Sustainability was a hot topic at this year’s Cersaie trade fair, the biggest international ceramic tile and surfacing event, held annually in Bologna, which exhibits the latest developments in ceramics industry trends. Dynamic discussions explored the environmental impact of the raw materials of ceramics, the thermal properties of ceramic tiles as insulators, the biophilic effect of ceramic tiles within urban interiors – and much more.
The fair was an apt opportunity for exhibitor and surface designer Casalgrande Padana, which has a strong focus on creating environmentally-friendly solutions for durable and responsible surfaces, to shine. The proudly Italian manufacturer has been in the industry for 60 years manufacturing ceramic tiles for indoors and outdoors. It specialises –contributing 80% of its output– in unglazed porcelain stoneware, a high-performing versatile material suitable for a wide range of uses from bathrooms and lobby floorings, to patios and architectural uses such as walls and facades.
The material credentials of Casalgrande Padana’s porcelain stoneware tiles score highly when it comes to sustainability. The tiles are made solely with natural raw materials through a closed-cycle manufacturing process, ensuring low environmental impact of the products. Sophisticated antipollution equipment allows all the components in the cycle to be recycled and reused with close to zero emissions. Plus manufacturing, research and innovation all take place in plants and laboratories based in Italy, so the brand retains close control and oversight over these processes.
Holistic sustainability
Beyond the embodied environmental properties and materiality of ceramic products, it is important to consider how they can actively contribute to a more sustainable interior experience over their lifetime. Porcelain stoneware tiles ensure excellent thermal and acoustic insulation and can even improve a building’s hygrometric performance. Casalgrande Padana’s Stile collection is durable, versatile to any climate and ideal for designing uninterrupted interior and exterior surfaces. The collection is also versatile in its aesthetics: evocative of natural stone and available in six colours with various finishes including antiqued, diagonal and ribbed, amongst others.
In addition to this, the power of biophilia is not to be underestimated when it comes to creating interiors that uplift users' wellbeing – especially in urban environments. The Terrazotech collection evokes the historic jigsaw-like effect of Venetian terrazzo made of natural stone, with excellent durability and hygienic properties meaning it can be used in commercial environments such as airports, laboratories, supermarkets and shopping centres. The English Wood collection evokes oak timber, a material synonymous with elegance. Yet unlike natural wood, these tiles have exceptional strength and durability and waterproofing, are not affected by temperature fluctuations and never warp. Ideal for underfloor heating, they have better thermal properties than wood, spreading heat evenly and preventing mould formation. In both cases Casalgrande Padana’s products evoke natural materials, yet bring enhanced modern function.
Better choices
Events such as Cersaie provide an ideal opportunity for Casalgrande Padana to communicate the aesthetics of its products. When designers are seeking a particular effect for an interior, such as raw concrete or polished metal – both high in embodied carbon, they might be surprised to find products that evoke a similar effect, but are more sustainable, similarly durable and much easier to install; for example the Fusion series that emulates a metallic surface for industrial style spaces or the Timeless series that mimics concrete’s cool neutral colours and typical trowel effect. Instead of complicated installations, these are easy and clean to lay – on screed with adhesive or on fixed or height-adjustable polypropylene pedestals, and they maintain their appearance over time.
As well as the health of our planet, it’s important to remember that sustainability is about the health of people too. All Casalgrande Padana’s products are available with Bios Antibacterial® technology on request – this helps remove 99% of the four main bacterial strains, as well as stains, mould, solvents, oils and chemicals. Prioritising human health –which includes having peace of mind when investing in a product that is able to both look good, be sustainable and withstand the tough demands of modern life– is never to be underestimated.