Earth, mixed with water, dried in the air then fired. This is the manufacturing process of Italian ceramics. A simple recipe and an ancestral technique.
While the alchemy has remained unchanged for thousands of years, the process is fuelled by innovation in order to combine high performance with respect for the environment. Thus, Italian ceramics ...

… are made in less than an hour
Clay, sand, feldspar and other materials, mixed with water, are ground into a slip. This slip is sent through a stream of very hot air, evaporating the water from the mixture and leaving a very fine granular powder, known as atomised. The atomised product is pressed into moulds of the size chosen for the future tiles and then transported to the firing kilns. This phase takes place at temperatures ranging from 1000°C to 1300°C; the decorations and surface glazes crystallise to create the definitive colouring of Italian ceramic tiles.

… last for decades
The minimal porosity guarantees excellent technical qualities in all respects (resistance to impact, wear, abrasion, aggressive chemical agents, thermal shock and water infiltration). The average life cycle of Italian ceramics varies from 50 to 60 years. A comparative analysis conducted by the Department of Engineering Sciences and Methods of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia showed that other types of interior flooring have a shorter life cycle (10 years for resin, about 15 years for LVT and carpet).

… are 100% recyclable
Italian Ceramics is an inert material composed of natural elements. Discarded pastes and finished products are 100% reused in the production process, thus reducing the consumption of natural resources by about 9.3%.
Between 1998 and 2019, the tile and slab industries saved more than 600,000 tonnes of raw materials (clays and feldspars) per year. For the first time, in 2020, thanks to constant technological innovations, Italian Ceramics was able to recycle all its waste and even absorb waste from other supply chains.

To find out more about Italian Ceramics, visit CERSAIE fair (Bologna, Italy) from 26 to 30 September 2022.