We are again proud to announce a new chapter in the reuse of the calcite, that is, of the lime which is generated by the drinking water softening process. The tile manufacturer Mosa is using calcite pellets from the Limburg Water Distribution Company (WML) in all of the 500 models in its wall tile collection.
One of inputs used in the ceramics industry is chalk, which is a natural and therefore a fossil raw material. In a pioneering initiative, Mosa has completely replaced the chalk with calcite. As a result, the portion of recycled materials in its wall tiles has increased from 21 to 33 percent. The Mosa tiles are in this way making a contribution to circular construction.
Whitest pellets
It is no coincidence that Mosa and WML got together, since the Mosa plant is located close by WML’s biggest drinking water production site. Not only that: South Limburg has the whitest calcite pellets in the Netherlands and Flanders. Calcite is the chemical reference (CaCO3) for the lime that is generated in the drinking water softening process. Over the last few years, a number of drinking water companies have succeeded in further raising the purity of this by-product. Sustainability is one of Mosa’s core values. The company has demonstrated this, among others, by becoming the first ceramic tile manufacturer to have practically all of its tile collection certified Cradle to Cradle® Silver. The use of calcite pellets marks an additional step in realising its sustainability ambitions, and harmonises perfectly with the Cradle to Cradle® philosophy.
In short, yet another compelling example in the transition to a circular economy. AquaMinerals and its participants are increasingly successful in finding new applications for material streams and therefore in adding value. From a financial perspective, but also certainly for the environment.