Fortunaty clays are used in dozens of industrial apps:

• Ceramics: Ball clays are used in many different industries, but in particular form a vital component in ceramic manufacturing. Kaolin ("China Clay") produces a very white colour when it is fired, but used alone it is brittle and weak and must be mixed with ball clay to produce a workable, malleable raw material. As a result of their sedimentary origin, raw ball clays have a wide range of colours, however many of them are valued by the ceramics industry for their white-firing properties, which are determined by the levels of iron and other colouring/fluxing oxides within the clay.

• Sanitary-ware: A "ceramic body" for sanitary ware typically includes 30% ball clay to provide plasticity and workability, 20% kaolin, 30% feldspar and 20% quartz/silica.

• Tableware: Ceramic tableware utilizes ball clay to provide high plasticity and a good white-fired colour, combined with kaolin, feldspar and quartz.

• Wall and floor tiles: Combined with talc, feldspar, quartz/silica and kaolin, ball clays are utilized for their plasticity and bonding properties.

• Glazes and engobes: Ball clays are also used in the production of coatings for ceramic products to ensure the perfect finish.

• Refractory clays: An ability to resist the effects of extremely high temperatures makes ball clay ideal for use in refractory products such as kiln insulation and furniture.

• Construction ceramics: Building materials such as bricks, clay pipes and roof tiles all contain ball clay.

• Electrical porcelain insulators: You will find ball clays in the electrical porcelain components that provide insulation from high voltage currents.

• Non-ceramic applications: These include the construction industry; horticulture, agriculture and amenity industries; use as fillers and extenders in polymers, adhesives, plastics, sealants, fertilizers and insecticides.