Roca Group, as an industry pioneer, has introduced the world's first electric tunnel kiln for the production of sanitary ceramics. This will make Roca the first global player to have a plant for producing sanitary ceramics with zero net emissions. The investment was carried out through cooperation with Keramischer OFENBAU, a manufacturer of specialized kilns.
A plant in Laufen in the Gmunden district of Austria, which already uses renewable electricity, was chosen to implement the pioneering technology. The highly efficient, carbon-reducing and automated kiln is a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-based methods.
The investment is key to the Roca Group's decarbonization strategy. The Group closed 2022 with a 39% reduction in direct CO₂ emissions compared to the 2018 baseline, moving closer to the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.
Roca Group commissioned the world's first electric tunnel kiln for the production of sanitary ceramics
© ROCA
Keramischer OFENBAU has focused on sustainable innovation for more than 25 years and is a market leader in energy-efficient ceramic kilns, making it an ideal partner in the Roca Group's decarbonization project.The first production results of the new plant show great potential for the entire industry, as this technology can benefit not only sanitary ceramics production, but also other market sectors such as building ceramics and tableware .
We have a long-term goal of decarbonizing our business and are working hard to find solutions to help us achieve this. This new pan-European partnership not only supports us on our path to net zero, but also represents a clear step forward for the entire industry," Albert Magrans, Roca Group CEO.
The realization of the investment proves once again that our advanced technologies are capable of decarbonizing even the CO₂-intensive ceramics industry. Our electrically heated kilns provide customers with increasing independence from the energy market and allow for sustainable and economical production today and for decades to come. This groundbreaking and innovative project demonstrates that our technology allows us to maintain maximum quality in our ceramic products while having a positive impact on the planet - Günter Halex, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Keramischer OFENBAU.
We invite you to watch a short video about Roca's new investment:
Roca Group commissioned the world's first electric tunnel kiln for the production of sanitary ceramics
© ROCA
About Roca Group:
The Roca Group, which includes brands such as Roca and Laufen, is a global leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of bathroom products for architecture, construction and interior design. Founded in Barcelona in 1917, its activities combine tradition and knowledge with a passion for innovation and respect for the environment to meet people's needs and contribute to the well-being of society.With sustainability as the foundation of all its activities, the Roca Group aims to pass on a better planet to future generations. The Group implements this culture in the 170 countries where it is present and in its 79 factories through the daily commitment of more than 21,000 employees.This family-owned group is a market leader in Europe, Latin America and India. It also has a strong presence in Asia, the Middle East, Australia and Africa. This makes it a global leader in its industry.
Keramischer OFENBAUCompany Information :
Keramischer OFENBAU is a global supplier of specialized furnaces and installations for the thermal processing of a wide range of products, from building ceramics to sanitary ware and tableware. The company's kilns can be found in more than 50 countries around the world.
This German kiln manufacturer designs and creates the most efficient, state-of-the-art solutions for a variety of ceramic products. Since its inception in 1996, the company has combined experience and competence with an emphasis on efficiency and innovation. The Keramischer OFENBAU team tailors its kilns to meet the needs of its customers, while providing creative and more sustainable solutions for ceramic production.
The company not only builds new, highly efficient roller, tunnel and shuttle kilns, but has also specialized in the energy retrofitting of existing kilns, achieving up to 50% energy savings.
