European Union Provides €2.5 Million in Sustainability Funding for the Ceramics Sector

The INNOVATILE Project, supported by €2.5 million in European Union funding, has set out to reduce the environmental impact of the ceramics sector. With Türkiye as a key partner, the project aims to develop technology that delivers savings of up to 35% in energy consumption and up to 20% in water and raw material use.

Funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme and launched on 26 August, the INNOVATILE Project aims to develop a new, more sustainable manufacturing technology for porcelain tiles and significantly reduce the sector’s environmental impact. The project has a total budget of €2,800,575.65, of which €2,492,512.33 is funded by the European Union. This contribution represents 89% of the total project cost.

By scaling up an innovative semi-wet granulation process, the project seeks to address the energy-intensive and resource-intensive nature of ceramic tile manufacturing. The project’s kick-off meeting will take place on 4 November.

The new technology is designed to substantially reduce energy, water and raw material consumption. Its key expected outcomes are:

• Energy and Emissions: A 30–35% reduction in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Resource Efficiency: A 10–20% reduction in raw material and water consumption.
• Waste Integration: Incorporating secondary raw materials (SRMs), such as waste and by-products, into the manufacturing process.
• Raw Material Substitution: Replacing feldspar, a critical raw material in the EU, with an alternative material.

The technology to be developed is a semi-wet powder preparation process for porcelain tile manufacturing, drawing on previous experience in wall tile production. Following validation, a pilot trial will be carried out with the end user. The method is also planned for implementation in another country. An environmental assessment will compare the new process with conventional manufacturing methods.

The project will also establish the HypocarbonTileTech network to encourage collaboration on decarbonisation, renewable energy and waste management among all stakeholders in the ceramic tile value chain. The network aims to raise awareness among a broad audience, from students and researchers to industry professionals and decision-makers. Policy recommendation documents will also be prepared and shared with public authorities to support the project’s long-term impact.

The consortium brings together three research institutions and four organisations from leading ceramic tile manufacturing regions.

• Spain: Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Cerámica. Universitat Jaume I de Castellón (Project Coordinator)
• Türkiye: Kaleseramik, Çanakkale Kalebodur Seramik San. A.Ş. and Çanakkale Teknoloji Geliştirme Bölgesi A.Ş.
• Italy: Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
• Cyprus: ATLANTIS Environment and Innovation Ltd
• Tunisia: National Engineering School of Gafsa
• Egypt: Egyptian Center for Innovation & Technology Development

The partnership includes four of the world’s ten largest tile-producing countries, enabling the project to engage with leading tile manufacturers worldwide. The secondary raw material inventory to be developed will also benefit other sectors by providing information on locally available SRMs.

The contents of this press release are the sole responsibility of Universitat Jaume I and do not in any way reflect the views of the European Union or the Programme’s management structures.