- Duravit uses the very latest technology.
Resource-efficient manufacturing processes for bathroom furniture
Where the environmental performance of its products is concerned, Duravit AG has one clear focus: wherever possible, returning everything to the cycle. Consideration of environmental impacts starts with the choice of materials and continues in production processes until recycling at the end of the manufacturing process. In the manufacture of bathroom furniture, a number of aspects come together at different levels to create an overall picture. Manufacturers such as Duravit continue to find new possibilities and take various measures to save resources. In accordance with the premise of promoting innovation, the company invests in state-of-the-art technology and a package of measures. At this level, Duravit thus makes a contribution to ensuring that production is as eco-friendly as possible.
- All the emissions from the woodchip burners pass through a sophisticated technical filter system.
Duravit manufactures in Schenkenzell in the Black Forest. In October of this year, the extension to the bathroom furniture factory and the building measures to optimise the production processes will be completed. The new equipment includes, for example, an environmentally-friendly woodchip burner that recycles all waste wood and chippings and uses it as fuel in the production facilities. The energy is used directly and without any additional transport costs. Naturally, all the emissions from the woodchip burners pass through a sophisticated technical filter system.
As a rule, production waste is separated and recoverable materials are press compacted in separate categories at the factory for optimum disposal and recycling. However, small technical details also have a significant effect: the systematic optimisation of the compressed-air plant saves valuable energy in the production process.
- In the coating filter system, the so-called doctor-blade technique is used to remove residue in an environmentally-friendly manner.
Collecting production waste
As bathrooms are becoming increasingly important as personal havens of relaxation and regeneration, our demands for comfort and a welcoming atmosphere are also growing. However, environmental aspects are equally important. Lacquered furniture is very much in demand. Shiny yet discreet, it stands for high quality. The brilliance of the finish helps to use and reinforce the power of natural light sources. This gives rooms a completely new dimension. Duravit uses the very latest technology to apply the lacquer. In the coating filter system, the so-called doctor-blade technique is used to remove residue in an environmentally-friendly manner. Vertical brushes on the wall pick up the coating slag. The brushes clean one another and the dried, powdery coating is collected in a container. The resulting residue can be disposed of as simple domestic waste. The new method replaces outdated plants working with systems that generate hazardous waste. With these systems, a water wall or filter system removes the coating residue. Lacquer is just one of many surface finishes. With real wood surfaces, too, Duravit observes various crucial criteria, for example, it works mainly with native woods from Europe and North America. Outside of Europe, only plantation woods from certified, sustainable forests are used.
Improving the energy-to-light ratio
An in-house development department is relentless in its pursuit of innovative furniture ideas. Current ranges feature energy-saving fluorescent tubes and LEDs (light emitting diodes). On average, an LED transforms 60 percent of the energy used into light. With a conventional light bulb, approx. 95 percent of the energy is lost. Lighting technology is being developed at a rapid pace, which means that LED technology is also undergoing continuous optimisation for an even better energy-to light-ratio.
