ARCHIVESHISTORIQUES
DELACOMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEEDES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM(79)273
Vol.1979/0106

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COMMISSION OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM(79)273final
Brussels,,5June
Proposalfora
COUNCILDECISIONt.9)M^r•krhX .-W
ontheadoptionofaprogrammeoftechnological
researchInthefieldofclaymineralsand
technical ceramics
(submittedtotheCouncilbytheCommission )
C0M(79)273final

CONTENTS
Page
Présentation oftheprogramme 1
Scope oftheprogramme _3
Financial Estimates 6
Implementation andmanagement oftheprogramme 7
Dissemination ofinformation 8
»
f
f
!
ANNEXES : 1
Annex 1:Financial record , 9
Annex 2:Technical annex 13
Annex 3:Knowledge andinventions 25
Annex 4*Proposal foraCouncil Decisión
adopting aprogramme oftechnological
research onclay minerals andtechnical
ceramics ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••*»• 27
Annex 5*Situation oftheoeramies industry in
theCommunity ••••••••••••••••••••••••*•••••••• 31
i
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PRESENTATION OPTHEPROGRAMME
TheCommissionispresentingamultiannual programmeofjointresearchand
development extendingoverfouryears,thecostofwhich,fortheduration
oftheprojects,isestimatedat8.2millionEUA(4*50millionEUAtobe
bornebytheCommission).
Theprogrammewhichhasbeendrawnupincloseconsultation withtheCommu­
nityceramicsindustry,willbeimplemented bywayofshared–costresearch
contracts,ontheonehandwithCERAME-UNIEfortheclayminerals,andon
theotherhandwithGROUPISOLfortheindustrial ceramics *
Bothnationalresearchorganisations andprivateindustrywillparticipate
inthejointresearchprogramme,whichwillemploy20researchworkersand
22assistantspertopic*Theprogramme,whichisaimedessentiallyatencou­
ragingadeeperintegration ofresearchanddevelopmentinthisindustrial
sectorwillcovertwomainsubjects,namely:
–thetechnologyofclayminerals (i)/ \^J v'(seetechnicalannex)
–thetechnologyofindustrialceramics(il)
Itisjustifiedbythefollowingconsiderations :
Thebasicpropertiesofceramics }resistancetoheatandwear,chemioal
inertness,eleotricalbehaviourandmorerecently,highermechanicalstrength,
haveledtotheiruseinawholerangeofindustrialproductsfromdomestic
ceramicstoareasofadvancedtechnology.ManyotherindustrialBectorsdepend
onceramiccomponentsfortheirfurtherdevelopment andgrowthsothata
coordinatedresearchprogrammewillnotonlybenefittheceramicsindustry
itself,butwillstrengthenthetechnological baseofCommunityindustryin
general.Itisjustifiedbythefollowingconsiderations t
Clayminerals
Improvements inthetechnologyofclaymineralswillprincipallybeofbenefit
tothetraditional ceramicsindustry.
–Thissubsectorconsistsofamultitudeofsmallandmedium–sizedfirmswho
supplyF.GROWINGinternalandexportmarketforbasicceramicproducts.
–Thefirmsarelocatedprincipallyinregionswheretherawmaterialsoccur
naturallyorareeasilyaccessible,andthesearefrequentlyeconomically
lessfavouredareaswheretheceramicindustryplaysanimportantrolein
theregionaleoonomy.
–Inviewofdiffusestructureoftheindustryitisessentialthatresearoh
iscarriedoutonacollaborative basistoensurethebestuseofthe
limitedcontributions availablefromindustrialsourcesandthattheresults
areappliedaswidelyaspossible.Communityparticipation willencourage
andstrengthenthiscollaborative base.
–Improvedproductqualityandtheevolutionofnewproductsisessential
tomaintainthecompetitivepositionoftheindustryontheCommunityend
worldmarkets.
–AbetterknowJedgec..thetechnologyofclaymineralswouldleadtoa
lowerspecifioensrgyconsumptionintheproductionprooessandthe

developmentofbetterheatresistingceramicswillalsomakeacontributiontotherationalutilizationofenergy.
-Amoreeffectiveuseofclaymineralsandthere-useofindustrialmineral
wasteswouldreduceenvironmentalpollutionbywastesandspoilheaps*
Industrialceramics
»
•-Industrialceramicsarereplacingmetalsasstructuralelementswhere
Iextremeoperatingconditionsrequireheatresistanceandstrengthathigh
'temperatures orinertness,forexampleinthedevelopmentofhightempe-
:raturegasturbinesandpowerplantandinunitsforuseinaggressive
chemicalconditions.Theiruseallowsthedevelopmentofhigherefficiency
:unitswherematerialpropertiesarealimitingfactor*
~Inadditionalfieldssuchaselectricalinsulators,thecompetitiveposi­
tionoftheCommunityindustrycanonlybemaintainedbythedevelopment
ofmoreeffectiveproducts*
«-Theuniquesemiconducting propertiesofceramicscanbeexploitednotonly
inelectroniccircuitcomponentsbutinmoremassiveforminavarietyof
'processequipmentcomponentssuchasheaterelementsandsolidelectrolytes
iThesepropertiesalsopermitthedevelopmentofspecificinstrumentsensors
whichcanbeusedinimprovingengineandplantperformance *
Stimulationofjointresearchinthesefieldswillstrengthentheindustrial
tissueandreduoeCommunitydependence cmimportedteohnology *

SGOPEOFTHEPROGRAMME
I.Asregardsclayminerals:
1*Determination ofthecharacteristic propertiesofclayminerals
(chemicalcomposition,stateofthesurface,porosityandporesize,
morphological properties,etc.)andstudyoftheireffectonthe
"behaviourofclaysduringmoulding.Thisentails:
1»studyoftheinteractionsinsuspensionsofaqueousclays("bonds
betweenions,betweenmolecules,etthewatersurface,ion
exchange,etc.);
2.studyoftheelectrochemical andelectrokinetic propertiesofclay
minerals.
Thepurposeofthisprojectistolaythetechnological foundationsfor
upgradingthelessvaluableclaymineralsandadaptingceramicproduction
processestotherequirements imposedbylessvaluableclaymineralsandthe
wastesofotherbranchesofindustry,takingintoaccounttheneed:
–toensurethattheprocessiseconomically viable;
–toraisethetechnological leveloftheindustry;
–toplanforthedemandswhichthemarketplacesuponceramicproducts;
–touseproductionenergyintheroosteconomicalmanner;
–toprotecttheenvironment ;
–toimproveworkingconditions ;
totheCommunity'snaturalresourcesinthebestpossibleway;
–tomaintainthelevelofemployment ;
–toenlargethebasisforindustrialinnovations.
2#Scientificstudyofdrying,whichrequiresamongotherthingsa
knowledgeoftheinteraction ofclayparticlesinindustrialsuspensions
withdifferentcomponentssuchasfeldsparorquartz,inorderto
ascertaintheroec-hanismofwaterabsorptionandofdrying.

♦
!Themain operations which consume energy intheceramic industry arethe
Ipreparation ofbasic products ,drying ,"baking andfusion ofrefractories .
Avariety oftechniques will beBtudied from different angles ,for
instance drying "byradiation orbyheat pump inthese operations ,their
feasibility ,theenergy andquality aspects .
i
I
I
I3.Study ofthebaking ofselected clays alone orinmixtures .In
particular ,theloss ofweight ,thegascomposition ,theenergy
balance andthemineralogical changes will bedetermined .
<
ι
I
i
iTherate ofvitrification ,thetensions inthematerials ,thephenomenon of
thermal shock andofblack heart inceramic masses ,andthepossibility of
saving energy will likewise beanalysed .
Tosave energy anumber oftechnical solutions canbeproposed ,such as
useoflowdensity smoke evaouation systems ,recovery ofheat ,andimpro­
vement oftheisotherms andthebaking cycles .
4*Study oftheproperties ofthebaked masses from themechanical ,
physical |electrical andchemical point ofview .
5»Study oftheeffect ofmineralogical properties ofclay minerals on
thebehaviour oftheproduct during thedifferent phases ofthe
manufacturing technology (moulding ,drying ,baking )andonthe
properties ofthefinished produots .
t
Finally ,correlations ofageneral type will beestablished ,linking up
allthedata oolleoted during thestudies ofthedifferent items mentioned
above *

5
II.Asregardstheprogrammeofdevelopmentofindustrialceramicmaterials,
theindustrialandresearchlaboratoryexpertssuggestedthefollowingsixstudies(seetechnicalannex):
1*Development oftheproductiontechnologyforthemanufacture ofpowders
optimizedforaparticularproductorpurpose,usingoxidesand
mixedoxidesasthebasicmaterialsforindustrialceramicproducts.
2.Improvement ofthesurfacestateofsemi–finishedandfinishedceramics
inaluminainordertoincreasetheirmechanicalstrength.
3.Development ofthetechnologyofusingzirconiumoxideceramicproducts
byincreasingtheirmeohanicalstrength.
4#Development ofthetechnologyofusingceramicmaterialscontaining
electricity^-conducting zirconiumoxide.
Development ofthepossibilities ofusingtheelectricalpropertiesof
tinoxide.
6.Developmentofthetechnologyoffurtherprocessingandutilizationof
ceraaiofibresandperfectingofthetechnological basesfornew
productionprocedures andperhapsinventionofnewproducts.
Theprojectsoutlinedassumethatthetechnological researchwillnotbe
conceivedsolelyatthenationallevel,butthatlateronCommunityaspects
willemergeandguidelinesbelaiddown,whichshouldallowtheseparated
researchsystems,whereupuntilnowexchangeshaveonlybeensporadic,to
betransformedintoanoverallefficientsystem.Thejointresearch
progrfwunewhichisthesubjectofthisCommissionproposalopenstheway
forthispromisingdevelopment.

! ·ι .·
ί
FINANCIAL FORECAST .
f, ■ . '
jThemaximum EECcontribution forimplementation oftheproposed programme
amounts to4«50 million EUA (seeannex :Financial record ).
i
,Thedetailed "breakdown ofthefinancing ,"bytopic and "byproject ,will be
carried out "bytheprogramme management body (seebelow ).
TheCommunity funds will serve :
(l)tofinance shared –cost research contracts with theresearch
organizations ,industry andtheuniversities oftheMember States ,
totheextent of50%of "theeffective cost oftheresearch carried
out .with amaximum of2.05 million EUAforeach ofthetwotopics .
I
I
(2)tomanage theprogramme which will amount to0,40 million EUA.
10
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Management of"theprogramme
TheCommissionwillcarryouttheresearchprogramme "bymeansofcontracts.
TheCommission'sServiceswillassurethecollaboration withthecontractors
(CERAME-UNIEandGROUPISOL)andtheirprogrammeManagementCouncil,and
willrefer,onmatterconcerningtheprogrammesoperation,totheConsulta­
tiveCommitteeformanagement andresearchanddevelopment programmes
inaccordancewiththeCouncil'sresolutionof18.July1977relativeto
consultative Committeesforthemanagementoftheresearchprogramme
(O.J.N°C192of11.8.1977,P.1).

DISSEMINATION OPINFORMATION
Thedissemination ofknowledgeresultingfromtheprogrammewillbe
governedbyCouncilRegulation(EEC)No2380/74of17September1974»
Thecontraotclausesapplicabletoknow-howandinventionswillb*based
ontheprinciplesdefinedinAnnex3*

9-
ANNEX 1
FINANCIAL RECORD
NEW PROJECT .
1.Budget heading :section 3720 .
2»Title ofbudget headings actions intheceramics sector .
3.Legal basis :Proposal for aCouncil decision based onarticle 235
ofthe EECTreaty adopting aprogramme ofcollective technological
research inthe field ofclay minerals andtechnical ceramics .
4»Description ,aim and .justification oftheproject
4.0 Description oftheproject –persons involved
4-0.0 Execution oftworesearch projects ,oneonthetechnology
ofday minerals fl).theother onthetechnology of
special ceramics (il)
4.1.0 Persons involved
4.0 .1.1 theceramics industry
4.0 .1.2 thewhole Community
4.1 Aimoftheproject
4*1.0 General aim
–toimprove thetechnology ofusing clay minerals (l)
-tobroaden thescope oftechnical ceramics (il).
4.1.1 Spécifie objectives
–use ofclay minerals oflesser quality ;improvement
oftechnological conditions forthesupplying ofraw
materials andforinnovation ofproducts and
production methods inthecontext oftheeconomic
policy fortheenvironment andenergy (i);
–creation ofstarting materials necessary for
production ;substitution ofceramic products forrare
metals ;development ofindustrial ceramics through
thepromotion ofinnovations ,inthecontext ofthe
economic policy fortheenvironment andenergy (il).

-10-
4®2Justification oftheprojectchosen
Implementation oftheprogrammeisfinancedjointlybythe
Communityandindustry.Thejointcharacteroftheresearch
allowsmoreeco.noraiouseofpublicfundsandencouragesprivate
endeavours,inparticularintheformofsupplementary
programmescarriedoutattheirownexpensebycertainfirms.
Theseprojectsareaimedessentiallyatencouraginggreater
integrationinthisindustrialsectorandatstrengtheningit
tofaoecompetition .
5»Budgetaryaspectsoftheproject(inmillionEUA,atcurrentprices)
5*0Effectonexpenditure
5.0.1Miltiannual timetable
Miltiannualprojectstobeenteredinthebudgetas
singlebudgetarycommitmentsforthewholeperiodofthe
projectsandaspaymentappropriations (TABLEl)
ΜΜΜΜΚΒΜΜΜΜΕΗηβΡΜΜΙΜΜΗΒη
Budgetary
commitmentsPaymentsforecast–
appropriationsneedforpayment
ist
year2nd
year3rd
yearSubsequent
financialyears
Budgetary
commitment
(singlecommitment
fortheperiodof
theprojects)4.500,91,701,10 0,80
TOTAL 4..50millionEUA
Theseprojectswillbepursueduntil1984,TableII
showsthebalancesheetofpossiblepayments*

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TopicI:clay
mineralsTopicII:special
ceramicsManagementof
theprogramme
lst
year0.40 0.40 0.100 0.90
2na
year0.80 0.80 0.100 1.70
3rd.
year0.50 0.50 0.100 1.10
4th
year0.35 0.35 0.100 0.80
TOTAL 2.05 2.05 0.400 4.50
millionEUA
5*0.2Rateofuseofthepaymentappropriations duringthe
firtsexercise :
Firsthalf–year:30$;secondhalf–year:10fo»
5.1Possibleeffectonresources
5.1.1Methodofcalculation.Expenditure bycontracts.
Thecostsofthecontractwilldependonthenatureofthesubjects
sadthenatureofthelegalsystemsoftheparticipating labora­
tories.Itisnotpossibletosetupauniformmethodofcalcu–
tionfortheparticipation ratesperproject.
Inanycase,theCommission'sServicesandthecontractorstogether
withtheirManagementCouncil,willconsulttheConsultative Com­
mitteeonthemanagementoftheresearchanddevelopment program­
metobesetupinaccordancewiththeCouncilresolutionof
18July1977(O.J.No.C192/1of11.8.77)ontheallocationof
thecredits.
Community Industry Total
Programme
topicI+
topicII4.1 4.18.2millionEUA
6.Supervisory arrangements planned
6.1Supervisionoftheexecutionoftheresearchoontractsby
CommissionstaffandbytheACFM.

12-
7. .Financial effect ofthe pro.iect througjio-ut theperiod envisaged
(inmillion EUA )
7.0.1 Expenditure (cost )tobemetbythe 4.50
Community budget including management
expenses oftheprogramme
7*0.3 Expenditure (cost )tobemetby 4»1
other sectors atanational level
Total 8.60 million E(JA
8.Information onthe Btaff andoperating appropriations necessary for
implementing the pro.iect
8.0 Necessary staff
1A)(temporary agents forthedura- ,,,.mA
1Ctionoftheprogramme ) 0#4°million EUA
9.Financing ofthe pro.iect
9*3 Appropriations tobeentered infuture budgets .

AMEX2
TECHNICAL AMEX
I.Thetechnologyofclaymineralsintheceramicsmanufaotaring
process
II.Studiescoveredbythejointresearchprogrammeoftheindustrial
ceramicsseotor

T. CLAY MINERALS
Aimi
Tostudy scientifically andindepth theproperties oftheclayparticle
with aview to:
1«laying asound basis oftheory *tosupport today 'slargely empirical
knowledge oftheproperties andinteractions ofbasic materials in
theceramics industry :
2.manipulating them better :
3.obtaining abetter command ofmanufacturing technology :
4*obtaining scientifically valid data which will allow theinvention of
newtechnologies andpossibly newproducts ;
5*discovering how touse therawmaterials present intheCommunity
sub-soil which areatpresent rejected forwant ofadequate knowledge
6.thereafter preparing alist ofrawmaterials which oould beused by
theceramics industry oftheEEC.
Programme contents :
Determination ofthecharacteristic properties ofclayminerals (ohemical
composition ,surface state ,porosity andpore size ,morphological
properties ,eto*) study oftheir effect upon thebehaviour ofolays
during forming *This requires :
1*study oftheinteractions inaqueous day suspensions (bonds between
ions ,between molecules ,atthewater surface ,ionexchange ,etc*)*
2.study oftheelectrochemical andelectrokinetio properties ofclay
minerals ,suchastheinteraction ofclayparticles inindustrial

-15-
suspensions with ,different components ,e.g. feldspar orquarts ,in
order toreveal themechanism ofabsorption ofwater andofdrying .
2.Study ofthe baiting ofselected clays alone orinmixtures .In
particular ,the loss ofweight ,thegascomposition ,theenergy
balance and the mineralogical changes will bedetermined .
Therate ofvitrification ,thetensions inthematerials ,the
phenomenon ofthermal shock andofblack heart inceramic masses ,
and thepossibilities ofsaving energy will beanalysed .
3.Study oftheproperties ofthebaked masses from themechanical ,
physical ,electrical and chemical standpoints .
4.Study .ofthe effect ofmineralogical properties ofclay minerals on
thebehaviour oftheproduct during thedifferent phases ofthe
manufactuxing technology (moulding ,drying ,baking )andonthe
properties offinished products .
Finally ,correlations ofageneral type will beestablished linking up
all thedata collected during the studies ofthedifferent above mentioned
items .
STUDIES COVERED BYTHE JOIM 1RESEARCH PROGRAMME OFTHE TECHMCAL CERAMICS
INDUSTRY
Research study I:
Itevelcpmen ^£f_the_production ie£hnolo£^_f£r_the__manuf acture_of powders
optimised for ;a£a£t^cul^_p£odu£t__or £urpo_s _e,_u_sing_ox ide_sandmixed .
oxi.de_s_.as the .basic ,materials .for .^ndu£t irial__C£ramic_j3£odu.ct.s
Thepractice which until nowhas consisted inproducing basic ceramic
materials mainly bydecomposition ofhydroxides andcarbonates (Bayer
procedure forthemanufacture ofalumina )nolonger answers theincreased
demands .Various manufacturing procedures discovered recently may
broaden thepossibilities ofproducing basio materials optimized fora
given purpose ,forexample :

-16-
–sinterable silicon carbide powders ,
–powders forisostatio pressing ,
–powders ofknown particle size forelectrical materials ,
–zirconium oxide with stabilized phase anddoped inanoptimum way ,
•beta-alumina ,
–homogeneous materials forferrites .
Among thenewprocedures formanufacturing powders ,wewould mention :
thesol–gelprocedure ,which is,forexample ,adapted tothemanufacture
ofhigh-melting -point oxide powders (thorium oxide )that canbesintered
atrelatively lowtemperatures ,i.e. with lower energy consumption and
less pollution oftheenvironment ;
co-precipitation ,forthepreparation ofultra –fine powders ,e.g. of
alumina orofbarium titanate ,which aresuitable starting materials
forextremely homogeneous andmicrocrystalline products ;
hotatomization ofsolutions using aflame orplasma toroh ,andthe
procedure consisting ofprojecting solutions ontoahotplate orinto
anoven ,which allows themanufacture ofpowders asfine asthose
produced byoo-precipitation ,with variable associated properties ;
hydrolysis oforganometallic compounds ,which readily offers the
possibility ofgearing theprocess towards theacquisition ofspecifio
powder properties *
Enlargement ofthetechnological scope forthecreation ofceramic
starting powders optimized foraparticular product orpurpose will lay
thefoundations fornewandimproved products ,capable offulfilling key
technological functions andimportant from thestandpoint ofsocial and
economic policy *Examples ofthese are :
–substrates ,supports andhousings forelectrical circuits ,
–piezoelectric sensors ,
–solid electrolytes inbeta–alumina forelectrical energy accumulators
(electric drives ,miolear energy ,low-voltage electricity grid
systems ),
–bioceramic materials (pins forfractures ,bone replacements ,
reoeptaoles forimplantations ,parts forartificial organs ),

-17-
-substitutionforarticlesmadefromvaluablematerials,e.g.:
•aluminatoreplacevanadiumcarbideortungstencarbideforcarbide
platelets,millingspindleheadsaMdrillheads,
•aluminaorzirooniumoxidetoreplaceplatinumforcrucibles,
•siliooncarbidetoreplacemolybdenuminsteels*
-highly-stressed machinepartssuchasgas-turbinebladesofsilioon
nitrideorsiliconcarbide.
Theresearchwillcover,asthemostimportantpoints,thetechnologyof
powdersofzirconiumoxide,tinoxide,alumina,beta-alumina ,andthe
mixedoxidesofzirconiumoxide,siliconoxide,aluminaortitaniumoxide.
Oncetheproductiontechnologyoftheseoxideshasbeendeveloped,the
researchcanbeextended ,tootherpowderssuchasthoseofsilicon
nitride,siliconcarbide,carbon,titanate,zirconates,niobatesandferrites.
Foreachpow&or,theresearchwillooverthedevelopmentof
–thetechnologyofproducingthepowders
–thetechnologyofusingthepowders
–thetechnologyofproducingmaterialsmanufactured fromthesepowders.
Justification :
Inthemanufactureofthepowders,theUnitedStatesisconsiderablyin
advanceoftheECcountriesthankstoitstechnicaldevelopmentin
astronautics ,defenceandthewholefieldofelectronics.
EvenJapanwasquicktofollowaparallelpathandhaspassedontomass
productionandthusgainedtheleadovertheCommunity.
ThisadvanceenablestheUnitedStatestodeliverhigh-gradepowdersto
itsbranchfirmsestablishedintheCommunity,whiohmaythendeliver
highly-developed productstothemanufacturers ofelectroniccomponents
andequipmentinstalledinEurope.Firmswhicharenotsubsidiaries of
Americancompaniesarenotabletoobtainanyofthesehighly-developed
powdersorcanonlyprocuretheminsmallamountsatunfavourable prices.
ThisprivilegedsituationgivestheAmericansubsidiaries acompetitive
advantageovertheCommunitymanufacturers ofoxide–basedceramics.

Asaresult ,there isanacute risk that themanufacturers ofindustrial
ceramics products installed intheCommunity will inevitably find
themselves inasituation ofdependence ontheAmerican suppliers .
Themanufacturers ofelectronic components intheCommunity ,who ,asa
result ofthedominant position onthemarket oftheAmerican suppliers of
special ceramic materials ,dependent largely onUSfirms ,could ,however ,
free themselves from this dependence iftheCommunity manufacturers of
industrial ceramic products were inaposition tosupply products of
similar quality .
Ifthe industrial ceramics industries oftheCommunity themselves develop
these necessary powdered materials ,they will beinaposition to
guarantee therequisite quality ofceramic products .
Research study II:Improvement ofthe surface state ofsemi-finished and
finished ceramics inalumina inorder toincrease their mechanical strength
Theimprovement ofthe surface state ofglass with aview toincreasing its
mechanical andbreaking strength has ,inthelast twenty years ,opened new
fields fortheutilization ofglass .Thesurface state isimproved bymeans
ofacid-polishing ,fire–polishing ,mechanical polishing ,thermal
hardening ,chemical hardening orcoating with tinoxide .Forceramic i
products nocomparable process hasuptonowattained technical maturity , !
although theresults ofexperiments sofaroffer good prospects for
practical applications : j
–byquenching sintered alumina incertain oils ,itispossible to
increase considerably thetensile strength ofthesample : !
I
-inamixture oftitanium tetrachloride vapour ,methane andhydrogen ,it
ispossible todeposit onalumina anadhering layer oftitanium oxide ,
then oftitanium carbide ,andthus enhance thestrength ofthe
ceramio material *Thetreatment canbecontrolled bymeans ofthe
reaotion temperature ,because below 1000°C titanium oxide isformed ,
andtitanium carbide above that temperature .

Research will apply these andrelated procedures toceramic materials ,
discover thestructural ,thermal ,chemical andmechanical changes which
they cause atthesurface ofthematerial andalso elucidate the
physical andchemical mechanisms ofthetreatment asabasis that will
allow thegreatest broadening ofthetechnological scope offered by
!improvement ofthesurface state .Wiefinal aimofthis task would be
1toopen uptotheceramic material ,alumina ,newfields ofusesuch as
iball bearings orplunger pistons * j
ι
I
iJustification :
jTheproject must cope with thefuture shortage ofcertain noble metals by
|developing substitute materials .Byimproving thesurface state of
jceramic products itwill bemore practicable than inthepast to
substitute ceramic materials forthehighly-stressed components innoble
metals intended formachines ,gasturbines ,etc.Inview ofthehigh heat
resistance andthecorrosion strength ofalumina ,this substitution will
:even permit stepping upthefunction ofengines andplant .Howto
:give aceramic component mechanical strength equivalent tothat ofthe
Imetal which itistoreplace ,however ,isthekeyproblem facing allthe
|Community producers ofoxide–based ceramics .Iheresearch necessary to
!bring about this aim isofsuch fundamental nature andgeneral magnitude
'asexceeds thecapabilities andthematerial resources oftheindividual
jproducers#
Research study III :Development ofthe technology ofusing zirconium
oxide ceramic products byincreasing their mechanical strength
i
!Compared with alumina ,zirconium oxide possesses certain properties which
jaresoremarkable (e.g. high melting point andgreat hardness )that one
1maylook forward toconsiderable wider utilization ofthis material .
However ,itsindustrial application hassofarbeen limited tofireproof
bricks forfurnaces ,obtained bymelting andsintering andtochemical
installations orsintered machine parts ,forexample thread –guiding
components inthetextile industry ,drawplates inthemetallurgical
iandplastics industry andpulverizers intheindustrial crushing
technique .

Thelow'breakingstrengthhasuntilnowrestrictedwiderutilization
ofzirconiumoxideandhindereditsuseinthemanufacture oflarge
productionpartssubjecttoheavymechanicalstresses.
I
Recently,however,newpotentialwaysofsubstantially increasingthe
strengthofzirconiumoxidehavebeenfound;forinstancestabilizers
canbeaddedwhichcausemonoclinicortetragonalprecipitations inthe
cubicphaseofthematerial*Thehigherstrengthssofarobtainedin
thismanneralreadyopenthewaytoanumberofnewpotentialuses.
Itmustbenoted,however,thatthelimittotheincreasesinstrength
!thatcanbeachievedhavenotyetbeenascertained.
!
i
iInordertogethigherstillstrength,newstabilizersmustbeadded
!tothewiderangewhichexistsalready,texturestudiesmustbedone,
!andthetechniqueformanufacturing samplepartssimilartothe
iproductsusedtodaymustbedeveloped.Anotherpointtobeexaminedis
|theextenttowhichthenewpossibilityrepresentedbyimmersionimparts
itothematerialpropertiesofvaluefromthestandpointofutilization
technology. >
t
I
IResearchstudyIV:Development ofthetechnologyofusingceramic
imaterialscontainingzirconiumoxideasaconductorofelectricity
i
I
iAthightemperatures ,zirconiumoxideisaconductorofelectricity.
•Itsconductanceisduetothemobilityoftheelectronsandthe
oxygenions.
i
i
iThankstothisproperty,zirconiumoxidetubeshavealreadyearneda
;placeonthemarketaselectricalheatingelementsinfurnaoes.
;Asanoxygenionconductorthismaterialisalsosuitableformeasuring
jtheoxygencontentofhotgasesandmelts.Forexample,oxygenprobes
|madeofzirconiumoxidearealreadywidelyusedduringthemelting
iofsteel. !
» ..
1 I
•I
i
I
I

-21-
Thepotentialusesofzirconiumoxideasathermalfuseandmeasuring
probearefarfrom"beingexhausted,becausethetechnological principles
inregardtothismaterialhavenotyetbeensufficiently explored.
Itappearspossibletouseitforautomaticoptimizingofenergy
consumption inoil-firedheatinginstallations ,combustionenginesand
thermochemical productioninstallations .Whilstitsfieldofuseis
certainlynotnarrow,onecannotasyetperceiveitsfullextent.Itis
essentially characterized bytheremarkablepropertiesofzirconium
oxide,andparticularlyitshighmeltingpointanditschemicalinertness.
Thismaterialthusrepresentsalatentfactorinthetechnological and
economicdevelopment oftheindustry,therationalization ofenergy
consumption andtheprotectionoftheenvironment .
Inordertoexploitthisuserpotential,weneedtoestablishthe
technological fundamentals oftheproduct.Itisnecessary,forexample,
toexaminesystematically thelinksexistingbetweenthemechanical ,
thermal,electricalandelectrochemical propertiesandthetemperature ,
ambientatmosphere (e»g.thepartialpressureofoxygen)anddoping
(e.g.thevalencyofcations).
Justification :
Thisprojectwilllaythefoundationsforimportanttechnicalinnovations ,
forexamplethemanufacture ofsensorsformonitoringfunctionsin
motorvehicles,ovensandexhaust-gasinstallations .Thesettingsmade
possiblebytheuseofthesesensorswillallowsubstantial energy
savings.
Theseoansorsarsofparticularimportancetothemotor-carindustry,
sincethesettingstheyallowmakeitunnecessarytoaddleadtothefuel,
andthiswillhelpconsiderably toprotecttheenvironment .Research
intothepossibilities offeredbyzirconiumoxidesensorsofsubstantially
loweringthecarbonmonoxidecontentincombustion–engineexhaustgases
isalsoiportajitfromtheeconomicviewpoint.Iflegislation camein
requiringIhis,theindustrialceramicsindustrytodaywouldbecaught
unpreparedandwoulddependonimportsfromtheUnitedStates,

sincethelatteralreadyappliesprovisionsofthistypeand.,asa
result,theindustryhasalreadycarriedoutdevelopments inthis
direction.ThemajorriskintheCommunityasregardsamortizingthe
developmentcostswillbedistributedaorossthewholeofthebranch
bymeansofthejointactionproject.
ResearchstudyV;Development ofthepossibilities ofusingtheelectrical
properties oftinoxide
Tinoxidehaslongbeenusedasanopacifyingagentforglazesand
enamelsandasacomponentofmattglass*
Inrecenttimesunusualelectricalpropertiesoftinoxidehavebeen
discovered.Consequentlytinoxideelectrodesareusedinsteadof
molybdenumelectrodesforelectrically heatingtheglass-melting
furnacewhentheglassescontainoxidesthatrankhigherthanmolybdenum
inthetableofelectrochemicalvoltages(e.g.PbO,AlgO^,CuO,Fe^O^)»
Coatingsorglazescontainingtinoxideservetoimprovethesurface.
Theyaxeelectricity^-conducting andthereforesuitableforoperating-
theatres,organiclaboratories ,roomswhereexplosionrisksexist,or
high-voltage insulators,andarereplacingleadglazeswhichare
regardedasdangerousfortheenvironment.Then-typesemi-oonductor
tinoxidecanbeusedasanindispensable electronicandelectro-optical
material.
Developmentofnewusesdependson,first,greatermasteryofthe
techniqueofmanufacturing tinoxidesormixedglass-and-ceramic
systemscontainingtinoxideand,secondly,asystematicexamination
ofthesematerialsfromthepointofviewoftheirpropertiesand
theirreactionsinthefieldof6olidstatephysios.

-23-
Research study VT:Development ofthe technology offurther process in/:
and utiliz.it ion ofceramic fibres and ,perfecting oftechnological
bases for new production procedures
Recently ,ceramic fibres ofalumina andzirconium oxide have really got
offtheground .Inthemeantime ,aEuropean manufacturer hasbegun
tomarket such fibres .
These fibres arevery resistant tochemicals and tohigh temperatures
and canalso beused asheat-insulat ingmaterial inplaces where other
materials are not strong enough tolast well butwhere insulation
isparticularly desirable .This isthe case inthe construction of
metallurgical ovens andthermochemical equipment .
Simply onthegrounds oftheenergy-saving measures imposed byeconomic
factors ,itisimperative topromote wider production anduse of
ceramic fibres .
Ceramic fibres inbonded fabric form have already proved their worth as
oven linings .This use could beconsiderably simplified ,andfollowed
byother uses ,ifthefibres were further transformed inwhich ceramic
starting materials prepared from fibres arepressed orcast andfinally
sintered .Theproduct obtained would then beasolid construction
material characterized byextreme lightness andhigh thermal and
chemical resistance .Itwould bemechanically suitable formachining ,
but could bemanufactured inanalmost limitless range ofshapes .
Prom thepoint ofview ofeconomic andtechnological policy ,itis
worthwhile todiscover and extend thetechnology ofmanufacturing
andusing such amaterial ,which moreover could beused foranumber
ofother purposes ,forexample aspiping forvery hot ,chemically
corrosive liquids andgases ,asstructural parts forreaction tanks
inthechemical industry ,asafiltering medium ,asupport forcatalysts ,
forconfining high temperatures inthesmallest possible space ,and
soforth .

-24-
Hitherto ,ceramic fibres have been proauced bydrawing orblowing
from themelt .Inview ofthesignificance ofthefibres inthepublic
mind ,itwould bedesirable tocreate technological production
foundations for other manufacturing processes .Some unconventional
methods would give greater freedom inthechoice ofstarting
materials .Oneshould ,forexample ,find outhowtoobtain crude
ceramic fibres ,which could then bebaked ,byimpregnation oftextile
fibres insuspensions ofceramics orbyelectrophoretic deposition
ofceramic powders onmetal orcarbon fibres .
Just ificat ion :
Theutmost must bedone toenlarge thetechnology ofmanufacturing ,
andusing ceramic fibre ,amaterial ofsuch importance inconnection
with energy policy .Isolated firms would find ittoodifficult to
resolve thefundamental problems .But ,ifthefundamental technological
principles ,and inparticular those relating touse ,areresearched by
collective effort this study will puttheindustrial ceramics industry
inabetter starting position toconquer newmarkets and atthe same time
contribute towards theenergy savings that arenowsonecessary .

-25-
ANNEX3
KNOWLEDGE ANDINVENTIONS
A.Knowledge
Thecontactsconcluded ,inimplementation ofthisDecisionwillcontain
clausespermitting :
1.Communication totheCommissionoftheknowledgeresultingfromthe
researchentrustedtothecontractor ,withtherighttouseitforitsown
needs,particularly forthemanagementoftheprogramme.
2.Confidential exchange,betweencontractors ,doingresearchonthesame
topic,ofanyinformation whichisnecessarytothesuccessfulexecution
oftheresearchandofwhichtheyhavefreedisposal.
3®Thecompiling,foreachresearchtopic,ofannualstatusreportswhich
theCommission maycoraaxunicatetotheACPM®
4*Thecompiling,ontheinitiativeofthecontractorattherequestofthe
Commission ,ofspecialreportsintendedfortheKemberStatesandfor
personsandfirmswhocarryonintheterritoryofaMemberState,a
researchorproductionactivityjustifyingtheiraccesstosuchreports.
5.Thecompiling,foreachresearchtopic,ofafinalreportintendedfor
publication ,itbeingunderstoodthat,atthereasonedrequestofthe
contractor ,thedistribution ofallorpartofthisreportamybe
restrictedtotheMemberStatesandtopersonsandfirmswhocarryon,
intheterritoryofaMemberState,aresearchorproductionactivity
justifyingtheiraccesstothesereports.
B«Inventions
UnderCouncilRegulation(EEC)I?o2380/74theinventions,whether
patentableornot,resultingfromtheexecutionoftheprogrammecan
belongtothecontractors ,or,ifsomeofthemsowish,bedisposedof
toalegalpersoncreatedbythem.If'thecontractors surrenderthese
inventions ,theCommission mayclaimownershipofthemfortheCommunity.

Diecontractorwillberequiredtoexploitsuchinventionsortohave
themexploitedunderconditionswhichareinconformitywiththe
interestsoftheCommunity,pursuanttoArticle3oftheabove-mentioned
Regulation *Thegrantingoflicencesthatallowproductsorequipment
manufactured innon-membercountriestobeimportedintotheCommunity
willnotnormallybeconsideredasconformablewiththeinterestsofthe
Communityandwillbesubjecttopriorauthorization bytheCommission.
2.InselectingcontractorstheCommissionwillgivepreferenceto
thosewhohaveconoludedorarewillingtoconcludeamongthemselves
anagreementoncoordinatedexploitation oftheinventionsandknow-how
whichemergefromresearchfallingunderthesametopic*Thisagreement
mustprovideforthegrantingoflicencesonotherinventionsorthe
supplyingofotherknow*-howofwhichthecontractors havethefreedisposal,
insofarasthisisnecessarytosuchcoordinatedexploitation *

-27-
ANNEX 4
Proposal foraCounoil Decision ontheadoption ofaprogramme of
technological research inthefield ofclay minerals andtechnical
ceramics
THECOUNCIL OPTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard totheTreaty establishing theEuropean Eoonomic Community ,
and inparticular Article 235thereof ;
Having regard totheproposal from the Commission ;
Having regard totheopinion oftheEuropean Parliament ;
Having regard totheopinion oftheEconomic and Social Committee ;
Whereas on14January 1974 1"theCouncil adopted aResolution onthe
coordination ofnational policies andthedefinition ofprojects of
interest tothe Community inthefield ofscience andtechnology ;
Whereas ,underArticle 2oftheTreaty ,theCommunity hasinter alia
thetask ofpromoting throughout the Community aharmonious development
ofeconomic activities and acontinuous andbalanced expansion ;
Whereas improvements inthetechnology ofclay minerals andalso in
thetechnology oftheproduction anduseoftechnical ceramio produots ,
which have become necessary foreconomic andsocial reasons andwhich will help
towards achievement oftheabove-mentioned Treaty objectives ,depend
upon the carryings-through ofcertain wide-ranging technological research
work ;
Whereas joint research inthis industrial sector plays animportant role
inthedevelopment ofthe ceramic industry since this bra -richconsists
mainly ofemail andmedium-sized undertakings which arenot,orarenot
sufficiently ,inaposition toundertake research oftheir own ;
Whereas ,because themanufacture ofclassical ceramic products suoh
asinsulators isdeveloping more andmore inoountries which are
becoming industrialized outside theCommunity ,itisessential that the
European industry devote itself tothetechnology andmanufacture of
products embodying thehighest technical knowledge andskill ;

-28-
Whereas,"takingintoaccountthelimitednationalcapabilitiesinthetechnology
ofolaymineralsandtechnicalceramics,likewisethegeneralinterest
expressedbythesectorinthedevelopmentofsuchtechnology,andin
ordertoemployinthe"bestpossiblewaytheresearchpotentialavailable
intheCommunity,theceramiosindustryhasdrawnupaprogrammeofjoint
researchatCommunitylevel,thetotalfinancialcostofwhichamountsto
8.2millionEUA;
WhereasaCommunityprogrammeisdesignedtoraisethetechnological level,
toincreasethecompetitiveness ofundertakings,especiallythatofsmalland
medium-sized undertakings;andtofurthertheaimsoftheCommunitypolicies
onenergyandtheenvironment;
Whereasthisprogrammeisalsodesignedtoimprovethesupplyofrawmaterials
forspecialmaterials,tofacilitateinnovationasregardsbothproductsand
production,topermiteconomicgrowthofthesectorandtherebytoraisethe
levelofemployment,andtostrengthendevelopmentofeconomically unfavoured
regions;
Whereas,furthermore,thisCommunityprogramme,whichisdesignedtobeincorporatedinthejointprogrammereferredtoaboveandtofacilitateitsimplementation,
constitutes animportantintegratingfaotorfortheoeramicsindustry; 1
Whereasthejointresearchprogrammeistheresultofcooperationof
severalyears*standingwithintheceramicsindustryandthereforeoffers
theassurancethatitwillberationallyandsuccessfully carriedthrough^
WhereastheresearchprojectswhicharethesubjectofthisDecisionappear ;
tobenecessaryifcertainCommunityobjectivesrelatingtothefunctioning ■
ofthecommonmarketaretobeattained;
WhereastheTreatyestablishingtheEuropeanEoononsioCommunitymakesno
provisionforthepowersofactionRequiredforthesepurposes;
WhereasCRESThasdelivereditsopinionontheproposaloftheCommission,
! * ♦'. «• !

-29-
HASDECIDED ASFOLLOWS:
Article 1.
ACommunityprogrammeofresearchinthefieldsoftechnologyofclay
mineralsandtechnicalceramics,assetoutintheAnnex,ishereby
adoptedforaperiodoffouryears.
Article 2.
Theglobalrequirements forthewholedurationoftheprogrammeare
estimatedat4.5MUCEandastaffof2agents,theEuropeanunitof
accountbeingdefinedbyarticle10oftheFinancialregulationof
21December1977thesumsquotedbeinggivenonlybywayofindication
Article3.
TheCommissionshallcarryouttheprogramme bymeansofcontracts.
Itwillbeassistedinthistaskbytheadvisorycommittee onthe
managementoftheprogrammeof.researchanddevelopment inthefield
of"primaryrawmaterials"set-upbyCouncildecisionof6March1978.
andwhosemandateandmembership aredefinedaccordingtotheCouncil
resolutionof18July1977relatingtoconsultative committees in
thefieldofresearchprogramme management .
Article4.
Dissemination ofinformation resultingfromtheexecutionofthe
programmeshallbeeffectedunderthetermsofCouncilRegulation
(EEC)2380/74adoptingprovisionsforthedissemination ofinformation
relatingtoresearchprogrammesfortheEuropeanEconomicCommunity.
DoneatBrussels,
FortheCouncil,
ThePresident.

AMEX
Programme ofresearch onthetechnology ofclay minerals
f
Main objectives :useofpoorer-quality olay minerals ,improvement ofthe :
technological conditions that nowrestrict the supply ofrawmaterials to
theceramio industry andtheinnovations inproducts andproduction which
aredesirable forreasons ofeconomic ,energy andenvironmental policy#
Programme :initially ,coordination ofresearch inthefield ofclay minerals ,
tobefollowed "bytechnological research work inthecontext ofajoint action
project oftheceramics industry ,namely ,thorough examination anddevelopment
ofthebases underlying thetechnology ofupgrading andutilizing day minerals ,
anddrawing-up ofaproposal tointensify theuse ofrawmaterials andto
improve the ceramio production process .
Programme ofresearch onthetechnology ofspecial ceramio materials
Main aims :provision ofbasic materials forspecial ceramio materials ,
replacement ofrare metals byceramic products ,development ofindustrial ;
ceramics bytheencouragement ofinnovations inproducts andproduction
which aredesirable forreasons ofeconomic ,social ,energy andenvironment '
policy . !
I
Programme :initially ,coordination ofresearch inthefield ofindustrial ,
ceramics ,tobefollowed bytechnological research work inthecontext ofa
joint project oftheindustrial ceramics industry ,namely ,developing j
ofmethods forthemanufacture andprocessing ofbasio materials for
speoial ceramio materials ,improvement ofBpeoial ceramic materials j
anddevelopment oftheteohnology ofUBing them * :

ANNEX5
1
SITUATION.LOCATIONAM)DEVELOPMENT OFTHECERAMICSINDUSTRYINTHECOMMUNITY
1.STRUCTURE
Theceramicsindustrymaybedividedinto: j
i
Construction ceramics: ,
sanitaryequipraent,constructionparts,tiles,stonewarepipes* (
!
Domesticceramics: ' !
, i
crockery,decorativearticles i
i
Industrialceramics: i
■ f
partsforelectricalandchemicalequipmentandinstallations ,fortools i
andmachine-tools andforotherpurposes,medicalforexample. ;
!
Fireproofceramics: 1
rrefractorypartsforfurnacesandmetallurgical plant. i
; • i■
Brickworks : * 1
I
roofingtiles,bricks. !
1 'i
TheceramicsindustryoftheCommunitynumberssome1200firmsemploying j
atotalofabout250000people.Sometenfirmsemploymorethan2000 :
persons.Aroundhalfthefirms,andintheareaoftilemanufacturenearlythree–quartersofthefirms,employlessthan100persons.The j
proportionoffemalelabourisrelativelylarge;intheproductionof
crockeryanddecorativeceramics,itexceeds5Qffo*
Theceramicsindustryismainlyconcentrated incertainregionswhichare
distinguished tythepresence(inthepast)oftherawmaterialfor
ceramicsorarebasedonnationalfactoriessetupintheeighteenth
century.Fromtheeconomicpointofview,someoftheregionsarenot
verywellfavouredandsotheoeramiosindustrycarriesparticular i
responsibility fortheirdevelopment. :

2.LOCATION OPTHECERAMICS INDUSTRY INTHE ECREGIONS
!GERMANY :
I
ITheproduction ofporecelain forcrockery andindustrial ceramics is
;concentrated inthenorth-east ofBavaria .Thelocal production ofinsulators
;accounts for4Q&oftheCommunity output .Inthe'case ofcrockery ,German
^production amounts to5oftheCommunity output , i
:Animportant zone formanufacture ofpottery andsanitary equipment isfound
intheSaarland ,centred onMettlach /Perzig .IntheWesterwald (Rhineland -
Palatinate )there arealarge number offirms making tiles ,drawn tiles , |
;rustic ceramics andsanitary equipment . j
!UNITED KINGDOM : j
jTheproduction ofpottery andporecelain forboth domestic andindustrial
|usage isconcentrated inthedistrict ofStoke-on-Trent (Staffordshire ), j
;adistriot which isinfact known as"thePotteries "•United Kingdom
:production ofearthenware crockery represents about 6GjooftheCommunity
!output *
! i
!NETHERLANDS : i
<Theceramios industry isconcentrated intheregions ofMaastricht and
jDelft where themajority oftiles ,sanitary equipment andorookery are
iproduced .
i «
!BELGIUM :"
I
IGenerally speaking ,theceramios industry isestablished intheBorinage ,
theCentre ,Charleroi andLi&ge distriots .
1 !
|DENMARK : j
i_ ... _ ... . ... i
;Theprduction ofporcelain forcrockery andinsulators isconcentrated
praotically exclusively intheCopenhagen area . j

-33-
ITALY:
Theproductionofporcelaincrockeryandsanitaryequipmentislocated
inLombardyandincertainpartsofthesouth.Earthenware crockery
(faience)comesprincipally fromtheCivitaCastellanaregion.Tile
productionapartfromthatlocatedinLombardy,isstronglyconcentrated
intheregionofEmiliaRomagna(Sassuolozone)where5^ofthepopulation
workinginindustryareengagedintile-making.Ninetypercentofthetile
producersintheEuropeanCommunityareinItaly;localproduction
represents 60foofCommunityoutput.
FRANCE:
Manufacturers ofsanitaryceramicwaresaredispersedthroughoutthe
country.Alargenumberoftileandfireproof–productfactoriesare
foundinthenorth,particularly intheregionofLilleandMaubeuge.
Factoriesforfireproofproductsarealsoconcentrated intheRhSneValley.
Certaineasternareas,andparticularly Sarreguemines tarecentresof
productionofearthenware crockery,tilesandfireproofproducts.
ThePyreneesregionhasanumberoffirmsproducingindustrialceramics
(e„g,Tarbes)®InBurgundyandinthecentreofthecountrythereare
producersoftilesandeartherware crockery,
Frodi.ictj.onofporcelaincrockeryisconcentrated inHaute-Viemiewith
LimogesasthecentreandinCher(Berryregion)*Thesetwoareas
accountfor9OfooftheFrenchproductionofporeoelain,three-quarters
ofwhichcomesfromLimoges.
AcertainnumberofearthenwarefactoriesoccurinBrittanyandthesemake
crockeryandornamentalceramics.
Withtheexceptionofsanitaryceramicwares,therehasbeenlittleindustrial
developmentofceramicsmanufactureinthesouthernregions.Nearlyallthe
firmsareofthecottage-industry type.Theproducersofdecorativetiles
inLanguedooinparticulararefacingseriouseconomicproblems.

-34-
Organization oftheindustry:atthenaxion?-!leveltheceramicsindustry -
isnotorganizedinauniformway.Sometimesthereisanationalfederation
ofceramicsindustries ,sometimesthereareparallelsectoralorganizations .
Theindustrialceramicsbranch,whichwasoriginallyconcernedmainlywith
themanufacture ofelectricalinsulators ,thus"belongsinsomecasesto
theorganization ofelectricalindustries.
AttheCommunitylevel,thebranchesoffireproofceramics,sanitary
ceramics,crockeryceramics,industrialceramicsandthetileindustry
havetheirovmsectoralorganizations whicharecomposedofthecorresponding
nationalorganizations andareunitedinCERAME-UNIE (OfficeforLiaison
oftheCeramicsIndustriesoftheCommonMarket).Thesectoralorganization
ofindustrial ceramicsiscalledGROUPISOL.Thenationalumbrella
associations orgeneralassociations oftheceramicsbranchesarealso
membersofCERAME-UNTE .
TheCommunitysectoralorganization ofthebrickindustryisnotpart
ofCERAME-ITNIE .
Productionandtrade:theceramicsindustryhasa"turnoverof4000millionu.a.
Itrepresentsabout0»jfooftheCommunity'sgrossnationalproductand
occupiesthetoppositionintheworld,followedcloselybyJapan.
Admittedlyproductionsawadropof13$from1974"to1975»an(linthe
sectorsofcrockeryandtraditionaltilesfellby21and23$respectively ;
butfrom1971"to1975i"troseby20-25$.
Duringrecentyears(1970-75)»Communityexportsofceramioproductshave
increasedannuallyby32$andtheyrepresentatthepresenttime2CJ?oof
production.Importsrepresent6$ofproductionandeachyeartheyincrease
byanaverageof18$,
Themaincompetitors oftheCommunityceramicsindustryarethestate-trading
countriesandChina,varioussmallEast-Asiancountries(SouthKorea,
Singapore,Taiwan),Spain,BrazilandaboveallJapan,Someofthese
competitorsbenefitfromlowwage–levelsandgovernmentsubsidies.It
ismainlythecompetition ofthestate-trading countrieswhichdisturbs
themarket,sincetheycanoftenselltheirproductsatmanufacturing
costswellbelowthoseoftheCommunity.

-35-
TheUnitedStatesisbyfarthe"biggestcustomer.Whereindustrial
ceramicproductsareconcerned,however,theyare,withJapan,the
keenestcompetitors.
Rawmaterialsintendedforthemanufacture ofceramicproducts,among
whichclaymineralsarequantitatively themostimportant,areforthe
mostpartextractedwithintheCommunity.Somerawmaterials,however,
canbeobtainedoutsidetheCommunityinbetterqualityorundermore
advantageous conditions.Acertainnumberofbasicsubstanoesfor
specialceramicmaterialscanbeobtainedonlyfromafewnon-member
oountries,becauseeithertheCommunitydoesnotpossessnatural
depositsofthemorthesesubstanceshavetobepreparedbynewproduction
techniques whichtheCommunityfirmshavenotyetmastered.
Accordingtotheestimates,productioncostsintheceramicsindustry
breakdownasfollows:4O-6J/0forwages,10-20^forrawmaterialsand
auxiliarymaterials,1Cff0forenergyand10-2C7j0forplantandpremises.
From1964to1970(193millionu.a.),investmentsdoubled.
Thelargefractiondevotedtowagesobviouslycreatestradingdifficulties
fortheceramicsindustryoftheCommunity,ascomparedwithlow-wage
countries.Ontheotherhand,theCommunityindustrythatmakesmachine
toolsandplantforthemanufacture ofceramicproductsunquestionably
occupiesadominantpositionatworldlevel.Itisthereforelargely
gearedtoexportand,innumerouscases,itequipsthecompetitors ofthe
Communityceramicsindustrywiththemostmodernmeansofproduction.
Technological development :publicopiniongenerallyunderestimates ceramics
technology.Thisisbecauseitstemsfromaskillthatstretchesbackinto
prehistoryandpeopletendtothinkfirstofthecraftsmanship orthe
artisticaspect.Inaddition,ithasonlybeenduringthelast25years
thatdevelopmenthastakenagreatleapforwardtransforming theceramicart,
farmorethandidthetechnicalprogressofseveralcenturies,intoan
industrycharacterized incertaincaseshyaveryhightechnological content.

Productionisingenerallargelyautomatedandtheworkingconditionsfor
employeeshavemarkedlyimproved.Inthesameway,thestaffaremovingover
fromproductionworktosupervisionofmaterials,processcontroland
upgradingoftheproduct.
Forecastsonfuturedevelopment :thequalitative improvementsinceramio
productsandtheopeningupofnewfieldsofusehaveenabledtheoeramios
industrytomaintainthelevelofemploymentin.spiteofthoroughgoing
rationalization andextensiveautomation.
Futuredevelopment mustsatisfythefollowingrequirements :
–Inviewofthefactthatthepresentprofessional qualifications ofworkers
donotalwayscorrespondtotherequirements imposedbytechnological
progressinceramicproductionspecialattentionmustbegiventothe
trainingofabodyofhighly-qualified workers.
–Increasingly ,theceramicsindustryhasneedofstartingmaterials
endowedwithspecificproperties,andthisrequiresinnovationsinthe
areaofbasicceramicmaterials.Henceaneffortmustbemadenowto
intensifytheemploymentofceramicrawmaterialsbymakingusablethe
lower-gradematerialswhicharetodaydiscardedandbychannelling towards
theceramicproductionprocesswastefromotherbranchesofindustry.
–Sinceenergyrepresentsacostfactorwhichiscontinuously increasing,
theindustrymustinfutureseizeallopportunities ,howeverlimited,of
usingenergyinamorerationalway.
–Immensepossibilities areofferedtotheceramicsindustryifit
followsthepathtakenbythisyoungbranoh,industrialandspecial
ceramics.Tothisend,andindependently ofacontinualexploration
ofpotentialuses,carriedoutattheinterdisciplinary level,itis
necessary :
–tomasterthesoienceandtechnologyofpresentandfutureceramicmaterials
–tostudysystematically theinterrelationships ofthepropertiesof
ceramicmaterialswithotherphenomenawhichoocurinnaturaland
engineering sciences.

-37-
i
–todevelopinterdisciplinary mixedtechnologies ,
–toensurethatrarespecialrawmaterialsandbasicmaterialswitha
hightechnological contentareavailabletotheindustrialceramics
industry.
Thepoliticalevaluationoftheceramicsindustry:ahighaddedvalue
"broughtaboutbystartingwithgenerallycheaprawmaterials,aturnover
of4000millionu.a.,abalance-of-tradesurplus,250000workers
and1200firms,themajorityofwhicharesmallormedium-sized firms,are
already-mentioned factorswhichallowevaluationofthisindustrialbranch
fromthestandpointofeconomicpolicy.Astosupplypolicy,itis
worthnotingthatingeneraltheceramicproductiscomposedofnative
materialsandthatinvariouscasesitcantaketheplaceofraremetallic
rawmaterials *Thefactthatceramicproductsareeasytocrushisof
importancetotheenvironmentpolicy.Astoenergyconsumption ,in
theceramicsindustryitismoderatelyhighbut,inmariyeconomicfields,
itsproductscontributelargelytorationalizing theconsumption and
conservation ofenergy.Inaddition,whereothermaterialscantake
theplaceofceramicmaterials,thesubstitutesaregenerallyproduced
byenergy-intenBive processesorhaveamuchshorterlifetime.In
assessingtheimportance,inthepublicinterest,oftheceramicsindustry,,
oneshouldtakeintoaccountalltheseeconomicfactors,butalso
certainaspectsoftechnological andculturalpolicy.
Itsevaluationasregardstechnological policyrestsuponitsfunction
asasuppliertootherbranchesofindustryandothertechnicalactivities.
Herewearespeakingofindustrialceramics,whichisbothanoutcome
andadrivingforceoftechnicalprogress,evenintheareaofadvanced
technology.Otherbranchesoftheceramicsindustryalsopossessa
highpotentialfortechnological innovation,forexampleceramicsfor
construction ,whichmayplayaconsiderable roleintherenovationand
rationalization ofthebuildingsindustry.
The"culturalpolicy"aspectisconnectedwiththefactthatceramicproducts
areforalargepartdurableinvestmentgoodspurchasedbyhouseholdsand
usedforanumberofgenerations.Theirshapeandworkingdonotonly
followeconomicconstraintsofproductionorutilization ,butcurealso
•!·> <<:■;

governedloraestheticsandoldtraditions.Tothatextent,therefore,
theceramicproduct,particularly asregardsornamentalceramics,tiles
andcrockery,andtosomeextentalsosanitaryandconstruction ceramics,
isaculturalandevenanartisticproductendowedwiththeextraordinary
acceptability ofadurabledomesticobject.Itisalsoachallengeto
thecreativity,asregardsdecorationandshape,ofthemanypeoplewho
workinceramicsasdesignersorindustrialartistsinthefirmsoras
freelanceoramateurartists.Allgiveshapetoindividual,local,
regional,national,European,traditional oravant-garde concepts,and
throughtheirceramiccreationsinfluencethepresentandfuture
sentiments,thoughtsandactsofthosearoundthem.Asaresult,ceramio
productsalsooccupyanassuredplaceinculturalpolicy.