The groundbreaking electric kiln was developed in collaboration with the German kiln construction specialist Keramischer Ofenbau.
Wilhelmsburg (OTS) – The Roca Group is the first player in the world to operate a net-zero sanitary ware production facility, which will have far-reaching effects on the entire industry.
The Roca Group, an international leader in the design, production and sales of bathroom furnishings, has put the world’s first electric tunnel kiln for sanitary ceramics into operation at the LAUFEN production site in Gmunden (Upper Austria). With this pioneering investment, the company wants to decarbonize the energy and carbon-intensive production of the ceramics that are essential in the bathroom(1). The environmentally friendly innovation was made possible through collaboration with Keramischer Ofenbau GmbH from Hildesheim. The German oven manufacturer has specialized in sustainable technologies for over 25 years and is the market leader in energy-efficient ceramic ovens.
The development of the electric tunnel kiln, which has now started production in Gmunden, took a total of four years. The LAUFEN factory, which already uses electricity from renewable energy sources, was chosen as a pilot project for the groundbreaking technology because it specializes in the production of washbasins, toilets and bidets with the highest design and quality standards. The new development of the electric kiln has already been registered for a patent with the European Patent Office.
The electric tunnel kiln is highly efficient, CO2-free and works fully automatically – making it a fully-fledged alternative to conventional, fossil fuel-dependent production of sanitary ceramics. It is also an important milestone for the company in making the Gmunden site the world’s first net-zero production site for sanitary ceramics by 2024. The investment is also of central importance for the Roca Group’s decarbonization strategy: By 2022, the group has already reduced its direct CO2 emissions by 39 percent compared to the base year 2018 and is thus approaching its goal, in line with the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to achieve CO2 neutrality by 2045.
The first results show the great potential that the new kiln can develop in the industrial process, because in addition to sanitary ceramic manufacturers, related industries such as the production of architectural ceramics, technical ceramics or tableware also benefit from this technology. The electric tunnel kiln proves that complete decarbonization of ceramic production is not only possible, but also realistic and economically feasible.
Alberto Magrans, CEO of the Roca Group: “Our long-term goal is to completely decarbonize our corporate processes and we are working intensively on solutions to achieve this goal. This new pan-European partnership will help us achieve the Net Zero standard and is also an important step for the entire industry.”
Günter Halex, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Keramischer Ofenbau: “This electric tunnel kiln proves once again that our cutting-edge technologies are capable of decarbonizing even the CO2-intensive ceramics industry. Our electrically heated ovens make our customers increasingly independent of the energy market and enable them to achieve sustainable and economical production today and in the future. This groundbreaking and innovative project proves that our technology can ensure the highest quality ceramic products while making a positive contribution to our planet.”
European cooperation for CO2-free ceramic production
The joint project between the Roca Group headquartered in Spain, the Austrian LAUFEN factory and the German Keramischer Ofenbau GmbH is a real European success story that paves the way for future-proof ceramic production in Europe and worldwide. However, to further advance the decarbonization of the entire industry, intensive development and constant innovation are still required.
In addition to investing in the oven, Roca also acquired a majority stake in Keramischer Ofenbau Holding GmbH, which owns Keramischer Ofenbau GmbH, through Roca Group Ventures. This commitment is intended to benefit the entire ceramics industry, as the Group is committed to supporting the company with additional resources to advance the development, implementation and commercialization of this pioneering technology.
Both companies remain completely independent of each other, but through their long-term collaboration they are strengthening their innovative strength with regard to their respective decarbonization goals and pursuing a common goal: the sustainable ceramics industry of the future.
Interviews
Christian Schäfer, Managing Director, LAUFEN Austria AG and Alfred Mittermair, Director Research and Innovations, LAUFEN AG will be happy to speak to you personally about this pioneering innovation from LAUFEN.
About the Roca Group
The Roca Group, which includes brands such as Roca and LAUFEN, is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of bathroom products for architecture, construction and interior design. Founded in Barcelona in 1917, the company combines tradition and know-how with innovation and respect for the environment in order to meet people’s needs and contribute to a higher social standard of living.
With sustainability as a key element in all activities and the goal of leaving a livable planet for future generations, the Roca Group pursues a philosophy that is implemented daily in the 170 countries in which the company operates and its 79 factories and by the over 21,000 is lived by employees.
The family company is the market leader in Europe, Latin America and India. The company also has a strong presence in Asia, the Middle East, Australia and Africa. This makes the company a global leader in its industry.
About LAUFEN Austria AG
LAUFEN Austria AG is the only company that produces sanitary ceramics in Austria. At the production site in Gmunden (Upper Austria), unique creations for the global market are created using the highest quality craftsmanship and in collaboration with internationally renowned design studios.
LAUFEN Austria AG, based in Wilhelmsburg (Lower Austria), production & innovation center in Gmunden (Upper Austria) and the LAUFEN space in Vienna (1st district), is part of the Swiss LAUFEN Group. The company, founded in 1892, has its headquarters in Laufen near Basel. The LAUFEN Group employs around 2,500 people in six Central European production sites (Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Poland) and maintains sales offices in 44 countries worldwide. LAUFEN has been part of the Roca Group since 1999, making it one of the world’s leading companies in the field of bathroom furnishings and sanitary ceramics.
About Ceramic Kiln Construction
Keramischer OFENBAU is a provider of furnace systems and systems for the thermal treatment of a wide range of products, ranging from technical ceramics and architectural ceramics to sanitary ceramics and tableware. The ovens from Keramischer OFENBAU are in use in over 50 countries worldwide.
The German oven manufacturer designs and builds the most powerful and modern ovens for a wide variety of ceramic products. Since its founding in 1996, the company has combined experience and expertise with a focus on efficiency and innovation. The team at Keramischer OFENBAU tailors the ovens to every need while offering creative and more sustainable solutions for ceramic production.
The company not only builds highly efficient new roller, tunnel and shuttle kilns, but also specializes in the energy modernization of existing kilns with energy savings of up to 50 percent.
(1) According to Cerame-Unie, the European ceramics industry’s total emissions are 19 million tonnes of CO2 annually, which represents about 1 percent of total industrial emissions in Europe covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Questions & Contact:
LAUFEN Austria AG
Mariazeller Strasse 100, A-3150 Wilhelmsburg
Melanie Berger
Head of Marketing & Communications
M: +43 (0) 664 134 10 61
E: melanie.berger@at.laufen.com
DS agency for communication strategy, brand building & visibility
Doris Spiegl
M: +43 (0) 676 540 15 94
E: ds@dorisspiegl.at
Roca Group International
Creab
Aina Tugas
M: +34 (0) 610 927 462
E: atugas@kreab.com
Rosario Correro
M: +34 (0) 654 588 307
E: rcorrero@kreab.com