Minerals and Materials is one of the sections under the department of Product Development, It specializes in identifying different ceramic raw material sources, collecting samples, processes and characterize s these raw materials to formulate and test different bodies that are suitable for the production of ceramic products.
It is well equipped with ceramic material laboratory and a pilot plant for development of ceramic products to commercial scale.
Departmental Strategic Goals
Identification of raw material sites with in and outside Uganda
Characterization and analysis of different materials from different sites
Body formulations and prototype testing
Glaze Development and testing
Technical and Advisory services to the community
Technology transfer
Research and Development
Laboratory upgrading
Departmental strategic Objectives
To develop high quality white bodies
To produce high quality glaze that match with different bodies and customer tastes
To produce high quality ceramic products
To run modularized demand driven training programmes
To improve technical competency of small scale entrepreneurs, strengthening entrepreneurship skills, innovation and management
To transfer bone china technology
To develop appropriate process for production of industrial ceramics products and new technologies
Services offered include;
Processing of raw materials
Firing ceramic pieces
Glazing and body formulating
Basic ceramic training and advisory services
Ongoing activities include;
Research, processing and documentation of body formulations, glaze and its formulations,
Slip casting,
Model and mould making
Smoothening and finishing ceramic products
Lab equipment is being used in testing hardness, strength and fracture of metal
Planned Activities
Earthen ware and porcelain
Bone China technology
Sanitary ware production
Tile making
Developing Different Glazes
Making of refractory bricks
External Collaboration
Ceramics team is working in collaboration with Local Potteries, Faculty of Technology, Margaret Trowel School of Industrial Art-Makerere, Department of Industrial Ceramics- Kyambogo, SIRIM-Malaysia, Industrial Research Institute of Thailand among others.
