SCHOTT

SCHOTT won the Corporate Environmental Achievement Award for its sustainable manufacturing processes for CERAN® and PYRAN® Platinum glass-ceramics, which are produced without toxic heavy metals and with water and energy conservation in mind.  

SCHOTT was the first in the industry to produce high-quality eco-friendly glass in manufacturing SCHOTT CERAN® glass-ceramic cooktop panels. Each year, the newly patented melting process for CERAN eliminates more than 100 tons of the environmentally harmful heavy metals arsenic and antimony, which are normally used as refining agents to rid glass of bubbles. The worldwide use of CERAN® glass-ceramic panels broadens its environmental impact.

Having begun this process for CERAN in 2002, SCHOTT has reduced arsenic and antimony usage by an estimated 1,000 tons over the past decade. This reduction helps greatly diminish the need for mining and transportation of these heavy metals, which can harm communities through toxic runoff into the ground or water supply.

In addition, SCHOTT CERAN® is primarily composed of natural raw materials, like quartz sand, that are virtually inexhaustible. With the product’s unique composition of materials, SCHOTT is already meeting future ecological standards, but continues to refine production processes to be more environmentally friendly.

The manufacturing process that reduces CERAN’s environmental impact is also used for PYRAN® Platinum, a fire- rated glazing material made from transparent glass-ceramic. The unique manufacturing process used to produce PYRAN® Platinum won the product Cradle-to-Cradle® Silver certification by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC).

In addition to eliminating arsenic and antimony, SCHOTT’s manufacturing process for PYRAN® Platinum conserves and protects fresh water supplies. SCHOTT uses graywater from a nearby river for 90 percent of the total water needed for the manufacturing site. Water and waste water streams are measured, and all water and waste water regulations are strictly met, while required local conservation measures are often exceeded.

SCHOTT has also developed energy-efficient melting technologies to reduce energy consumption and production emissions. SCHOTT’s manufacturing process for PYRAN® Platinum uses 5.7 percent renewable energy, including solar energy generated on site that is fed into the grid.

SCHOTT is an international technology group with more than 125 years of experience in the areas of specialty glasses and materials and advanced technologies. SCHOTT is committed to managing its business in a sustainable manner and supporting its employees, society, and the environment.