Porcelain Tiles & Pavers – Sustainable Surface Solutions

Today we’re exploring how new porcelain tile ranges provide ever more sustainable surface solutions.

An increasingly important requirement and preference in modern building methods is to lessen the environmental impact and improve the sustainability of both the materials used in construction and the performance of the final built environment, and this continues to drive the trend for more responsible choices.

Also, in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility, there’s a greater focus on the behaviours and commitments of companies to demonstrate their awareness and accountability for reducing carbon footprints, consumption, emissions and wastage.

At Minoli we have our own environmental policy which sets out how we aim to proactively reduce the impact of our day-to-day business activities, such as by reducing ‘tile miles’, running a modern, upgraded fleet of lower emission vehicles, operating predominately electric powered warehouse equipment, reducing and responsibly disposing of waste, and having an internal recycling protocol, for instance.

Furthermore, we’re also conscious of the provenance of the products we distribute and the ethics and activities of the production partners that we choose. Minoli are fortunate to work with some of the leading producers in the ceramics industry – companies that believe in pursuing sustainable manufacturing and operating policies for the benefit of the planet and those that inhabit it, and because it makes good business sense.

When it comes to product choices, porcelain tiles are manufactured to energy and water-efficiency criteria and are environmentally friendly due to their long-lasting and recyclable characteristics. Production is considered ‘zero waste’, based on the use of natural and reusable materials, plus they are hygienic and do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, PVC, plastics or petroleum derivatives.

Whilst porcelain and ceramic tiles do use natural resources in their production, such as clay and common rocks like feldspar, quartz, silica and kaolin, these substances can be sourced responsibly, extracted more easily than quarried alternatives, and are abundantly found. The manufacture of porcelain also uses natural resources efficiently and Minoli’s preferred production partners have achieved the total recovery of process water and production scrap, significant gains in heat retrieval from factories and furnaces, plus have diverted nearly all waste back into a circular recycling process.

Take for instance the recently launched Minoli ReStone and ReConcrete Series. Combined with other essential natural raw materials, selected sizes of each contain 60% pre-consumer, recycled content, reclaimed from the processing procedure and firing cycle, so helping create a virtuous system that promotes the reuse of the component elements, reduces consumption and respects the environment. Using technology that turns waste materials into new tiles means that beautiful and durable porcelain stoneware can be created with a lower impact and without compromising on standards of quality, function and aesthetic appeal.

ReStone is a porcelain interpretation of limestone extracted from the Vienne region, around Poitiers in Central-West France. Featuring a granular finish for uniformity and a delicate, marbled texture enriched by subtle, non-intrusive veins, the surface appears dotted with microfossils that add points of interest and chromatic depth to the collection.

ReConcrete embodies the contemporary appearance of perfectly poured concrete, translated into a premium porcelain stoneware. The microfine clasts integrated into the surface add a unique visual dimension, turning each slab into a statement of style and innovation. Combining the visual robustness of concrete merged with the sophistication of stone, this not only enriches the end-product with a varied texture but also makes it ideal for a variety of design contexts.

Beyond production, porcelain tiles are remarkably durable, so reducing the need to replace for many years, and when they do reach the end of their useable term, they are entirely recyclable and useable in various new applications, so avoiding landfill.

If you’d like to talk to our team about sustainable surface solutions, please do get in touch. We’d gladly discuss your needs on the phone, arrange a time for a design consultation at one of our showrooms or, for our corporate clients, arrange a meeting with your account manager.

Minoli Oxford – 01865 778225 /showroom@minoli.co.uk
Minoli London – 020 7474 2934 / thesurfacewithin@minoli.co.uk
Existing Corporate Clients – Please contact your account manager / developers@minoli.co.uk
Outdoor Product Enquiries – Shaun Liptrot – 01865 778225 / outdoor@Minoli.co.uk