Eco-Friendly Fireplaces on Superyachts

Planika’s Innovative Solutions in Luxury Interiors 

How do you install an eco-friendly fireplace on a luxury hydrogen-powered superyacht? We explored this question in a conversation with Udo Jaeschke, the Project Director at Deutsche Werkstätten, a company specializing in creating exclusive interiors. In the interview, Udo shares the details of working on one of the most technologically advanced projects, where Planika fireplaces played a key role. 

What challenges did the adaptation of the fireplace to the strict safety standards on yachts present? Why might our innovative bioethanol solution, which burns vapor instead of liquid, become the new standard in the world of luxury? Udo also discusses the installation process and the importance of the ability to customize Planika models in terms of size and color scheme. 

We encourage you to watch the full interview with Udo Jaeschke and discover how Planika fits into the most prestigious projects worldwide! 

Video of an interview with Udo Jaeschke from Deutsche Werkstätten

Don’t have time to watch the interview? Go to transcription.

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Transcription of the interview with Udo Jaeschke from Deutsche Werkstätten  

Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): My name is Agnieszka. I’m part of sales team in Planika. I’ve had a joy to connect with you today, Udo. I know you are a product director at Deutsche Werkstätten, that are specialists for building custom interiors. So could you please tell me a little bit more about your role in the superyacht project, the hydrogen powered superyacht that was supposed to be green?  

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten): As I said, all our projects are actually highly confidential. So I can only repeat that I started this project as a project manager.  

And we are now about finishing it in the next couple of months, weeks.  

Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): So since the entire project was supposed to be green, with green technology, how did this assumption affect the way you selected materials and equipment, appliances and also fireplace? Because Planika was specified and approved for this yacht project, right?  

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten):  Exactly. There’s three set conditions by the client, by the shipyard. We didn’t choose any of the materials. It was actually done before we stepped into contract.  

Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): I see. I know that a yacht is a very specific environment when it comes to safety restrictions.  

How do you find Planika? What’s your experience with our BEV technology? Have you had a chance to assess this product as it complies with safety regulations?  

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten): To be honest, it’s the first time we work together with you guys. And I know that your technology with a vapor of bioethanol is unique in the market so far, as far as I know. But we don’t have any experiences yet.  

And usually the same setting is the owners team together with the shipyard. They select the design and the products and we have to integrate it into the interior.  

And the same was here with Planika. So the fireplaces were selected by the owners together with the shipyard. And we have to understand the technology and the technical aspects.  

And this is what we did. We did a lot of gas fireplaces in the past on previous projects, which is a complete different story.  

For your fireplaces, it’s the first time.  

Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): A fireplace with a real flame sounds like a whim on a yacht.  

Or maybe you feel it’s a new trend to become?  

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten): Usually it’s quite standard for luxury superyachts, fireplaces everywhere in the public spaces or private areas and lounges or dining areas, wherever. And we also have had bioethanol fireplaces combined with gas fireplaces in the past. So there were gas fireplaces and there were also bioethanol fireplaces, both technologies. But your one is to me, it’s special because it doesn’t really burn the liquid itself. It burns the vapor.  

Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): What about the installation? What is your experience with installation of the burner?  

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten): Well, usually the installation of these bioethanol fireplaces are quite easy compared to gas fireplaces.  

It’s mainly plug and play. Installation went pretty well. And it was just one or two days.  

Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): You know that Planika as a manufacturer offers customized models trimmed to size or matching the color scheme. Is it a relevant feature when selecting a fireplace?  

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten): All the customers look for technology.  

But then they want to have quite a big liberty to arrange whatever ceramic logs or pebbles any color to make it look like a wooden fireplace.  

Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): All right. More traditional look.  

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten): More traditional, yes.  

Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): Once you finish this exciting project, do you aim to target your offering the specific maritime industry, the yacht industry, which is said to be the most demanding environment because of the restrictions? Do you consider developing in this particular branch?  

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten): Actually, our impact or our influence on this development is very limited because there are always the same restrictions regarding open fires and liquid or storage of combustible liquids on yachts. So, there will always be quite tight regulations from the class society. And we can only, as long as we have the liberty to suggest solutions, we can guide the decisions. But in this case, that was done before we stepped into the project.  

Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): I see. But I believe you will recommend Planika as a proofed solution for a yacht. It was lovely to hear your point, to hear your story about the journey with Planika. And I’m looking forward to meet again for another exciting project.  

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten): Thank you. My pleasure.  

 Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): Thank you for today. It was lovely to meet you.  

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten): Thank you. Nice meeting you.  

Agnieszka Kosycarz (Planika): Bye.   

Udo Jaeschke (Deutsche Werkstätten): Bye bye.