FOR A NEW ENVIRONMENTALLY ACTIVE ARCHITECTURE The only floor and wall ceramics in the world anti-polution and bactericidal certified byISO*ISO* * ISO: International Organization for Standardization

Photocatalysis implies that, in the presence of air (and therefore humidity) and light a powerful oxidative process is triggered which will lead to decomposition of organic and inorganic pollutants that come into contact with photocatalytic surfaces.

In greater detail, the functioning of this process is based on the simplest facts of nature. Photocatalysis is like the well-known process of chlorophyll photosynthesis, transforming substances considered harmful to man. The chemical process underlying it is, as we have seen, oxidation which takes place thanks to the combined action of light (natural or artificial) and air. Photocatalyst Starch + O 2 Organic compound Chlorophyll CO 2 H2OH2O CO 2 + H 2 O Organic Compoun d + H 2 O + O 2

TITANIUM DIOXIDE(TiO 2 ) The photocatalyst in ACTIVE Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™ is Titanium Dioxide (TiO 2 ) in the form of micrometric particles fixed at high temperatures. The micrometric (not nanometric) dimensions of the TiO 2 employed excludes all risks to human health and the environment during the process of manufacture, application and final use.

NANORISKS 1. A man washes his anti-odour socks in a basin. Up to 45% of the anti-odour silver nano-particles in the socks is lost in the water. 2 When the basin is emptied, the nano silver enters the drainage system and is eliminated by a purifier. 3 Eventually the silver nano-particles in all the fabrics in town ends up in the waterways and the sea. 4. If, however, the silver nano-particles contaminate fish spawn they can cause deformation of fins, scales, eyes, bladders, tails and hearts.

The photocatalyst activates and accelerates the reaction, but its particles are not directly involved, so that it is not consumed in the oxidation process, which uses only the substances present in the air to decompose pollutants into forms which are not harmful to the health. For this reason, the action of titanium dioxide remains unaltered over time. Fixing of TiO 2 onto ACTIVE Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™ tiles at high temperatures (around 700 C°) also makes the surface of the tiles highly resistant to scratching due to tread, even with intense traffic, guaranteeing a long-lasting photocatalytic effect.

PHOTOCATALYSIS: HOW IT FIGHTS POLLUTION Light and oxygen in the air, in contact with TiO 2, trigger a chemical reaction resulting in decomposition of organic and inorganic substances present in the atmosphere.

PHOTOCATALYSIS: ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTION The powerful oxidising force of the photocatalytic action of ACTIVE Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™ permits elimination of bacteriaelimination of bacteria (according to standard ISO 27447), including a number of species which are particularly hazardous to human health: Escherichia coli Staphylococcus aureus Klebsiella pneumoniae

SELF CLEANING

PHOTOCATALYSIS: MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR DIRT TO DEPOSIT The photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 on ACTIVE Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™ tiles has a dual effect on the dirt which is deposited on our products every day (dust, organic residues, etc). 1. Organic dirt undergoes the same process of degradation as pollutants and bacteria.

Any building exposed to the daily aggression of pollutants in the air, especially in the city, will undergo alteration of its surfaces almost immediately. Photocatalysis acts by decomposing and therefore eliminating organic molecules and therefore indirectly permits reduction of the visible effect of dirt, often simply dust. For the reasons listed above, ordinary rain is enough to remove dirt from the exterior walls of buildings covered with ACTIVE Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™ tiles and preserve the walls over the years, reducing maintenance costs and pollution caused by use of cleaning products. Benefits on Exteriors

Self-cleaning

PHOTOCATALYSIS: MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR DIRT TO DEPOSIT 2. hydrophilia: The term hydrophilia refers to the physical properties of materials or individual chemical units (such as molecules) in terms of bonding with water. In the broader sense, it also refers to the ability of certain materials to absorb or retain water within themselves or on their surfaces. Titanium dioxide has the property of attracting and retaining H 2 O molecules (moisture) naturally present in the air on the surfaces of the tiles to which it is applied, creating a situation in which it becomes very difficult for dirt to attach itself to surfaces. This makes it easier to remove dirt, reducing the need for use of cleaning products (which are themselves pollutants).

1000MQ ACTIVE = 20 MATURE TREE

PROJECTS OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL Location: ROME - ITALY Realization: 2010 Materials: Orosei Iris Ceramica

PROJECTS BLAUE LAGUNE Location: VIENNA - Austria Realization: 2011 Materials : Piasentina Terra Iris Ceramica

PROJECTS BLAUE LAGUNE Location: VIENNA - Austria Realization: 2011 Materials : Piasentina Terra Iris Ceramica

Misano Adriatico_25 marzo 2010