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Green production: CERAMIN® lives sustainability
The CLASSEN Group, which manufactures design flooring made of the material CERAMIN®, among other things, recently published its sustainability report for 2022/23. The report documents how seriously the company takes its responsibility for the environment and society. A key aspect of this is the sustainable and transparent production conditions in the manufacture and processing of CERAMIN®.
Transparency is an important step towards a sustainable construction industry. Consumers can only make an informed decision if they know whether questionable ingredients are present. The situation is similar for construction managers and architects: Too often, important information about the composition of products remains opaque even for experts - making it impossible to make precise statements about sustainability or harmfulness.
CLASSEN provides insights into production and processes
Transparency is a key principle for the CLASSEN Group when it comes to production conditions. The report provides detailed information on key aspects such as energy consumption, water utilisation, waste management and emissions. This disclosure enables interested parties to gain a comprehensive picture of the conditions under which the innovative and environmentally friendly floor coverings are manufactured.
Biomass and solar projects at the production site
The CERAMIN® site in Kaisersesch consistently favours renewable energies. The biomass power plant already covers around 25% of the site's electricity requirements by burning wood dust, which is a by-product of the timber industry. In addition, two new photovoltaic systems with a total of 20,858 modules were put into operation in 2023. They generate around 9,600,000 kWh of solar power per year, which corresponds to the consumption of 2,750 households. This means that CERAMIN® already has an impressive self-sufficiency rate of 25% for its electricity supply.
Positive effects through sustainable energy
Investing in a sustainable energy supply has a positive impact in many ways. The use of renewable energies reduces fossil fuels and thus climate-damaging CO2 emissions. The use of wood dust and solar energy conserves natural resources. At the same time, regional value creation is strengthened and dependence on energy imports is reduced.
But it's not just the environment that benefits. The carefully selected raw materials and low-emission production also contribute to a healthy living environment. CERAMIN® consistently refrains from using harmful substances such as plasticisers, chlorine or heavy metals and instead relies on harmless materials. This results in durable, robust floor coverings that meet the highest standards of healthy living and sustainability.
More than just energy: further steps towards sustainability
The current sustainability report also highlights many other topics that are important for sustainable production. These include, for example, increasing the proportion of recycling, developing a take-back system for CERAMIN® Soils or the commitment to environmental management and occupational health and safety, such as the planned introduction of ISO 14001 and 45001 at the Kaisersesch site.
The high ecological standards are also reflected in the procurement: the majority of raw materials come from Germany and Europe. Short transport routes conserve resources and protect the climate. At the same time, great importance is attached to compliance with social standards in the supply chain.
Conclusion
The Sustainability Report 2022/23 demonstrates the CLASSEN Group's consistent focus on responsible and future-orientated corporate management. With the sustainable and transparent production conditions at CERAMIN® the company sets standards in the flooring industry and proves that economic success and ecological-social commitment can be combined - for a healthy home and a planet worth living on.
This article is part of a three-part series to mark the publication of the sustainability report. If you would like to find out more about the recycling of CERAMIN® products, we recommend that you this contribution. Um weitere Details zur Umweltverträglichkeit und Wohngesundheit der CERAMIN® products, you are welcome to read diesen Artikel.
