How we've helped Clayworks

Business overview

Clayworks, based in Helston, Cornwall, produces sustainable and 100% natural clay plasters which are recyclable, compostable, and re-useable.

Their plasters have a unique finish of cloudy tones and textures which creates a natural aesthetic and have a number of high-performance properties which has caught the attention of those wanting to live more sustainably.

Clayworks has experienced international growth throughout the last year thanks to a shift in consumer priorities.

Clare Whitney, business development manager at Clayworks, said: “This year has given many people time to reflect on what is important to them. We’ve seen a huge uptake in our products due to the sustainability and health benefits they can bring to an interior space.

“Our main clients have always been architects and designers. Over the last 12 months we’ve seen a lot more customers completing DIY projects as well, with a big shift from us fitting out commercial projects and restaurants, to residential properties and renovation projects - as people look to finish their homes to a higher standard.

“More recently we have handled a lot of workspace refits in preparation for employees’ return to the office. The businesses we have worked with have said there’s a real want and need to be back together again with colleagues, and our clay plasters have helped redesign the spaces in a healthy and sustainable way to ensure the offices are as safe as possible.”

The performance attributes which make the plasters an ideal material for interior spaces, such as an office, include the ability to absorb odours, noise, and glare, as well as passively regulate temperatures. Unfired clay also absorbs and desorbs indoor humidity faster than any other building material. This breathability means it can maintain air humidity at a level where airborne infectious bacteria and viruses are unlikely to survive - something which has become a major USP during the pandemic.

“Overall, it’s been a positive year for us. During lockdown in the UK, large projects continued in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Alongside our global business growth, we have created four new jobs since October 2020. We’ve invested a lot of time into research and development, certification, and quality assurances so we can continue driving our world-leading product forward and our expansion continues.”