The ceramic and glass sectors are energy intensive, consuming ~4.7 TWh and 9 GWh of delivered energy per year, respectively. In 2012, for example, the total annual CO₂ emissions from both ceramics and glass sectors were 1.2Mt CO₂-eq and 2.2Mt CO₂-eq respectively. Both sectors constitute a core part of the supply chain for numerous important markets for the UK, putting in substantial strives to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve resource efficiency. Nonetheless, additional effort is required towards net zero transitioning in both sectors. Next Generation Processing Technologies (NGPTs), new technologies that provide high energy efficiency and process intensification supported by transformative digital technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins, the Internet of Things, 3-D printing, cloud computing), are touted as key enablers for achieving climate and carbon neutrality in both sectors. However, there are challenges to overcome to realise the full potential of NGPTs towards enabling net zero emissions in both sectors. At the University of Warwick, we have been researching these challenges and how the identified barriers may be overcome.

Funded by the EPSRC Transforming the Foundation Industries Network Plus (TFINetwork+) and EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), and supported by the Materials Processing Institute (MPI), Lucideon Ltd and Morgan Advanced Materials, this in-person workshop will bring together stakeholders from both ceramics and glass sectors, to discuss the research project findings on the barriers to adopting NGPTs across the value chain of both sectors. By leveraging the views and perceptions of key glass and ceramics stakeholders, the workshop seeks to deepen the understanding of the contextual interactions and interdependencies among the identified barriers in the interplay between NGPTs and net zero transitioning. This will provide unique insights for targeted intervention options prioritization, leading to the development of a pathway to overcome the barriers.