Bright future for ceramics industry

by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi

More interaction between the local and international ceramic industry will benefit the industry in Sri Lanka.

The two-day Sri Lanka ceramics symposium on "Ceramics today and tomorrow" at the Taj Samudra last week was highly successful.

The symposium emphasised the importance of the export market of all segments of ceramics, especially the ornamental artware and fine tableware, said the President of the Sri Lanka Ceramics Council Dayasiri Warnakulasuriya, a highly acknowledged pioneer of the local ceramic industry.

Warnakulasuriya strongly believes that the ceramic industry in Sri Lanka has a bright future, if local industrialists, professionals and academics join hands with their colleagues abroad.

"The ceramic industry has a good future. Our aim should be to produce advanced ceramic items such as computers, telephones, and electrical components, he said.

"To be competitive in exports of ceramic products, we should bring production cost down. Thus can be done by experimenting and using the raw materials available locally and with the new technologies available to fire the items at lower temperature which would bring down the energy costs but could have the same features in the ceramicware, he said.

"If Sri Lanka is to be competitive it is imperative that the local industry is aware of what's happening around it - globally to strategies for the future. This is not only in the development of the product itself but also in shapes, performance, processes, energy research and the advanced uses of ceramics, he said.

The competitiveness program which is a USAID funded project has been assisting the Sri Lanka Ceramics Council in its competitive transformation while also associating itself with this symposium.

USAID Mission Director Dr. Carol Becker, the Chief Guest said, that USAID supports this international event because industry professionals and experts use this opportunity to share best practices and develop important linkage to enhance the competitiveness of the industry.

The guest of honour T. Ueshima, Resident Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also addressed the symposium.

The research and study papers were presented by internationally acknowledged ceramics scientists, academics and professionals including Dr. Alberto Silva from Portugal, Prof. Alastair N. Cormack, Dean, Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering Alfred University, Vasanta R. W. Amarakoon, Director, NYS, Centre for Advanced Ceramic Technology, Enrico Quartieri from Systems SPA Italy, Prof. B. S. B. Karunaratna from University of Peradeniya and N. Magederagamage, Director General of the Department of Commerce, Madhawa Waidyaratna, Deputy Director, Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Lalith Kahatapitiya, Chairman KIK Group of Companies.

The ceramic industry which has a long history dates back to 500-250 BC according to archaeological records. It was, during the early part of the 20th century that small-scale brick and tile industries were launched.

The present industry segment of Fine Tableware (porcelain stoneware or earthenware) Ornamental Artware such as figurines statutory and decorations, ceramics tiles including wall tile and floor tile and minor sanitary ware business grew following the exploitation of natural clays and associated minerals.

The excellent quality and purity of raw materials contribute to the exquisite standard of the products, which compete alongside ceramic giants such as Japan, Italy, Spain, China, Indonesia and Taiwan.

With leading manufacturers in Japan and Europe shifting their locations to more cost-effective operational and business friendly environments, Sri Lanka has attracted some of the best names in the ceramicware industry.

Noritake and internationally known brand manufacturers produce a range of porcelainware in Sri Lanka. Midaya Ceramics manufactures figurines for Disney, Warner Brothers, San Francisco and Music Box Co. Dankotuwa Porcelain, an ISO certified company exports its gold and platinum tableware to Renowned Business Wallmart Macy's Debenhaurs such as Houses of Fraser and El-Corte in The World Market.