Latest Italian Porcelain Technology, Innovation And Sustainability
Italian porcelain manufacturers have quickly cottoned on to the sustainable downside of porcelain manufacturing, which is that it’s challenging to recycle. So, they’ve moved fast and are well on their way to changing porcelain’s whole manufacturing process and properties.
The latest porcelain paving uses 60% pre-consumer recycled content and to add to that by 2030 the kilns will be run on hydrogen extracted from rain and melt water from the mountains and not natural gas. The difficulty with the conversion to hydrogen is the molecules are much smaller than natural gas and actions must be put in place to combat the issue of leakages.
Active Porcelain
This was an eye-opener, to say the least. The new Active technology incorporates photocatalytic technology on the surface of the porcelain paving or cladding that absorbs odours and pollution. The digitally applied photocatalytic surface consists primarily of titanium dioxide and silver, which is applied to the surface of the porcelain unit as a secondary process of the initial firing and cooling process. The secondary photocatalytic surface is again put through the kilns at a reduced temperature of 680 degrees. The secondary photocatalytic surface also dramatically enhances the porcelain’s durability, making it highly resistant to stains and UV deterioration and reducing maintenance.
The photocatalytic porcelain surface absorbs pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The surface then reacts with natural or artificial light to break down organic pollutants, dirt, and bacteria. Rain or water then washes away the pollutants, which are converted to non-water-soluble salts.
Studies indicate that these materials can effectively reduce pollution in urban environments when applied to large surfaces such as pavements and building facades.
Photocatalytic surfaces have been shown to effectively neutralise bacteria, including odours, viruses, and mould, upon contact, thereby reducing the reliance on chemical cleaning agents. This antimicrobial property makes them especially suitable for maintaining hygiene on surfaces, which works exceptionally well in outdoor kitchens.
I can see the full or through-body porcelain significantly impacting the British market. The surface detail is of the highest quality, applied similarly to a digital printer, slowly achieving the all-important highest-quality resolution of 650 “Dots per inch” (DPI).
The surface pattern runs through the whole of the paving unit, making it ideal for bull nosing copings, steps, and heavily foot-trafficked areas.
