Stephan Schmidt invests in a sustainable future

The German group has launched several initiatives for cutting CO2 emissions and reducing its environmental footprint

Stephan Schmidt, one of the world’s leading producers of clays and industrial minerals, is preparing a series of initiatives aimed at protecting the planet and ensuring careful use of resources. The German group attaches great importance to these issues and has been pursuing sustainability for several years through targeted investments and actions.

One of the key measures underway is the conversion of the clay transport system from the Meudt quarry. A new 1.1-kilometre-long conveyor belt has almost entirely replaced the diesel-powered trucks previously used for transport. The belt, powered mainly by solar energy, makes a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and opens up a new part of the deposit with high-quality light-firing clays for the tile and sanitaryware industry.

As an energy-intensive company, Stephan Schmidt also intends to expand the production of renewable energy (photovoltaics, wind power and hydrogen) so as to gradually reduce the use of primary energy and the resulting environmental impact. Several operating sites are already equipped with large rooftop photovoltaic systems, which have also helped the company keep down its energy costs.

Another project in progress is the creation of the subsidiary Windpark Arborn, which was founded specifically to build and operate a wind farm. A portion of the electricity generated will be used to produce green hydrogen to power a ground clay production plant in place of fossil natural gas.

The Stephan Schmidt Group owns 20 quarries and state-of-the-art processing plants that produce 1.5 million tons of raw materials annually for customers in more than 40 countries around the world.