Three North Staffordshire ceramics firms have hosted tours from Government officials in a bid to highlight their innovative manufacturing and explain about the headwinds affecting their industry.
The visit organised by Ceramics UK saw more than 20 Government representatives meet with leadership teams from Vulcan Industries in Cheadle, Churchill China in Stoke-on-Trent and Ibstock in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
They were also given factory tours to broaden their knowledge of the ceramics industry and were shown examples of how businesses are introducing low carbon innovations at scale, such as renewable energy.
Andrew McDermott, deputy chief executive of Ceramics UK, said: “The visit focused on Staffordshire, but the issues raised are ones that are mirrored at the 150 sites our members operate across the UK.
“We discussed the impact of high and volatile energy costs, uncompetitive carbon taxes and levies, and matters relating to the security and resilience of energy supplies.
“Collectively, all these elements burden UK ceramics manufacturers, which mean that goods made overseas can be priced much more competitively compared than those made in this country.
“At the moment, there are no viable deep decarbonisation technologies on the horizon in the UK capable of meeting the scale, speed, or cost required, and we are asking the Government to consider how the sector is given the opportunity to remain competitive until these technologies can be deployed.”
During the visit, officials were made aware of a policy that has seen up to 90 per cent of Ceramics UK’s members face the highest industrial electricity prices globally, under the British Industry Supercharger scheme.
While industries including steel, glass, and chemicals receive up to 90 per cent compensation for electricity network charges, only 10 per cent of the UK’s ceramics manufacturers qualify under the scheme, due to the fact the majority of their factories use gas rather than electric.
Andrew added: “With the majority production methods relying on natural gas, most ceramics manufacturers are not eligible for the scheme.
“As a result, they are left to absorb the highest industrial electricity prices in the G7 and the world.
“The Business Industrial Competitiveness Scheme may give some help with electricity costs in a year or two, but we need better support now.”
The ceramics industry contributes more than £2 billion to the UK’s economy each year, creates £600 million in exports and employs over 20,000 people.
As a former employee within the industry and being born and bred in Stoke I hope that this visit makes the impact that we want. We should be genuinely proud of our industry and its heritage and this must never be lost but continue to develop and grow.