Leading brick manufacturer Claytile has introduced a new offering to the South African building materials market. Rebranding as Klay, the company is on a mission to transform the local architecture and interior design landscape through their two distinct brands: KlayBrick and KlayConcept.
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“Claytile has established a reputation over the decades as one of South Africa’s leading clay brick manufacturers. We are now evolving into a new offering under the umbrella Klay — KlayBrick, which will continue to manufacture the clay bricks on which the business’ foundation was built; and KlayConcept, which is focussed on more innovative, design-led products that expand our offering, catering to modern architectural and interior design needs,” explains Justin de la Hunt, General Manager of Klay.
Based in the Cape Winelands, Klay has a legacy spanning 54 years, built on generations of experience in brick manufacturing. At the heart of this family-run business is a deep love for clay and the satisfaction derived from transforming this remarkable material into beautiful, durable and sustainable building solutions. Sourcing various types of clay from both on-site and neighbouring quarries, this proudly South African producer showcases the versatility of clay as a largely underrated material.
Hand-crafted manufacturing
Julian de la Hunt explains that the new KlayConcept products are created through a more hand-crafted manufacturing approach than that of KlayBrick, which is a large, automated plant.
“Once our products are extruded, they are placed by hand in a single layer on the dryer car or trolley. This ensures an even drying process, which improves quality. It is a quick-drying process that is possible through the use of a tunnel system that uses recovered heat from the push bat kiln. After the drying process, the dried products are again placed by hand on ceramic bats, which allow air to circulate evenly around the pieces during the firing process.,” he says.
“This hand-crafted process allows us to develop a wide range of products at a consistent quality. It also means that we are creating jobs and upskilling our team in traditional clay-firing techniques.”
Special building, design materials
The building and construction sector is by far the largest emitter of greenhouse gasses, accounting for a staggering 37% of global emissions. As a manufacturer, Klay is committed to refining and improving their production processes to minimise the environmental impact.
“Inspiration from global design trends and our enthusiasm for clay led us to develop a range of locally produced special clay products to meet the needs of the construction and architectural industries,” says Aidan de la Hunt, who leads design and creative innovation a KlayConcept. “Our products are inspired by the principles of biomimicry, drawing inspiration from nature’s dynamic designs, such as the honeycomb pattern of our wine racks. Products like our screen blocks can perform dual functions, both dividing and allowing ventilation in spaces.”
Variety of applications
Klay offers a variety of creative choices and practical applications for clients from architects, large construction companies, interior designers to individual homeowners. “We enjoy engaging with our customers to find out what designs may work best for them. We have an array of screen block patterns that can be used in very different ways. It’s fascinating to see how designers and architects innovate with these products,” Aidan says.
“We hope to pave the way for a greener, more resilient future in the building and architecture industry, but one where creativity and innovation can shine. The possibilities with clay are endless, and we’re excited to explore them together.,” he concludes.
