Resources

Sustainability in the Tile Industry

2025

From the sourcing of raw materials to production practices, packaging and end-of-life disposal, tiles play a surprisingly important role in the environmental footprint of a building. In an era where environmental responsibility is no longer optional but essential, we explore why sustainability in tiles matters, what makes a tile eco-friendly, and how you can make smarter choices without compromising on style or quality.

Raw Materials

Take our Cromie collection: the production cycle is innovative and sustainable due to the unique drying process of the product. The tiles undergo wet pressing, thereby eliminating emissions of CO2 and pollutants. The exclusive use of recycled materials further demonstrates the Company’s ecological commitment, along with recycling of waste and water generated during processing, and the utilization of packaging made from recycled and recyclable materials. Innovation and environmental consciousness are thus two pillars upheld through ongoing technological research.

Resources and Energy consumption

  • Energy consumption: Kilns used in tile manufacturing consume large amounts of energy. Sustainable practices can reduce fossil fuel dependence through energy-efficient technologies or alternative energy sources. Check out WOW’s commitment to solar energy in their manufacturing premises.

  • Resource conservation: Tile production uses raw materials like clay, sand, and water. Sustainable practices ensure these materials are sourced responsibly and not depleted. Marca Corona curbs its consumption of energy resources by recovering the thermal energy used from the firing kilns for new production cycles and to heat work areas. They also select raw materials from the quarries nearest the factories, in order to reduce the environmental impact and emissions caused by transport.

Packaging

How the product is packaged is a huge part of the environmental impact. Italgraniti has eliminated 1,500 m3 of polystyrene (used as separator between porcelain stoneware slabs), replacing it from 2023 with triple-wall cardboard containing more than 60% recycled material. Moreover, it has introduced a new packaging system, which uses rolls of film consisting of 50% recycled plastic and has cut consumption by 50%. Last but not least, the polystyrene and polyurethane foam previously used in packaging has been replaced with recycled materials, as have the porcelain stoneware packaging, and the embossed paper, which is 100% recycled. Read more about Italgraniti’s commitment here.

Pamesa Group: An industry leader

Pamesa Group has a strict corporate social responsibility policy, with a focus on sustainability and a vision to improve the world around it. The company has a zero-waste policy, with key areas of action including recycling 100% of solid and liquid waste, recycling wastewater from the group and other companies in the sector, recovering heat from factory furnaces, and recycling pallets. Additionally, the group has solar panels installed on all its facilities’ rooftops, with a total installed capacity of 20.79 MW in solar panels, predominantly powering its production plants with self-generated ecological electricity.

More and more consumers, architects, and developers are prioritising eco-friendly building materials. Green certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and B Corp can positively impact the overall construction carbon footprint. And with more demand in this area, comes more innovation and efficiency. Sustainable manufacturing can lead to process innovations that reduce waste, improve yield, and lower costs over time.

Choosing sustainable tiles isn't just a trend—it's a step toward healthier homes, reduced waste, and a more responsible future for our planet.

Do you have an upcoming green project? Feel free to email or book an appointment to chat through our great range of sustainable tile brands.