Hydrogen4Ceramic

Decarbonization is an issue of great importance to Villeroy&Boch, which is why we are working intensively to develop measures that reduce CO2 emissions.

A key aspect of this is the development of a radically new firing process to transition away from gas, the fossil fuel used to date. Hydrogen can play an important role in transition project.

2040 is currently considered a realistic target for the Group to achieve CO2 neutrality. Our non-ceramics locations should be able to achieve climate-neutrality by 2030. In total, more than 150 technically possible decarbonisation measures were identified and placed on a timeline according to whether they can be implemented in the short to medium term or in the long term. The measures that can be implemented in the short to medium term include energy efficiency measures (heat recovery, waste heat conversion, etc.) and the installation of photovoltaic
systems. By implementing these measures, the Group’s emissions are expected to be reduced by approximately 50% between now and 2030. Substantial research efforts are still needed before long-term measures can be decided, planned in detail and made a reality. Two technologies are considered the most promising to develop a new firing process, firstly the substitution of natural gas with green hydrogen and secondly the electrification of the firing process.

For the sites in Mettlach and Merzig we are planning as follows:

Mettlach:

• Usage of green hydrogen instead of natural gas in our kilns successively from 2028 until 2032
• Potentially usage of green hydrogen for the CHP, transition of the heating and production heat until 2034

Merzig:

• Usage of green hydrogen instead of natural gas in our kilns from 2028 on.