Interesting times
Dear Readers,
Before you lies the last issue of 2022. To characterize the past months, a supposed Chinese proverb sometimes comes to mind. Perhaps you know it: “May you live in interesting times.” We are witnessing a war for geopolitical order in Europe, growing damage from weather disasters and climatic changes, gas and energy price increases, and supply insecurity. Corona also accompanies us in a weakening form.
In another sense, it is interesting and nice that the usual industry events in the fall and thus again lively exchanges between suppliers and manufacturers have taken place. Among others, the seminar of the Institute of the German Brick and Tile Industry in Essen provided a pleasant opportunity for this, as you can read in the report, as did Tecna in Rimini. A highlight was the anniversary celebration of Stephan Schmidt KG in the Westerwald. Afterwards, there was an opportunity to talk about the history of the company with the managing director. Why a good tone in this family is as important as a forward-looking perspective, you can read in the interview. And there is no end to the round of events. Shortly after this issue appears, the Würzburg Brickmaking Course will take place on November 29 and 30.
Interesting, because potentially future-saving, are the research efforts on the recyclability of bricks. A very good example is the technical article in this issue by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anette Müller, Dipl.-Ing. Steffen Liebezeit and Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Palzer. In it, they show that gypsum-containing masonry rubble or bricks filled with insulating materials and coated with gypsum plaster can be recycled as raw materials for the production of lightweight aggregates.
In a very positive sense, the last period has also been interesting for me. Since the summer of this year, I have succeeded Wolfgang Deil as Editor-in-Chief of ZI. The brick industry is an exciting branch of industry with excellent products. I look forward to observing this industry together with you.
In any case, I hope that many things will take an interesting = positive turn in the coming year. However it may come, ZI will report on it. Until the next issue, I wish you a peaceful New Year and good health.
I wish you an entertaining and informative read.
Yours
Victor Kapr
