A new era in ceramic manufacture: Duravit opens new plant in Canada

The opening of Duravit’s new manufacturing site in Matane, Canada, is a milestone that points to the future of the sanitary industry. The state-of-the-art facility is one of the first plants in the world that uses exclusively electric power to fire sanitary ceramics – a breakthrough for a traditionally energy-intensive sector. At the same time, Duravit’s new site is a logical continuation of its local-for-local approach: in future, products for North America will be manufactured directly in North America. As such, the company is not only reinforcing its responsibility to the region, but is also creating a powerful symbol of sustainable and future-oriented manufacturing at the international level.

Around 80 guests from the worlds of politics, business, and media attended the official opening. Duravit was represented by Christian Gilles (head of production, Canada), Thomas Stammel (COO), and Lüder Fromm (CMO). The presence of Gregor Greinert, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, deserves particular mention and is a strong indicator of the Supervisory Board’s support.

Investment in quality and growth

With an investment volume of over C$90 million, the factory forms a strategic cornerstone of the company’s global growth strategy. Manufacturing is already underway with 102 employees at present, a number that is set to rise to 240 by the time the plant is fully operational in 2027. A factory stretching across 35,000 square meters is being built with a future manufacturing capacity of up to 450,000 ceramic parts – washbasins and toilets – per year for the North American market. Manufacturing is carried out consistently in line with Duravit’s high quality standards which are renowned around the world for their durability and precision. The strategic location on the Saint Lawrence River guarantees short transport routes and means that the region can be supplied using minimal resources. Access to a deep-sea port and the use of clean, cost-effective energy were central reasons for the choice of location.

Technology for accountability in future

Ceramic production requires high temperatures and is traditionally energy-intensive. The energy Duravit uses in Matane comes almost entirely from renewable sources: hydroelectric power from Québec replaces fossil fuels and almost 99.6% of the power used in the electrical roller kilns comes is generated renewably. Along with the shorter transport routes, this reduces carbon emissions by some 9,000 tons annually. The electrical roller kilns by Riedhammer, a subsidiary of the SACMI Group, form the beating heart of the plant. The kilns, which are around 100 meters in length, offer capacity for over 600 ceramic parts per day, which are fired at a temperature of 1,260 degrees Celsius. The process heat produced is reused in the drying and casting areas.

Partnership with government and region

Economic Development Canada supported the construction with a repayable contribution of C$19 million, while Investissement Québec provided a loan of C$11 million via the ESSOR program. Similarly, the Matane regional municipality was a key player in the successful launch thanks to its warm welcome and close collaboration.

“The Matane region has shown us a huge amount of trust and support right from the start. For us, this factory is more than a manufacturing site: it’s a collaborative project with the local community. We want to create long-term jobs that offer prospects and actively contribute to economic development,” said Christian Gilles, head of production for Duravit Canada.

Unity of tradition and future

Duravit has been a by-word for precision craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology since 1817. The opening of the new plant in Matane represents a strategic cornerstone in the company’s international expansion and is consistent with its target of becoming carbon-neutral by 2045 – underpinned by a long-term corporate strategy. At the same time, Duravit remains true to its design philosophy: with timeless forms that do not chase short-lived trends, but endure for decades. Durability ultimately helps preserve resources because the less we replace, the more we save in terms of materials, energy, and emissions. Aesthetics thus represents an active contribution to sustainability.