Recently, World Ecology Day was celebrated, an event that advocates for sustainable practices that contribute to the better preservation of the natural environment. In the construction sector, there is a wide range of materials whose impact on the environment is studied in their manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and disposal after their useful life. Why is ceramics emerging as the most eco friendly option among the different alternatives?
Unlike other materials, such as natural wood, ceramics are made from renewable resources like clay or sand, which are also abundant. This means that ceramic products score points in terms of sustainability even before the production process begins.
Despite the high temperatures used in the manufacturing of ceramic products, the kilns used are often more energy-efficient than those used in the production of other construction materials like steel or cement.
Furthermore, renewable energy sources are increasingly integrated into the ceramic production process. Baldocer has a facility with nearly 20,000 solar panels, allowing them to generate about 50% of the energy consumed by one of their plants.
Ceramic products have an exceptionally long lifespan, which means they do not have to be discarded and replaced for decades. This results in less waste generation and a reduced impact on the environment, as it minimizes the exploitation of natural resources.
Being easy to clean, ceramic materials significantly reduce the use of chemical components once installed compared to other materials. Moreover, their ability to resist stains and minor damages makes maintenance easier, making it a more eco friendly alternative that saves resources and reduces the environmental footprint.
Another indirect benefit of using ceramics in construction is that, once installed, it provides remarkable energy efficiency to buildings. Being an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator, it reduces the need for energy consumption for heating and cooling, thereby reducing emissions.
So far, we’ve seen the benefits of ceramics in their production process and during their useful life, but their efficiency goes beyond that. When tiles are removed from a space or replaced with others, there’s the possibility of recycling them to manufacture new ceramic products, reducing waste generation and giving ceramics a more sustainable life cycle.
In fact, Baldocer’s porcelain tiles are manufactured with up to 30% recycled material, making them a very eco friendly product compared to other construction materials.
If you want to learn more about Baldocer’s products, visit our product page and download our catalogs, which provide precise information on each model.