Stepping Into the Future: Insights into the Ceramics Market

Insights Into The Ceramics Market

I’m delighted to say that since fall last year our Ceramics BU has found itself extremely busy. Contracts have been completed, or are underway, involving high-specification kilns for sanitaryware, colors, alumina graphites, technical ceramics, refractories and more. This upward trajectory in our fortunes has led management to further build up our expert operating cells. This has included additional kiln building crew, purchasing officers, engineering staff, and project team leaders and trainees.

At the same time, customers have been approaching us to ask about the feasibility of electrification (carbon neutrality being a goal very much to the fore) and also the possibilities associated with bringing hydrogen into the firing mix.

These major manufacturers recognize NUTEC Bickley’s credentials when it comes, firstly, to being ahead of the curve and, secondly, possessing the expertise and willingness to design, plan and execute as is necessary. When we consider switching to electric firing, for instance, customers might contemplate a retrofit system (less complicated in some applications than others), a new all-electric kiln, or indeed a mixture of both. We aim to demonstrate our usual flexibility in order to open up new technological avenues in whatever way is appropriate, affordable, and productive.

Of course, great adaptability is a factor that makes NUTEC Bickley a particularly effective partner. Many examples of how we demonstrate this quality can be seen throughout the year. One such, with construction having just got underway, is a special sanitaryware kiln for a Mexican producer with a manufacturing history going back over a century.

The installation – due Q1 2023 – is very high for a shuttle kiln and, in fact, will be the tallest of its type that NUTEC Bickley has ever constructed for this sector. The customer requested this design as it was seeking to both optimize its capital investment and to maximize the available ware per cubic meter capacity. You will recall that previously we have talked about shuttle kiln burner configurations that see us firing above and below the load. We plan to employ the same ultra-efficient firing technique with this particular kiln.

Whatever your own particular requirement, please keep in touch with our expert advisors and we will endeavor to determine the ideal solution.

Of course, alongside our international technical sales team, I will continue to get out and about for important face-to-face discussions with you all in the coming months. Please stop by and see everything we have to offer at Ceramics Expo (29-31 August, Cleveland, OH – Booth 811).

I look forward to meeting up!

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