Extrusion is one of the existing ways to shape plastic paste. It is suitable for clay compositions (silicone ceramics), which are naturally plastic with a water content of between 15 and 25 %, or advanced ceramics, whose plasticity is provided by polymer additives (thermoplastic binders). The extruded plastic paste is from a press filter or a deaerating mixer. Piston extrusion is a discontinued process that offers a low dead volume, while vacuum screw pressing offers the productivity of a continuous process. The extruded material is cut to obtain parts in their final shape or blueprints which will be definitively formed by pressing or sizing.

Extrusion is used for the manufacture of perforated clay bricks, kiln-fired refractory bricks, bars or insulating tubes. This process is also used in the manufacture of porous membrane filters for the clarification, purification, separation and concentration of liquids, especially in harsh conditions. These membranes also allow the filtration of gases (particulate filters for cars, hot gas filters for industry) or molten metals.