TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC REPORT REGARDING THE CERAMICS AND REFRACTORY INDUSTRIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000600030486-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 26, 2011
• Sequence Number: 486
• Publication Date: February 16, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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CLASSIFICATION CONFIDE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPO R1
INFORMATION -REPORT
c o
ISO .
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COUNTRY
SUBJECT
H
Te
an
ungary/Czechoslovakia/Ausiria
chnical and Lconomic Report R
d Refractory Industries
DATE DI
egarding the Ceramics NO. OF
STR. /b Feb .953
PAGES 17
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NO. OF
ENCLS.
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UISTEL+ BEL
SUPPLE
REPORT
OW)
MENT TO
NO.
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The
present retort encompasses the territories of Czechoslova
kia Eun ry rd
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Ithe many sm
all brick kilns 25X1
hav
e little significance, but all the major and more importan
t an.- !it, en.e
are
listed and described.
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The establishments which economically, technically, or
from the military point of view have only little significance are only roughly
mentioned and the main data about them given.
Location and Short Description,
Raw Materials and Products,
1quipment and Capacity,
Sources of Paver,
Leaders and Key Persons.
3. The report on each country is supplemented by a short discussion of the gec::Lc?g::c
formations from which the raw materials used originato.
11. The ceramics raw materials in the territory of present-day Hungary are, only
with a few exceptions, of miucr significance. They originate in the formations
of the Quaternary era. part I'.ulerly from the alluvian and diluvian younger
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formations, and are also found ?.o. '.-~. .-ndary deposits of sedimentary origin
(bvzept In. by water). These ras naeria..= t-!ay and pure clay, are mostly contx:a ne Cd
with limp or organic matter and are only for the production of ordinary
stones for building purposes. These e'.:nte _auld withstand a maximum of 1700 to
1800 degrees Fahrenheit in heat. ::-.. `te.^,'.ently these types of stones can only 't-
ueed'.for the construction of a m Y',mt'^: ^? 'vc ,r three-story houses, owing t.o the
lack of preenure resistance. 'M49 re m"0,e-,sl of infer?c.r quality governs the
character of the Hungarian ceramics ind:s+ry.
All plants which produce g_sy' r+ prcdu.t+ are forccd to import their main ra-+
materls_e (refrR:.,cry ic3c_in et-0. In spite of thI_e handicay.
Hungary boasts a few eramics factories iich prouu:cF first-class mer:handise.
These prod-acts are not only used in anmeetic: trade but are also exported and very
necessary ir. case of var. This :s lis'ed in addition vhen the indi-~,,dc.q? Flant'
are discus-ed,
7. he ceramics industry, :like most of e other industry, was mainly dependent
on coal as its source of p! ?er. T1a fc:..?..,r.d Hungary?s 1-se after W,~-r:-? ?s.:, 1. r`
practically all of the mo?xritain 'order r?F,cne which have usable wate_ lower.
Hungary was only able to make use of a few locations which offered eater p er
in sufficient quantities to keep fdie 'c plants in operation, Eia^_tri-r+y
thus produced was by far short of the re; irements and consequently large areas o'
the country were without electric power anti light. In order to improve this
situation variov!j projects were under :cnc.dPretion, partic-rlarly following the
discovery cP rich bauxite deposits In the ^i,:inity of the Bakony forest, since ':a ce
amo:.uts of electric power are necessary tc reduce bauxite to aluminum. Various
V c:rr stations were built mostly operated 'y coal in the vicinity of :.oaf mines
iarre:::ca, Matranovak). Hungary has re.:stlvely plenty of coal depcaits '-at they
are not very rich. Almost predcrain.aotly he coal is from the younger geologics_
formations such n= :ignite and brown :osl with a heating value between 2500 and
6000 calories, Only In a very fear p:;e:ee (Tat.a. Dorog, Pete, Sarsvzvar-Hisao) `.lack
coal 19 being ruined with a heating 'n excess of 6000 calories, Black c:ca
suitable for caking; or anthracite; is no*, found in Hungary. The stocK cf cc:ai
is mainly import6d from the Ruhr are&, V-.r.ous hydz)-generating plants ver< erected
which improved the quality of the lignite and brawn coal and thus tese nearing
materials were frequently -.E-ed in the ceramics industry.
8. Since there was an insufficient amount of electric power at the disposal of the
industry, the electrically powered tur-,.el ki ne were almost unknown to Hungary.,
Chamber kilns, made by Hoffmann and Zigzag kilns Ze-i] are in use. However, a
large percentage of the brick kl:ms Etil.use the primitive field kiln,.
9. Also being eoaaidered sras t}.e use ef _atural gases which in Hungary ocoar in
the vicinity of Hajduszoboszlo and in the vicinity of the oil wells in Liepe,fcr
and butane gases with 12003 to 1.;,,..?'`C, ...,._,Ses in heating capacity vent into the
air without being used, it was only later that the construction of a pipeline
Budapest (from Faaskeni$as) was begun which, as of now (1953) is reportedly
being used by the Comsunist governments Only the nature], gases which occur in the
vicinity of Xolozscar, llaroevassrheiy, and Kieearmas in 1reneyivania, which now
belongs to Rumania, are being used vuccesefully by some brick kilns for firing.
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10. Ae a result of the circumstances mentifxM above and the 1back of capital, the
Hungarian ceramics industry rise 'err ?,ehicd. in the equipment of the p1Pants, eh:Ah with
onl;{ a few exceptions,w'l?* obeol?eere, '.: 7a::asry 1939 the area of the former Hungary
housed 362 ceramic enterprises Of th- --L4 were brick factories employing a
total of 15,048 workers at an average f ;rorkers pcr enterprise. This would
conclusively prove that human m np,-vez e'e.s pr. a red over mechanical devices. In
1939 the Talcs of the ceramics prr3u:ti r of R.-:x ry vae at 4.2;841,000 pengo. This
is approximately 8.25 million dollars or a? mF. x?,847 pengo per worker which is about
547 dollars. As a comparleon the valae of the 4._tire andustrisl prcdu.ctios of
Hungary in 1939 was 3,607,780,000 pengc :r baby; 7000 million dollars. Consegtently
it can be seen that the. ceramics indlustrw raep:esenze . about 1.3 par cent of the
industrial production of the country, but e.;,.^_eumed about 5 per cent (270,001 of
the country?s coal production which v:se ? million tons per year. In the whole
county;?s average in 1939; the H.Ingariaac '_r:3 -trial worker earned ann?ia11y 1267 perk
or approximately 243 dollars. In the cersm:::a industry, hoveve*, he only ~~s-ned
887 pengo or approximately :170 dollr,rs.
11. The Comm^xnist government of Hungary he-4;, ;)-.:vc' lug the Soviet methods, foreseer the
improvement of the ceramics production in. 1`?s Five-Tear-Plan. I is, however;
impoes-hie to improve the naturally irfe_t?? 'a1Ity of .ceran:.;e raw materiels and.
to alleviate the situation of yon-cxiste..~ >er, supply with slogan alone. ?';ere
will mca t certainly be an effor? to u::covar :.: deposits of rev wat?erie,Se.
12. All F.ungarian ceiamice plants are and are at resent under the
t e in astry ere iesding cffi:isso
Janos Grofeeik, Director of the Fame Ceramt:s (Precgi4_on Ceramics ?) Division
Miklos Ctaldi, his Deputy
Zoltan Lenart, Director
Bela Mattyasovszky, Engineer. :n the Porcelain Dieisicn
Zoltan Kaldor and Alfred Hicsenkamp, both .u the Rafre:tcry Stones Division
Ietvan 2eold end Miklos Naezay, both in the Prick Kin DIviexon
13. The capacity of the Hungarian ceramics '_d -s-try between 1939 and '-9'+Y was on the
average, per yea7;.800 million p:e.es and there is no reason to suppose that ttese
achievements are greater today. The `v'' :, v nc dewcr ipti a encompass nn_ iy the
larger enterprises who also produce. Eaerchandise and whose sig~.if1.9 ::^ le
somowhet more than the Normal Hungarian bri.^k kiln.
14. Negybatony-L,lek Joint Stock Company, Budapest.--'Flue brick rake are in Budapest?0tuda~
the c'al mine is in Nagybetony, on the railroad track from Budapest to Salgotr-rjan?
The ceramics factory in Budapest-Obuda wa.N founded in 1869 and produces bricks,, roof
tile, facing brick, plates. and all normal fired bricks. The equipment was o)soie:e
and it was only in 1943 .that mod!tx_zetion was begun. A new artificial drying plant
was built which burned down however, from sabotage (it is auspected) The machine equip''
ment consists of transporting devices for clay and finished .re"ehandise9ro'llers.
chargere, horizontal presses) open-air end) artificial drying plant and round cham`,'er
ovens. The raw material can withstand a firing temperature of maximum 2700 degrees
Fahrenheit. The source of power is ccL:. Coal used to be delivered from their on
mine in Hagybatony. Electric power is used as reserve energy which is piped-in over
normal circuits and thro'agh transformer. The annual capacity of the factory is apprcx-
ImMall.: eight million pieces and was supposed to be raised to 12 million pieces.
Special products put out by this firm 'i.eke insulating plates "porosit""Reees" and
"Hahaesz", these were made of calcium silicate, but of poor quality. its Rood
incula Ins plates were the "Iyophobit Hasse" and "Aloterm". The director was Engineer
anon iwtter .
15? Associated with this firm was Parafakoyar Joint Stock Company (Cork Brick Factory)
which produced first-class insulation material. This material was made of clays,
silicates, sawdust, and calcium. It is produced in sheets or plates from two to
five centimeters thick, and 10" x 20" in size. This material goes under various
names such as "Thermalit" which ins-,t ates up to 1850OFy "Superthermalit" insulates
up to 2200?F; and "Kabe" as well ?s "Mikscporit?` insulate up to 2700'F.
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16. Bl-.ck Ccal &rd Prick Factory C n Ar. ~? ~. _.t?--Originally lanowaz se "Tl:a9ohe", tt
was a Bel .t company vbich ov'r.e t;b,:e. plants .n Budapest on Rakos, and
Bubecsi Sts. This firm had -a?t Y-r;.* material at its disposal. it
used a relatively rare type of. .: e. ?g.-=. !'- gariaan. flint clay, which could w .LhE;t4.nt
firing temperatures in excess Of a2OC7.. _'n''.Fle pleats are also not modern bait axe
&7, .zt the r&nk of HtSngari:.a 40ramLc
technically _n a relatively highgr F r o of energy Ia.4re al'~+~
plants they occuptea a form da~'i? ~iSi :cc. -Fr- mn orafiene in from. the lar'Q!
for e team engines a a~nd a little Foy... id :sets.
. ?lP` -r =^
power etatioo. in Eanhida. The .ap3:i-,y ' &'r'.hrorinsetaly '.6 to 20 million liecee p,-:r
year, and production consists of ;k, dry.,pre:esed brtck, bard-bU.'nn.d
brick or face trick, refractory P.ton,ea E.{?o Of ptrttc:.lar importance is the
production of electric ins:latcr9, cht -,vi- (}a.lcverej; ceramtz plates and
The high 4uei-t.res *ns*. gal irainp?pe9. r -se.-vfor these pro'i'zcts is impor'.^i
from Czethoslcvakia. ape proiurt:c^ of bi.r ta'-'.sion ins':latore was an ate
and no, fully ievelcped. Yugcs=tide or.:e. -'Tiered insulatoce but than order 'w'as
retained for poor q:iali,a?, That rprt.oe `` " ?'ry importent for the eoor.ceY of
} er.`a
Hungary.
17. H~azien Ceramics Factory Joint Stork Co~.e:_ Bn crest: oanroi St.-.-- lb is fa
produces, in addition to the no.v? hari? br!.cks,.re?roc>ory hricke; face
silica brick, and. the excellent ceramic br\ 's 'aced for the heaviest road coast-"action.
The ee::tpment was also not modern but ir..:?:; .vely fiord shape and the oapa:'.ty wee
anywhere from six to eight million stcc.c- ._-- Piece9. per 'Year. Coat. Tae the pr,:"::
source, as were steam enginee and electri,. g?'ver. The high quality raw mataria.. .bP
imparted The factory is of mil-:tarry sign, ".canoe ,,-d the prodic "aIl saper~.sn' 4'e`
Chief Brg,neer Szabo.
18. Bohn Brick Fact rvr Budapest and BekescQe:cn,.--This is a relatively large end spread
out _factory; but the machinery is :ompara.tl"ely obsolete. The maul1 capacity was
eleven millior.pieces. Si.nc& only normal :)r common brick clay was .avail,ble.; aa`hich
could only reoist up to 1800 F in. temperature, the factory produced building brick,
rcc'f tile, and other ordinary brisk products. It was powered by toe. end. e1--'tri:ity.
It employed 2190 workers sari -ras of no r.xt_acrdinary significance. The production
ruperiT.te_dent was Unt) L& Zg1w-y.
19. Sal ota. an flack Coal Compass:. B':.3ape9t, -This is a brick factory which 'saes ..omm-...
EriCk ciay.as =raw material. It has the customary H^u-gerian open-sir anti artif::a_
a*ving iret4l.' :LB .n.'' r ,.=d chamro- kiThe equipment was mediocre. The city was About Six million. Feces per year. The power used was coal and a R trz No particular significance is attached factory.
20. Budapwat-Szentlori.ci es t.?atai gcztega as cserepgyax Joint Stock Coarpaany;
Peatszentlorinc tidapeet-Szentlo inn and Titan Steen Biiok and Roof Tiie Pastors
Joint too in stezentloriz.c .-'-..''hie .s a rick actorr with an wuual
_I I capacity rom seven to eight liion pieces located in the suburb of Budspee . The
obsolete equipment was modernized partially between 1939 through 1944 and consisted
of a clay lift charger, rollers and s:eoeee. Production was centered around the
common type of brick products ana a fee special products. Raw material va t!d ?'?rov
the very lean clay to the rich blue clay and the clay was some of the beet fmand 173,
the vicinity_of the Hungarian cepitel. Its maximum refractoriness, however, did not
exceed 2200 degrees Fahrenheit. The factory was poweit;l by electricity and c:vu.,..
Its director was Norbert Baratta, whose deputy was Karl Vizkelety.
1. Buda estvideki outs r So'vmar The Budastee+. Region Stearn Brick Facterg i.
So r .--'This is one-of the most mxiern ceramics factories in the vicinity of
Budapest and throughout'Hvngsry. The production time from raw material to fi.tishad
product was only from 168 to 180 hours, The factory jr located approximste_;r
to wiles north of Budapest on the railroad line from Budapest to Eeztergom. The
factory uses relativel,, good raw material with s refractoriness of up to uiX deaf ec
Fshrenheit. The factory also boasts a modern preparation plant and a widespread
automatic transportation system during production. There are also artificial drying
platt?e and good round chamber ki]r.s. Also this factory was powered b;v coal, st-e .
and electric motors, It produced all the common types of brick products and has no
Warr significance. The capacity was seven to eight million pieces per year. The
owner was Mr and Mrs Szappanos, the latter &].s,) ranaged the plant.
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Hungarian Magnesite Industry Joint Sto:k Company, Budapest.--This is the only
ceramics plant in Hungary which produces exclusively high-quality merchandise,
but from imported raw materials. The plant was erected with foreign capital and
can be considered as the most modern and highly technical plant. The following
products were manufactured: fire brick:, divas fi7 brick, magnesite bricks,
end other refractories important to the iron and steel industry, as well as carbon
bricks important for the foundries. Their particular specialties were bauxite and
corundum bricks. These were produced by adding finely ground fired bauxite with
the lowest possible iron oxide and silicon oxide content, or corundum. These
bricks are fired in electric ovens under temperatures ranging from 3100 to 3200
degrees Fahrenheit and correspond to the highest specifications. Another product
is the chromite brick consisting of ground ch_ome or calcium. hydroxide and caustic
magnesia. These are also fired at 3100 to 3200aF. The plant is powered by coal
and electricity piped in from the Banhida power station.
Ceramics Factory of the Steel Works in Diosgyor.--In the vicinity of Diosgyor there
was the only larger deposit of clay, in Hungary consisting of better quality
primary clay and permitting the production of refractory 'ricks. The products
of the factory are exclusively used for tea iron works in the blast furnaces and
air heaters, as well as steel smelting furnaces. Accorddng to a report from the
British trade periodical "Claycraft" a new large brick factory was constructed this
year in the community of Malye on the Bodrog river. This factory is supposed to have
a capacity of from 30 to 40 million bricks a year. Thus, this factory will represent
the first brick kiln of Hungary keyed to a year-round production. The drying plants
can hold 750,000 bricks which are mechanica' transported to the oven. The oven is
four meters wide and 200 meters long and is capable of firing two million bricks at
one time. Compared to the more advanced Western European conditions this is a consider-
able achievement. It is to be expected that this large brick factory will deliver
bricks for all constructions of military importsoce to be undertaken in northeast
Hungary and partially also in eastern Czechoslovakia. As for instance, the Kosice
Iron and Steel Combine (Czechoslovakia).
24. Herend China Factory, Reread.--This is the oldest zbina fac?cury in Hangar
25. Zooln China Factory, Pecs.--This china factory likewise processes mostly imported
kaoli.n and produces second quality table 0-.*) porcelain pipa, insulating Material
and '.technical porcelain. Its equipment was not modern. The modernization was begun at
the time World War II broke out. . Clay tile and stoneware, as well as glazed
pipe, were some of the things that were produc.l but of medium quality only. The
factory was owned by the family Mattyaaovazky-Zsolnay.
26. The only location for kaolin extractlor, in Hungary was in the community of Szegi
along the railroad line from Miskolc to Satoraljaujhely. This deposit yields
Rhyolite kaolin which melts at approximately 3100 degrees Fahrenheit. This raw
material is not usable for technical or tableware porcelain but in suitable for
pottery, glazes, enamels. and paints. Further uses are for ignition ceps, torch
and igniting cape and abna additive to fire brick as well as for paper products.
The production of the deposit amounted to 53 tons per 16 hours, and ten workers
were employed. As a source of pcwer there was one 110 HP steam engine and a 75 KW
generator. The mrchinery was in good shape and was at some time delivered by Germany.
A second deposit of kaolin was discovered near Beregszasz in northeast Hungary.
This territory, however, now belongs to the Soviet Union. The deposit here was a
yellow kaolin of mediocre quality somewhat resembling that found in Szegi.
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27. The following communities or tow? `.?''e 'i-7'_ck factories: Mezotur; Gyor, Sopron,
Rszterhaza, Bap.., Celldemulk, ZalaFger?rea; S1?ombathely, Szentgotthard, Szekesfehervar;
Nagykanizsa, Pecs, Mohacs, Szoreg; Hodme.o:-s.'arhely. There were some smaller works
In various communities but vi :haul mrc'a a' g r ?a :~r..e.
28. Ire su tion, the followi .g may be ,jail: ee s ~r_cle the Hungarian ceramics industry
is an absolute: seasonal industry b-ecu?_sl' ,r'y a let factories are equipped for '4.nter
work. Only a modest significance is dace'? ea the industry in-the framework of the
economy of the country. Some 9C per cent of tae installations are obsolescent, being
about 2~ to 30 years olft. Si.oF manpc e very cheap in Hungary, little attention
was psi@. to mechanization. Exceptio lly 1r.ge q antitiee of capital would be required
`-o_ modernizing, but modernitatic- vo-ald nc?: effect the mediocre quality of the
ceramics raw material..
29. Friedrich Siemens Steel Works Budapest XI '-.--Tie factory delivered various machine
parts ram s..e?l cast s to me. The factc-y P_oducee various kinds of steel alloys
including some very valuable cnea -- steel with chrome, manganese, var-adilra,
cobalt etc. Furthermore this fecy^"v produces :set eteel pipe up to 20 metere long,
as vel_ as special rods, rust and refractor' reels, armored plates esc and consequent-
ly is very important for war production. T`?~e s.ctory boasts two induction furnaces of
two =a five-ten capacity and two Siemens-M._tin open-hearth steel furnaces, 1l. and
20 tons in capacity. The factory was powered. ay electricity from the Banhida power
plant and employed approximately 600 workers. The director was Mr Rostas, and some
of the chiefs were (fn)Baumann, ~4 Szasz, (c ) ~Tankcvi_s,.
30. Hubert andSigmund Steel Works Budapest I Ferto St.--This factory also delivered to
me. various machine parts from spec al c~icgs. produces high quality special
steels from various alloys. It had two induction. f'"-'aces, two open-hearth furnaces
and produced all kinds of steel :astings. The power supply comes from the Barhida
over plant. The director was Dr fn. Zorkoc the chief engineers were fns: Far and
n~ Szekely.
31. The act v'_ty of the Hungarian heavy industr can, in --see of war, be easily irttrrvitei
since the supply of electric power ori"tep from one or two co:.centrated points and,
when one central station belay etstio j i- disconnected it automatically cuts off the
power supply '.- a number of industrial enterprises.
32. The Hungarian bauxite industry is ;rcrthy cf mention. d eHunnggarian sl~emooregoror
hsuxitt is the test aluminum ore. It is w rt_Y xp
the necessary electric power required for its smelting. Bauxite deposits are most
frequen+? in the vicinity of the Bakony forest in central west Hungary.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
The ceramics industry of Czechoslovakia is technically very highly developed.. This
is primarily csuse_ by the fact that first-class raw materials are available in. almost
unlimite auanit=ties particularly in the western parts of Czechoslovakia, in the
8udeteflard,. These deposits are located ox: either side of the German-Czech border
mountains W. originate from the same geologic era (mostly older than Cretaceous) as
follows:
kaolin. from the era of Cerbc;rian Parboniferou2/ Devonian, Siltryes ard
Permian periods,
and quartz rock likewise from be Carboniferous,, Devonian and Silurisn.
periods.
Many of these clay types can 7ithstann beats of ,3^00 d:g eee lTat?re heft- The 'very
fact that these raw materials are from the older geologic periods would lead to the
conclusion that they are basic deposits resulting from wgathering. It is clear of
course that not all ceramics raw materials are of suitable a high value. There bricks.
frequent appearanc?4 of normal types of clay cult' c production
This is the red burning material vet=ch cannot yithetand temperatures in exceee of
1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
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35. There is, however, a special type of c':F,y from a younger geologic period. Thai:
is to say younger than the Cretaceous pe_-iod, and this is the so-called brown coal
clay which accompanies the brown coal deposits originating primarily in the Tertiary
and Lies formations. This 1.s a high-grain clay, usually without lime or other
contaminants, which is u3ed for the pro3.ib^:'- of blinker brick, chemical and
mechanical pottery, as an additive to refractory clay products etc. It can
withstand temperatures of up to 3000 degrees iahrenheit; thus It comes within the
first group of nigh-grade clays as well as in the second group and represents an
independent type of clay. Its most frequent deposits are in the northwest Bohemian
brown coal region, between Eger and the Elbe river, and in the vicinity of Most where
it constitutes the foundation for the well-developed ceramics industry. Some of
the more important centers of the ceram'^.s industry are the area or Most, Falknov nad
Ohri, Chomutov, Teplice-Sanov.. and Usti nad Labem. The coal combined with this kind
of clay 's particularly suitable for hydration (synthetic materials and gasoline) for
which purpose a large hydration plant has already been erected at Most which operates
according to the Fischer-Tropsch process.
36. Since the ceramics industry of Czechoslovakia is so large
tisve divided the plants into three major growpa for purposes of clarity.
37. First group includes those plants which process the high-grade raw materials such
as flint clay, -whether it is blue, black; or gray. In addition to this all plants
which manufacture porcelain from kaolin or white-burning refractory clay are also
in Group I. The refractoriness temperature of Lae raw materials used by this group
lies between 2700 and 3600 degrees Fahrenheit.
38. Group II includes plants which process raw materials with a refractoriness of 2200
to 2700 degrees Fahrenheit. The above mentioned brows coal clays belong in this
group.
39. Group III includes works which process ceramics raw materials for the normal brick
Industry, and whose raw materials can withstand temperatures of up to 2200 degrees
Fahrenheit.
40. As jar as possible, all the enterprises belonging to Group I are listed. As far as
poseihle also the important enterprises Croup II are listed. The Third Group bar,
been completely omitted since it includes the less important brick Ulna, in spite
of the fact that this group Includes some of the very modern brick wow s which produce
from eight to ten million pieces per year. The latter would be important in case of
war, since they would deliver build, 1,11 bricks in eat uantities for the in.dustriel
or military purposes.
+1. Should we wish to define the deposits of ceramics raw materials in Czechoslovakia by
area, the following picture would transpire:
.r I.--These occur in hest Bohemia, in the area between Rakovnik-
Raw Materials fnr Oro
Plzen- rlovy Vary. and Cheb. The high-grade brown coal clays which are used by this
group occur in the area of Most, Falknov nad Ohri, and Chomutov, as mentioned previously.
In Mo.avia raw materials used by Group I have so far occurred only at Poatorna near
Breclaw, Brezova near Brno, and Ra3ec nad Svitavou in small quantities. When Moravian
firms produce high-grade products they receive the raw materials from the west Bohemian
clay pits.
42. In Slovakia so far the only known deposit is in the vicinity of Lucenec. This region
produces refractory white-burning clay at Pcltar, Kalinovo, Lucenec, and $rnciarske
Zaluzany. This high-grade raw material, however, is utilized for building brick and
roof rile. This is caused by the fact that the owners of the clay deposits have no
jurisdiction over the capital invested in order to promote the production of high-grade
ceramics. The only exception is the plant in Lovinobana, on the railroad line iron
Lucenec to Zvolen, which was equipped to manufacture highly refractory brick such as
fire clay, me.gresite brig etc.
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CONFIDENTI..4~
43. R: Materia_ for Group II. -These raw me.tf.rials are found in Bohemia, parti=lar.ly
at,ove the rev materials of Group I and c,.- ::uently appear in large quan?cItieQ in
Most, Falknow, Chomutov, Podhorany, Zatec, Ziatice, Tepl'_ce Sanov, and Usti had
Labem. The brown coal clays falling into this group are also found here. A similar
deposit is in the vicinity of Prague, in th? o._rimunity of Modrany. In eastern Bohemia
there is a predominance of a diluvial and very plastic type of :ley which, however,
contains to 10 per cent lime and consequently is only of limited use. Moravia has
an abundance of raw materials of Group II. In north Moravia, for example, in the
vicinity of Krnov, Novy 31cin., Mcravska Ostrava Orle-?a-Lazy. Deposits also occur
in central Moravia in Holesov-Zopy and in eastern Moravia at flodonin. In Slovakia
clays of this tyre are to be found at Velke Topolcasy, Lncenec, ICalinovo, Poltar ovd
Hrnci.arske Zaluzary.
44. Raw Material: for Group III. -This type of ray material is to be found all over
Czechoslovakia iuwidespread deposits. The
these. Mn oravia of
Pilsen, northwest from Prague,
predominant in the vicinity of Brno and Kin. 1:. Slovakia they appear in th? west
(Bratisla,?s, Trnsva), in the north and in the r-11:inity of Kosice.
115. Statist'ce..ly there are acme 900 different ce:s2'.cs plants through Czechoslc??+akia
which employ a total of some 50 thousand workers: or 55 'Yorkers on the average per
plant. In the overa7. picture of in~`ustr?a.l production for Czechoslovakia, the
e_amica industry's quota was 6.; per cent. I-e value of the Czechoslovak induetr1 l
prod.u ti _n =-a normally 900 zillion to one bi=_n dollars per year, in. wh.c'n the
ceramics Industry participated to the tune of to 6C million dollars. The. f"?,:':.r- e
do rot I lu:de the "mlo a of exported cerami^a :'sw materials.
46. As in all Cc-muniet countries; the ceramics ad;:str; of Czechoslovakia .s today
national: zed and centralized. Since .he Czechoslovak ceramics industry was v'.1=
equipped and used modern machinery, apart from excellent raw material, and hal
power sources at its disposal, It can be supposed that no major problems would .pp'e.T
to hamper production. On the scientifi: or technical level the ceraml-e :.:. str'
is veil. euxported, because apart from the normal. laboratories of the larger pla^-ti,
'here .a a :cramice association as well as a ::eremics schcolin Pilser..,and finally both
"he tech..icsl u?'versities:n Prague as well as in Brno brave a chair in ceramics. The
scientific research of the industry :Le on a rclatirely high level, thanks to genti*:n L
like Dr Darts. is Praguae, Dr Kall&urer, and Dr Mate1ka in Brno.
147. ENTERPRISES IN fHioUP I WHICH PROCESS HJGH:) I MW A'fERTa;
Za adoceske kaolinove a slovenske zavod.v szitove Praha West Bohemian Kaolin anal
Slovakian MaBUeeite Works in Prague .--This .as the largest enterprise in Czechoslovakia.
Its central offices were located in Prague II, U pujcovoy 9. The pleats themselves
were in T-emoena near Pilsen,"nd in iovinobena in Slovakia. The. plants produced o1' types
o:'1.ndueatrially important refractory high-grade bricks, as well as acid and basic
cor.tert bricks, bricks for glass smelting ovens, fire-clay, magnesite and cther prodo_ta
important to the iron and steel industries. Tha capacity could have been around 2C to
25 mill..".on pieces per year, as far as this can possibly be expressed in figures. The
machinery is modern and the inetall&ticns were well-equipped. The plants are powered
by coal and electric power,partial:y produced by their own power plant and partially
piped in from the high tension network. In case of war thea:e enterprises are extremely
important. Leading persons were: Bohumil Rudl, Zdenek Havlu, (fnu) Rorica, and (fru)
Konias .
$8. Rakoicke as gostorenske keramicke maw y. Rakovnik (Rakovaik and Postorna Ceramics
Enterprises In Rakovnik .--? ese enterer see badafactories a kovnik in in- est~hemia
and lQBL02`i16 ill 6Wtuc The factory at nkcrnik processed the ray material
tyt at7t___ioa_ ~? .~ r-
?rhicd occurred locally and is quite high-grade and burns with a white color. It
produced various kinds of refractory brick for industry, as well as building ceramics,
wall plates, etc. The factory at Postorna produced refractory brick for industry, glazed
pottery for industry and chemistry. The raw material used at Rakovnik was of a higher
grade than that at Postorna. The machine equipment of both factories was somewhat
obsolescent but capable. In 1938 modernization was started but the war interven^,d. The
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plants are powered by coal and electric po?.rex. Their estimated capacity is from
if to 20 million pieces per year. I?ading personages are Messrs finals and Cerny.
49. "Platinon" Ceramic Works in Tremosna near Pilsen--In spite of the fact that this
factory's annual capacity is only from six to eight million pieces a year, its products
were excellent and it was extremely active in the export trade. The factory produced
all refractory type bricks fnr industry as well as glazed ceramics for the chemical
and building industries. The power supply,
likewise, depended on co .. was of military importance.
The director was Mr Machacek.
50. Bratri Mrackove (Mracek Brothers) Ceramic Works in Tremosna nearPilsen.--This is a
factory with five to six million pieces a year capacity. It produced refractory
brick for industry and glazed ceramics. The factory was not quite so well managed
as the Platinon Works, since one of the Mracek brothers was more interested in
alcohol than in management. The products, however, were first-class. Mechanical
equipment was approximately 15 years old and the power source was coal and electric
power. The factory was owned by the Mracek brothers.
51. Antonin Kadlc Ceramics Works in Brasy nearPilsen.--This is a ceramics factory of the
glazed ceramics. Likewise the factory was powered by coal and electricity. It was
owned by Mr (fnu) Bilek.
52. Ceramics Works of the Iron Works in Kladno.--(Poldi-Butte) This factory produces the
refractory brick for use in its own foundries. The high-grade raw material is imported.
The factory is powered by the iron works. Production capacity is approximately two and
one-half million pieces per year. Militarily speaking, this relatively small factory
is important considering the iron works which produce high-grade special steele, armored
plates, rust and acid resistant steels known as Poldi steel. The entire factory used to
belong to the Prazeka zelezareka spolecnost (Prague Iron & Steel company).
53. Sedlecke ksclinove a porcelanove zavod, Sedlec u Karlovych Varu (Sedlec Kaolin and
Porcelain Enterprises in Sellec near Karlovych Varu. .--This is the most important
factory in Czechoslovakia which processes high-grade kaolin and produces china of
all types. This factory produced insulators resisting up to 500 thousand volts tension
as well as almost all types of high-grade industrial china for radio instruments,
t-ansmitters, short wave instruments, automobile plugs, china tubes etc. The installa-
tions for preparing kaolin as well as for production installations were modern and,
militarily speaking, the factory vas em;.nentl important. There is a laboratory and
very well-equipped testing installations
experiments with insulators etc. The main source of power yap electricity which is
partially produced by its own power plant and partially piped in. There was a second
factory attached at Merklin. This was not quite so big and produced insulators resist-
ing currents of only up to 45,000 volts. Apart from that, it produced the same
recognized system of enterprise and household china as well. The products are of
excellent quality.
54. Vildstejn and Nova Ves Kaolin Mines at Nova Vee near Cheb.--This is actually only a
mine which exploits the best raw materials (clay and kaolin) add delivers them to the
ceramics enterprises in Czechoslovakia and abroad.
55. Karlovareka tovarna na pcrcelan (Karlovy Vary China Factory in Karlovy Vary).--TThie is
s factory which is located at Fy'.;t.~e, a suburb of Karlovy Vary, and which mainly produces
consumer and household china as well as decorative and artistic china. Since first-class
re:: material was used, the quality of the products was excellent. The mechanical equip-
ment and the technical leadership of the factory left much to be desired and the wamoumt
of scrap due to breakage was relatively high. The fact that in spite of the shortcomings
excellent nerchandise was produced was due to the locally resident experts. The enter-
priee wascoastantly"fighting financial difficulties. It was powered by coal and
zlectricity piped in from the west Bohemian power plants. The products of this factory
were sold both at home and abroad.
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56. The Thun Fire Brick and Harlin Wcrks ': Ctomutov.--This factory mainly produced
good quality consumer china in itss plw..o` near. Bi.lina. The production of refractory
brick in the Chomutov plant was titsrted. 1- !936. Financially the enterprise was
very weak, the-equipment was ebsclescFw, s:d incapable of much production. The
enterprise does not have any extraorc?= ,y significance and in only mentioned here
because it processes exce]lent raw materis:.
57. Fritzeche & T:iein, Praha IS (Fritzsche & Theirs in Prague t1).--This is a smaller
enterprise Which employs approximately perfcre, .ut is militarily very important.
It produces all the more important chinas and steatite pieces for the electrical
industry, for radio instruments; short ave installatiols, transmitters etc. The
equipment of the factory vas not very modern but in spite of that quite capable.
Most of the work was carried on in the dry, or half-dry. state with the aid of
mechanical presses, but some work was done ir_ the wet state with snail presses
particularly in the case of china pipe. The merchandise was fired in furnaces
resembling the American type furnace, The rover was supplied by the power stations
of the capital of Prague. The ovner was Mr (b4 DDIA.
6C to following was the most important ceram:.e major enterprise in Moravia; The
Hrusov Factory for Ceramic Goods, Iccated e,t Brusov near Moravska Ostrava.--This
modernly equipped ceramics factory produce: all types of high-grade ceramics products
such as refractory brills. technical and chemiccsl pottery and the factory also has
military significance. It produces all types of fire brick for the iron, steel, and
metal industries. As a specialty it produc=d large containers for concentrated
hydrochloric, sulphuric, and nitric acids. These containers were hand mraldedand
exported. The capacity of the factory was approximately seven hundred to eight hundred
cars per year, each car about 20 tons. Ra?. material used uas partially from the
factory's own clay pit and partially from western Bohemia. The factory was powered
by electricity which was amply at its disposal in the vicinity of Npravaka Ostrava.
The factory bad its own power station with steam engines which, however, didn't
produce enough poser. Both the preparatory stage and the production stage were well-
equipped with modern equipment. The many ?rdustrial enterprises in the vicinity of
M razsks Ostrava and Vitkovice (iron and steel industry, metal and chemical industry,
mines etc,) were supplied ty this factory.
61. Pansks a hutni spolecnost . Moravs:-.,a Oetra,Ta., (Mining and Metallurgical Company,
Morava a Ostrava. is large ndustria'l combine had a ceramics factory Tri.nec
in the Iron Works which produced al:. fire ':.rick necessary in the Iron Works itself.
and a tee! industry. There
The bricks were not or BBIe, i:ui for use of its soo ~:?w'T. iron -
was a brick kiln located in Moravska Ostrava which produced all bricks for the use
of the company. Both ceramics factories ware equipped with modern equipment and
supplied by power from their ov-n sources. The capacity of the fire brick factory in
Tri-nee was approximately one and a half mill::on refractory atc*neo per year, any the
capacity of the factory in Moravska Ostrava was somewhere between six and seven
million bricks per year.
62. The Iron Works at Titkovice.--alsu owned their own fire brick factor which is well
equipped and covers the requirements of the Iron Yorke and Steel WcrkewitbL_,v iah it is
acm acted. All the aaseessery bi-la for aroma and .thim plant
and the high-grade raw material is taken from its own clay pit. Electric power.ie
supplied by its own power plant. The ceramics factory was headed by ii (fnu) Spitzer.
63. Fire Brick Works Salm-Reifferacheid in Rajec ned Svitavou.--This firm produces only
the fired clays necessary for the production of fire-bricks. It does not. produce
the bricks itself. The preparatory installation was well equipped and the capacity
was from 20 to 25 cars, at 20 tons each, per month.
6sF. FA CT0BIN sn unwed. The factories faliints into this ouj sea name sus and on
the most important and largest are listed here.
BOHEMIA
.65. Frantisek Slavik Ceramics Works in Zible.--This is a branch factory of the main concern
in Hrochuv Tynec, and has a capacity of eight million pieces per year. The main
c.:ncern processes a lime containing clay and thus belongs to Group III. However,
the aboTe mentioned works in Zihae processes good raw material and produces very good
quality products.' TZe factory I. very well-equipped and alaost completely mecbanixed.
It is powered. partially- by coal, partially by electric power piped in from, the rest
Bohemian parer works. It vas oimed by F-^Lnz Slavik.
CO fl ENTIALf
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az
9. as
r
o
Company, Limited .--The plant is at Modrany near Prague. Relatively good raw material
was being'.i-d and technical pottery, dretnpipe, and atone mangers in various shapes,
vere l~eitg produced. The machine equipment was somewhat obsolete but quite capable
and the products were of good quality. The capacity could be listed-as being 300
carloads, at 20 tons per load. The ?cvar rids supplied by the Prague municipal power
punts. The plant was headed by Professor Dr Rudolf Barta.
MORAVIA
70. Sloveneke akciove ciheln in Hodonin, (Slovak Brick Works Joint Stock Company in
Hodonin. . is enterprise has a second factory in Devinalm Nova Ves in?Slovakia.
It is ~.ne of the largest ceramics plants in Czechoslovakia, with an approximate
output. of 30 million pieces per year. A good type or blue clay was useit out mostly
the production vas devoted .to variocs types of building bricks and stones. The
plants are very well-equipped and mechanized. Their own power plant van equipped
with a 250 BP steam engine and a reserve Diesel motor of 160 HP.
71. Josef Jakisch Hodonin prick Factory.--This factory processes good blue clay and
produces all types of shaped stones for the building Industry. The capacity was
between eight and ten million pieces per year. The plant was very modernly equipped
and well supervised. Its power plant was equipped with two diesel generators 180 and
120 HP. The plant was owned by Josef Jakiech: the director was Dr Fery Bienert.
72. Ceska uhelna spolecnost, (Bohemian Coal Company)in Orlova-Lnzy.--This is an
Important ceramics plant c prncasees ?oOd blue clay and produces various shaped
stones for the building industry. I addition to this, the plant produces refractory
trick of medium fire-resistancy for industry, particularly, bovever, for its ova coking
ovens and air ducts, A specialty which was produced at this factory was the approxi-
mately 2j-inch round clay sphere used for beckfilliag galleries in Coal mines. These
spheres were produced by a special roller and once in the pit were forced into place
from a pipeline under approximately six atmospheres of pressure. The water left the
a m
e r
brick. Only approximately 10 to 1.2 per cent of the capacity was utilized for
refractory stones used in Pilsen and vicinti.v throughout industry. The factory had a
power station equipped with an approximately 240 HP ateam,sxginel:?' It ima,owrAd by the
Salz brothers.
68, Prazake akciove cihelny, (Prague Brick Kilns)---The city of Prague boasts three
ceramics factories; two in Prague Jeneralks and Vokovice) and one in t'hrineves
nea- Prague. They process very hard flint and the products were very good. A high
firing temperature had to be precisely maintained, otherwise the cooling stones
would fall apart. Properly fired bricks of this type are of excellent quality, and
some specialized bricks or stones were prcd?s;:ed for the drainage system of Prague.
The raw material used by the tW.rd plant in Uhrlneves is not good and thus only
ordinary.building bricks are manufactured there. The capacity of the three concerns
combined is approximately 20 million pieces per year. The two factories in Prague
had good mechanical equipment, the one at Uhrineves had obsolescent equipment. All
three were supplied by electric power from the Prague municipal power plants. The
director of the plants was Mr (fnu) Havlu and the executive director was Mr (fnu)
Balcar. -
aka stavebni akciove spolecnoet Prague II, (The Prague Construction
" Pr
t
6 "fi
Salz Brothers ,in Szod nearPdlsen --Following rte construction, this factory was a
modernly equipped ceramics works with a capacity of 12 to 194 million pieces per year.
aterial was of a mixed quali'b;F and consequently the main product was building
'"h
Ceramic Works of Arnost Brummel. in Mos- -?-The factory processes mostly the brown
coal. clays which occur in the the vicinity o? Most.and produces various refractory bricks
of medium refractoriness used for the -, zious industrial furnaces, gas generators,
coke furnaces, glass smelting furnaces etc. The capacity was five to six million
bricks per year and the products were a very good quality. The power source was
coal and electricity. The machinery was not modern; it was somewhat obsolescent and
worn. The enterprise had only slight military significance. It was owned by
Mr irnoat Brummel.
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clay and was pumped out as normal seepage.
The capacity of the plant was approximately 1 million
pieces a year and the chief was Antonin Chmelicek.
Ceramic Enterprises in Kunwald near Novy Jitschin.--This plant processes extremely
good raw material ana its products were excellent. Production was centered around
technical pottery, drainage pipe, and various shaped products. The capacity was
eight to nine million pieces a year, but could have been doubled. The plant is
extremely obsolete and neglected, The owner was old and didn't pay much attention
to the plant. Its power plant was equipped with 160 BP steam engine and electric
power was used as a reserve.
SLOVAKIA
74. Fire Brick Factory in Kalinovo.--This factory uses first-class raw material which
occurs in abundance in this vicinity. This raw material is highly fire-resistant
and could be used for high-grade product3. However, owing to a shortage of capital
this was not possible. Old machines are used and white and yellow stones for the
building industry are manufactured. A little shaped stone is also manufactured for
the building industry. Some fire brick, handmade shaped stones, chimney blocks
and fleshings, furnace inlays. etc, are also made. The capacity was approximately
three and a half to four million pieces per year. A 100 HP steam engine proTided
the power. The chiefs of the enterprise were the Rocker brothers.
75. In Lucenrc, Pol`.ar; and Hrnciarske Zaluzany there are other smaller ceramics plants.
which ar of little significance but are mentioned here since they process excellena
raw material which could be used to manufacture highly refractory brick.
76. Most of the ceramics plants in Czechoslovakia belong to this group and only the
largest of them are listed here.
BOBBAIA
77. Albin Skoda Brick Factory in pi]sea--Modern equipment, capacity eight million
pieces per year, powered by a ertricity.
78. Fiser Brothers in letky Libcice, near Prague.--This enterprise has a second plant
in Vltavotyn near Ceske Budejovice. The plant in Letky-t.ibcice is obsolescent.
The capacity is eight million pieces pce year. The power is supplied by the
Prague municipal power plants. The plant in Vltavotyn, in southern Bohemia, is
modern with a five million piece annual capacity. It is also powered by electricity.
79. Frantisek Slavik, IIrochuv Tynec.--This is the most modern ceramics plant in Czechc,-
slovakie with its own laboratory and research institute. Firing ,was performed in
tunnel kilns. The capacity was 25 million pieces per year. The plant had its
own power supply and used electric power.
MOBAVX .
80. Bata Brick P ctory'in Zlin and Otrokovice (ZZlin is now GohtvaldovJ.--The raw material
used by this factory was floated out of its deposit by strong water streams directed
at It. This is a special method which, of course, is only possible if the basic
.. aterial is not very firm, The factory produced approximately 15 million pieces
a year for its own use. It was powered by electricity from the power station of
the Bata Works.
81. M Lederer, in Modrice near Brno.--This is a modern plant with approximately six
million pieces per year capacity. It had its own power supply with a 300 HP steam
engine which also served the adjoining cannery.
C9lIFIDENTIA
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82. Kern and Sort rno.--This enterprise produced approximately 15 million rocf tile
per year, with modern equipment. It has its own power plant, with steam and
electric power.
SLOVAKIA
83. Schulz Steam Brick Factory in Sucany and Turzansky Svaty Martin.--These were the
bigrest plants in Slovakia. They were not altogether modernized and they had
the;.r cwn power supply of about 300 HP each. Their capacity was about 16 to 18
m 13.ion pieces per year.
? rrad Brick Works. -This factory which had a capacity of only three and a half
n.'_llion pieces per year is mentioned because it prciuces building material for
the Svit Works which have large facilities for rayon manufacturing, plastic
maferia'r .. au oAic r '"cts in the nei.ahboring communities around Batizovce.
This was originally a part of the Bata firm in Zlin.
Kosice Brick Works.--This is the largest plant in eastern Slovakia, with eight
to ten million pieces per year capacity. It is not modern and is powered by its
ow++n steam engine.
86. In conclusion, it can be said that the ceramics plants of Czechoslovakia make
predominant, use of artificial drying installations and utilize the heat from firing
kilns send steam engines for drying. Most of th? firing is done in round chamber
kilns, Zig-Zag kilns, and only rarely in the modern tunnel kilns. Frequently
the primitive field kilns are to be found in Slovakia and sometimes only improvised
firing channels fired by wood.
87. In the china industry the most frequently used type of furnace is the retort
furnace. Only plants in Group 1 throughout Czechoslovakia are so equipped that
they can operate throughout the year. All others operate only in the summer.
Consequently, the ceramics industry in Czechoslovakia is predominantly seasonal.
The annual, capacity figures listed in the report are meant to imply capacity per
one seascz in the year. Normally the season begin with May and ended in September --
in other words, five months of work. Naturally, firing continued. sometimes until
the beginning of January if sufficiea', dried goods were available. The quoted
capacity figures consequently would be 100% higher in the case of the year round
enterprises; provided that the ovens were capable of handling these quantities.
AUSTRIA
88. In spite of the fact that ceramics have already played an important part in
prehibtoric time and the various archaeologic excavations show proof of a well
developed paleontological ceramics industry, there are, today, not many modern
and well-developed technically advanced ceramics plants in Austria. The causes
are very simple. Firstly. Austria does not have much high-grade raw material
suitable for highly refractory bricks. Secondly the kaolin found in Austria is
only of mediocre quality and 'ryas only limited possibilities for high-grade technical
porcelain and even then it mast be mixed with imyorted high-grade kaolin. The
only existing larger kaolin plant in Scbwertberg produces tableware and majolica
etc. The ceramics plants of Austria exn,rienced great difficulties, after 1945,
at the end of World War II, when Austria agair- became independent in production
since the import of high-grade Bavarian raw materials stopped and the industry
head to change over to using Austrian low-grade kaolin. Thirdly, following the
end of World rlar I, and the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy,
Austria became an independent country but suddenly became poor. There was no
capital on hand to modernize the ceramics plants and even today there are large
ceramics plants which operate with 30 to 40-year old machinery. For example, the
five plants of the firm Martin Steingassner in Neubau-Kreuzstetten, Wolkersdorf
and Ernstbrunn.
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89. Following the A.ustrlan Anschluss to Germany, in 1933, there was a lively tendency
toward modernizing ceramics plant9,butrll2it1h was achieved because in 1939 war
broke out and all projects were abandoned. Consequently, the Austrian ceramics
industry can be considered somewhat. weak and ancient.
factor holding ck
and only has Austrian
little domestic coal industry
70. A further
that Austria is-poo orr in power development
is the which
is not high-grade. Good black coal. has to be imported. Owing to its mountainous
terrain, however, Austria has.a certain amount of possible explo`table water energy
which can be converted to power. In this regard, thanks to the American initiative
and financial help, much was done after 1945- Electric power gathered in this it
manner, however, is by no mean sufficient to cover the demands of industry ahd is not to be expected the ceramics industry will be able to use electricity for
firing in the foreseeable future.
91. A relatively well developed phase of the ceramics industry is the production of
small decorative objects produced in Vienna, in Gmunden (Upper Austria), and in
Schwaz (in the Tyrol). These objects are nootly produced in small plants using
hand labor and which have no particular economic significance.
92. A very important phase of Austrian industry is the magnesite industry which produces
for export. Since 1945 the magnesite industry has registered a significant upswing.
PArticularly owing to the fact that..the plants have been modernized an a ands
but with American ca ital.
Austria boasts approximately 300 ,oeramics plants, particularly brick factories.
These are particularly in the flat parts of the country, also in Lower and Upper
Austria. The mountainous regions house fewer plants. The most modern plants are
located in Upper Austria and they are also the ones that registered some developmerte
ej a 't wu-d of ices ld War ,L? l yt2eitt part of Austria is in the US Zone where the
economy id being boosted. Opposed to this, the ceramics plants - :.c%: rusts,.,
cannot be expected to develop or, if so, very slowly. They are located in the Soviet
Zone and rany plants belong to the URINE ficT, the Soviet Industrial Management.
w factories throughout Austria which are able to produce
a f
e
high-quality r c , oag them that are noteworthy, by regions.
ls~
Vienna and Laver Austria
iiienerberger Prick Factory Conan Vienna I, Karlsplatz 1.--This is the largest
ceramics plant in Austria and belongs to the Creditanstalt Bankverein, The plants
themselves are located in Vierais-Inzersdv:f and Leopoldsberg. During the war the
plait located on the Triester Street-was badly damaged by bombs and removal of the
damage hu beet slow. The raw pprial used is of good quality blue clay with medium
fire-resistancy. In other words, not suitable for the prorluution of highly
refractory bricks. The plants produce all building stones for the building industry
as well as technical pottery, drainpipe, etc. The capacity is 25 to 30 million
pieces per year. The plant in relatively well-equipped. Recently a new kiln was
built and various types of new machinery were obtained. The plant's power supply
comes from its own steam E A -l-ctricIty besides. The director is Herr (-nu)
u~ ~ 'd.~. ~ --
Su r.
COt IDENTIA~
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A G fur Grob-und FeinkPramik Vienna IV (Joint Stock Company for Bough and Fine
Grob
Ceramics roduction Vienna IV-- For acts asltheSoviet administration for all
Joint Stock Com This company
ceramics plants which were commandeered by the 'Soviets: in Austria and who belonged
to the Soviet Industrial Management Comuission. The largest plant is located in
Vienna III and in Floridsdorf. These plants were well a ui ea before ;gorld War II and
their, capacity was 16 million bricks a year.
L Tha Soviets have dismantled machinery from various
plants and sold it to the satellite countries. The power resources used were their
own power station and electric power. Production was centered mainly around stones
and. bricks for the building industry, since the raw material used was only ordinary
brick clay. The director of the Soviet ceramics enterprises in Vienna is (fnu)
Steinbracber.
Martin Stein;tassner.--Th1P company has works in Neubau, Kreuzetetten, Wolkersdorf
and Frnotbrunn. It has obsolete equipments the quality of the merchandise is
also poor and the combined capacity is approximately 18 million bricks per year.
It is owned by the 11gligANOM br's?
it is now
Brick Factory of the C-ty 2f Mistelbach.-
modern and well equipped. The annual capacity is about six million bricks and it is
powered by. electricity.
Municipal Plants of St Polten.--The holdings of the municipality of St Polten
includes a ceramics factory, a sand and gravel pit, and a power station. The ceramics
factory produces mostly building requisites for the city of St Polten and its capacity
was estimated at four and a half million pieces per year. It is a communal municipal
enterprise of-the city of St Polten.
China Factory at Kilhelaaburg on the Traisen River.--In every respect this factory
is a mediocre factory which supposedly now belongs to the Soviet Union Administration.
At one time it was somewhat neglected and the products were not tof grid quality.
The factory had no high-grade raw material at its disposal and used only Austrian
kaolin to produce china tableware, vials and. majolica. Following the Austrian
Anschluss to Germany, the plant was somes.hat modernized and high-grade
kaolin was imported anii processed. e.. d. The resulting production The resulting pwas centered around
high-quality china, technical porcelain, percussion caps, 4to. The plant
is powered by electricity an: coal.
The Augarten China Factory.--This is the oldest Austrian china factory and was
founded some 200 years ago. It produces only household china and decorative china
in its well known quality and tasteful style. The goods are mostly expo
The only known Austrian kaolin mine is located in Schwertberg. Kaolin derived
from this mine is not suitable for the production of high-grade chinas.
User Austria.--Upper Austria has the most modern and best-equipped ceramics
factories but they only produce stones for the building industry Since no refractory
raw materials are available. Upper Austria has approximately 60 brick factories
of which only the most important and the largeat are mentioned here. The combined
capacity of these brick factories is approxima'... 350 to 400 million pieces a
year. The source of power everywhere is coal and olect,ricity.
Obermavr, Leitl, and Mferding Brick Industry Comany.--This factor- was rebuilt
B. most modern plants in Upper Austria.
_ .. fter o_S and is one of the
isi6u ..vo .
Serious technical mistakes were made, however, during the building and, GUnoequentlj,
the usefulness of the enterprise is very questionable. The percentage of scrap is
very high. The capacity is from 14 to 16 million pieces per year. The director is
(fnu) Lei-.,1 Sr; the technical director was Dr Bienert.
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Fabigan & Feichtinger, in Linz, Waldegg.--This is a well equipped and well managed
plant with approximate annual capacity of 12 million pieces. The director was
Mr (fnu) Hanke~ricz.
Auinger & Bramberger, at Utzenaich.--This company has two plants with approximate
annual capacity of 12 million pieces. The director is Mr (fnu) Bramberger.
Andorfer Tonwerke, Ertl & Co, Andorf (Andorf Clay Works).-Although this factory
uses good raw material, it produces only building material at "out 10 million
pieces per year. It has its own power station and uses electricity.
Josef Hannak at Breitenschutzing.--This is a very well equipped brick factory with
approximately 15 million pieces per year capacity. The factory is actually managed
by Mrs Hannak, who is a very capable and energetic woman.
Weixelbaumer K & J Wels-Raiding, as well as Wurzbuurrgeer K & E Aschet-Wels are both
well equipped and well managed brick factories with each approximately eight to
ten million pieces annual capacity.
Steiermark (Steieria)
Uppei nustr_,__ eramics Works in L_oben.--This fr,-+, nnylnraR a1 i refractory
brick for the iron and steel industry and of a very high quality. It is actually the
only ceramics plant of its type in Austria. It is well equipped and technically
well managed and processes mainly imported (from Czechoslovakia) high-grade raw
materials for the Austrian iron and steel industry. This ilant is consequently
very important and it i:, lucky that it is not in the Soviet Zone.
The Bohler Brothers iron and Steel Works at Kapfenberg.--This important industrial
concern which produces various high-grade special steels has its own ceramics factory
producing refractory brick for its own use.
China Factory at Fraunthal an der Lassnitz.--This factory belongs to the radio
concern ingelen and actually produces all industrial porcelains of good quality,
insulator:, porcelain tubes, all porcelain for the shortwave industry etc. The
plant is well-equipped and well-managed and has its own laboratory. The high-grade
kaolin is imported from Bavaria and from Czechoslovakia. The plant has its own
power station but mainly uses electricity from the west Steieria power plant. The
technical director is Mr (fnu) Drohle.
In Steieria there are also a few good and well-equipped, well-functioning, brick
factories such ci they
Steiriache Baugesellschaft, at Andritz near Graz
The Brick Factory at Prematetten
The Lannaca Brick and Clay Factory
The Prisching Roof Tile Factory at Mureck
The Eustacchio Brick Works at Graz (This factory has the only large-
scale indoor drying plant in Austria.)
This part of P.ustria is !eery poor In ceramics plants. The only large plant which
has a very large significance on the overall economy of Austria is the Austro-
American Magnesite Industry in Radenthein, which has already been mentioned. Apart
from this, Carinthia boasts only a few insignificant brick factor?.ee.
Tirol and Vorarlberv.__TF.io region has nnly a few brick factories of which only
the clay works Fritzena and Gotzis are noteworthy. Both have an annual capacity
of five to six million pieces.
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In conclusion, it can be said that the ceramics in'astry of Anatria is only halfway
equipped and cannot be considered as modern and progressive. There is a lack of
good rap materials and the power supply is very meager. Firing le done prcdominafntly
in the Hoffman type round chamber kilns. Most of the drying is done in open-air
drying installations. However, construction of some artificial drying, installations
has begun, which are designed to utilize the waste meat from the round chamber
kilns and the er nta. Only a fey is have automatic process
3Tith only a few exceptions,
all plants are seasonal and operate in the summer only.
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