Zukunftsgestalter: Kann Rohstoff-Spezialist Dorfner mit KI den Umsatz um 40 Prozent steigern?

In the Hirschau open pit mine, 70 meters underground, Gebrüder Dorfner extracts pure white kaolin. This fine, iron-free rock is used primarily for porcelain, cosmetics, paper industry and specialized paint. The company's headquarters, located in the heart of the mining area, is surrounded by both the west and east fields. The future of the 130-year-old firm seems promising with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Since its adoption in 2020, AI has helped Dorfner optimize its use of kaolin and slow down the mining process. By using less raw material, the firm has extended the life of the resource and even reduced its raw material extraction by a third. Company CEO Mirko Mondan stated, "We have simultaneously grown in results and in sales."

The company mainly produces kaolin and quartz sand, in a 1:4 ratio. Quartz sand is refined, colored, and combined with additives for use in floor tiles, highly durable polymer kitchen sponges, medical glass, and high-quality glass structures. Mondan's arrival during the pandemic saw supply chains struggling, sustainability demands rising, and limited prospects for in-situ mining.

Mondan, who had previously founded and sold two startups, recognized the company's potential not just in the raw materials but also in the data they generated.

By leveraging AI, Dorfner was able to transform the raw data into actionable insights. Initially, the AI needed to be fed with extensive laboratory records, followed by identifying customer demands which were then used to generate new recipes. The fourth step involves reducing the number of tests needed in real life, enabling customers to receive results within days instead of months.

This has resulted in Dorfner using significantly less kaolin to achieve the same color result, extending the life of the mine and increasing efficiency.

Innovations manager Tim Lüken aims for the 130-year-old firm to continue thriving for another 130 years. Through AI, they plan to substitute the raw materials completely and even replace the substances entirely. This strategy enables Dorfner to offer not just raw materials, but also customer-specific solutions. The company also looks to internationalize, providing the same functionalities globally without being tied to a single location.

This AI-driven approach also allows for less dependence on the mine, opening up new opportunities for Dorfner. In the future, the company may supply customers in Asia with products or functions they manufacture using resources available there, eliminating the need for extensive international deliveries. Furthermore, with the rise of cheaper alternatives abroad, local customers may once again prefer Dorfner due to its reliable supply chain.