Behind the Scenes of Chemistry in Ceramic Production

At the heart of ceramic manufacturing—where precision, innovation, and expertise come together—a new series is born: ACTION! Daily operations in Z&S.

This series consists of short, raw, behind-the-scenes videos that, with a somewhat voyeuristic approach, aim to unveil the daily actions of lab technicians and production operators. It’s a simple yet educational way to shed light on the intricate and meticulous work behind the development of products and solutions for the ceramic production chain.

The value of simplicity

Through quick, spontaneous, and easy-to-watch videos, this series takes viewers behind the curtain of the production process, offering a close-up look at the precise and deliberate gestures involved in testing, laboratory trials, and experimentation. These actions, though seemingly routine and simple, reveal the complexity behind each step that ensures smooth ceramic manufacturing. The people featured in the videos are the very ones who formulate, test new mixtures, and refine chemical solutions to meet specific customer needs. Repetition is essential in this process—it’s the key to obtaining reliable data and requires expertise, accuracy, and an eye for detail.

The chemistry behind ceramics

Chemical formulations play a fundamental role in preparing raw materials and aqueous solutions, which are applied in sequence along the production line (such as engobes, glazes, grits, glues, inks, etc.). Their composition and quality directly impact aspects like application performance as well as the durability of the final product. An incorrect mix or inaccurate dosage can significantly affect the entire production cycle. That’s why precise, carefully measured, and often customized actions are necessary to achieve excellent results and maintain high material quality.

A new way to “show” the basis of ceramics

With the ACTION! series, Zschimmer & Schwarz Ceramco continues its broader educational initiative, which began in 2021, aimed at providing valuable content on industry-relevant topics. While these videos have a deliberately essential, fast-paced, and somewhat raw style, they serve as more than just a glimpse into daily operations. They also offer an opportunity to explore behind-the-scenes activities that often go unnoticed but are crucial to the industry and to the final ceramic product. Once again, Z&S sets itself apart by revealing the hidden efforts behind a product that may seem ephemeral but is, in reality, the result of extensive research, development, and experimentation.

Why “ACTION!”?

The name of the series perfectly encapsulates its essence: concrete, purposeful, and carefully executed actions designed to achieve the desired results. Every movement and every operation are a step toward optimizing a solution.