National trade body Ceramics UK to put International Day of Ceramics on the map with The AMRICC Centre

Ceramics UK is drawing on its position as the nation’s trade body for the sector to create a major event to mark International Day of Ceramics on March 12, centred around the flagship location, The AMRICC Centre.

Based on the themes ‘hidden in plain sight’  and ‘critical enabler’, Ceramics UK and The AMRICC Centre are using the event as a platform to broaden the view and perception of ceramics in the UK, reinforcing its vital role in the delivery of modern technology and infrastructure, and setting out the sector’s position as an indispensable part of the national economy.

Both powerhouses in the sector, Ceramics UK represents around 90 per cent of the nation’s manufacturing capacity in the industry, while The AMRICC Centre, the UK’s Centre of Excellence for advanced ceramic technologies and hosted and managed by Lucideon, has recently celebrated its first full year of operations at the cutting edge of science and technology.

Activities planned at The AMRICC Centre, based in Staffordshire, will include a technical site tour of the £10.3 million pound facility, industry spotlight presentations, political insight, and the launch of a national competition for schools.

Ceramics UK members across the country will also collectively host open factory tours for partners, schools, colleges, MPs, and the press, while a digital campaign, sharing their ‘hidden in plain sight’ stories and photos will be shared on social media.

Rob Flello, CEO of Ceramics UK, said: “This International Day of Ceramics, we’re aiming to put the products, components, and processes that are key to modern living at the very front and centre of the conversation.

“Members are encouraged to use the ‘hidden in plain sight’ and ‘critical enabler’ themes to explain their position in the supply chain.

“The intent is to show that while ceramic components are often ‘hidden’, they are functionally indispensable, being used in different ways every day, but often out of sight as a component within a mobile phone, a wall tile or daily household items, such as plates and cups.

“The ceramics sector is also a critical enabler for some of the industries we rely on, from communications and aerospace to the manufacture of steel and glass.

“By encouraging manufacturers to open their doors and show the sheer scale and technology involved in some of these processes, the vital contributions the industry makes to manufacturing and how these products are crucial to healthy, safe, and modern living will become more widely understood.”

Reflecting the broad range of ceramics in the UK, the event will highlight the role of companies across various strands of the sector, including heavy clay/construction products, refractories, advanced ceramics, gift and tableware, sanitaryware, and floor and wall tiles.

Launched by the International Ceramics Federation in 2025, the International Day of Ceramics is a global initiative designed to raise awareness of the essential role ceramics play in everyday life and state-of-the-art innovation, celebrating the creativity, technology, and expertise of the sector while inspiring future generations.

Dr Cathryn Hickey, Chief Executive at the AMRICC Centre, said: “From aerospace and green energy to the smartphone in our pockets, ceramics are a critical enabler of modern life, yet, because these materials perform so reliably in the most extreme environments, they often remain ‘hidden in plain sight.’

“Celebrating the industry that supports the infrastructure and places where we live, work and thrive helps gain a broader understanding of its integral role across our daily lives, and the International Day of Ceramics provides a unique opportunity to give the industry the recognition it deserves.

“Ceramics matter in shaping the world and moving us into the future and, at The AMRICC Centre, we’re keen to demonstrate our support for the industry.

“We want to show policymakers, educators, and the wider manufacturing supply chain what makes our sector so important, and at the same time spark the interest of a younger audience, in a bid to inspire career choices in the sector by highlighting the diverse roles available.

“Ultimately, the International Day of Ceramics offers a unique opportunity to shift the public and political conversation away from a narrow view of the sector towards an understanding of its vital role as a ‘critical enabler’ of modern technology and infrastructure.”