Decarbonisation starts in the kiln.
At the 6th Freiberg Refractory Symposium hosted by the Deutsche Keramische Gesellschaft e. V., one thing became clear: the transition in thermal processing is no longer a distant ambition, it’s an engineering challenge that is being solved today.
Our contribution focused on exactly that point:
If you want to decarbonise ceramics, you have to rethink how heat is generated inside the kiln.
From combustion to electric heating
Moving away from fossil fuels is not just about replacing an energy source. It fundamentally changes heat transfer, process control and ultimately product quality. Electric kilns enable highly controlled, stable and reproducible firing conditions, even for sensitive ceramic products.
What this means in practice
Based on our implemented projects, electrification already delivers measurable impact:
- up to 50% energy savings
- CO₂-free firing processes
- high process stability and repeatability
- improved product quality through precise temperature control
- reduced exhaust gas volumes and optimized kiln atmosphere
Proven across applications
Whether roller kilns, tunnel kilns or shuttle kilns, electric solutions are already operating at industrial scale across different ceramic segments, from tableware to sanitaryware and coarse to advanced ceramics.
No one-size-fits-all, but clear direction
Electrification is not the answer in every case. Grid capacity, peak load management and site conditions matter. But where the framework is right, the advantages are clear, technically, economically and environmentally.
Our takeaway from Freiberg:
The conversation is shifting. Less about if, more about how to implement.
Thanks to everyone for the insightful discussions!
#Decarbonisation #ThermalProcessing #Electrification #CeramicsIndustry #KilnTechnology #EnergyEfficiency #Innovation
