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[March 2001]
British Ceramic Confederation leads the way in energy management
The British Ceramic Confederation has secured for its member companies the right to be a part of Government led Energy Efficiency Agreements which will entitle them to an 80% rebate on the new Climate Change Levy to be implemented in April. The Levy is a 20% tax on all energy supplied to industrial and commercial consumers, the imposition of which is intended to bring about changes in energy consumption patterns and help the Government meet its commitment to a reduction in carbon emissions. The BCC's success in negotiating the rebate for all companies that manufacture fired ceramic products will help the industry remain competitive and safeguard jobs.
At the same time the industry will nonetheless be demonstrating its commitment and contribution towards helping to meet the UK's objectives set by the Kyoto agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All participating companies have developed energy management strategies which commit them to making savings in specific energy consumption averaging 10% over a ten year period.
BCC represents the whole of ceramics manufacturing industry in the UK. The initial agreement covers a total of 107 companies on 226 sites, and it is anticipated that several more, not currently within BCC membership, will seek to join during the coming months. The total includes 69 potteries, 102 brick and tilemaking plants, and 55 facilities producing refractories, industrial ceramics and related ceramic materials.
Together these sites account for almost 90% of the energy consumption for the ceramics industry in the UK.
BCC Chief Executive Kevin Farrell commented "The position we have reached today represents the successful outcome to months of detailed negotiation with Government officials and thousands of man hours work in the painstaking assessment of individual companies' energy performance and requirements. In the manufacture of ceramic products energy is an integral part of the process, rather than simply a means to an end, and it would be iniquitous for our members to bear the burden applied to commercial activity generally. In recognising the need to act responsibly in energy management, the outcome is genuinely positive for all concerned, the Government, the industry, and its employees".
For further information please contact
Kevin Farrell
David Beardsworth
Andrew McRae
BCC
Tel: 01782 744631
Fax: 01782 744102
Email: bcc@ceramfed.co.uk
ENDS