With the production site in Gmunden, Austria runs the world’s first fully emission -free sanitary ceramic production, which means that 5,000 tons of CO with the same production volume₂ be saved annually. At the center of this development is the first electric tunnel stove for sanitary ceramics, which has been successfully operating for two years.
Another milestone was reached in 2025 with the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Circularity bronze for running products from Gmunden. Running thus takes a new era and is considered a pioneer for climate -neutral industrial production and a symbol of the structural change in an entire industry.
Cradle to Cradle Certified® Circularity Bronze for products from Gmunden
At the beginning of 2025, a milestone of Laufen was reached with the Cradle to Cradle Certification at a bronze level for the products produced in Gmunden. In the internationally recognized sustainability label, criteria such as material health, material cycles, water responsibility as well as the use of renewable energies and social fairness are assessed.
Only health -harmful, harmful -free raw materials are used at the production site in Gmunden. The ceramics are designed to be recyclable and enable a variety of return to the industrial material cycle. Production in Gmunden also sets sustainable standards in dealing with water, because around fifty percent of the process water prepared are reused internally. Above all, the Upper Austrian location scores with the electric tunnel stove, which is operated with self -produced photovoltaic flow and certified green electricity and enables a fully decarbonized production.
This award once again underlines the consistent sustainable course of running. “”We see bronze certification as an important confirmation for our path, but at the same time as an incentive. Our goal is to continuously become better and to achieve silver certification soon
“, Emphasized Christian Schäfer, Managing Director of Laufen Austria.
Technology driver for emission -free ceramic production
Conventional sanitary ceramic production is traditionally energy -intensive due to the use of gas -powered tunnels, since temperatures of over 1,200 degrees Celsius have to be achieved. In addition, there is a high thermal energy use for drying the raw pieces.
In 2023, a new chapter in the history of the ceramic industry was opened in 2023 with the electrosten developed at the Gmunden. The innovative technology enables sinks and toilets to be produced without CO₂ emissions and thus set a new standard in the industry. At the same time, it also opens up perspectives for other fields of application, such as tiles or technical ceramics.
The former gas-based burning technology was completely shut down at the Gmunden location by means of a 2-stage dismantling plan at the end of 2024. A single relic is preserved for illustrative purposes.
Technological basis for the net zero production facility
„Our CO₂ emission-free production facility can save an average of 50 kilos of CO₂ per piece of sanitary ceramics. In a hotel with a hundred rooms and bathrooms – in each of which a toilet and a vanity are installed – by using our products from Gmunden, 10 tons of CO₂ can easily be saved
“, calculated Christian Schäfer.
The new electric stoves is highly automated, only needs about a third of the energy of conventional stoves and is only operated with electricity from renewable sources. Two of their own transformer stations secure the supply. A significant part of the energy required is generated directly at the location by a 2 MWP photovoltaic system with 4,910 modules, which were installed on the roof surfaces of the production buildings and adjacent slope. The operation of the e-tunnel stove can be covered with the energy obtained.
„We have installed the photovoltaic system for our own consumption, which covers the operation of the e-tunnel stove on a total area of around 2 soccer fields. In addition, we obtain certified green electricity from the network, which means that our production is now completely emission -free today
“, explained Christian Schäfer.
The complete decarbonization of the entire location in Upper Austria has been completed. For this purpose, all other thermal processes were also electrified, such as water treatment for the ceramic silt and the heating in shape.
Holistic energy concept with ongoing optimization
In addition to the electroofen, a comprehensive energy concept was implemented in Gmunden, which is continuously developed. As of the beginning of 2024, heat exchangers were successively installed, which has been recovered and saved in a total of 412,000 kilowatt hours (412 megawatt hours) since their commissioning.
„These measures are an expression of our lived responsibility and part of an ongoing improvement process that goes beyond technical innovation and also includes all employees
“, says Christian Schäfer.
Austrian location with an international signal effect
Gmunden is not only an Austrian production facility for running, but also the innovation center within the entire group of companies. The new technology has an international role model.
„What we have achieved here in Gmunden is a prime example of modern industrial production in harmony with the environment and climate. The world and our industry are in strong change, and we show how we can actively help shape it
“, Summarize Christian Schäfer Finally together.
About running
Running Austria is one of the world’s leading ceramics manufacturers for the bathroom and is the only company that creates sanitary ceramics in Austria. From the core competence-the production of ceramics-the know-how for the entire bath has developed. In cooperation with internationally renowned design studios, unique creations for the global market are created.
Running Austria, based in Wilhelmsburg (Lower Austria), production in Gmunden (Upper Austria) and running space in Vienna (1. The company, founded in 1892, has its headquarters in Laufen near Basel. The Laufen Group employs around 2,500 people: inside in five Central European production facilities (Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland) and maintains sales offices in 44 countries worldwide.
More information under: www.laufen.co.at
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