Low-carbon, bio-based alternatives to decorative ceramic tiles

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The ceramic tiles that decorate our kitchens and bathrooms have a huge carbon footprint owing to the energy-intensive firing steps needed to harden and glaze the materials. The ceramic sector accounts for 1% of global industrial emissions and 8% of CO2 emissions trading scheme (ETS) credits. If the world is to meet future emissions reductions targets, we need to develop radical green alternatives to ceramics tiles and the energy-intensive processes that produce them.Our company has recently developed an innovative technology to produce nature-inspired materials similar to seashells, ivory and tooth enamel through a low-energy and scalable process. In this project, our objective is to further develop this technology to produce a low-carbon alternative to ceramic wall tiles. These tiles will be made from captured CO2 in the form of carbonate minerals and a plant-based biopolymer binder. All the components of the tiles can be sourced locally and fully recycled, contributing to a circular economy.By avoiding the energy-intensive firing step needed to produce ordinary ceramics, our nature-inspired process will have a 73% lower carbon footprint. Furthermore, since our materials will consist of captured CO2, the tiles will be locking away CO2 that would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere.Our long-term vision is to facilitate the transition to a sustainable, circular economy by developing green alternatives to construction materials such as cement, concrete, bricks and tiles, through the use of waste and low-value by-products from other industries.