Each and every final Sembach product is based on top-grade, painstakingly selected and conscientiously tested input material. Because the best processing cannot make up for any failings in the choice of raw materials. Whatever the reason may be.

Silicate ceramics

Each and every branch of industry turns to certain materials. In our case this is soapstone. Duden, the German leading dictionary, defines it as "a close approximation to talc". And thus a monoclinic, rock-forming mineral.

In the ceramics industry, soapstone is mixed and crushed with other materials and then they are subject to the various forming technologies. The final ceramic firing sees to the well-known hardness.

Soapstone mining is time-consuming and cost-intensive. Added to this is the great distance and transport by ship covering thousands of miles. Even so this is the way we have chosen. For decades, in fact. Since nothing can beat top-grade raw material quality. And also because it is exceptionally difficult to find.

Our annual requirement for soapstone runs to some 4,000 tons. This clearly shows the dimension involved.

Oxide ceramics

In contrast to silicone ceramics, some of the powder needed to produce oxide-ceramic products is recovered through extensive chemical/physical processes. The "synthetic raw material" term is popular here.

The attainable purity is very high indeed. The lack of plasticity in the powder means that chemical binding is needed to attain optimum processability.