Difficult, but not impossible
Combining raw material extraction with environmental sustainability and the principles of circular economy is a challenge — but not an impossible one. This is how Europomice, after years of active research in collaboration with universities and application technology companies, launched a process to recover surplus mining material by transforming it into functional fillers for the paint and coatings market. This involves dried, screened and micronised Italian pumice, ideal for manufacturers seeking natural, non-toxic, lightweight, breathable raw materials with pigmentation that evokes earthy tones — especially those of the Mediterranean landscape.
A modern plant for a versatile raw material
At the new and modern facility in Castel Giorgio, in the province of Terni and close to the pumice extraction areas around Lake Bolsena, powders and sands from 0 to 3 mm are produced, classified by the following grain sizes:
- 0–200 µ
- 200–850 µ
- 850–3000 µ
In addition, a third-party facility handles the production and packaging of the 0–45 µ micronised grade.
Thanks to growing interest from manufacturers who are recognising the benefits of this naturally expanded material — which has a very low energy impact during extraction and requires low drying temperatures — pumice has been incorporated into formulations of wall coatings, resins and paints. Its properties are widely documented in technical publications, and include:
- Low specific weight
- Uniform distribution
- Anti-slip function
- Free of crystalline silica
- Strong bonding with paints and resins
- Durability and resistance to weathering
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore these topics and discover the latest innovations in the coatings sector. Register now for Paint & Coatings Italy to access exclusive content like this and much more.
To learn more about this topic, don’t miss Europomice’s presentation at the Paint & Coatings Conference on the 8th of October at 10:00 AM.