Biofuel Waste is Bliss

Biofuel Waste is Bliss

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The Biofuel Waste is Bliss project redefines the use of ashes from bioenergy waste streams, creating new environmentally-friendly materials and architectural products, such as ceramic glazing for tiles and bricks. Sourced from the Vilnius Heat Plant in Lithuania, approximately 460 tonnes of wood ash waste are generated monthly, posing disposal challenges. Globally, millions of tonnes of bioenergy ashes end up in landfills. By incorporating up to 55% ash content in ceramic glazes and clay bodies, the project aims to replace the need for newly extracted materials while reducing the industry's CO2 footprint.
The Biofuel Waste is Bliss project collaborates with environmental scientist Marija Spokaite to ensure environmental performance. This includes a thorough review of scientific literature and conducting experiments to develop materials and architectural products that utilise waste in an environmentally optimal manner. By working closely with the scientist, the project avoids greenwashing and substantiate its sustainable claims, addressing a common concern in design projects. Taking a holistic approach, the project evaluates the sustainability of other ceramic materials used in glazes (ceramic glazes typically contain 3-8 chemical compounds), selecting ethical alternatives without toxic substances like lead and barium. Moreover, the project examines ceramic innovation and promotes the use of renewable energy sources. This information serves as motivation for producers to adopt sustainable practices in their own operations.
Targeting architects, interior designers, and construction industry professionals, the project offers sustainable alternatives for building materials. Scaling up is a key aspect of the project, currently offering ceramic tiles in any desired quantity through skilled tile manufacturers upon request. The project aims to partner with brick producers to integrate biofuel waste into clay bodies, driving sustainable innovation within the industry. The project repurposes biofuel ashes to create innovative, functional, and aesthetically pleasing ceramic solutions for interior and architectural applications.

Ceramic production has a significant environmental impact due to high energy consumption and CO2 emissions. It involves the production of 1.39 trillion fired bricks and 14 billion tiles annually, highlighting its widespread use. Raw material mining and transport further contribute to emissions and environmental harm. Ceramic tile production consumes approximately 250 million tons of raw materials annually worldwide, making it a crucial area for waste recycling and resource management.
The ongoing Biofuel Waste is Bliss project research reveals that glazes and clay bodies can incorporate 55% or more ashes. Extensive research explores different aspects, such as incorporating waste in clay and glaze, applying it to various surfaces, and experimenting with different clays, firing temperatures, programs, and kiln types. Each modification requires specific chemical formulations.
The incorporation of ash in ceramic glazes offers several benefits, making it an environmentally sustainable choice. Ash serves as a natural substitute for calcium, silicium, and other minerals found in wood ash waste, reducing the need for extracting these minerals from traditional sources. The melting oxides in the ash react during firing, creating a liquid phase that lowers the melting point of the clay and glaze. Furthermore, in the ceramic firing process, present minerals do not release CO2 as they have already been burned during the biofuel burning process. Additionally, the project utilises the natural iron content (approximately 2%) present in the ash as the sole source of colour for the Biofuel Waste is Bliss products. This eliminates the need for additional metal oxides, which can have negative environmental impacts.
The Biofuel Waste is Bliss project effectively reduces the environmental impact of ceramic production by minimising waste, conserving resources, diverting materials away from landfills, saving energy and reducing CO2 footprint. Incorporating such waste materials doesn't require major changes to the equipment or manufacturing process.

The Netherlands and Lithuania

2022-present

#material #waste #ceramics

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In addition to its immediate environmental benefits, the Biofuel Waste is Bliss project is designed with a long-term vision in mind. Redefining the use of ashes from bioenergy waste streams is not only creating innovative materials and architectural products for today's needs but also laying the foundation for a sustainable legacy that can be embraced by future generations.
Through extensive research and collaboration with environmental scientists, the project is establishing a robust knowledge base that can be passed down through generations. This includes documented methodologies, chemical formulations, and best practices for incorporating ash waste into ceramic production. By preserving this knowledge, the project ensures that the benefits of a sustainable approach can be perpetuated and adapted to evolving technologies and design paradigms in the years to come.
Furthermore, Biofuel Waste is Bliss serves as inspiration for future innovators and designers. By demonstrating the feasibility and impact of repurposing biofuel ashes in ceramic production, the hope is to catalyse a cultural shift towards more sustainable material practices. This cultural shift, if embraced and built upon by future generations, has the potential to transform the ceramics industry into one that prioritises environmental stewardship and resource conservation.

Globally, more than 476 million tonnes of ashes are generated from bio-based energy production, with a significant portion ending up in landfills. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the leading United Nations authority assessing climate science, recognises the significant potential of bioenergy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions when developed sustainably and used efficiently. As the world intensifies its efforts to combat climate change, the widespread adoption of biofuels is expected. Consequently, there is a growing need to find sustainable solutions for managing the increasing production of biomass ash, which is a byproduct of bioenergy generation. The Biofuel Waste is Bliss project aims to address this challenge by exploring sustainable alternatives and circular approaches for the residues generated by the Vilnius Heat Plant.
Vilnius Heat Plant, located in Lithuania utilises forestry residue as a primary source of biomass for energy production. Each month, the plant generates approximately 460 tonnes of wood ash waste, resulting in significant disposal costs. Currently, only a small portion of the waste is repurposed for road fillers, despite the non-toxic nature of the ashes, which makes them suitable for upcycling.
By incorporating wood ash waste into ceramic glazes and clay bodies, the Biofuel Waste is Bliss project taps into historical evidence of using ash as a glaze material, dating back to ancient China. This technique gained popularity in Asia and continues to be employed by artisans worldwide today. However, sourcing consistent quantities of wood ashes presents a challenge. The production of usable ash requires the burning of a substantial amount of wood or plant matter, making it economically inefficient. In response to these factors, the Biofuel Waste is Bliss project aspires to develop entirely new formulations and materials, paving the way for a scalable and replicable model in utilising ash waste from biomass burning.

The Biofuel Waste is Bliss project exemplifies innovative collaboration, opening up new channels for cooperation in material innovation. Through close partnerships with environmental scientists and experts like Marija Spokaite, the project goes beyond superficial claims, delving into scientific research and experiments. This collaboration ensures that waste materials are utilised in an environmentally optimal manner, mitigating the common concern of 'greenwashing' often associated with design projects.
Moreover, the project transcends industry boundaries by targeting a diverse audience including architects, interior designers, and professionals in the construction industry. This inclusive approach not only broadens the project's impact but also paves the way for cross-industry cooperation. Scaling up is a key facet of the project's strategy, offering ceramic tiles in customisable quantities through skilled manufacturers. Additionally, the project envisions partnerships with brick producers to integrate biofuel waste into clay bodies, driving sustainable innovation within the construction industry. This collaboration between material innovators and industry players brings a transformative shift towards more sustainable building practices.
Furthermore, the project's dedication to evaluating the sustainability of ceramic materials, selecting ethical alternatives, and promoting the use of renewable energy sources serves as a motivational force for producers across the supply chain. By championing these practices, the project fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual benefit, encouraging stakeholders to adopt sustainable approaches in their operations. In essence, the Biofuel Waste is Bliss project not only redefines material innovation but also cultivates a culture of cooperation and collective progress towards a more sustainable future.