Iris Ceramica Group, a global leader in innovative ceramic solutions, and Edison Next, a company supporting decarbonization and ecological transition, have produced the world’s first 4D technical ceramic slab using a blend of green hydrogen and natural gas. The 4D Ceramics slab, measuring 3.2m x 1.6m x 12mm, is named for its three-dimensional material and grains, plus the fourth dimension of sustainability.
H2 Factory: Cutting-Edge Production Site
The ceramic slab was produced at the H2 Factory, a new plant in Castellarano, Reggio Emilia, completed in 2023. The facility uses innovative technologies and infrastructures to utilize 100% green hydrogen, marking the first concrete result in decarbonizing the ceramics industry.
Green Hydrogen Plant: The Next Step
The H2 Factory will be powered by higher percentages of green hydrogen produced in a cutting-edge plant designed by Edison Next. CEO Giovanni Brianza stated this is a concrete step towards net zero for the energy-intensive ceramics industry.
Preparatory Activities
Several activities were completed to launch this first phase:
- Civil works
- Blending unit installation
- Equipment connections
- 1.3 MWp1 photovoltaic system installation
H2 Pilot Production Plant and Future Plans
The H2 pilot plant, operational since May 2024, includes two temporary 120 KW electrolysers powered by renewable energy, producing up to 20 cubic meters of green hydrogen per hour. This powers the “hydrogen ready” kiln with a blend of green hydrogen up to 7%, which will increase once the final plant is installed.
Edison Next will install a 1 MW electrolysis plant, producing 132 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. This will power the kiln with a 50% green hydrogen blend, replacing 500,000 cubic meters of natural gas and avoiding 900 tonnes of annual CO2 emissions.
The system is designed to double green hydrogen production, potentially feeding a 100% hydrogen kiln under study. This achievement marks a significant step towards sustainability in the ceramics industry.