22 Action area Water | Water-saving technologie

s

Efficient use of water in

manufacturin

g

Manufacturing sanitary ceramic is a water-intensive proces

s

and is monitored by more than 40 meters at the Hornber

g

site alone. For that reason, our general goal is to reduce th

e

water consumed per ton of manufactured product. Respon-

sibility for the topic of “water” is part of the remit of the

Environment and Energy O

fficer, and has central relevance

in day-to-day business of every line manager

.

The Ecology and Energy Team (Management Board

,

factory managers, energy managers, and environment officer

s

at the facilities), who meet twice a year, are responsible fo

r

implementing appropriate measures and monitoring thei

r

progress. The prevailing laws and regulations, such as th

e

Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) or Wastewate

r

Ordinance (AbwV) in Germany, are strictly complied with

.

Using an ultra

filtration system in the grinding shop in

Hornberg means that most of the water can be fed back into

the cycle. Wastewater from manufacturing is treated in the

wastewater pre-treatment plant and fed back into the manu

-

facturing process. As a result, the statutory requirements for

a sustainable water cycle are greatly exceeded. Fresh water

consumption in Hornberg has been reduced by 62 % thanks

to water recycling (approx. 44.000 m3). By 2030, freshwate

r

reduction is to be increased to 70%. The proportion of

recycled water at the Meissen facility is signi

ficantly lower

at 28 %. Small hydraulic units are used for cooling,

especially in the summer, and also for cleaning

.

1

- 62

%

fresh water procurement

rough water recycling

in Hornber

g 

The Schenkenzell and Achern

facilities are not considered in this context as they do not

need any water for manufacturing or logistics

.

Water savings in Europe thanks t

o

water-saving toilet-flushin

g

technologies

Our development teams are constantly focusing on the topi

c

of water consumption and flushing performance of toilet

s

and urinals. The innovative interplay of geometry, flow theory,

and design has enabled us to achieve more e

fficient

flushing

performance and lower water consumption with thes

e

products. New toilet models use just 4.5 or 2/4 liters of wate

r

per flush, and urinals with our patented rimless

flushin

g

technology need just 1 liter of water. Our waterless urinal with

an integrated hose diaphragm reduces water consumption

to zero.

up to 30 million m

³

water save

d

annuall

y

Potential water savings of 13.5

l

per day2

2 

Measured

against the minimum standard of 6 liters per

flush for residential buildings in

accordance with DGNB: household of 2.27 persons, 345 days per year, 1x large

flush and

4x small flushes per person per day, 4.6 million toilets sold between 2012 and 2021

.

GRI 303-1