff --git a/locale/en/zirconium.cfg b/locale/en/zirconium.cfg
index f641cd0..468037c 100644
--- a/locale/en/zirconium.cfg
+++ b/locale/en/zirconium.cfg
@@ -57,3 +57,6 @@ bzzirconium-enable-intermediates=Enable cermet
 [mod-setting-description]
 bzzirconium-recipe-bypass=Skip modifying these recipes (comma-separated list).
 bzzirconium-enable-intermediates=Enable cermet, an advanced intermediate made from ceramics and metals.
+[string-mod-setting]
+bzzirconium-enable-intermediates-lds=Yes, and __ITEM__cermet__ in __ITEM__low-density-structure__
+bzzirconium-enable-intermediates-yes=Yes, but not in __ITEM__low-density-structure__
diff --git a/me.lua b/me.lua
index 812ce03..03b4050 100644
--- a/me.lua
+++ b/me.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,11 @@ local me = {}
 me.name = "bzzirconium"
 
 function me.use_cermet()
-  return me.get_setting("bzzirconium-enable-intermediates") == "yes"
+  return me.get_setting("bzzirconium-enable-intermediates") == "yes" or me.cermet_lds()
+end
+
+function me.cermet_lds()
+  return me.get_setting("bzzirconium-enable-intermediates") == "lds"
 end
 
 function me.get_setting(name)
diff --git a/settings.lua b/settings.lua
index 6f5591e..624812e 100644
--- a/settings.lua
+++ b/settings.lua
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ data:extend({
 		type = "string-setting",
 		name = "bzzirconium-enable-intermediates",
 		setting_type = "startup",
-		default_value = "yes",
-    allowed_values = {"yes", "no"},
+		default_value = "lds",
+    allowed_values = {"lds", "yes", "no"},
 	},
 })
diff --git a/tech-updates.lua b/tech-updates.lua
index af981c0..339d756 100644
--- a/tech-updates.lua
+++ b/tech-updates.lua
@@ -20,14 +20,6 @@ if util.me.use_cermet() then
 
   -- utility science techs behind cermet
   util.add_prerequisite("rocket-control-unit", "cermet")
-  util.set_tech_recipe("rocket-control-unit", 
-    {
-      {"automation-science-pack", 1},
-      {"logistic-science-pack", 1},
-      {"chemical-science-pack", 1},
-      {"production-science-pack", 1},
-      {"utility-science-pack", 1},
-    })
 
   -- Bob's
   util.add_prerequisite("chemical-plant-3", "cermet")
diff --git a/zirconium-recipe-updates-lds.lua b/zirconium-recipe-updates-lds.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62189dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zirconium-recipe-updates-lds.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+local util = require("data-util");
+
+if util.me.cermet_lds() then
+  util.add_prerequisite("low-density-structure", "cermet")
+
+  if mods.Krastorio2 then
+    util.add_ingredient("low-density-structure", "cermet", 5) 
+  else
+    util.add_ingredient("low-density-structure", "cermet", 10) 
+  end
+
+  if mods.bztitanium then
+    util.remove_ingredient("low-density-structure", "copper-plate")
+  elseif mods.Krastorio2 then
+    util.set_ingredient("low-density-structure", "copper-plate", 5)
+  else
+    util.set_ingredient("low-density-structure", "copper-plate", 10)
+  end
+
+  util.remove_ingredient("low-density-structure", "steel-plate")
+else
+  if mods.Krastorio2 then
+    util.replace_some_ingredient("low-density-structure", "copper-plate", 5, "zirconia", 5)
+  else
+    util.replace_some_ingredient("low-density-structure", "copper-plate", 10, "zirconia", 10)
+  end
+end
+
+if mods["space-exploration"] then
+  if util.me.cermet_lds() then
+    util.replace_some_ingredient("se-aeroframe-scaffold", "se-aeroframe-pole", 1, "cermet", 2)
+  else
+    util.replace_some_ingredient("se-aeroframe-scaffold", "se-aeroframe-pole", 1, "zirconia", 2)
+  end
+end
diff --git a/zirconium-recipe-updates.lua b/zirconium-recipe-updates.lua
index 48e0974..2622fa6 100644
--- a/zirconium-recipe-updates.lua
+++ b/zirconium-recipe-updates.lua
@@ -14,12 +14,6 @@ if mods["aai-industry"] then
   util.add_ingredient("concrete", "zircon", 1)
 end
 
-if mods["Krastorio2"] then
-  util.replace_some_ingredient("low-density-structure", "copper-plate", 5, "zirconia", 5)
-else
-  util.replace_some_ingredient("low-density-structure", "copper-plate", 10, "zirconia", 10)
-end
-
 util.add_ingredient("explosives", "zirconium-plate", 1)
 util.add_ingredient("nuclear-reactor", "zirconium-plate", 100)
 
@@ -82,7 +76,6 @@ end
 
 -- Space Exploration
 if mods["space-exploration"] then
-  util.replace_some_ingredient("se-aeroframe-scaffold", "se-aeroframe-pole", 1, "zirconia", 2)
   util.replace_some_ingredient("se-heat-shielding", "stone-tablet", 10, "zirconia", 10)
   util.replace_ingredient("se-heat-shielding-iridium", "stone-tablet", "zirconia")
   util.add_ingredient("se-thruster-suit", "zirconium-plate", 10)
diff --git a/zirconium-recipe.lua b/zirconium-recipe.lua
index 8836a04..d761f3d 100644
--- a/zirconium-recipe.lua
+++ b/zirconium-recipe.lua
@@ -204,14 +204,16 @@ data:extend({
             {"automation-science-pack", 1},
             {"logistic-science-pack", 1},
             {"chemical-science-pack", 1},
-            {"production-science-pack", 1},
           },
       time = 30,
     },
-    prerequisites = {"production-science-pack"},
+    prerequisites = {"zirconia-processing"},
     order = "c"
   },
 })
+if mods.bztitanium then
+  util.add_prerequisite("cermet", util.titanium_processing)
+end
 end
 
 -- sorting