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[June 2001]
New Electrostatic Dry Glazing Process for Monoporosa Tiles
An electrostatic dry glaze application process has been jointly developed at H&R Johnson Tiles Ltd in the UK, part funded by the 1999 European "LIFE" initiative due to close in September 2001. The new process, is the result of a three-year European collaboration between members of a consortium led by H&R Johnson Tiles Ltd. The members include: glaze and ceramic materials supplier dmc2 (formerly Cerdec AG and Cerdec UK), electrostatic powder coating equipment suppliers Wagner-Itep and Multi-spray & Pneumatic Ltd along with ceramic consultancy and project management services by CERAM Research Ltd.
The main aim of the project was to test whether an electrostatic dry powder glaze application system can operate successfully in a manufacturing environment on a economically and technically feasible basis for monoporosa tile production whilst reducing the overall environmental impact when compared to traditional water based processes on-site.
The initial results have shown that an acceptable standard of tile quality can be obtained from a totally dry glaze powder system with the facility for near 100% recycling of glaze overspray. Glaze set-up and rheological problems are avoided and there is a significant reduction in glaze waste material, no longer requiring costly re-processing and disposal of liquid glaze wastes and water reclamation making this a more environmentally friendly option. Larger scale glazing trials along with decoration and full assessment of environmental benefits of he new process are due to be completed before October 2001.
ENDS