Ceramics manufacturers have come a long way regarding emission reduction. Since reaching a peak in the early 2000s, total carbon dioxide emissions in the European ceramics industry have fallen by more than 45%, thanks largely to fuel substitution and process optimization.

While these reductions are significant, overall, the production of traditional ceramic wares, including refractory bricks, clay tiles, and architectural blocks, remains similar to the industrial processes used decades ago. There is thus room for further improvements in emission reduction and energy efficiency by harnessing Industry 4.0 methods and technologies.