Dec. 27, 2022 - The 2022 summary for Zschimmer & Schwarz Spain have been six very good months, another six with less demand, and one last quarter with many novelties, with the assimilation of new divisions of the group. A computation that makes them end the year with “10% growth with respect to 2021”, according to the forecasts of the manager, Pedro Hernández, since the month of December remains to be closed.

2022 has been a convulsive year for the Castellón cluster. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia, in February, added complications for the export of materials necessary for the ceramic sector. In Hernández's words, this forced them to "work as they had never done" to meet the strong demand, since one of its main business lines is to offer adequate chemical additives, as well as solutions to optimize resources in the manufacture of tiles.

Employment has also grown 5% this year in Zschimmer & Schwarz. New hiring has been made, being necessary experts in other divisions that are promoting in the company. In fact, Industrial Specialities (industrial specialties), the division directed by Carlos Vivas, has grown these last twelve months in business volume, structure and benefits. It is the most heterogeneous and its mission is to provide customary chemicals to different industries (such as agrochemistry, paperwork, or water treatment), in order to improve its performance.

Carlos Vivas and Pedro Hernández in the new facilities of Zschimmer & Schwarz Spain (PPO)

Another novelty that justifies the increase in the template is the assumption in the last quarter of the responsibility of the Paints & Coatings division (products for the treatment and coating of surfaces such as wood, paper, metal, textiles and concrete), as well as The expansion of the Cleaning Specialities Products Catalog (cleaning products).

Hernández's forecast for 2023 is to consolidate the good results and continue working on the products that are being offered. "One of the main challenges we will continue to face is the energy problem and the shortage of raw materials," explains the manager. Especially, due to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine was the main origin of 70% of imported white clays. More specifically, they were extracted from Donbás, one of the most beaten areas of the conflict, with which the supply is committed for a more or less extensive period. It is unknown when the operation of the mines, the ports can be restored, and if that area will be under Russian domain or subject to sanctions.

From Zschimmer & Schwarz, they are promoting solutions. On the one hand, they help adapt the production in the ovens with alternative clays to the Ukraine. On the other hand, they work on additives that make the pastes acquire an adequate state of viscosity with as much water as possible. "It always depends on each specific case, but with this solution, more than 10% water and more than 10% energy can be saved," according to Hernández.