Building on tradition: How Clemson University works with industry to shape the future of brick and ceramics

Bricks are among the oldest and most enduring building materials on the planet– so ubiquitous it’s easy to overlook their presence in our daily lives.

Yet behind the bricks that form the walls of our houses and office buildings lies a world of research and innovation, much of it happening at Clemson University’s National Brick Research Center.

The center’s researchers work closely with industry sponsors to ensure that brick remains a vital building material in the 21st century.

In an interview, center Director John Sanders offered a glimpse into why brick has stood the test of time and why Clemson plays an important role in the industry.

Bricks have such a long history and are so familiar in everyday life that it’s natural for those outside the industry to wonder about the role of a National Brick Research Center. Could you share a high-level view of what the Center focuses on and why this research is so important today?

Our mission is to provide education, applied research and manufacturing support for our manufacturing sponsors. Clay brick has been around for millennia for a reason. They are the most durable, sustainable and resilient building material in my opinion. We only need to look at the oldest buildings around the world to confirm this as they are either made of clay brick or stone. Just because this is one of the most mature industries there is, it does not mean that we can’t improve the way we make the product and take advantage of its unique properties. That is why we are here. Additionally, clay bricks are made with locally mined clays and shales that are not refined. The variability from site to site and over time creates a unique set of challenges for our industry.

Brick is embedded in the center’s name, but your work goes beyond brick. Please help us understand how the center’s work extends beyond bricks to other ceramics, such as tile.

This center was originally known as the Center for Engineering Ceramic Manufacturing when I was here as a student, but the name was changed to The National Brick Research Center before I came back to Clemson in 2000. The name was changed to highlight our close relationship with the brick industry, which dates back to the founding of the Ceramic Engineering Department (now the Department of Materials Science and Engineering) in 1949. We do work with all traditional ceramic manufacturing companies – especially those that work with fired clay ceramics like ceramic tile, sanitary ware and refractories. The same basic principles apply to all of these. We have a long-term joint use agreement with the Tile Council of North America in which we share facilities. While we are closely aligned with the Tile Council of North America, it is an organization separate from Clemson.

How closely does the National Brick Research Center work with industry?

Our Center is completely supported by either sponsorships from our industrial partners or testing services. Our partners account for more than 95% of the clay brick produced in the U.S. and Canada. We are also gaining members in parts of northern Mexico. We are responsible for all operating costs for our center’s workand the Bishop Materials Lab. We help to educate the workforce, provide direction for product development and compliance with environmental regulations and provide manufacturing support.

What are some of the latest trends you are seeing in the testing you are asked to do and what can we infer about the industry from that?

Sustainability and resiliency are the latest trends. Reducing the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing is a priority and is driven by several of our largest member companies. Resilient construction that can withstand extreme weather conditions is coming back into fashion after a long absence. Brick is the most resilient construction material other than stone as it resists fire, wind and water.

Ceramics manufacturing is booming, particularly in Tennessee. What role could the National Brick Research Center have in supporting that?

We are happy to help establish workforce development programs with our partners at the Tile Council of North America as well as provide manufacturing support and applied research. There are several areas where the interest of the clay brick industry and the ceramic tile industry overlap.

Let’s talk workforce and education, please. What sort of jobs are there in the brick/tile/ceramic industry? In what ways does the National Brick Research Center get students ready to be leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in the industry?

Traditionally we have been able to place our graduates with our sponsors, which helps maintain the relationship between Clemson and the clay brick industry. Unfortunately, the brick industry has experienced a tremendous amount of consolidation since the late 2000s and there are fewer opportunities. This is a trend that we need to reverse. I am hoping that we can develop internship or co-op programs with our sponsors in which we help to train students as part of the process. Establishing these programs will be a priority in the next few years.

Why is Clemson a good place to house the National Brick Research Center? What capabilities and expertise do we have here that others might not?

As I mentioned, the relationship between Clemson and Brick goes back to 1949. Dr. Robinson, who started the Ceramic Engineering Department, placed his graduates throughout the industry. These graduates then looked back to him when they needed help. Over the years, they have given generously to help us support the industry. We have also had an industry meeting called the Clemson Brick Forum that has just completed its 70th annual meeting. The proceeds from this annual event have allowed us to equip our lab with state-of-the-art equipment. We can do everything from helping with raw material selection to certifications of the finished product.

What is the importance of the Bishop family’s philanthropy to the National Brick Research Center?

The Bishop family’s philanthropy has been crucial to the National Brick Research Center, enabling both growth and impact. Their contributions funded the construction and expansion of the Bishop Ceramic Laboratory, later renamed the Bishop Materials Laboratory. Their support helped establish NBRC as a leader in brick research and education​. We are grateful for their forward-thinking support and positive example they set.