Every challenge offers an opportunity.

This is why we want to get closer to our vision of a better world through joint initiatives. In the coming years, we will focus on expanding our strategic sustainability action areas, further developing certification and working together to achieve EU 2050 targets to make the world a liveable place for future generations.

 

A sustainability concept as part of our strategy ensures our long-term success and makes us a strong and reliable partner for our stakeholders. So far, we have achieved the goals we have set and have already taken up a pioneering role at the site in Schwaz in Austria. However, we know that there is still much to be done.

Our progress

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Our goals

 

Expansion of alternative energy

The first parts of the large-scale photovoltaic system at the Schwaz site have been in operation since August. A total of three expansion stages are planned at the main plant and a further one at the secondary site in Vomp. When the system is fully installed, we will be able to cover up to a quarter of our own electricity needs with solar energy. In line with the “Tyrol 2050 Energy Autonomous” strategy, the technology company will save an additional 723 tonnes of CO2 annually. In addition, analyses for further PV installations are currently being carried out at all Tyrolit sites, and the Group-wide energy management team is looking at other options such as geothermal energy, GW heat capacities or alternative gas from wood. We are looking forward to the resulting implementations.

 

Energy reduction through process and infrastructure optimisation

One area of focus is the reduction of energy and its costs. Special process and infrastructure optimisation in the production area have already reduced energy costs. The gas consumption of the tunnel kiln, for example, has been significantly reduced by installing a heat exchanger that heats the supply air of the burners with the waste gas from the cooling zone of the tunnel kiln. In addition, the shuttle kilns have been optimised and connected to the central heat recovery network. The reduced gas consumption has not only lowered the overall increase in energy costs, but also protects the environment. CO2 emissions have been reduced by 1,100 tonnes per year.

 

Sustainable product development in innovation

When new products and applications are developed, this is done in compliance with strict internal guidelines that drive sustainable product development and sustainable innovation processes. These include:

 

  • Replacing hazardous substances
  • Using fewer resources in production
  • Creating competitive advantages for customers by saving energy
  • Making the use of tools even safer
  • Using recycled raw materials
  • Ceramic grinding wheel production without naphthalene

 

An example of this can be found here.

 

Expansion of grinding wheel recycling systems

In line with a circular economy approach, work is being carried out on solutions for synthetic resin products in existing product ranges, such as the use of proprietary reclaimed corundum from the finishing process for ceramic production.

 

Expansion of the Group-wide ideas process for employees

For many years, there has been an employee ideas process as part of the management system, in which bonuses are paid for new employee ideas depending on the idea category and awards are given for the ideas. A sustainability category is being added to this process to encourage and recognise the commitment of all employees to sustainable projects.

Our progress

In recent decades, we have successfully implemented a range of sustainability measures – even before sustainability became a topical issue in the business world. We have continued on this course and taken further steps in the right direction.

2022 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Photovoltaic systems at our headquarters in Schwaz

Photovoltaic systems at our headquarters in Schwaz

The photovoltaic system on the rooftop at our headquarters in Schwaz, which went into operation in the summer of 2022, saves 3,500 MWh of electrical energy per year. In total, Tyrolit achieves annual energy savings of 700 MWh through global PV installations at Tyrolit sites from Australia to Thailand to the Czech Republic.
2021 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Group-wide switch to LED

Group-wide switch to LED

All sites around the world are replacing the incandescent bulbs in their light fixtures with LEDs. This will produce total energy savings of around 80% for the same amount of lighting. LEDs are currently still slightly more expensive than incandescent light bulbs, but the investment in the latest models for electrical energy will pay off in about a year, making this type of lighting worthwhile on balance. Likewise, their lifetime is significantly longer, as is their resistance to shock and vibration. LEDs are small and compact and therefore versatile.
2020 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Range of small sustainability projects

Range of small sustainability projects

These projects create awareness for sustainable action within the company as well as among our customers and other stakeholders. For example, Tyrolit promotes biodiversity with the wild bee hotel, organises an annual clean-up campaign around the Jizera River, which flows around a Tyrolit site (Clean Jizera Project), cooperates with sheltered workshops and makes the company fire brigade available for operations outside the Tyrolit premises. Employees can benefit from an e-bike leasing initiative in Tyrol, and many of them are increasingly coming to work by bike.
2020 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Certification

Certification

In the spirit of responsible cooperation, Tyrolit played an active role in initiating the SEAM sustainability certification brand. SEAM stands for Sustainable European Abrasive Manufacturers and guarantees a high level of standardisation when it comes to quality, safety, excellence and the environment. It supports successful positioning of the company in a rapidly changing world. Certification empowers the mission of broad-based sustainable corporate management in the abrasives industry and makes sustainability both a business opportunity and a competitive advantage. Its members are highly qualified abrasives manufacturers throughout Europe. www.seam.earth
2017 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Employees as a source of ideas – Tyrolit Power

Employees as a source of ideas – Tyrolit Power

The increasing industrial demands and the resulting changes in the market demand extremely close cooperation with our customers. In 2017, this led to an innovative solution from employee Bent Ankersen in Denmark. He created the idea for the new product TYROLIT POWER – a combination of natural-hair brushes and a grinding layer made from netting with diamonds. It enables a controlled surface finish in an extremely short time and significantly reduces machining time and thus costs compared to conventional tools. A great idea that helps the customer to achieve the desired result in a quarter of the time.
2008 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Construction of the photovoltaic park in the Czech Republic

Construction of the photovoltaic park in the Czech Republic

In 2008, a solar plant consisting of 60 x 50 sq m panels was erected at the Tyrolit site in Benátky. It automatically tracks the sun, generates 881,000 kWh of electricity and saves 700 tonnes of CO2 per year. Tyrolit is investing a total of 4.3 million euros in this step towards greater energy autonomy.
2006 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Switch to regenerative afterburning at the Schwaz site

Switch to regenerative afterburning at the Schwaz site

With a total investment volume of approx. 1.2 million Euro, thermal afterburning at the Schwaz site is being replaced by a heat recovery system that uses waste gases. This will reduce annual gas consumption by half from 3 million m3 to
1.5 million m3. The associated CO2 emissions will also be halved to around 6,000 tonnes per year.
1996 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - ISO 14001 certification

ISO 14001 certification

Tyrolit Schleifmittelwerke Swarovski KG is considered one of the pioneers in this field and has consistently developed its environmental management system since 1996, transforming it into a sustainability management system.
1980s TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Establishment of the Local Community Service

Establishment of the Local Community Service

Harmonious coexistence with the people around us is important to Tyrolit. This is why the Local Community Service was established in the 1980s. Residents of the areas surrounding Tyrolit sites can contact employees with questions, concerns or complaints and, if necessary, work together to find solutions. This creates a sustainable basis for pleasant coexistence.
1985 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Secur Silentio: Low-vibration, quieter wheel protects employees

Secur Silentio: Low-vibration, quieter wheel protects employees

Work in the metal processing industry is often associated with physical load. Strong vibrations and high noise levels put a strain on employees' wrists and ears. To relieve them and protect their health, Tyrolit developed a new "Secur Silentio" composite grinding wheel in 1985. This ergonomic wheel allowed grinding work to be carried out at low noise and vibration levels, reducing the physical load on the grinders and protecting the ears of nearby employees and neighbours.
1979 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - New halls with improved workplaces

New halls with improved workplaces

To guarantee smooth production at the Tyrolit plant, sufficient space was required for all employees, machines and working surfaces. As space became scarce, the production halls were further expanded in 1979. This reduced the close working quarters in Plant II, and laid the foundations for better workplaces and the installation of new machines. No sooner said than done. Two additional halls were built – Building D was constructed as an extension to Plant II and two bays were added to Plant III, increasing the space by 1,840 m2 in total.
1962 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Tyrolit stones travel the world

Tyrolit stones travel the world

In 1962, the Austrian researcher and mountaineer, Henrich Harrer, who gained fame for his books on his time in Tibet, undertook an expedition to New Guinea. Prior to this, Harrer asked Tyrolit for combination whetting stones to be able to deal with the locals. They could be used to sharpen the steel axes which Harrer had brought for them.

The expedition was a resounding success: Harrer achieved 31 first mountain ascents and the locals were enthusiastic about the grinding stones.
1952 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Tyrolit Develops the Secur Wheel

Tyrolit Develops the Secur Wheel

In 1952, two years after the opening of the new site in Schwaz, Tyrolit launched the first cut-off and rough grinding wheels with glass fabric reinforcement – Secur Wheels – on the market. This consigned the paper insert to history, because glass fabric reinforcement now held the wheel together and prevented it from disintegrating into individual parts if used incorrectly, which, among other things, posed a risk of danger to the operator. This wheel laid the foundation for Tyrolit's future growth.
1951 TYROLIT - Inovations - Timeline - Foundation of the Tyrolit Sports Club (TSG) with 12 sections

Foundation of the Tyrolit Sports Club (TSG) with 12 sections

The Tyrolit sports club was founded in 1951 on the initiative of the employees. Motivated employees were now able to meet and share their interests in the areas of photography, football, bowling, cross-country skiing, running, motor sports, tobogganing, skiing, curling, tennis and card games. Competitions are held annually in each area with participants of all ages – from apprentices to retirees.