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[June 2005]
Working With Waste Makes Web Debut
CERAM Building Technology posts key findings on site
Following a programme of extensive research, CERAM Building Technology has posted key findings relating to the use of powdered recycled glass on its website. The information now available is taken from presentations on the subject delivered at a recent workshop held jointly by CERAM and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme).CERAM Building Technology (CBT) has for the past four years been working closely with a number of Heavy Clay Sector members to evaluate the potential benefits of using powdered recycled glass in heavy clay construction products, such as bricks, pavers, roof tiles and pipes.
Initial work on this subject, carried out by CERAM in the early eighties, identified a number of possible “waste stream” derived materials that could be added into such construction products. At this time however, the economics and lack of infrastructure for collecting and processing recycled waste glass, proved a significant hurdle.
The establishment of WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) in 2001 was therefore a huge boost to the programme.
During 2002, CBT was successful in securing funding through WRAP to investigate the benefits of adding powdered glass into a number of different clay types used by UK brick manufacturers.
Initial project work carried out in conjunction with four manufacturers, Blockleys, Hanson, Ibstock and York Handmade, and glass reprocessor Glass Recycling Group, identified several significant benefits. These included reduced energy for firing (and thus reduced CO2 emissions), reduced emissions of HF (Hydrogen Fluoride), increased productivity and enhanced physical properties such as greater frost durability.
In addition, the research also revealed that the savings made on energy could result in the application being either cost neutral, or even result in an overall saving.
CBT has continued working with WRAP and individual manufacturers to establish the benefits on specific manufacturing sites and has to date undertaken over £0.5M of R&D and production trials, cementing its position as the UK’s leading expert on glass as a fluxing additive in heavy clay construction products.
Click here to download the presentations
For further information please contact Dr Andrew Smith of CBT on +44 (0)1782 764361.
ENDS