With the world’s levels of discarded materials constantly increasing, every industry faces a greater need to pay attention to environmental concerns. This means that many manufacturers are turning to different forms of recycling to help save the planet, as well as to boost business by increasing profits.  One industry that creates a lot of waste during production is the manufacturing of building material. There is an estimated three million tons of waste produced annually from the process of making ceramic tiles alone.

The normal production method used has previously made it impossible to put the waste back into the production process. Lifeceram is a project which has been undertaken to change this, and was formed with two main objectives. These are:

1. To develop a new type of tile from the waste created that would be appropriate for outdoor paving, due to both durability and weather resistance.
2. Create a suitable method of making these tiles, which would incorporate 100% of waste materials. It would also need to be sustainable by the manufacturing companies themselves, to make it as convenient as possible.

The Lifeceram project has been successful and those involved have reported developing a process to create tiles which have the mechanical resistance, environmental properties and porosity that they planned to achieve. The method that has been proposed will not only recycle the waste but can also be easily undertaken by existing industrial installations, without the need for changes to their equipment or current manufacturing.

The major benefits that companies will achieve using this new process are:

1. A Reduction in Carbon Emissions

One of the worse influences of manufacturing building material on the environment is the emission of carbon which Lifeceram believes will be reduced by at least 30% once their process is implemented.

2. Production Savings

Tile manufacturers will now be able to save 30% on energy costs and an additional 65% on their use of water. Saving on production costs is beneficial in any industry as it means that funds can be reinvested to build the business, or there can be an increase in profits. 

3. Eliminating Waste

As reported, the process can reuse 100% of the waste which was previously created during the manufacturing of tiles. This can decrease the need to buy additional materials as well as company output.

Project Lifeceram is being introduced to manufacturing companies, which are embracing it and the benefits that can be achieved. Project developers are confident that many companies worldwide will be using their method of production shortly.