Rethinking Sustainability, Water, And Responsibility: Insights From GROHE’s Stefan Schmied

The second episode of Inc. Arabia’s exclusive podcast series with GROHE explores how sustainability and innovation are driving the future of modern living. In the episode, Stefan Schmied, Leader IMEA, LIXIL International, explains how sustainability today goes far beyond regulatory requirements, it is about creating meaningful, responsible, and resource-efficient experiences at home. From water-saving technologies to long-lasting engineering, he shares how GROHE continues to redefine what a modern, sustainable bathroom should feel like.

Sustainability As A Core Pillar

At GROHE, sustainability is more than an initiative, it’s a long-term commitment that shapes every decision. Schmied highlights a comprehensive 360-degree sustainability approach built around three key dimensions:

· Social: Promoting diversity, inclusion, and fair working conditions.

· Economic: Ensuring resource-efficient choices that support long-term value creation.

· Environmental: Reducing water and energy consumption through intelligent technologies without compromising comfort or reliability.

In practice, GROHE products save thousands of litres of water every year, and when applied at scale across residential or governmental developments, the impact becomes transformative.

Supporting Regional Sustainability Goals

Across the IMEA region, sustainability is becoming a shared national priority. With frameworks like Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050, governments and developers are actively rethinking how buildings use resources. GROHE contributes to these ambitions by providing solutions that balance environmental stewardship with performance, reliability, and longevity. From large-scale housing projects to luxury hospitality developments, GROHE supports partners in meeting green standards while enhancing everyday living.

Innovation That Endures

True sustainability goes far beyond product design, it is rooted in durability and lifecycle impact. GROHE designs products that are built to last, easy to maintain, and simple to upgrade. Concealed systems and modular components allow users to repair and replace parts without major renovation, reducing material waste and promoting circularity, a key step toward sustainable living.

The Rise Of Conscious Luxury

Luxury, Schmied notes, is evolving into something more meaningful. GROHE’s “conscious luxury” philosophy merges responsible materials, durability, and reduced environmental footprint. Every colour, finish, and surface is selected not just for aesthetics but for longevity and minimal environmental impact.

“Luxury can also be sustainable,” says Schmied. “It doesn’t need to be opulent; it needs to be mindful.”

Investing In People And The Planet

Beyond technology, GROHE invests in people. Through the GIVE Program, the brand trains young plumbers and installers across IMEA, equipping them with the skills to implement sustainable solutions effectively. This ensures sustainability isn’t only engineered into products. It is practiced by the professionals who bring them to life.

GROHE “Heart Of Your Bathroom” Positioning

Schmied explains that the idea of the “Heart of Your Bathroom” lies in creating a space where sustainability, comfort, and long-lasting performance come together, powered by technologies that remain unseen yet deeply enhance daily life. From EcoJoy™ water-saving features to durable cartridges and thermostats, GROHE’s behind-the-wall engineering delivers reliable, responsible experiences that last. And while design comes last in the conversation, it remains central to the philosophy: “Design is not just about how it looks; it’s about how it feels,” says Schmied. For GROHE, design supports sustainability by making products intuitive, durable, and efficient, reflecting the brand’s German-engineered commitment to reducing environmental impact.

GROHE’s philosophy is clear: embed sustainability into everything, engineer for longevity, and create products that make the bathroom truly feel like the heart of the home. It’s a commitment that connects emotion with responsibility, shaping how people across the IMEA region experience the pure joy of water, sustainably.

Pictured in the lead image is Stefan Schmied, the Leader for India, Middle East & Africa at LIXIL International, overseeing brands like GROHE. Image courtesy GROHE.