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Benefits

The environmental benefits of the DIGITALIFE project are:

  • 44% total energy saving achieved by reducing the kiln cycle necessary to coat the ceramic surface with TiO2 and avoiding the drying step (certified by LCA calculations).
  • Almost 30% water saving (i.e. 160 g/m2) given by shifting from the spraying technology to the digital printing technology (the water consumption during the manufacturing, wet brushing in particular, is negligible).
  • Saving of at least 50% of TiO2 (up to about 0,9 g/m2). In this way the use of TiO2 is much more optimised and much less TiO2 is wasted. Moreover the TiO2 powder dispersed in the ink has ~1µm size, in comparison with possibly harmful nanometric powders present on the market today [2011, NIOSH, Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide].
  • Less than 30% solvent-based on substances of petrochemical origin (solvents are currently based of anti-settling agents, by using TiO2 water-based ink).

In socio-economic terms the benefits are also:

  • 20% cost reduction and 15-20% timing reduction.
  • Availability of cost-effective and sustainable products that enhance air quality.
  • The demonstration of a technology able to avoid potentially harmful nanometric powders, further pushing the market towards sustainable and safe solutions.
  • Reduction of the pressure on water resources, with the consequent benefits for citizens and economy.
  • Reduction of TiO2 waste and excess
  • Stimulating citizens to the adoption of photocatalytic tiles having sound positive anti-bacterial and anti-pollution properties.
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