Editorial

Dear readers,

Rather than waiting until SCHOTT celebrates its 125th anniversary next year to share with you how a glass laboratory has grown to become a technology group, you’ll be learning more about this success story in this edition of our customer magazine. After all, the “laboratory” is the breeding ground for every form of progress. An idea for an innovation can never become a market success until after it has been successfully tested inside a test tube or subjected to rigid technical testing. This is also how our researchers secure our company’s ability to compete by focusing on promising technological fields that range from the ­development of materials, to solar technology and coating techniques.

The exciting expedition into the world of materials has always led us to new frontiers with respect to technology. 40 years ago, SCHOTT succeeded in manufacturing a material that the world of astronomy could hardly do without today: Zerodur® glass ceramic. And thanks to the unique properties of glass ceramics, SCHOTT has also revolutionized the kitchen. Because it was never our intention to stop here, we now manufacture what is currently the world’s only glass ceramic cooktop panel that doesn’t contain any harmful heavy metals, Ceran Suprema®.

In addition to our know-how in the area of materials, we are also relying more and more on our expertise in the field of components and systems, like those used in our high tech-solutions for airplanes. The fact that the customer is always the focal point of what we do can clearly be seen in yet another area: SCHOTT manufactures high-quality pharmaceutical packaging in close cooperation with its pharmaceutical customers that meets the exact needs of both the medication and the manufacturing environment.

Technological progress is also what drives us forward in the field of solar technology. AndaSol 1, Europe’s very first commercial parabolic trough power plant, is now up and running. Here, SCHOTT  supplied the receivers and is now also expanding manufacturing of these key components in Spain and the United States. As you can see, you have our promise that we’ll work hard to remain a pioneer in technology in the future, as well.

I wish you enjoyable reading.

Sincerely Yours,