Frontier IP Group PLC (LSE:FIPP, FRA:8WT) company Dekiln has signed a memorandum of understanding with Johnson Tiles, one of the UK's leading ceramic tile designers and suppliers, to form a strategic partnership focused on scaling up and commercialising the former's kiln-free, low-energy bio-based materials.
Frontier, the intellectual property commercialisation specialist, holds a 24.8% equity stake in the business.
The partnership aims to combine Dekiln's proprietary processes with Johnson Tiles' manufacturing expertise and market access to accelerate commercialisation in the UK and internationally.
As part of the arrangement, Johnson Tiles will support Dekiln in establishing a pilot or demonstration manufacturing plant in Stoke-on-Trent, the historic centre of the British ceramics industry.
Dekiln's technology creates ceramic-like composite materials by combining plant-derived binders with waste mineral powders such as recycled gypsum plaster.
The resulting materials replicate the look, feel and performance of conventional ceramics but do not require firing or glazing at high temperatures, eliminating the energy-intensive kiln process used in traditional tile production.
Dekiln's tiles carry a carbon footprint 94% lower than conventional alternatives and contain more than 95% recycled content.
The collaboration follows the Royal Academy of Engineering's award of a Green Future Fellowship to Dekiln founder and chief executive Dr Aled Roberts, which came with £3 million of funding as announced by Frontier IP in December 2025.
Roberts said the partnership marked an important milestone as the company transitions from laboratory to industrial-scale manufacturing, describing Johnson Tiles as an ideal partner given its technical expertise, market reach and sustainability focus.
Neil Crabb, Frontier IP chief executive, said Johnson Tiles' interest in forging a strategic partnership provided further validation of Dekiln's groundbreaking technology.