What’s new in the brick and tile industry?

Dear readers,

This issue once again presents a diverse array of news from the brick industry.

Starting on page 6, you will find the second part of the technical article “Natural Gas and Hydrogen – What’s New?” Results from the Laboratory and in Practice, based on a research project by Dipl.-Ing. Regina Vogt, Dr. Matthias Händel, and M.Sc. Heidi Reichardt. The article discusses the firing results from experiments in tunnel and chamber kilns.

In the second technical article of this issue, starting on page 18, EurGeol Dr. rer. nat. Lutz Krakow continues his series of essays “Modern Raw Materials for the Brick Industry,” which he began a few years ago. He presents a high-tech quarry in Seljestokken, Norway, as well as its product, greywacke, which is usable in the brick industry.

Two interviews provide updates on developments at two long-established machinery and plant manufacturers. At LINGL SOLEAD in Krumbach, Swabia, the management team has been reorganized. You can read about the company’s objectives and the markets it is now focusing on starting on page 32.

At Keller HCW, the company is looking ahead following a successful restructuring. In an interview starting on page 38, Managing Director Andrea Pasqal reveals the key areas the Ibbenbüren-based company will now focus on and the offerings it plans to present to its customers.

The feature takes you to Thuringia and a heartwarming story. A family-run brickworks specializing in backing bricks has found a new owner and managing director. Find out who the new owner is, what motivated him to make the purchase, and why the outlook is quite promising starting on page 24.

New information about Wienerberger UK’s hydrogen project as well as the offerings from Wassmer can be found in the Company News starting on page 40. The newly opened permanent exhibition at the Ziegeleimuseum Lage and a review of the IAB-Building Materials Days in Weimar can be found in the Germany News starting on page 45.

I hope you find this issue both entertaining and informative.

Yours

Victor Kapr