Portmeirion has joined forces with Lucideon to develop a scientific strategy for minimising energy use by cutting down on natural gas consumption in their production process. This collaboration is set to last six months and focuses on optimising the loading of Portmeirion’s premium earthenware products into their biscuit kiln.
The project begins with the deployment of sensors to capture data from the production line. These sensors will monitor temperature and employ computer vision to gather vital information. Lucideon will apply data science techniques to analyse this data, aiming to enhance biscuit kiln performance and deliver significant cost and sustainability benefits.
Dominic Wadkin-Snaith, Lucideon’s Data Science Business Development Manager, stated, “This is an exciting project, which involves the latest measurement tools and data analytics to identify the best approach for Portmeirion to minimise energy consumption in the firing of its products.” He further explained that optimising kiln loading could lead to energy savings of up to four per cent, a substantial reduction for the energy-intensive ceramics industry.
The initiative is part of Portmeirion’s broader COMMIT 2040 strategy, which seeks to achieve net zero emissions across Scope 1 and 2 by the year 2040. This proactive approach not only aligns with industry sustainability goals but also sets a precedent for other companies in the sector.
