Our Vision
At CeramTec, we are committed to producing high-quality technical ceramics in a sustainable way. We recognise the environmental challenges for our industry and take responsibility for minimising our impact while delivering products that support a sustainable future.
Producing technical ceramics requires significant energy, a reality we are continually addressing through innovative measures. While energy-intensive, our production processes result in highly durable components, which means that our industrial products require less frequent replacement, contributing to lower environmental impact over their lifetime. These material characteristics make CeramTec products more sustainable for critical applications, contributing to the reduction of waste, and supporting health-focused industries.
Our Ambitions
We are actively researching innovative ways to decarbonise and reduce our energy consumption. While we are proud of our efforts, we recognise there is much more to achieve.
Our actions:
Numerous operative activities and investments to reduce energy consumption in daily operations some examples are listed below:
- Ongoing installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels
- Purchase Power Agreement for 10 GWh of electricity produced by German PV park
- CO2 neutral electricity procurement strategy
- Development of a decarbonisation roadmap
- Green electricity by 2030
Environment - Greenhouse Gas Emissions
We have already implemented various measures to reduce our carbon footprint and are continuously discussing further actions, including energy efficiency measures, the use of renewable energy, switching to renewable fuels, and training our employees to handle resources responsibly. Our employees are encouraged to submit their ideas for emissions reductions, with regular surveys conducted.
One of our recent milestones on our decarbonisation pathway is the closing of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in 2023. Through this, we source a portion of our electricity consumption from verifiable renewable sources in Germany. The solar parks began operation in March 2024. At some of our plants, we own and operate photovoltaic systems ensuring local sourcing of renewable energy. Other plants, such as those in our UK portfolio, are fully supplied with green electricity through 100% green electricity renewable energy certificates (REC), which have been in place since October 2023.
We are already benefitting from projects initiated in recent years, such as our investment in waste heat recovery. Additionally, we remain conscious of energy efficiency and invest in LED lighting and other improvements in our buildings. We are also enabling the transfer to fleets with more electric vehicles (EV), for example by introducing EV charging stations on site, with all of our German sites now fully equipped.
At CeramTec, our operations are largely focused on production, so circular economy and all of its components are of very high importance to our sustainability strategy.
Our actions:
Where possible, we resell our waste products to be recycled or repurposed. A portion of our ceramics waste is utilised by other companies, while some metals are sold to specialized waste companies.
Environment – Pollution
Through proactive management and continued compliance with regulatory standards, we intend to promote a cleaner, healthier environment through pollution reduction.
Our actions:
Each of our sites operates a variety of air filters, thermal upgrades, cooling towers and wastewater treatment systems. All sites, including those without ISO certification, comply with the respective national legislation regarding pollution limits.
Our ISO 14001-certified sites at CeramTec GmbH (Plochingen, Ebersbach Marktredwitz and Lauf, all Germany), Czech Republic, UK, and China, have emergency management systems in place, including procedures to ensure preparedness for incidents also involving hazardous substances. These substances are stored in compliance with applicable legal requirements.
Workplace Health & Safety
Our central Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) policy prioritises high-standard workplace conditions and employee health and well-being. Through regular safety training and preventative care measures we aim to reduce work-related accidents and other incidents.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
CeramTec champions gender equality. We promote equal opportunity and aim to improve team performance through diverse teams. We offer DE&I training, flexiblework models, and support diverse hiring practices.
Employee engagement initiatives:
CeramTec uses its intranet and CT Inside app (available in Germany) to share news, and recently piloted an employee survey in Germany, with plans to expand it globally in 2025. Key initiatives include equipping management with sensitive communication tools, holding HR updates and engagement circles with leaders, and hosting inclusive events like “popup dinners” with the board members. Additionally, an idea management program in Germany, recognised with the German Idea Management Prize 2023, encourages employee suggestions for improvement.
Human rights
We conduct our business in a manner that respects the human rights and dignity of all, and we support international efforts to promote and protect human rights, including an absolute opposition to child labour, slavery, human trafficking and forced labour. This work is upheld by our designated Human Rights Officer and supported by our entire organisation.
Incidents, complaints, and severe human rights impacts
We encourage confidential complaint reporting, and provide our employees with a dedicated concerns hotline, EthicsPoint. Per policy, we do not tolerate any retaliation against employees who ask questions or make reports in good faith. Violations of our non-retaliation policy may have legal consequences, such as penalties or even criminal prosecution. At the time of reporting, there have been no fines, penalties, or compensation for damages resulting from incidents and complaints. No severe human rights incidents have been reported.
Training and development
“Learn and Grow” is one of CeramTec's corporate values. Continuous learning and development are a central aspect of not only our sustainability strategy, but also our business outlook. Our "Training and Competences" process instruction—applicable to our CT GmbH Industrial, Service Centre, and ETEC divisions—defines the structured approach to training within the organisation.
Supply Chain
We intend for CeramTec’s entire supply chain to be responsible and ethical, with consideration for human rights and environmental best practice integrated into our supplier contracts.
Our ambitions:
All high-risk suppliers[1] have been requested to complete an ESG assessment
- Percentage of high-risk suppliers that have undergone an ESG assessment
- Percentage of suppliers rated as high risk
All top suppliers[2] have been requested to complete an ESG assessment
- Percentage of top suppliers that have undergone an ESG assessment
All suppliers undergo an ESG pre-risk check
- Number of top suppliers audited with on-site audit or third-party audit
Cultivate and strengthen partnerships with suppliers for a more sustainable and responsible supply chain
- Dialogue with suppliers, site visits, and renewed contracts
[1] High-risk suppliers: all suppliers that are rated as high-risk after an internal ESG risk assessment based on a variety of ESG indices.
[2] Top suppliers: Top 50 suppliers in spend, make up ~ 60% of spend.
- AEO: Authorized Economic Operator: signifies that abusiness is recognised as a reliable and secure player inthe global supply chain, facilitating streamlined customs processes and international trade.
- IATF 16949: a global standard for quality management in the automotive industry, focusing on defect prevention, reducing variation, and promoting continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.
Products
We focus on:
- Delivering best-in-class quality across our product offerings.
- Developing technical ceramics that aid the sustainability transformation of our industry customers, especially in areas such as electrification and smart grid technology.
- Offering durable, biocompatible implant components that enhance the well-being of patients.
Lead-free piezoceramics
CeramTec has developed a lead-free BNT-BT-based piezo ceramic, a sustainable alternative to conventional PZT piezoceramics that delivers comparable performance in various applications. This innovation enables the creation of lead-free ultrasonic flow sensors, crucial for precise, durable measurement in water, heat, and gas metering. BNT-BT piezoceramics are especially suited for applications like ultrasonic water meters, environmental sensors, and parts used in bubble detection in medical equipment. Novel lead-free BNT-BT-based piezo ceramic supports the transition to lead-free water networks.
Our governance approach ensures we are creating an inclusive and ethical environment for our people and those we do business with. For CeramTec, this means applying meaningful governance structures and following best practices when it comes to wistleblowing, employee recognition, and health and safety.
Supervisory bodies
The CeramTec Supervisory Board is comprised of both employer and employee members, in equal measure. They are given regular compliance training by the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). The Advisory Committee which represents CeramTec shareholders is also regularly updated on CeramTec compliance matters.
Business conduct, policies, and corporate culture
- Our Code of Business Conduct reflects our commitment to transparency and trust and lays out the various ways that our staff and third parties can report any concerns around how we conduct our business. Our Code of Conduct encourages strength through integrity and is available on our website. Our CeramTec Group Supplier Standards are publicly available and detail our expectations for our suppliers.
- If any team member is not comfortable with the reporting options available, they can report anonymously through ‘EthicsPoint’, a third party managed reporting tool. EthicsPoint offers online and telephone reporting, with translators, and is available 24/7. Any report received within CeramTec is managed appropriately, and in accordance with our guidelines. CeramTec has a Non-Retaliation Policy for any whistleblowers whoreport or ask questions in good faith and our system is designed to protect the anonymity of those reporting, if they so elect.
- An update to our Global Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption policy has been completed and was rolled out by the end of 2024 with accompanying training.
Training, prevention, and protection of corruption and bribery
At CeramTec, we have a number of polices in place to prevent, detect, and address any allegations or incidents of corruption or bribery.
