The Principle Collection, from Parkside and Alusid, represents a huge step forward for the ceramic tile industry as the world’s first mass produced 95 per cent recycled content tile…
With a tile body made entirely from by-products (post-consumer recycled glass and ceramic) of other manufacturing processes, Principle from Parkside, is based on technology that has taken a bold leap from a small batch production to a fully scalable process. Made by adapting the tile body to work in standard ceramic production facilities, the tile achieves a similar like-to-like cost as some other twice-fired tiles.
The original Sequel Vibe requires making each tile by hand from low value glass and ceramic waste with capacity of approximately 50 square metres per week. The new technique developed for Principle uses the same low value materials, but sources them after a further production process for finer granules that can enter the machine-operated ceramic tile production cycle. In turn, Principle enters the world of scalable production with current output of 1,000 square metres per day.
Image credit: Parkside
“The original process for Sequel Vibe demonstrated that it was possible to create a wall tile using a high content of recycled materials,” explained Dan Little, Managing Director, Parkside. “However, as is often the case with developmental technology, it had manufacturing limitations. With the introduction of Principle, we’ve worked with Alusid, makers of Sequel Vibe, to develop a production process that achieves mass-production that also uses less energy. It’s a big step forward for the industry.”
Principle also addresses the energy used during production by eliminating the spray drying of almost all ceramic tiles in mass production today. An energy and resource intensive process, this means that approximately 35 per cent less energy and approximately 75 per cent less water is used than a similarly produced ceramic tile.
Image credit: Parkside
Founded in 2015, Alusid is the result of a research project at the University of Central Lancashire. Setting out to explore ways in which waste and low-value materials destined for landfill could be re-purposed into versatile surface materials, Professor David Binns and Dr Alasdair Bremner developed an innovative and aesthetically versatile surface material made from glass, ceramics and mineral waste.
As such, it becomes the world’s first mass produced 95 per cent recycled content tile. In fact, the body of Principle is entirely made from recycled materials. Alusid is looking at reducing the impact of the glaze to provide further environmental gain for the product in future iterations.
Principle echoes a similar hand-made aesthetic to Vibe, with a colour and depth in each of the four tones inspired by the Victorian period. With classic style that remains timeless and elegant, the tiles look impressive in any setting. Measuring 29.5 x 7.3 x 0.8 cm, Principle is available in colours of green, amber, blue and white.
Parkside Architectural Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Parkside
