Alternative forms of heating the new generation is looking for, for example, traditional tiled ceramic stoves, reminiscent of the carefree childhood years in grandma’s house. They are available in blue or green, or have a cow painted on them, other times they are undecorated, and sometimes stand out for their rich designs, as stated in the report. german wave. Axel Eisenach can make just about anything at his tile factory in Baden-Baden. “A year and a half ago there was a real boom in sales, even before the energy crisis,” he says. Concerns about reliable energy supplies as a result of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine are also boosting business, industry insiders say. Sales of tiles in general for heating/cooking bodies have risen significantly during the pandemic, says Christoph René Heller, chief executive of the ceramics association in Germany. “We all used this time to invest and build a house,” he emphasizes. 2022 was also a year of positive economic performance for stove tile manufacturers. Robert Mulleneisen of the Oven Manufacturers Association speaks of an exponential increase in demand from 40% to 60%.

While the savviest customers had already placed orders when Russia invaded Ukraine, others only came in when gas prices had already risen significantly. However, there is a lot of interest, with the result that autonomous heating units will no longer be available until the summer of 2024. “Demand is huge,” Mulleneisen says. Tile manufacturer Axel Eysenac faced a similar situation, reporting that order books were full. What is missing is the staff. The factory currently employs seven people, where everything is done by hand. The designer paints the tiles according to the relevant order. Classic tiles with natural paint can cost around 350 euros, while smooth tiles can cost around 50 euros. Prices have gone up lately because, as the owner says, “we have to add the cost of natural gas.”

Today, the style that customers want for ceramic tile heaters can range from the linear Bauhaus to something fairly traditional. More and more young people come to the factory in Eisenach and ask for the classic tiled stove they remember from their parents’ or grandparents’ home. Even if they want something modern, as DW’s article concludes, they will incorporate a traditional element into it.