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The Plight of the UK Ceramics Sector The UK ceramics sector, a centuries-old craft integral to the country's heritage, is facing significant challenges. Portmeirion, a homeware brand based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, is one of the companies struggling to cope with the pressures of international competition, rising labor expenses, and soaring energy costs. The Impact of Soaring Energy Costs The ceramics industry is energy-intensive, requiring high temperatures for firing processes. The cost of energy has increased dramatically, with UK month-ahead prices hovering around 118p a therm, 50% up on the 78.50p the day before the Iran war began. This has had a devastating impact on the industry, with companies such as Royal Stafford and Heraldic Pottery closing, and Wedgwood and Denby struggling to stay afloat. The Call for Government Support The industry is calling for more help from the government to address the challenges it faces. The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, recently announced a £120m support package to support energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and long-term competitiveness. However, industry leaders argue that more needs to be done to protect the sector. The Future of the UK Ceramics Sector The UK ceramics sector is a vital part of the country's economy and heritage. If left to decline, it could have significant consequences for the industry, workers, and the economy as a whole. The government and industry leaders must work together to find a solution to the challenges facing the sector and ensure its long-term survival.

The Partnership A Manchester-based startup, Dekiln, has teamed up with one of the UK's biggest tile suppliers, Johnson Tiles, to launch a pilot project to scale up the production of kiln-free, recycled ceramic-like tiles. The Technology Dekiln's tiles are made from recycled plaster or gypsum waste and plant-based binders, and are cured on a drying rack at 35C. This process does away with energy-intensive kilns, saving more than 90% in energy costs while containing more than 95% recycled content. The Impact of Energy Costs on the Ceramics Industry The UK ceramics sector has been hit hard by soaring energy costs, with the number of ceramics companies in North Staffordshire falling from 137 in 2018 to 123 in 2024. The government has announced a £120m support package for the industry, but Dekiln's technology offers a more sustainable solution. The Future of Sustainable Ceramics Dekiln's tiles are better insulators than conventional tiles, with little shrinkage and warpage, and offer a bigger range of pigments with customisation possible. While they are currently only suitable for indoor use on walls, Dekiln hopes to work with other tile-makers and license the technology to make sustainable ceramics more widely available. The Pilot Project Location: Stoke-on-Trent, the historic home of British ceramics Goal: To test the scalability of Dekiln's kiln-free technology Potential outcome: Resumption of production at Johnson Tiles' former factory in Stoke using Dekiln's technology