We’re delighted to announce that Valentine Clays has won the Innovation Award at the Staffordshire University Business Awards 2026 for LoStone, our pioneering low-fire stoneware range.
The award recognises the development and impact of LoStone, which was created by our technical team here at our Stoke-on-Trent headquarters and launched to the ceramics industry in 2025.
It marks another proud milestone for LoStone and, most importantly, recognition for the team behind it.
Challenging Traditional Stoneware Firing
LoStone began with an ambitious technical challenge: to develop a stoneware clay body capable of achieving full vitrification at significantly lower temperatures than conventional stoneware.
Following years of research, formulation and testing, our technical team developed a range capable of fully vitrifying from as low as 1160°C, compared with traditional stoneware firing temperatures of around 1260°C.
Testing in our electric lab kilns under similar loading conditions demonstrated a 16% reduction in energy consumption at 1160°C compared with 1260°C, while lower firing temperatures can also help to extend kiln element life.
The result is a range that gives makers the strength and durability associated with stoneware while providing the opportunity to fire at considerably lower temperatures.
A True Team Effort
While LoStone started with an idea and years of technical development, bringing it to market involved almost every area of Valentine Clays.
From developing and testing recipes to production trials, manufacturing, packaging, branding, marketing, sales and distribution, LoStone has been a genuine team effort from the very beginning.
Seeing that work recognised with the Innovation Award makes this one particularly special for us.
Another Award for LoStone
The Staffordshire University Business Awards win follows our success at the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards in July 2026, where LoStone received the Innovation, Science & Technology Award.
To have the innovation recognised twice within its first year on the market is something we're incredibly proud of.
And the development certainly hasn't stopped.
Since the original LoStone range launched, our technical team has continued to expand and refine the collection, including the introduction of LoStone Mid Fire Glazes and LoStone Casting Slips, as we continue to explore what lower-temperature firing can offer the ceramics industry.
Celebrating Staffordshire Business
The Staffordshire University Business Awards are also an opportunity to celebrate the businesses, organisations and people doing brilliant things across the county.
We were proud to be among such a strong group of finalists and winners and to celebrate another fantastic year for Staffordshire business.
A huge thank you to the judges for recognising LoStone, and congratulations to all of this year's finalists and winners.
But most of all, thank you to the entire Valentine Clays team.
From that initial idea to the bags of LoStone leaving our factory today, this award belongs to all of you. 🏆
