Interview with Johannes Edmüller, Managing Partner at Schlagmann Poroton GmbH & Co. KG, Zeilarn, Germany

Success in the future is determined today!

Photos/Fotos: Anett Fischer

»1 Schlagmann site manager in Zeilarn Heinz Girgner (left) and Johannes Edmüller at the new research centre in Zeilarn

Photos/Fotos: Anett Fischer

»2 The research and development centre is equipped with comprehensive measurement and analysis technology, e.g. a STA and a dilatometer for thermal analyses

»3 The clay batches can be prepared in field-oriented conditions and extruded with a laboratory extruder

»4 For permanent quality control, a compression testing machine is available

»5 Intensive research is also conducted on insulation materials – Schlagmann employee Katharina Krautner assesses perlite samples

»6 As one of the first product of the research work at the new centre, Johannes Edmüller presents the new Poroton-S8 clay block with patented microserration

With the building of a research and development centre, the clay brick manufacturer Schlagmann Poroton has invested in the future. As well as exploring developments for new high-performance bricks, the Schlagmann researchers are also focussing on insulation materials and ecofriendly production technologies. During a tour of this showpiece, which was opened in 2014, accompanied by Johannes Edmüller, Schlagmann Managing Partner, we spoke about the reasons for this investment.

Please give us a few facts on the research and development centre.

We have so far invested around € 2.5 mill. in the project, around € 1.3 mill. in the construction of the facility and the rest in the technical equipment and instruments. We currently employ 15 people at the research centre, our goal is an average of 15 to 20 people.

We concentrate here on conducting research projects to improve the efficiency of ceramic building and insulation materials. That is, besides the further optimization of clay bricks and blocks, our focus is the search for new and suitable insulation materials and...