BUSINESS
IN FOCUS
In the Heart of Molten Steel: The Falcon Story
A measuring probe fired into molten steel—and expected to deliver precise measurement data under extreme conditions. This is Falcon, a development by Heraeus Electro-Nite.
The story takes us from the first ideas and prototypes through setbacks and testing to the steelworks. It shows how technical development work resulted in a solution for one of the most challenging environments in industry.
Business
Business Area Performance
How are the four Business Areas performing in the current financial year? Sales figures through the end of July show a mixed picture: Precious Metals is significantly ahead of budget, while Healthcare is below plan. Semiconductor & Electronics and Industrials are both slightly above budget. A closer look at the individual businesses shows what is driving these developments.
Year-to-Date July NPM Sales Development by Business Area:
Precious Metals is significantly ahead of its sales budget. High precious metal prices and strong market volatility are contributing to this development, particularly through the trading business of Heraeus Precious Metals. At the same time, HPM’s product businesses are also performing well. Overall, the Business Area’s year-to-date sales through July are 47 % above budget.
Heraeus Medevio Invests in New Production Equipment in Hanau
Heraeus Medevio is investing in new production equipment at its Hanau site. The investment is intended to enhance manufacturing capacity, support further growth at the site, and facilitate the development and production of complex medical devices. Four new systems are already in operation.
These include an automated system for fitting and inspecting medical components, a sputtering system for applying coatings, a laser cutting machine and an automated laser welding system.
Heraeus Precious Metals and Smoltek Hydrogen Develop Electrodes Using Less Iridium
Iridium is needed, among other materials, to produce green hydrogen. However, the precious metal is scarce and expensive. Heraeus Precious Metals (HPM) and Swedish company Smoltek Hydrogen are therefore jointly developing a new electrode designed to use significantly less iridium.
The electrode is used in so-called PEM electrolysers, which use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Smoltek contributes its electrode technology, while HPM provides its expertise in catalysts and coatings. The aim is to use the available iridium more efficiently without compromising the electrode’s performance.
Electric Forklifts Save More Than 100 Tonnes of CO₂ Annually
Since the first quarter of 2026, all forklifts operated by Heraeus Site Operations (HSO) at the Hanau and Kleinostheim sites have been electric. According to HSO, the gradual switch from diesel to electric forklifts saves more than 100 tonnes of CO₂ per year. In addition, HSO replaced two other vehicles with combustion engines with fully electric vehicles. Electrifying the fleet is one of the measures through which Heraeus is putting its sustainability strategy into practice in day-to-day operations.
Heraeus to End Direct Sales of Precious Metals to Private Customers
As of November 30, 2026, Heraeus will discontinue the direct sale of precious-metal products to private customers. This affects the Heraeus Goldstore in Hanau, the online shop heraeus-gold.de and the purchase of precious metals from private customers. The subsequent wind-down is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
The decision is part of the Heraeus Group’s long-term strategic direction. The company intends to focus more strongly on its core and growth businesses, particularly business models serving commercial customers (B2B), innovative technologies and future-oriented growth areas.
According to Heraeus Precious Metals, operating a brick-and-mortar business and an online shop requires processes and structures that are no longer compatible with the company’s strategic direction.
What does this mean for customers?
Business operations will continue until November 30, 2026. All orders received by that date will be processed and delivered as usual.
Different alternatives are currently being developed and legally reviewed for customers with ongoing gold savings plans. The customers affected will be informed in good time.
Further information can be found in the questions and answers below this article and on the website:
www.heraeus-gold.de/wir-schliessen.
ORGANIZATION
Personnel Changes
Below is an overview of the personnel changes that have taken place over the past few months.
Stella Bauer Takes Over as Head of IP Legal
Since September 1, 2026, Dr Stella Bauer has headed the Intellectual Property Legal (IP Legal) department at Heraeus. She succeeds Thomas Spernat, who previously held the position.
Together with her team, Bauer will continue to develop the global IP strategy and support the business units in protecting their innovations. The chemist, who holds a PhD, has been with Heraeus since 2017 and has held various positions within the IP organisation, including contributing to the development of the patent and intellectual property portfolio.
Stefan Hermes to Leave Heraeus
Stefan Hermes, Group Digital & Excellence Officer, is leaving Heraeus at his own request. He has been part of the Heraeus Group since 2016 and has been responsible for the Group-wide digital and excellence initiatives since October 2022.
During this time, Hermes helped establish Excellence and the Heraeus Digital Hub as internal service providers and implement specific use cases to strengthen the company’s competitiveness. His successor had not yet been appointed by the editorial deadline.
CULTURE
Frankly Speaking: Taking the Pulse of Heraeus
Travelling across our businesses is always a good opportunity to take the pulse of our organization. During my recent visits to the US, Singapore and China, one thing stood out to me: Heraeus 2030 is taking shape. Not because of presentations or plans, but because I saw it reflected in our businesses and in the conversations I had with colleagues.
My first stop was our Norwood business in the US, where we celebrated an extraordinary milestone: 100 years of Norwood.
For me this celebration was particularly personal. After Heraeus acquired Norwood, I had the privilege of leading the business for two years. Returning now and meeting many familiar faces was genuinely moving. Some colleagues have spent decades with the company, and hearing their stories reminded me how much knowledge, experience and commitment have been built over the last century. The strongest impression I took away was the pride people feel for what they have built over many years. It reminded me that while we are shaping the future, we should take pride in what has brought us there.
From there I travelled to Singapore to meet colleagues from HET and Medevio and continue our dialogue around Heraeus 2030.
One experience stood out. I visited a materials development laboratory of one of our cooperation partners where robotics and artificial intelligence are already working hand in hand to accelerate formulation development and materials innovation. Seeing a laboratory operate in this way made one thing very clear: AI is becoming an essential tool for how we innovate, solve problems and create value.
Across Heraeus we need to embrace these opportunities. AI will not replace curiosity, expertise or creativity. But it can significantly increase the impact of all three. The visit in Singapore already shows what is possible.
That experience stayed with me as I continued my trip to China.
My final stop was Shanghai, where I met more than 800 colleagues during a town hall, both in person and online, and visited our sites in Changshu. Throughout the visit, I had many opportunities to discuss Heraeus 2030 with colleagues and see how our strategic priorities are being put into practice.
What impressed me most was the openness of the discussions. Colleagues asked direct questions, challenged assumptions and shared their perspectives honestly. Many told me afterwards that Heraeus 2030 now feels much more concrete because they can already see the first steps and understand where we are heading. I found that encouraging. Open dialogue creates clarity—and clarity creates confidence.
During my visit I also joined the inauguration of the China Innovation Community. For me, it reflects two important elements of Heraeus 2030. First, innovation becomes stronger when experts from different Operating Companies collaborate and learn from one another. Second, innovation creates the greatest impact when it is close to the customer. That is exactly what our "In China, for China" approach is about: strengthening local R&D, expanding innovation capabilities and empowering local teams to respond quickly to market needs. Seeing both principles in action gave me confidence that our strategy is increasingly reflected in the way we work.
And yes—I also met a dancing robot. Besides being entertaining, it was another reminder of how quickly technology is evolving and why staying curious matters.
As I travelled home, I found myself reflecting on the many conversations I had along the way. Different businesses. Different markets. Different perspectives. Yet there was a common thread: a shared willingness to move Heraeus forward. Seeing our strategic priorities reflected in so many different places made me realize that Heraeus 2030 is no longer just something we talk about—it is increasingly shaping how we work together. That gives me confidence that we are moving in the right direction.
Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas, questions and perspectives with me along the way. I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Stay in touch.
Frank Stietz
“Stopping was the real success.”
An innovation project didn't achieve its original goal. Beate Burkhart shares why a project without a happy ending fundamentally changed her understanding of Ownership.
The final test results left no room for interpretation. Just a few weeks earlier, one of the innovation teams at Heraeus Covantics had launched another sub-project, hoping to find a way to meet the customer's requirements after all. Now it was clear: this path wouldn't lead to a solution either.
“For the first time, the question was no longer how we could keep the project going. The question was whether we had to stop it,” recalls Beate Burkhart, now President of Heraeus Epurio and, until recently, Head of Innovation at Heraeus Covantics.
Even though decisions like this are part of innovation, they're never easy. Beate knows that from personal experience. Today, she says:
“Stopping was the real success. I know that sounds contradictory at first. After all, the project didn't achieve what it had originally set out to do. But looking back, deciding to stop was the most important decision we made.”
Why Does Culture Matter?
How important is corporate culture? What role does corporate culture play on the way to achieving the goals of Heraeus 2030? Martina Gieg, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Nikolas Pojezny, President of Heraeus Covantics, discuss these questions in an episode of the video podcast “Let’s Talk.”
In their conversation they also share personal experiences and moments that made them particularly aware of the importance of culture and the Heraeus Principles.
Heraeus Brings Forward Agreed Collective Pay Increase
The Group Executive Leadership Team (GELT) has brought forward the collectively agreed pay increase at Heraeus from January 1, 2027 to October 1, 2026. As a result, salaries and training allowances will increase by 2.1 % three months earlier than planned.
The GELT will decide in summer 2027 when to implement the second stage of the pay increase, amounting to a further 2.4 %. The German Mining, Chemical and Energy Industrial Union (IGBCE) and the German Federation of Chemicals Employers’ Associations (BAVC) agreed on the increases at the end of March 2026. The agreement stipulated that companies with positive economic performance could bring the increase forward.
Looking Back at the Heraeus Family Festival 2026
Under the motto “We are Heraeus,” several thousand employees, shareholders and their families came together at the Heraeus site in Hanau on September 19. With perfect late-summer weather, the Family Festival offered a day full of encounters, entertainment and insights into the world of Heraeus.
Music, comedy and acrobatics on three stages, numerous hands-on activities, the Heraeus World and the Training Experience offered plenty to discover for guests of all ages. Above all, the festival was an opportunity to connect with one another and experience Heraeus together.
Our video looks back at the day and captures guests sharing their personal impressions.
50 Early-Career Talents Begin Their Professional Careers After Graduating
At Heraeus 50 apprentices and dual-study students have successfully completed their vocational training or dual study programme. Forty-one of them will continue their careers at Heraeus. Ten of the graduates achieved the top grade of 1.
The graduates qualified in a total of 17 occupations and fields of study, ranging from technical, scientific and commercial apprenticeships to dual bachelor’s degree programmes. At a graduation ceremony in Hanau Heraeus honoured their achievements together with their families, mentors and colleagues.
At the end of August, 70 new apprentices and dual-study students began their first year of vocational training or dual study at Heraeus.
Shopping Event for a Good Cause
In July more than 120 volunteers from Heraeus Singapore, China supported “Project 200 = 100”, an initiative organised by Heartwarmers. Lower-income families were able to select groceries and everyday essentials worth up to 200 Singapore dollars and paid just 100 Singapore dollars themselves. The remaining amount was funded through donations and sponsorships.
Heraeus employees and their families helped at the food stalls, assisted with shopping and supported the packing process, among other activities.
School Supplies for Families in Gwinnett County
To mark the start of the new school year, the Heraeus team in Buford, Georgia, USA, took part in the annual “Book Bag Bash” organised by the Gwinnett County Co-Op. Employees collected and donated school supplies to fill backpacks for students and their families in Gwinnett County. The donations included a range of materials for everyday school life, from notebooks and pens to folders. Heraeus employees also supported the event on site.
Heraeus Congratulates Dr Jürgen Heraeus on His 90th Birthday
Dr Jürgen Heraeus celebrated his 90th birthday on September 2. Numerous current and former colleagues sent him their congratulations in a birthday post on Heraeus touch. Many shared anecdotes from their time together as well as photos from the past several decades.
Among the first to offer their congratulations were Franz Haniel and Frank Stietz.
"Dear Jürgen, to me, you embody more than anyone else what it means to be a great family-business entrepreneur: thinking long term, taking responsibility, and always putting the company before yourself. At the same time, you have understood how to keep the family united while always looking ahead to the generations to come.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all the very best on your birthday!"
Franz Haniel, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Heraeus Group
“We are very proud of our unique corporate culture at Heraeus. A pioneering spirit, a sense of responsibility, pragmatism, respect, and appreciation for one another are the values that guide us at Heraeus.This culture is no coincidence. You have shown us what it means to live these values and have passed them on to us.
Dear Jürgen Heraeus, please accept my warmest birthday wishes!”
Frank Stietz, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of the Heraeus Group
For more than 56 years Jürgen Heraeus helped shape the family-owned company. From 1983 to 2000 he served as Chairman of the Management Board, followed by his roles as Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Chairman of the Shareholders’ Committee of Heraeus Holding GmbH until 2020.
During this time Jürgen Heraeus drove Heraeus’s internationalisation, transforming it from a German materials specialist into a major global player. His influence on the development of Heraeus extends far beyond his active career, and, as a shareholder, he remains closely connected to the company and its employees to this day.
