Ceramics & ArchitectureCompetence by tradition. Ceramic tiles since 1755.

Contents

COMPETENCE 12 - 19

Product quality 14

DryTile 15

HT coating 16 - 17

Slip resistance 18

Sustainable building 19

CREATIVE FREEDOM 4 - 11

Product variety 6 - 7

From professionals 8 - 9for professionals

Individual production 10 - 11

SUCCESS 20 - 27

Partnership 22

Digital Showroom 23

Competence by 24 - 25tradition

Design 26 - 27

Impressions 28 - 30

Information material 31

Contents

Piliamiestis Brasta, Lithuania / Architect: UAB Kita kryptis, Kaunas, Lithuania / Photo: Leonas Garbačauskas

How designers find the necessary creative freedom

With ceramics distinguished by high quality and a sophisticated appearance, AGROB BUCHTAL offers architects a “raw material for architecture” which reveals immense design scope. At the same time, consistent systematic thinking creates an indispensable basis despite the great variety of products, colors and formats. The company owes its reputation to a high level of flexibility in developing individual solutions and services such as, for example, the In-House Planning Department, much appreciated for decades.

CREATIVE FREEDOM

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Product variety for all areas of application

Innovative: indoors or outdoors, in private or public areas

With its product portfolio, AGROB BUCHTAL covers all of the classic applications of ceramic tiles as well as opening up new areas of application thanks to innovations. The result is an unprecedented variety of products. The fact that all products are available from a single source ensures conclusive solutions with harmonious transitions between indoor and outdoor areas.

This applies equally to the high-quality porcelain stoneware collections for the residential sector and to series which are mainly used in public areas, as their products satisfy statutory slip resistantance requirements. In addition, special tiles are offered in the Tech + Design segment, which were developed

for the extreme requirements of industrial, commercial and public areas, as well as ceramic facade systems for new buildings and building renovation projects, which have a self-washing effect when it is raining thanks to their HT coating.

The ChromaPlural system combines the Chroma and Plural plus segments, which have been well-established and success-ful for many years, and enlarges the spectrum of applications in rooms with almost unlimited combination possibilities. The UNICOLOR color range specially developed for ChromaPlural comprises 50 co-ordinated colors in an extensive modular system of formats (consisting of 15 decimal and 14 octametric formats).

Ceramic facade systems Slip resistance Swimming pool ceramics

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Individual: great variety of colors, formats and surfaces

applies to the variety of colors available, which permits maxi-mum freedom of design. As a third element, a wide choice of innovative surface textures ensures an individual look not only in hotels and shopping malls but also in the private residential sector. With the objective of supporting creative architectural concepts, AGROB BUCHTAL also develops project-specific special solutions in close co-operation with the respective customer.

CREATIVE FREEDOM

With the great diversity of its product range, AGROB BUCHTAL creates the basis for practically unlimited freedom of design. On the one hand, this applies to the variety of formats in the interior collection: modular systems ranging from mini mosaics of 1 x 1 cm to representative large-size tiles of 60 x 60 or 75 x 150 cm open up a wide spectrum of design options for giving large surfaces a rhythmic structure, setting high-lights or creating visual orientation systems. But this also

Swimming pool ceramics Architectural ceramics High-quality ceramics for living environments

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From professionals for professionalsIn-House Planning Department

After all, high-quality products and competent service go hand in hand at AGROB BUCHTAL. Accordingly, planners and architects using our products can benefit from the know-how of our In-House Planning Department, which has proved itself since 1952.

A committed team of qualified technicians, engineers, archi-tects, designers and color experts ensures quick and smooth

realisation of individual concepts. And as these experts are not only specialised advisers but also carry out numerous routine tasks, AGROB BUCHTAL customers can concentrate fully on realising their creative ideas. The range of services includes laying plans, determinations of quantities, detailed estimates, texts for bidding purposes or project-specific ad-vice regarding application techniques. On request, a contact person can also be at your disposal on site.

Efficient support for six decades

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Project: Siebenquell GesundZeitResort / Location: Weißenstadt, Germany / Architect: Planungsbüro Fischer, Marktredwitz, Germany / Photo: Atelier Bürger

CREATIVE FREEDOM

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More than standard solutions

Creative architects and planners need unlimited design scope in order to realise their ideas in an appropriate manner. With approximately 20,000 possible colors and an enormous variety of formats and sur faces, AGROB BUCHTAL satisf ies this requirement in most cases: even the standard range offers such a wide variety of products that almost every customer finds what they are looking for straight away.

Our real strengths, however, become apparent when innovative architectural concepts require individual production. For our Design Department, Product Management and our In-House Planning Department, the development of project-specif ic solutions is part of our core business. And we have a single word for all our technologies offering architects and planners individual possibilities: ED!T

Individual production for special requirements

Ideas have theirown dimension

Do you have a special request?

www.agrob-buchtal.de/EDIT

The SURF® washbasin and shower floor system is distinguished by its purist design and innovative drain technology. Jointly developed by AGROB BUCHTAL and the bathroom system specialist Gerloff, SURF® offers great freedom of design when furnishing modern bathrooms. The system also convinces with easy instal-lation and its HT coating for a healthy indoor climate.

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Image transfer

This is based on small-size mosaics which join together to form motifs in the manner of a printing grid.

Special colors

They are individually selected or newly composed from almost 20,000 glaze recipes in any shade desired. This also applies to corporate colors corresponding to the respective company’s CD.

Facades

They support the realisation of individual architectural concepts with ceramic elements individually manufactured in terms of color, format and surface.

Digital printing

It offers practically unlimited possibilities for transferring images, lettering and even photos and artistic representations onto ceramic tiles.

Special formats

They are equally in demand in aesthetically sophisticated new buildings and when renovating historical buildings and are man-ufactured exactly according to the architect’s specifications.

Water-jet technology

It permits the precise cutting of ceramic tiles in free and curved forms which can then be combined according to the respective design specifications.

CREATIVE FREEDOM

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Those who benefit from product know-how, innovation and precision

Decades of experience and trend-setting innovations form the basis for the consistently high quality of products made by AGROB BUCHTAL. Benefitting not only tilers but also real estate owners and managers. Thus, the company has established new standards not only as pioneer in the development of slip resistant tiles and representative large formats. Surface coatings play an equally important role – considerably facilitating cleaning and thus reducing the maintenance costs of buildings.

COMPETENCE

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Production at 4 sites in Germany:

• Alfter-Witterschlick• Ötzingen• Schwarzenfeld• Sinzig

AGROB BUCHTAL does not make any compromises when it comes to quality. This is ensured by modern manufacturing technology at the four sites in Germany where the majority of all products, – from small mosaics to facade elements – are produced. And where an experienced workforce of approxi-mately 1,200 qualified employees ensures the high degree of precision that is indispensable for the production of rectified large formats along with carefully selected raw materials.

Top products thanks to modern technology

Product quality “Made in Germany” – that’s the standard

Alfter-Witterschlick

Sinzig

Ötzingen

Schwarzenfeld

Project: Organic supermarket / Location: Gelnhausen, Germany / Architect: Reinhold Keller General Contracting GmbH / Series: Portland, Emotion GRIP / Photo: Marian Winhold

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DryTileDry ti l ing

So many advantages

Tiles can be laid practically dust-free and walked on immedi-ately. They offer all of the advantages of high-quality ceramic tiles and are available in many modern surface finishes. DryTile tiles are convincing building owners, craftsmen and architects alike.

What takes a whole day in the case of classic laying is ready after only one hour with DryTile. This is ensured by the cork layer sintered on the back. Under the pressure of the inherent weight of the tile, it is firmly suctioned to the smooth subsur-

face, ensuring an exact joint width thanks to projection on the sides and optimising both impact sound and heat insula-tion. Damaged tiles can also be easily replaced within a few minutes. And if one day a new floor is to be installed, the residue- and dust-free removal of the tiles is possible without any problems. DryTile means new impulses for the entire tile sector. Whether in supermarkets, hotels or exhibition areas – robust tiled floors are laid at record speed. And thanks to constructive decoupling, complaints due to movements of the subsurface are practically excluded.

COMPETENCE

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Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is inseparably and durably baked onto the ceramic surface at high temperature. As a permanent catalyst, it triggers a practically life-long reaction activated by light (photo catalysis) with oxygen and air humidity. This gives rise to activated oxygen and a hydrophilic, water-friendly ceramic surface. The activated oxygen assumes three decisive functions:

Ef fective against fungi and bacteria

Extremely easy to clean

Healthy ambience for productive working

and well-being

21 3Microorganisms come into contact with the ceramic surface.

Oxygen in the air is activated by the effects of light and with the aid of the catalyst.

Bacteria are decomposed and regrowth is impeded.

21 3The surface tension of the water is overcome.

A fine film of water is formed. Dirt particles are washed down and easy to remove.

21 3Pollutant molecules such as formal-dehyde and nitric oxides come into contact with the ceramic surface.

The activated oxygen transforms pollutants into harmless compounds.

These harmless compounds are released into the air.

How the HT coating works

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HT: applications

Representative areas / Catering tradePrivate bathrooms

Medical areas Facades

Sanitary areasSwimming pools and spa areas

COMPETENCE

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Slip resistance for all areas of application

A/B/CR13

R11R10

R12

R9

AGROB BUCHTAL: a pioneer of slip resistant ti les

Slip resistant tiles, marked by the quality seal “GRIP”, are one of the core competences of AGROB BUCHTAL. Since the market launch of the first slip resistant tiles in the 1930s by AGROB BUCHTAL, this innovation has been permanently fur ther developed by intensive research. Results include renowned prizes for exemplary surface designs, functional improvements such as low-noise and vibration-free driving on

ceramic coverings as well as micro-rough special glazes for barefoot areas in swimming pools. The quality of slip resistant tiles offered by AGROB BUCHTAL is guaranteed by perma-nent controls in our in-house laboratories and neutral ly supervised at regular intervals by external institutes as well as participation in inter-laboratory tests with accredited test laboratories.

SLIP RESISTANCE

OF AGROB BUCHTAL

COMPETENCE

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Sustainable buildingAGROB BUCHTAL gets it.

Building the future – every day

The requirements to be met in the construction sector are continuously increasing. Building owners, planners and users make new demands which also include future developments to a greater extent than ever before. Energy efficiency, con-servation of resources and climate change are the key words which have a decisive influence.

AGROB BUCHTAL is aware of its responsibility with regard to sustainable building and supports not only the idea of sustain-able building by its membership in the German association for sustainable building (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB)), but also practical implementation thereof. Within the scope of an environmental product declaration (EPD) according to ISO 14025, our industry was early in its decision to make all ecological product data important for the planning process of a sustainable building transparent.

The fact whether a building is convincing from the perspective of sustainability can be determined by certification systems. For this, specific product information must be available and documented.

Sustainable building in practice

In recent years, the following three international certification systems for the sustainability of buildings have established themselves in particular: DGNB, LEED and BREEAM. In co-operation with experts, we are developing measures for the daily practices of building certification, such as, for example, specific information for the “auditors” of these most important systems.

In this way, the persons responsible for planning receive the necessary documents within the scope of building certification. They are supported during further development of sustainable building by availing of all relevant information concerning the selection and use of appropriate materials. If we can support you during your project, please send an e-mail to the follow-ing address:

greenbuilding@deutsche-steinzeug.de.

Thus, the planners and specialised partners charged with construction projects avail of all important ecological, eco-nomical, technical, social and functional information for realising future-oriented buildings.

This considerably facilitates the practical work associated with building certification. We also consider this to be an im-portant contribution to further development of sustainable building.

Protecting the environment – for decades

As a leading ceramics specialist, AGROB BUCHTAL stands for short, CO2-saving transport routes to warehouses as well as dust and flue gas cleaning plants. Recycling is another top priority: process water and broken pieces are recycled up to 100% and energy consumption has increased considerably thanks to the use of heat exchangers. As purely natural prod-ucts, all tile series can be recycled even after many years of use. One particular highlight – made in Germany – is repre-sented by the innovative HT coating which ensures optimal cleaning and an agreeable indoor climate.

COMPETENCE

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SUCCESS

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How partnership leads to win-win situations

As a traditional brand with a long history, AGROB BUCHTAL has relied for generations on trust-based co-operation with the specialised trade, an indispensable intermediary between manufacturers and end consumers. This mutually successful partnership is strengthened by services in the field of sales promotion, among them a wide distribution network which also includes consulting for architects, permanent optimisation of sampling systems, the Digital Showroom and an extensive range of information, both online and offline.

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Partnershipsuccessful together

Field service team always on site

The distribution system offered by AGROB BUCHTAL is so wide and diversified that it permits reasonable specialisation by individual members of the field service. Thus, dif ferent teams are responsible for supporting specialised trade and providing advice in the project sector as this is the only way in which the company can adequately satisfy the requirements of its most important customer groups: specialised dealers and architects. In addition, an international distribution network also supports cross-border activities. The basic principle is always the same: an exemplary service and personal contacts for all questions are what make the difference!

Sales promotion

By prov id ing d i ve rse of fe rs wh ich fac i l i t a te se l l i ng, AGROB BUCHTAL underlines the extraordinary importance of specialised trade as a bridge to end consumers. This includes state-of-the-art sampling systems, integrated in attractively and functionally designed presentation furnishings for all requirements, but also brochures and all types of information media.

Apart from that, digital media are also gaining enormous impor-tance. In the Digital Showroom offered by AGROB BUCHTAL, customers can experiment with the ef fects of various tile series in the respective space, and this appeals to their emotions. Experience has shown that visualising various room situations helps to accelerate buying decisions. And in the case of in-house exhibitions at which our products are presented, specialised dealers can also count on our commitment and the support provided by specialists at AGROB BUCHTAL. It goes without saying that architects have a personal interest

in the material they wish to use. At AGROB BUCHTAL, these wishes are gladly respected, not least through close co-oper-ation with architects during product development. Series of dialogues, during which all subjects relevant to both sides are discussed, trigger important learning processes. The In-House Planning Department at AGROB BUCHTAL also creates positive effects on both sides: architects find competent advice and are relieved of routine tasks while the company remains in contact with current trends in architecture and the preferences of architects. In addition, AGROB BUCHTAL actively partici-pates in supporting young talent. The most important example is the “Tile Award”, which is organised every two years: in workshops, young architects and interior designers benefit from exchanges of ideas and mutual inspiration and are given the opportunity to present their design concepts – often of outstanding quality – to an international specialised audience.

In dialogue with architects

AGROB BUCHTAL enjoys “Customs Simplifications / Security and Safety” AEO status.

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SUCCESS

Digital Showroom

The new Dig i ta l Showroom of fered by AGROB BUCHTAL is the key to perfect pre-paration of planning. With a mouse-click, you can easily select various tiles and imme-diately evaluate the impact on the screen.

Interactive experience

Ceramic ti les and mosaics visualised in a room situation accelerate buying decisions. Invest in the future and give your customers an interactive product experience.

Recognising and systematically making use of potential:

With the Digital Showroom ... ... your customers will reliably and selectively find their dream

combination for the bathroom, living-room and kitchen.

... your customers are addressed emotionally and involved in an entertaining manner.

... you can virtually combine diverse series, designs and colours

in selected living worlds.

Simply click:

www.fliesenkonfigurator.com

SUCCESS

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We get it. Since 1755.Competence by tradition

AGROB BUCHTAL – ceramics for long-lasting rooms

AGROB BUCHTAL offers bundled competence in the area of ceramic tiles for all applications. The brand was born in 1992 by the merger of two companies rich in tradition: Deutsche Steinzeug Cremer & Breuer AG and AGROB Wessel Servais AG.

The brand name comprises part of the firm name AGROB Wessel Servais AG and Buchtal, the ceramic factory owned by Deutsche Steinzeug in Schwarzenfeld. Both companies can look back on a history which dates back to the 18th century.

The combination of functionality, maximum quality and first-class design for individual requirements is the challenge which we successfully meet again and again during the devel-opment of new products. This results in new and innovative products as well as individual solutions.

The air-cleaning and antibacterial HT coating, the Protecta surface upgrade, orientation aids for the blind as well as tiles producing a photoluminescent effect in the darkness are only some of our innovations. Besides a high product quality, we also offer extensive services and professional consulting.

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SUCCESS

1992Merger between Deutsche Steinzeug and AGROB Wessel Servais

1982Introduction ofChroma.

2013iF Award for the Valley series marking the 20th design prize won

1937Establishment of the Buchtal factory

2001Market launch of the innovative Hydrotect coating (photocatalytic, hydrophilic finish)

1755Establishment of a small faience factory in Bonn, Germany, thereby laying the foundations for the later Deutsche Steinzeug AG

1998Introduction of the Plural system

1952Establishment of the In-House Planning Depart-ment in Buchtal

1938Introduction of the first slip resistant tile at Ostara/Meerbusch

2015Introduction of ChromaPlural

1889Establishment of the Ostara factory in Meerbusch, producing, among other things, stoneware tiles. Foundation of the Witterschlick factory

1999Commissioning of the first German porcelain stoneware plant in Sinzig

2018

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DesignConvincing aesthetics and functionality

Why prizes are important orientation aids

Renowned design competitions are an important benchmark enabling manufacturers and developers to compete directly with international competitors and potential buyers to find valuable orientation aids which provide a reliable basis for the decision in favour of above-average design quality. Besides formal requirements, other criteria such as the degree of innovation, function, ecological compatibility, durability or the emotional effect of a product are also taken into consideration at the evaluation for awarding prizes.

AGROB BUCHTAL products have been awarded the interna-tionally renowned “red dot” design awards and “if product design awards” several times. Registration in the esteemed “Material ConneXion” material library and excellent mentions in the leading German architecture journal AIT as well as a nomination for the “Designpreis Deutschland” of the Federal Republic of Germany underline the extraordinary design quality.

Valley series Emotion series

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SUCCESS

Savona series

Quarzit series

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Project: Downing Students City Village, Belgrade Plaza, Coventry, Great Britain / Architects: Simpson Haugh and partners group /Year: 2017 / Products: KeraTwin® (K20), / Photo: Simon Hadley

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Project: Noorderparkbad / Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Architect: de Architekten Cie. b.v., Amsterdam, The Netherlands /Series: Chroma Pool / Photo: Marcel van der Burg

Project: AGRAVIS Raiffeisen AG office building / Location: Münster, Germany / Architect: Otten Beratende Ingenieure GmbH / Series: Emotion / Photo: Jochen Stüber

IMPRESSIONS

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Studio photo / Architect: STELLWERK architekten, Dresden, Germany / Series: Soul / Photo: Jochen Stüber

Studio photo / Architect: VSBL, Belgrade, Serbia / Series: Somero / Photo: Jochen Stüber

IMPRESSIONS

Project: King’s Cross Station / Location: London, Great Britain / Architect: Mc Aslan + Partners / Series: LOOP

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Simply order information material online.

You will find additional information and details regarding individual segments in the AGROB BUCHTAL range as well as specific notes concerning the various areas of application in our brochures. Simply order the titles you are interested in on the Internet: www.agrob-buchtal.de.

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INFORMATION MATERIAL

Architectural Ceramics product range

The product range offered by AGROB BUCHTAL: a full overview of ceramic products for all areas of private and public life

Private & Hotel Pools

The competence brochure for the construction of private and hotel swimming pools with detailed planning examples

Shopping & Business

Inspiration and haptic experience: high-quality ceramics strengthen conventional trade against growing online competition.

Hotel & Restaurant

Functional and aesthetic, with an enormous stylistic variety: ceramic as a material for all areas of the catering trade

Emotion

Wide range of applications: the tiles in the Emotion series combine maximum functionality with a stylish atmosphere.

Residential Ceramics product range

Elegant ceramics for walls and floors, timeless design for kitchens, bathrooms and living areas

Facade systems

Ceramic facade systems for new buildings and renovations with an enormous variety of colors, formats and surfaces

HT coating

The tile coating which is easy to clean, antibacterial and decomposes pollutants

DryTile

This brochure shows the innovative dry laying of tiles which is particularly practical for public areas.

Health & Care

Extensive portfolio of products and services for modern and future-oriented building in the healthcare sector

ChromaPlural

Wide range of possibilities: 50 co-ordinated colors, a great variety of formats and functions offer architects and planners a sophisticated design instrument.

about: ceramic tiles

AGROB BUCHTAL magazine with a mix of subjects from the sector of Architectural Ceramics, published once a year

LIGHTWORKS

GERMAN CERAMIC TILESQuality Design Service

AGROB BUCHTAL GmbH

Buchtal 1, D-92521 SchwarzenfeldTelephone: +49 (0) 94 35-391-0Fax: +49 (0) 94 35-391-34 52

E-Mail: agrob-buchtal@deutsche-steinzeug.deInternet: www.agrob-buchtal.de

In collaboration with the Industrieverband Keramische Fliesen + Platten e.V., we support the EPD range of Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V. for the purpose of sustainable building.