Building responsibly with Zahna-Fliesen
In a world where environmental awareness and sustainability are moving to the foreground, more and more people are looking for ecologically sound building materials. As a leading supplier of porcelain stoneware tiles, it is especially important to us at Zahna-Fliesen to highlight the environmental advantages of our products. Porcelain stoneware tiles offer a range of ecological benefits compared with other floor coverings, making them an outstanding choice for environmentally conscious clients and renovators.
Longevity and robustness
Our through-coloured tiles are known for exceptional durability and resistance. Studies show that porcelain stoneware tiles can last up to 50 years (ours even longer), while carpets typically need replacing every 5-10 years and wooden floors every 10-20 years. That long service life means fewer renovations and therefore less waste and resource use.
Global warming potential in kg CO2 equivalents over the life cycle*
Over the full life span, tiles and natural stone show a clearly lower global warming potential (GWP) than all other floor coverings, which in a 50-year period often have to be replaced or extensively renovated several times.
*Source: "Nachhaltigkeitsstudie Bodenbeläge" - Deutscher Naturwerkstein Verband (DNC); 2019
Resource-efficient production
The manufacture of ceramic tiles has become increasingly environmentally friendly in recent years, at least in Germany. At Zahna-Fliesen we use modern production methods that minimise energy consumption and reduce waste. Porcelain stoneware is made from natural raw materials such as clay, quartz and feldspar, which in our case are available regionally. That significantly reduces transport distances and the associated CO2 emissions.
Energy efficiency and heat storage
Tiles have excellent thermal properties. They store heat very well and are therefore ideal in combination with underfloor heating. This allows more efficient use of heating energy and can strongly reduce energy consumption in buildings. In the warm season tiles have a cooling effect and contribute to a pleasant indoor climate without extra air-conditioning costs.
Easy-care and hygienic
A further ecological advantage of Zahna-Fliesen is simple care. Unlike carpets, which regularly need intensive cleaning and chemicals, porcelain stoneware tiles can be cleaned easily with water and environmentally friendly detergents. That reduces the need for harmful chemicals and contributes to better indoor air quality. Studies have shown that using porcelain stoneware tiles can clearly reduce allergen load indoors. Read more about our patented surface finish and easy cleaning here.
Recycling and disposal
Porcelain stoneware tiles are fully recyclable. At the end of their life they can be crushed and used as aggregate in new building projects. That closes the material loop and reduces the amount of waste going to landfill. Ceramic tiles are also free of harmful chemicals, which makes disposal unproblematic.
Through-coloured porcelain stoneware vs. printed tiles
A distinctive aspect of our range, compared with most other tiles, is through-coloured porcelain stoneware. These tiles offer considerable advantages over printed tiles, both in durability and in environmental impact. Because through-coloured porcelain stoneware needs no extra surface layer that can wear over time, these tiles are more robust and longer-lasting. That means less frequent replacement and therefore less material use and waste.
Through-coloured porcelain stoneware also shows higher resistance to scratches and wear. If damage occurs, the colour of the tile remains intact because it is coloured all the way through. Printed tiles, by contrast, can lose their decorative surface when damaged and look unsightly, which often requires a complete replacement.
Environmental certifications and sustainability standards
At Zahna-Fliesen we place great value on compliance with environmental standards and certifications. Our products are certified to the highest environmental standards, including ISO 14001. In addition our products have received an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which provides detailed information on the environmental impact of our tiles over their entire life cycle. These certifications ensure that our products spare the environment throughout their life cycle.
Zahna-Fliesen relies on solar energy
To underline our commitment to sustainability and to secure a future-proof energy supply, we inaugurated a new photovoltaic plant at Zahna-Fliesen in 2023. This modern solar plant allows us to cover a considerable share of our energy demand from renewable sources. Installing the plant is a further step in reducing our ecological footprint and making production of our porcelain stoneware even more environmentally friendly.
By using solar energy we can significantly reduce CO2 emissions in production and make an important contribution to climate protection.
Inauguration of the PV project by Minister-President Reiner Haseloff
Conclusion
Porcelain stoneware tiles are not only an aesthetically appealing and functional choice for floor coverings, but also an environmentally responsible option. Their longevity, resource-efficient production, energy efficiency, simple care and recyclability make them a sustainable choice for modern building projects. At Zahna-Fliesen we are proud to offer products that help protect the environment while meeting the highest quality standards. With our new photovoltaic plant and the advantages of through-coloured porcelain stoneware we take a further important step towards sustainability. Choose porcelain stoneware tiles from Zahna-Fliesen and make an active contribution to environmental protection.