sibelco ceramics activity overview

1. There’s more to our minerals...
than meets

2. Global resources
Minerals play an essential role in the
production of high quality ceramics.
That’s why we’re as committed to quality as you are. In
fact, Sibelco and its predecessors have supplied
premium mineral products for over 300 years, helping
customers continually improve yields, increase
productivity and deliver market-leading ceramics.
We work closely with customers to find the best raw material solution
from a multi-mineral portfolio including plastic clays, kaolins, fluxes,
silicas, prepared bodies and specialised additives, all backed by
outstanding technical support.
Sibelco is one of the world’s leading providers of industrial minerals,
delivering local solutions backed by truly global resources. In we have
more than 200 sites in over 40 countries across five continents –
which means we can bring value to your business wherever you are.

3. Local expertise Map Showing the Location
The ceramics industry across Europe has differing of the European Ceramic
Technical Centres*.
manufacturing needs which vary according
to history, locally available raw materials and
market demand.
And in order to meet those different needs, we’ve focussed on
the key ceramic markets not only with our infrastructure
investments in quarrying, processing and distribution but also
with our state-of-the-art technical facilities.
Using our local expertise, we’ve created four fully operational
ceramic regional technical centres in Europe to give leading edge
Sanitaryware
application support to our customers in these key markets.
They’re equipped for a vast range of technical procedures on all Structural
aspects of ceramic production, from raw material analysis
through to customer body development.
Tableware
Tiles
*In addition to our dedicated application centres we also undertake
project work for all other areas of ceramic whitewares.

4. Our markets
Combined with our expertise, our multi-mineral portfolio enables us to find the ideal
solution for ceramic manufacturers in all the key market sectors.
Sanitaryware Refractory ceramics
Quality sanitaryware depends on consistent raw materials, and The refractory materials used in furnaces and kilns have to not only
whether it’s sanitary porcelain (vitreous china), fine fire clay or fire resist extremely high temperatures, but also physical wear and
clay our diverse portfolio meets all your mineral requirements. chemical corrosion. For such high technical performance, the quality
of the raw materials is crucial – so we’ll develop the optimum
Tiles combination of mineral products for your specific criteria.
The manufacture of Monoporosa, Monocottura, or Porcelain tiles
needs raw materials with the right properties to optimise each stage Technical ceramics
of manufacture including grinding, pressing and firing. Our tile For Electrical Porcelain, Chemical & Metallurgical and Mechanical &
mineral portfolio has unique properties which can assist in maximising Thermal ceramics, we can develop materials with the desired plasticity
factory performance. and shape retention, stability and dimensional accuracy, tensile and
compressive strength, resistance to abrasion or chemical attack and
Tableware thermal shock resistance and stability.
Tableware relies on the consistency and purity of raw materials,
chosen for their properties during forming and firing as well as Glazes and engobes
their aesthetics. For artisticware, earthenware, stoneware, vitreous Often critical to a product’s quality and aesthetics, glazes and
china, bone china, hotelware or porcelain, we can supply a wide engobes rely on minerals that are not only consistent during
range of minerals or prepared bodies so you can get the best out processing but also offer flexibility for the final aesthetic design.
of your manufacturing. Our portfolio includes minerals and specialist additives for use in
all ceramic applications.
Structural ceramics
High specification roof tiles, bricks and other structural ceramics rely
on consistent high quality raw materials. We can develop the ideal
combination of raw materials from our comprehensive portfolio, whether
you need to improve strength, increase frost-resistance or achieve a
particular look.

5. Unrivalled
technical support
Our specialist support teams of scientists and Some of the key benefits of Sibelco technical support are:
engineers are based in local on-site technical • Complete raw material evaluation
laboratories, and supported by our European network
• Ceramic formulation assessment and development
of specialist application Technical Centres.
• Improved manufacturing yield through process and
Each team is dedicated to key applications including sanitaryware, formulation optimization
tiles, tableware, glazes, structural ceramics, electrical porcelain and
craft pottery. • Manufacturing fault diagnosis support
Our European Technical Centres focus on the primary ceramic Our Technical Centres deliver the very highest standards of technical
applications, with over 80 technical and application specialists support for existing and new customers, and provide the ideal
carrying out research and development, recommendation testing platform for research and development work into future minerals for
and evaluation on a wide variety of development projects every year. the ceramics industry.

6. Looking after
our environment
It’s a responsibility we take very seriously. That’s why
environmental management, energy efficiency and
carbon reduction are at the core of our business.
For example, after mining ceases, we restore the land to its original
state or, in many cases, to something even better. We work closely
with local communities to create restoration projects that will benefit
all – and we’ve won many awards for them.
We’re also continuously working to reduce our environmental
footprint, looking to make greater energy efficiencies and improve
processes across all operations, even investing in a new Carbon
Management Programme to accurately assess and manage our
carbon footprint. For us, energy efficiency is no longer a ‘campaign’
but central to our organisation’s culture and future business model.

7. Get in touch
We can help you create a step change in your business.
To see how, simply contact us at: qualityceramics@sibelco.com
There’s more to our minerals than meets