Imerys celebrate opening of new laboratory
State-of-the-art research and development laboratory opened at company’s main ball clay site in Devon
IMERYS Ceramics Technologies UK recently celebrated the official opening of an £800,000 research and development laboratory at their site near Newton Abbot, in Devon. The state-of-the-art facility will create three new skilled jobs, as well as securing the long-term future of 40 others. It includes six new laboratories, offices and meeting rooms.
Located at Teigngrace, Imerys’s main UK ball clay production site, the 400 square metre building combines an upgraded quality control laboratory with enhanced facilities, and a brand new ceramics technology laboratory dedicated to ceramic applications and innovation.
Describing the new laboratory as a real boost for the industry, Tim Golder, technology manager for ceramic raw materials and applications, said: ‘We are extremely proud to commit to the long-term viability of the ball clay industry in the UK. In 25 years of working with various clay suppliers around the world I have rarely seen an investment of this magnitude.’
Neil Mifflin, technical manager for UK ball clay applications, added: ‘This new facility will help provide our clients with the best possible solutions for their specific production needs. It is a unique resource which will serve the ceramics industry locally, nationally and internationally.’
