What would you vote as the greatest material on Earth? The question
recently arose in discussion with an IOM3 colleague, and with the
current media vogue for lists, leagues and assorted rankings, it would
make for an interesting members’ vote.
A significant financial injection into training for small and medium sized businesses is expected to help the clay industry as the UK and world economy slows down.
By changing the fuels in kilns that fire heavy clay products, companies can reduce costs and benefit the environment. Gas, liquid petroleum gas, heavy oil and coal could, in part, or totally, be replaced by biomass and petrol coke.
Ceramic manufacturers are paying more attention to elements of production, namely the area around the kiln, that drain energy. Dyson Thermal Technologies have worked for five years to create Dylite, a cordierite alumina/silica/magnesia material that is half the weight of standard cordierite. This process reduces energy consumption leading to fuel savings and faster firing cycles increase kiln speed leading to greater throughput.
A new generation of manufacturing technology, including the use of higher capacity kilns and state-of-the-art IT systems, are increasing efficiency and reducing costs during china sanitaryware production.
