Geberit : Research and Development at Geberit

Water is our wellspring

Research and development for a better quality of life

starts here

The essence of know-how

Companies that wish to set new standards with their products have to continually question the limits of what is possible. Thanks to targeted investments in research and development, Geberit is the global driving force in the field of sanitary technol­­ ogy. We combine cutting-­edge technologies­ with comprehensive know-howin order to sustainably increase our customers' quality of life.

2

Geberit Know-how

3

The spectrum of our innovative strength

Technological areas

People who use a sanitary product from Geberit have very little idea how much technological expertise has gone into its development. This know-howforms the basis for future innovations at Geberit. We are continually working on better solutions for our customers and partners in ten technological areas that are relevant to us. In addition to hydraulics, these include materials technology, sound insulation, statics, fire protection, hygiene, electron- ics, surface technology, process engin­ eering and virtual engineering. Bringing these competencies together under

one roof, makes us the driving force in the field of sanitary technology.

Where there are people

The Geberit brand stands for innovation and reliability, which is why our products and systems carry the label "Know-How Installed". Our solutions have to work - perfectly and for decades, even under the most difficult conditions. People's ex­ pectations when it comes to the comfort of sanitary products are constantly in- creasing. This spurs us on. We are constantly searching for new technologies and materials in order to improve our products and processes. This is probably why Geberit can be found all over the world where people live, work, study, are cared for, attend football games and con- certs, be it in cold and warm environ-­ ments - simply everywhere.

Combined knowledge

People from 16 different professions currently work in the Technology & Innovation department:

acoustician, master chemist, chemical scientist, production engineer, electrical engineer, development engineer, experimental physicist, solid-state physicist, building services engineer, plastics engin­ eer, plastics technologist, mechanical engineer, patent lawyer, polymer physicist, materials scientist and toolmaker.

starts here

	Sound
Materials	insulation
Hygiene
technology

Electronics

Fire protection

Hydraulics

Surface

technology

Virtual

engineering

StaticsProcess engineering

4

Geberit Know-how

5

Hydraulics

How do you simulate 50 years in

three months?

200,000⁜×⁜flush, refill, flush, refill. In

endurance tests, we simulate up to 50 years of product use - for example, with flushing systems, valves and washbasin taps - in three months. Our products are designed to meet all expectations. In addition to being durable, they also have to be functional, efficient, easy to use and standard-compliant - and all in verifiable quality.

The required tests are carried out in

our accredited 800-square-metre sanitary technology laboratory. This features a waste water tower - a 24-metre-high structure that corresponds to eight storeys. Virtually any construction situation can be reconstructed here. Other areas include the flushing laboratory, the endurance testing laboratory and the tem­- perature­ cycle laboratory, the waste water laboratory, the foul water laboratory and the supply laboratory. Anything that receives a seal of quality from these laboratories meets the most stringent requirements.

A lot of what we do is hidden, profession­­ ally installed behind walls. This includes the filling of cisterns with fresh water and the drainage into the sewage system. Incidentally, the company founder, Caspar Melchior Albert Gebert, first built a cistern in 1905 - it was made of wood and lead. Since then, we have continually improved the benefits and performance of sanitary hydraulics. Today, no other company knows as much about the application of this technology as Geberit.

From small buildings to skyscrapers Water doesn't just have to drain reliably from toilets, the same applies to bathtubs, showers, washbasins, dishwashers, washing machines and flat roofs. Anywhere in buildings where there is water - and this regardless of the building type and size, so in skyscrapers and industrial buildings as well. Compared to a single-familyhome, these buildings place maximum demands on hydraulics due to their dimensions and their industrial processes. However, no matter how high the peak loads, Geberit has the solution.

6

Geberit Know-how

7

Materials technology

How does a product material prove its quality?

Our materials technology know-how enables us to continually develop optimised new products, such as the highly sound-insulating drainage plug-in system Geberit Silent-Pro. The significantly increased inherent weight and the stiffness of the mineral-reinforced plastic reduce the natural vibration

of the piping system and therefore the sound emission - much to the delight of your flatmates and neighbours.

"Materials technol-

ogy is the

hidden know-how

Because our products are installed for decades, selecting the best possible product materials is decisive for product quality. Thermoplastics, which offer virtually endless moulding and colouring possibilities, are particularly well suited for cisterns and pipes. The plastic granules are available in off-the-shelve quality

or are adapted to our needs. However, we also develop plastics in our labora- to­ries according to our own formulations. All product materials used undergo intensive testing and checks in a process that involves inspecting their chemical, mechanical and thermal properties using state-of-the-art techniques.

Approval testing

Drinking water pipes, for example, have to meet very strict approval criteria

in order to receive the corresponding ap­- proval­ mark from regional authorities. Fatigue tests are carried out as part of this process. Here, the product materials and pipes are subjected to above-average stress, such as a high dose of chlorine, hot water up to 95 °C or excessive internal pressure. Only after these and all other tests are passed is the product ready for industrial series production - and ready for use in the various building types.

installed in the product."

Gerhard Gielenz,

Head of Polymer Technology

8

Geberit Know-how

9