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| Casalgrande Padana has developed “Bios,” a collection is for
areas where hygiene and cleanliness are important. During the processing
stages, the ceramic material is combined with mineral particles to generate an
effective antibacterial reaction. |
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Italian tile is a high quality industrial product that is
suitable for a wide range of applications: from furniture and accessories to
urban planning, outdoor or indoor, in the private sector as well in the public
one. Thanks to its modular approach and offering of shapes, colors and
finishes, tile lends itself to creative and personalized installations. At the
same time, tile has minimal damage costs (it can be spot-repaired) and is often
marketed in “families” of coordinated products – allowing for easy updates to
an existing building/room.
As an inert material manufactured
from natural raw resources, Italian tile will break down naturally at the end
of its life cycle. Here are additional ways that Italian tile contributes
positively to the environment:
Cleanliness: Maintenance is simple.
Often, warm water and neutral cleaners are the only cleaning products required.
Additionally, tiles are inert and do not release any substance; therefore they
do not increase the level of toxicity of cleaning products that, after use, are
flushed into the ecosystem such as chemicals, and solvents. This easy
maintenance contributes to consumer cost savings over the life of the
installation.
Ceramic tile is a hygienic product
that is suitable to be used even in a sterile environment.
Cost-Efficiency:
Tile can be installed in a building to function as a heat sink. When the sun
hits the tile, it absorbs the thermal energy and exhausts it over time, thus
acting like a natural heater and reducing heating costs.
Durability: A
product’s lifespan is an important factor to consider. Floor finishes such as
carpet, sheet vinyl and natural hardwood have an expected life cycle of six
years, 10 years and 15 years respectively, while the expected life cycle of
porcelain, ceramic and mosaic tile is 50 years (
TCNA Study of Floor
Covering Costs, 2006).
Energy-Saving:
Italian manufacturers produce ceramic products suitable for ventilated wall
façades. Tiles are one of the best options for this cladding system as they are
mechanically strong and physically resilient to most of the hardships that
deteriorate exterior walls. A building with this system is up to 30% more
energy efficient.
The *triple bottom line benefits of this value system
include:
- Planet: Reduced Energy Consumption; Reduced CO2
Emission; Reduced Resource Consumption; Long Lasting Solution.
- People: Better Air Quality; Greener Building
(Contributes to LEED Commercial and Residential Standards); Lower CO2
Footprint.
- Profit: Reduced Energy Bills; Longer Life Cycle;
Increased Productivity; Reduced Liability.
*Source: Paul Shahriari, founder
GreenMind
Non-Toxic: Ceramic tiles contain no
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that release gas prior to, during, or after
installation. Products that meet stringent VOC restrictions contribute to LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits for a project. In
addition, tiles will not absorb odors from smoke, paint fumes or other
contaminants, enhancing indoor air quality.
Recycled: A
growing number of new products contain a percentage of recycled content, pre-
and post-consumer, and therefore can contribute points towards USGBC LEED
certification. Additionally, it is a recyclable product through the reuse of
the material in the manufacturing process (minimizing natural resource use and
waste).
Resistance:
Tile is resistant to extreme weather conditions, chemicals’ impact, fire,
water, moisture, temperature change and UV rays; giving ceramics the edge in
hard environmental stress situations.
Responsibility:
Italian ceramic tile manufacturers are organized in industrial districts and
are directly involved in the responsible management of their territory. They
have direct control on the environmental and social impact of their
manufacturing operations (air, water, waste, corporate social responsibility,
etc.) and on the local trade of their products.
Environmental Certifications
There are a growing number of certifications that are either
management or product focused. In order to stay up-to-date, visit:
- Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS):
www.ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/index_en.htm
- International Organization for Standardization
(ISO): www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/management_standards.htm
- European Union Eco-labeling Board (EUEB):
www.eco-label.com
- LEED certification: www.usgbc.org/leed/
- Ceramic Tiles of Italy: www.s-tiles.it
