We would like to invite you to a lecture by Prof. Rossella Arletti from the University of Modena on the topic “Green Solutions for Porcelain Stoneware: Using Vitreous Fibers Waste as Resource”. The lecture will take place on 16th October 2025 at 15:00 in Uhelna.
We look forward to seeing you!
Petra Špringer Šimonová
Abstract: In response to the current need to produce ceramic tiles through processes that minimize environmental impact and the increasing difficulty in supplying natural raw materials, the ceramic sector has focused its efforts on optimising resources. The solution can be found in a circular economy model, which minimises the use of virgin raw materials by recycling materials that would otherwise end up as waste in landfills. The ceramic factories already reintegrate the majority of production residues back into their manufacturing cycle. The next step for the sector must be to adopt a circular economy model that uses "extra-muro waste", which corresponds to waste from other production chains.
In this line, we have developed a ceramic product (consisting of body and glaze) realized using the product of rock wool’s (a category of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF))1 thermal inertization. The thermal treatment destroys the fibrous habit of the wool and produces an inert, non-hazardous solid glass2. Many formulations were tested by replacing commercial frits felspar with the waste. The final samples show a good aesthetic quality, good stain resistance and a surface with no defects. This result underlines the suitability of this waste material as a valuable secondary raw material for the production of traditional ceramic porcelain stoneware.
Acknowledgements: The research financed by Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica (project CUP E93C23002050006) and by Project 101113855 – LIFE22-ENV-IT-LIFE ReWo cofounded by the European Union.
References
1 I. Zanatto, A.F. Gualtieri Italian Patent N. 102021000002246 “Apparato per il trattamento di rifiuti contenenti lana minerale”. 2021.
2 R. Arletti, S. Conte, C. Zanelli, M. De Iuliis, D. Di Giuseppe, V. Scognamiglio, et al. Recycling the Product of Thermal Inertization of Man-Made Vitreous Fibres for the Manufacture of Stoneware Tiles. Waste Biomass Valorization. 2023,14(5),1721–36.