Roca Group successfully commissions the world’s first electric tunnel kiln for the production of sanitary ceramics.
Roca has invested in the world’s first electric tunnel kiln for sanitaryware. In an effort to decarbonise the inherent energy and carbon-intensive production of ceramic goods (¹), the company has taken a decisive step towards electrifying its production processes at its Laufen plant in Gmunden (Austria) thanks to the cutting-edge technology from Keramischer OFENBAU, world technology leader in the manufacture of ceramic kilns.
The German kiln manufacturer has been focusing on sustainable innovation for over 25 years and is a market leader in energy efficient ceramic kilns, making it the ideal partner for Roca Group’s decarbonisation project. After four years of development, the first electric tunnel kiln for sanitaryware has successfully started production of complex ceramic pieces in Gmunden. The Laufen plant, which already uses electricity from renewable sources, was chosen for the first implementation of this pioneering technology as it is particularly conducive to the manufacture of the latest products of the highest quality. The innovation of the electric kiln has already been registered by the European Patent Office.
Given the kiln is highly efficient, decarbonised, and automated, it provides a valuable alternative to conventional production dependent on fossil fuels and is a key milestone in ensuring that Gmunden becomes the world’s first net-zero sanitaryware production facility by 2024. This investment is also central to Roca Group’s decarbonization strategy. The Group closed 2022 with a 39% reduction in direct CO2 emissions compared to the 2018 baseline, approaching its SBTi target of carbon neutrality by 2045.
The first production results of the new kiln system show great potential for the entire industry, because not only sanitaryware production can benefit from this new technology, but also other ceramic sectors such as structural and technical ceramics or tableware. This kiln proves that the complete decarbonisation of ceramic production is not only possible, but also realistic and economically feasible.
Albert Magrans, CEO at Roca Group, said: “We have a long-term goal to decarbonise our operations and we have been working hard to find solutions that will help us achieve this. This new pan-European partnership not only helps us on our way to net-zero but is also a clear step forward for the industry as a whole”.