The UK ceramics industry has been given a significant boost following the Government’s announcement of a £120 million investment package aimed at supporting innovation, sustainability and long-term growth across the sector.
The package, announced by Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle, includes £60 million towards capital investment to help ceramics manufacturers upgrade equipment, improve energy efficiency and invest in more sustainable technologies. A further £60 million has also been allocated to support related industry costs.
The announcement has been welcomed by Ceramics UK, who described the investment as a major step forward for the future of British ceramics.
Earlier this week, Peter Kyle met with Ceramics UK Chief Executive Rob Flello to discuss the support package and how the measures could be implemented to best support the industry.
Commenting on the announcement, Rob Flello said:
“This is a turning point for the sector, with the Government taking decisive action that recognises the fundamental role of ceramics in the UK economy.
“It should propel us ahead into the years and the decades to come, and once more make the UK’s ceramic industry the talk of the world.”
The ceramics industry plays an essential role within UK manufacturing, producing materials and products used across a wide range of sectors including steel, glass and other high-temperature industries, as well as everyday products used in homes and businesses throughout the UK.
The funding package also places a strong emphasis on decarbonisation and sustainability, encouraging investment in new equipment and technologies designed to improve efficiency and support the transition towards a more sustainable future.
At Valentine Clays, we are excited to see what this investment could mean for the wider ceramics community and for our customers across the industry. Support of this scale has the potential to drive innovation, safeguard jobs and strengthen the future of ceramics in the UK for years to come.
As further details emerge, the industry will be watching closely to see how the scheme develops and how businesses of all sizes can benefit from the support available.
Watch the full announcement from Ceramics UK on you tube here
