The independent report found ceramics was already driving innovation and was a vital component of key “future-facing” industries like aerospace, defence, clean energy and electronics. But it warned firms were acutely vulnerable to gas price shocks following the Ukraine war.
Government support had focused only on bringing down electricity bills, it said, and therefore provided “minimal relief”. Gas is responsible for 90 per cent of energy consumption in ceramics, leaving most firms excluded or only marginally helped.
As a result, the report found, the total number of ceramics firms in North Staffordshire had fallen from 137 in 2018 to 123 in 2024.
Despite that, the report found clear areas of growth and resilience in the sector. Turnover and net company worth had increased since 2018 in advanced and technical ceramics, sanitaryware and refractory products.
Supply chain turnover increased by 35% between 2018 and 2024 – supporting local jobs.
The report concluded:
“With the right support, Stoke and North Staffordshire ceramics sector can prosper as a highly dynamic internationally respected foundational sector that creates excellent local jobs driving economic renewal and regional pride.”
The report found ceramics remained a foundation industry of national importance with growing opportunities in advanced, technical and high-value markets.
It noted that ceramics
“underpins supply chains in construction, energy, defence, healthcare and advanced manufacturing, while continuing to shape the region’s international reputation for design and quality”.
The report did not shy away from the impact of economic pressures – particularly on the tableware and gifts sector, which has seen significant job losses since 2018.
The authors highlighted a growing appetite for collaboration across the ceramics industry. Businesses, universities and innovation centres such as AMRICC and Lucideon are already working together on new materials, cleaner production methods and product innovation.
With the right support, the report found, this collaborative model could accelerate growth and create high-quality local jobs.
Overall, the report found the UK ceramics industry contributes over £2 billion a year and employs around 20,000 people.
The authors add:
“The sector has growth opportunities through decarbonisation and innovation.
“Initiatives such as Ceramics UK’s Decarbonisation Roadmap, pilot hydrogen-fired kilns, and recent government funding demonstrate the industry’s commitment to low-carbon manufacturing.
“Advanced ceramics remains critical to high-tech manufacturing, underpinning automotive, aerospace, advanced materials and space industries due to their strength, temperature resistance and versatility.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council commissioned the report to provide a clear, evidence-based picture of where the sector stands and where it can go next. It was written by KADA Research and Ortus Economic Research - two leading economic analysis consultancies.
The report included consultation with senior industry figures, whose key messages included the fact that ceramics was a “hidden foundation industry” which was “still not being given the weight it deserves” by government.
Respondents pointed out North Staffordshire’s concentration of skills, research and heritage formed a strong base for a world-class ceramics hub.
They also highlighted that there were strong prospects in aerospace, defence, energy and healthcare – noting that the UK’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan had identified ceramics as a critical advanced material for machinery in automotive and aerospace.
But they also warned that the key immediate pressure was unavoidable reliance on gas, when government support was focused exclusively on reducing electricity costs for business.
The report includes an action plan, which recommends continuing to lobby government for additional support on the grounds that ceramics is a foundational sector, providing vital support for high-growth sectors including energy, defence and advanced manufacturing.
The report will be shared with ministers as the council and local MPs continue to press the case for immediate support.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:
“This report makes clear that ceramics isn’t just part of our past, but our future, too.
“This isn’t just about tableware – important though that is – but also about the vital role ceramics plays in key sectors like defence, health and aerospace.
“There is a huge amount of innovation already happening, and huge potential for growth.
“What we need right now is direct and immediate help to weather an economic storm that is not of this industry’s making. Ceramics underpins every other industry – and deserves the same levels of support.”
David Williams, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, said:
“Ceramics is part of Stoke-on-Trent’s history, and it must be part of our future. It supports thousands of skilled jobs here and plays a vital role in Britain’s manufacturing strength.
“But right now, that future is under real threat. Sky-high energy costs are putting enormous pressure on local firms and risk hollowing out an industry we lead the world in. If the Government is serious about backing British manufacturing, it must step up with targeted support for energy-intensive industries like ceramics. Without it, we risk losing not just businesses, but skills, jobs and a proud industrial heritage that cannot be replaced.”
Allison Gardiner, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, said:
“Improving energy efficiency is the fastest, most cost‑effective route to reducing emissions and lowering energy bills. Local companies are already making progress through innovation, process heat recovery, and AI enabled energy optimisation. I have been calling on the Government to release an Industrial Energy Innovation Fund for energy intensive industries to support this work at a sector level, with government grants to explore process optimisation and new technologies, and vouchers to access shared pilot facilities.
"This would achieve the dual aim of supporting the sector to decarbonise – reducing reliance on gas in the long-term - whilst backing British manufacturing, safeguarding local jobs, and ensuring that our ceramics industry remains competitive in global markets.
"Stoke-on-Trent’s ceramics cluster is uniquely placed to serve as a model for other hard-to-abate industries, and I would be delighted for Stoke-on-Trent to be the Centre of Energy Efficiency for Ceramics."
Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, said:
“The potential for the ceramics sector is bright with the right help and support. Not just for tableware but technical advancements including aerospace, defence and medical equipment. Working with Ceramics UK and as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ceramics, I know that galvanising the support from industry, unions and national government is the only way that we stand a chance of ensuring that future exists.”
Rob Flello, chief executive of Ceramics UK, said:
“Ceramics UK welcomes all reports that draw attention to the essential value of the UK ceramic industry in all its forms.
“It is vital that the sector is supported and that action is taken to stop unfair imports from taking market share.
“We hope that this report acts as a catalyst for the government to support the UK industry with, in particular, full unfettered access to the Supercharger electricity relief scheme.”
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