Introduction: Tackling the Energy Crisis in the UK Pottery Industry
The UK pottery industry, long celebrated for its craftsmanship and heritage, has been hit hard by skyrocketing energy prices. In 2025, several major ceramics manufacturers—including Royal Stafford, Moorcroft, and Wedgwood—faced closures and production halts due to the unsustainable cost of firing kilns at high temperatures.
Now, a revolutionary new clay from Stoke-on-Trent-based supplier Valentine Clays could change everything. Their innovative LoStone stoneware range promises to cut firing temperatures dramatically, helping both industrial and studio potters reduce energy consumption and save thousands in production costs each year.
A Sustainable Breakthrough for Ceramics: The LoStone Range
Valentine Clays, a cornerstone of the UK ceramics supply chain, has unveiled its most significant innovation in decades. Developed after years of research and testing, the LoStone clay range represents a major step forward in energy-efficient pottery production.
“They don’t need to fire their kilns at that ridiculously high temperature anymore,” said Hannah Ault, CEO of Valentine Clays and President of Ceramics UK. “This is my contribution to help the industry lower its costs and embrace sustainability.”
By enabling kilns to operate at significantly lower temperatures, LoStone reduces carbon emissions, extends kiln life, and provides potters with a cost-effective alternative without compromising on quality or durability.
Industry Reaction: A Game-Changer for Potters Nationwide
The ceramics community has welcomed the innovation with open arms. Kevin Millward, industry expert and consultant for the BBC series The Great Pottery Throw Down, praised the LoStone range as a “massive leap forward” for both professional and hobbyist potters.
“The advantages of bringing firing temperatures down are enormous,” Millward explained. “This new stoneware is a real game-changer for the studio pottery and hobby markets. It’s going to make ceramics more accessible, sustainable, and affordable.”
The lower firing temperature technology doesn’t just reduce energy bills—it also enables potters to experiment more freely with glazes, colors, and surface finishes, opening up new creative possibilities while keeping production costs low.
Reviving the Heart of the Potteries
In recent years, Staffordshire’s ceramics industry—the historic “heart of the Potteries”—has faced immense financial strain. Rising energy bills forced traditional companies like Royal Stafford and Heraldic to shut down, leaving hundreds unemployed. Even heritage brands like Wedgwood were forced to temporarily halt operations.
But with innovations like Valentine Clays’ LoStone, there’s renewed optimism in the region. Combined with recent efforts from TG Green and Moorcroft’s family-led revival, these advancements signal a potential resurgence of sustainable pottery manufacturing in the UK.
“We’re all very conscious of the energy crisis our industry is facing,” said Ms. Ault. “LoStone isn’t just a product—it’s part of a larger movement to protect our heritage while embracing sustainability.”
Supporting Large Manufacturers and the Studio Market
While the LoStone range initially targets studio potters and independent artists, Valentine Clays has plans to expand its energy-saving ceramics technology to support larger industrial producers as well.
“We’re already developing additional clay bodies to help the broader ceramics sector cut down their energy costs,” Ault added.
This ongoing R&D could position Valentine Clays as a global leader in the eco-ceramics market, inspiring manufacturers worldwide to adopt low-temperature firing as a standard practice.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: The Future of Pottery
With global industries moving toward carbon-neutral production, energy-efficient materials like LoStone are crucial to achieving the UK’s net-zero goals. By reducing kiln temperatures, manufacturers can drastically lower CO₂ emissions, reduce operational costs, and enhance their environmental credentials.
For pottery businesses, this means not only cutting bills but also appealing to eco-conscious consumers—a growing market trend driving change in nearly every manufacturing sector.
