Development of low-temperature ceramic products processed using laser kiln technology
The objective of this project, in which Euroarce participates through Color Esmalt, is to develop new ceramic materials that can be processed at lower temperatures than conventional ceramic materials, while maintaining compatibility with glazes and coatings that require higher firing temperatures.
Between 2023 and 2026, the project team is investigating the use of laser technology for the thermal treatment of ceramic tiles, reducing firing temperatures and, consequently, energy consumption.
The ceramic materials to be used must be compatible with glazes and other coating products, whose functionality requires higher processing temperatures. Laser kiln technology offers a new alternative for processing these materials.
This laser kiln technology, already patented and tested in previous projects (such as the European Ceramglass project), enables extremely high temperatures to be reached locally on the surface of the piece (up to 3,000°C) without affecting the structural integrity of the base material. This results in significant energy savings (between 23% and 50% in natural gas consumption) and a reduction in CO₂ emissions.
With the appropriate selection of processing parameters, the temperatures required to integrate the materials into the substrate surface can be achieved. The resulting material will offer performance comparable to current ceramic products, while operating at lower temperatures and reducing CO2 emissions.
This is a public-private collaboration project also involving the University of Zaragoza, through research groups such as the Laser Applications Laboratory of ICMA (a joint centre of the CSIC and the University of Zaragoza).
This technology is of significant interest to the ceramic industry, particularly in tile and wall covering manufacturing, as it enhances product performance and aesthetics through a more efficient and sustainable process.
