Global ceramic bathroom fixtures manufacturer Duravit has chosen Matane to open its first factory in America.
This plant, which will cost $90 million to build, will be operational in 2025 and create 240 jobs. It will be the first in its industry to be carbon neutral.
“For me, this is a big change in the industry. With this factory we are showing that there is an answer to the challenges of the climate crisis: sustainable management. At Duravit, we have committed ourselves to producing climate-neutrally by 2045. This new location will play an important and exemplary role in this respect,” said Duravit CEO Stephan Tahy at the announcement this morning in Matane in the presence of several elected officials.
The representatives of the German concern expressed enthusiasm to the representatives of the various levels of government, with whom talks began in the spring of 2022.
“In more than 30 years of experience, I have never seen such efficiency in the actions of all participants,” said Thomas Stammel from Duravit Canada.
Many elected officials and business representatives celebrate the arrival of Duravit in Matane, where the world’s first carbon-neutral ceramics plant is being built. TACT
The German company, which sells its products in 130 countries, already has factories in its country, in Egypt, France, China, India and Tunisia. She chose to settle in Quebec because of the clean energy available there. Matane was favored for its deep-water port and the proximity of the materials, which will come mainly from Labrador.
Normally, ceramic kilns are heated with natural gas. Using hydropower reduces CO2 production by 9,000 tons per year. Thanks to an electric tunnel kiln, a world first, up to 600 pieces of ceramic are fired every day over a length of around 100 m. Production is destined for the North American continent.
Interest-free loans
Duravit, which posted sales of just over $1 billion last year, has received $19 million in repayable grants from Canada Economic Development (CED) through the ESSOR program and an 11 million partially forgivable loan Millions of dollars received from the Quebec government. managed by Investissement Quebec. The two loans granted are interest-free.
“This investment is not only in line with our economic vision of a greener future, but will also create good jobs for the region while strengthening Canada’s position and reputation as the green supplier of choice,” said François-Phiippe Champagne, Minister for Innovation. Science and Industry of Canada.
The $90 million investment is the largest in decades in Matanie, a region looking to attract a major manufacturer after the 2012 closure of America’s RockTenn paperboard mill, which resulted in the loss of 110 jobs.
“I think of those darker days that have given way to tremendous optimism for our region. Thank you for believing in us! We will do everything we can to make it a great success,” said Matane MP Pascal Bérubé, who served in an extraordinary capacity as representative of the Quebec government, replacing Deputy Minister for the Economy Christopher Skeete.
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