Future Proofing The UK Ceramic Industry:Throwing Down The Gauntlet

Dr Robert Schaffer

Mr Stuart Adams

Global Changes• A recent US Department of

Energy report shows global emissions for 2010 at a level higher than the worst case scenario considered by the 2007 IPCC

• Techniques for predicting climate migration estimate 200 million new climate migrants by 2050

• New study confirms 1°C temperature increase since 1950

• We are currently loosing species at a rate comparable with the extinction of the dinosaurs

Ceramics Decline

• Over 200 ceramic producers in Stoke-on-Trent in the 1970s

• Now less than 30

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WorldCompetitors

UKCeramics

How do we tilt the balance in our favour ?

WorldCompetitors

UKCeramics

LowCarbon

Technologies+

• Good for the UK industry renaissance• Technologies developed can be exported

What tips the balance in our favour…?

• China puts pressure on developing countries to reduce emissions

• Russia recognizes concrete steps to reduce GHG emissions need to be agreed

• China phases out incandescent light bulbs

• Carbon Trust facing demand for carbon footprinting from China

The UK Is Being Left Behind In The Race To A Low Carbon Future

Packaging

Transport

Decorating Solution Suppliers

Laboratory Services

Kiln Suppliers

Refractory Suppliers

Trade Body Handling

Legislation

Material Supplies Solutions

Waste & Effluent

Contractors

Process Machine Suppliers

Ceramics Manufacture

ConsumersEnergy

Suppliers

The UK Ceramics Industry Environment

How does the industry move to a low carbon environment…..?

• Materials• Innovation in clay materials• Innovation in glaze materials• Innovation in decoration materials• Innovation in refractory materials

• Process• Innovation in kiln technology• Novel decorating technologies• Innovation in manufacturing techniques: combination of fires• New material handling technologies

• Information• Open access carbon footprinting generic data for the ceramics industry.• Industry wide accepted generic performance comparison table i.e energy usage dependent on kiln type, settings and firing profile.

• Collaboration & Cross-Pollination• Supplier sub group working parties with similar objectives working together.• Create a business environment that brings together the complete supply chain for each market sector (tableware, sanitaryware, tile, building &

construction)• Establish with the various supply chains the importance of cooperation on creating a low carbon economy to differentiate the sector within the

world economy• Set up signees to a ceramics industry ‘low carbon pledge’

• Communication• Create a marketing template strategy and campaign that allows the industry to sing about it’s successes.• Create a emblem of differentiation.

How does the industry move to a low carbon environment…..?

• Materials• Innovation in clay materials• Innovation in glaze materials• Innovation in decoration materials• Innovation in refractory materials

• Process• Innovation in kiln technology• Novel decorating technologies• Innovation in manufacturing techniques: combination of fires• New material handling technologies

• Information• Open access carbon footprinting generic data for the ceramics industry• Industry wide accepted generic performance comparison table i.e energy usage dependent on kiln type, settings and firing profile

• Collaboration & Cross-Pollination• Supplier sub group working parties with similar objectives working together• Create a business environment that brings together the complete supply chain for each market sector (tableware, sanitaryware, tile, building &

construction)• Establish with the various supply chains the importance of cooperation on creating a low carbon economy to differentiate the sector within the

world economy• Set up signees to a ceramics industry ‘low carbon pledge’

• Communication• Create a marketing template strategy and campaign that allows the industry to sing about it’s successes• Create a emblem of differentiation

How does the industry move to a low carbon environment…..?

• Materials• Innovation in clay materials• Innovation in glaze materials• Innovation in decoration materials• Innovation in refractory materials

• Process• Innovation in kiln technology• Novel decorating technologies• Innovation in manufacturing techniques: combination

of fires• New material handling technologies

• Information• Open access carbon footprinting generic data for the ceramics industry• Industry wide accepted generic performance comparison table i.e energy usage dependent on kiln type, settings and firing profile

• Collaboration & Cross-Pollination• Supplier sub group working parties with similar objectives working together• Create a business environment that brings together the complete supply chain for each market sector (tableware, sanitaryware, tile, building &

construction)• Establish with the various supply chains the importance of cooperation on creating a low carbon economy to differentiate the sector within the

world economy• Set up signees to a ceramics industry ‘low carbon pledge’

• Communication• Create a marketing template strategy and campaign that allows the industry to sing about it’s successes• Create a emblem of differentiation

How does the industry move to a low carbon environment…..?

• Materials• Innovation in clay materials• Innovation in glaze materials• Innovation in decoration materials• Innovation in refractory materials

• Process• Innovation in kiln technology• Novel decorating technologies• Innovation in manufacturing techniques: combination of fires• New material handling technologies

• Information• Open-access carbon footprinting generic data for the

ceramics industry• Industry-wide accepted generic performance

comparison table i.e. energy usage dependent on kiln type, settings and firing profile

• Collaboration & Cross-Pollination• Supplier sub group working parties with similar objectives working together• Create a business environment that brings together the complete supply chain for each market sector (tableware, sanitaryware, tile, building &

construction)• Establish with the various supply chains the importance of cooperation on creating a low carbon economy to differentiate the sector within the

world economy• Set up signees to a ceramics industry ‘low carbon pledge’

• Communication• Create a marketing template strategy and campaign that allows the industry to sing about it’s successes• Create a emblem of differentiation

How does the industry move to a low carbon environment…..?

• Materials• Innovation in clay materials• Innovation in glaze materials• Innovation in decoration materials• Innovation in refractory materials

• Process• Innovation in kiln technology• Novel decorating technologies• Innovation in manufacturing techniques: combination of fires• New material handling technologies

• Information• Open access carbon footprinting generic data for the ceramics industry• Industry wide accepted generic performance comparison table i.e energy usage dependent on kiln type, settings and firing profile

• Collaboration & Cross-Pollination• Supplier sub group working parties with similar

objectives working together• Create a business environment that brings together

the complete supply chain for each market sector (tableware, sanitaryware, tile, building & construction)

• Establish within the various supply chains the importance of cooperation on creating a low carbon economy to differentiate the sector within the world economy

• Set up signees to a ceramics industry ‘low carbon pledge’

• Communication• Create a marketing template strategy and campaign that allows the industry to sing about it’s successes• Create a emblem of differentiation

How does the industry move to a low carbon environment…..?

• Materials• Innovation in clay materials• Innovation in glaze materials• Innovation in decoration materials• Innovation in refractory materials

• Process• Innovation in kiln technology• Novel decorating technologies• Innovation in manufacturing techniques: combination of fires• New material handling technologies

• Information• Open access carbon footprinting generic data for the ceramics industry• Industry wide accepted generic performance comparison table i.e energy usage dependent on kiln type, settings and firing profile

• Collaboration & Cross-Pollination• Supplier sub group working parties with similar objectives working together.• Create a business environment that brings together the complete supply chain for each market sector (tableware, sanitaryware, tile, building &

construction)• Establish with the various supply chains the importance of cooperation on creating a low carbon economy to differentiate the sector within the

world economy• Set up signees to a ceramics industry ‘low carbon pledge’

• Communication• Create a marketing template strategy and campaign

that allows the industry to sing about it’s successes• Create a emblem of differentiation

The Low Carbon RoadMAP