Wienerberger is one of the largest manufacturers of ceramic building materials in Europe and serves the market for load-bearing masonry as well as facade and roof systems with its brick products. The product portfolio is technically aligned to three performance profiles: monolithic construction with high thermal insulation, double-leaf masonry with curtain facades, and roof systems for pitched roofs. Positioning is achieved through the brands Porotherm (highly insulating modular bricks), Terca (facing bricks and clinker) and Koramic (roof tiles).
Porotherm: Modular bricks for monolithic masonry
The Porotherm series primarily addresses multi-story residential construction and is aimed at planners who want to realize monolithic wall structures without additional external insulation. The product variants achieve lambda values between 0.06 and 0.09 W/(m·K), depending on bulk density and perforation rate. Typical representatives such as the Porotherm T9 or T8 use perlite filling and closed chamber systems to reduce thermal conductivity. The compressive strength ranges from 2 to 12 N/mm² depending on the design, which allows use up to building class 5 (GK 5). For application in passive house standards, wall structures of at least 36.5 cm thickness are required to achieve U-values below 0.15 W/(m²·K) without additional ETICS.
Technically relevant is the integration into modular systems: Porotherm bricks are supplied with tongue-and-groove connections and planed surfaces, which enables gap-free laying. This reduces thermal bridges and accelerates processing on the construction site. Processing is done with thin-bed mortar (layer thickness < 3 mm), which minimizes horizontal joints. Combined with the use of lightweight mortar for vertical joints, heat losses are further reduced.
Terca: Clinker and facing bricks for double-leaf constructions
Under the Terca brand, Wienerberger distributes fully ceramic facing bricks and clinker for curtain facade or double-leaf facade systems. The product range includes over 150 color and surface variations, achieved through different clay mixtures and firing temperatures (1,000–1,300 °C). Technically, clinker differs from facing bricks in water absorption: clinker has water absorption of < 6% according to DIN 105-100, while facing bricks are higher. This has direct implications for frost resistance and suitability for use in exposed locations.
Terca clinker is frequently used in combination with ventilated facade systems or as a facing shell in cavity wall construction. The bulk density ranges between 1.8 and 2.2 kg/dm³, and the compressive strength reaches up to 60 N/mm² depending on firing level. For design purposes, requirements for rain tightness (according to DIN 4108-3) and durability requirements (according to Eurocode 6) are particularly relevant. Wienerberger provides test certificates for all Terca products regarding frost-de-icing salt resistance and strength classification.
Koramic: Roof tiles for pitched roofs
The Koramic series covers the market for ceramic roof tiles. The portfolio includes flat tiles, interlocking tiles and large formats for roof pitches from 10°. Technically relevant is the water tightness at different roof pitches: while flat tiles require a minimum roof pitch of 22°, interlocking tiles can be laid from 10° onwards, provided additional underlayment (e.g. diffusion-open film) is installed.
Wienerberger's ceramic roof tiles achieve lifespans of over 80 years with minimal maintenance. Resistance to UV radiation and frost cycles is ensured by fully ceramic firing. Compared to concrete roof tiles, ceramic tiles have a lower tendency towards soiling and algae growth, which is particularly relevant in shaded locations.
Sustainability and circular economy
In recent years, Wienerberger has increasingly invested in the circularity of its products. Ceramic building materials such as bricks are generally 100% recyclable, however, reuse currently occurs primarily as an aggregate in concrete recipes or as fill material in civil engineering. Sorted recovery into the brick production process is technically possible but not yet economically established across the board. In this context, Wienerberger has launched pilot projects for the reuse of brick waste in new raw material mixtures to reduce primary raw material consumption.
The EPD data for Porotherm bricks show CO₂ emissions between 120 and 180 kg CO₂-eq./m³, depending on firing temperature and transport distance. Compared to calcium silicate brick (approx. 90 kg CO₂-eq./m³) or autoclaved aerated concrete (approx. 110 kg CO₂-eq./m³), bricks are in the mid-range. The advantage lies in the long service life and reusability.
Market position and competitive environment
Wienerberger holds approximately 15% market share in Europe in the ceramic wall building materials segment. Main competitors are Röben in the clinker sector and regional brick manufacturers such as Erlus and Creaton in the roof tile market. Differentiation is achieved through technical parameters such as thermal conductivity, compressive strength and ease of processing, as well as through the availability of EPDs and sustainability certifications.
Current product developments focus on the integration of phase-change materials (PCM) in brick bodies for thermal storage and on reducing firing temperatures through modified clay mixtures. Both approaches aim at reducing primary energy demand and CO₂ emissions in production.
