Facades  cladding “…self-cleaning and pollution reducing”

Veniston present to the market the new ECO-Line,  tiles made with the support of the principle -TX Active photocatalytic principle, produced by Italcementi, which become pollution-fighting systems. This coating is offered in conjunction with the mounting system ventilated facade, where the tiles are produced with the cutting kerf, which makes it significantly easier.
 

 "TX Active" marks the applications built with photocatalytic binders can achieve an effect of NOx emissions control at least 60% occurred in laboratory tests under controlled conditions. 

The photocatalitic applications is not subject to consumption and therefore cannot be used up. The cement makes a significant contribution to the tx active principle . It enhances its qualities for the very reason that cement has excellent pollutant absorption capacities. Cement is also the most commonly used material in the construction industry. Structures made or covered with materials containing the principle enable the reduction of various pollutants in the atmosphere. Among these are particulate matter, carbon monoxide which in urban setting are mainly emitted from cars.

 “Sustainability” is an important matter particularly in the construction building market becoming one of the main interest in the last 10 years. We believe that Veniston Eco-Line products has the challenge to be used in the “imperative” market of sustainability giving support and cooperation to builder and designer. We believe that the right way to build is to make all as transparent as possible so that investor will put them into effect, indeed the “sustainability” is the talk of major real estate company. On the contrary some end user may much care about comfort and beauty. We think important to consider the meaning of “better living” in our city as a concept turned into a giant platform. We have reach the idea that sustainable construction is the new motivation for today's markets.

Veniston see research as a fundamental for every company that wants to constantly improve its results. In Italy there is an important centre called “Kilometro Rosso” that offer support to the companies.
This complex project which must meet the requirements of a number of different parties which have chosen the new centre as the home for their future headquarters.
i.lab is a research and innovation centre that the Gruppo Italcementi set up on the Kilometro Rosso campus. Developed by Richard Meier, the project covers a surface of around 11,000 sq m, of which 7,500 sq m will be occupied by research laboratories. The frontage features large expanses of glass and surfaces in TX Aria ® white reinforced concrete. This innovative material by Italcementi was previously used by Meier for the Dives in Misericordia church in Rome.
 

Photocatalysis: The Power of Light

Photocatalysis is a natural phenomenon in which a substance known as a photocatalyst uses light to expedite the rate of a natural oxidation process.
Using light energy, photocatalysts can induce the formation of strong oxidizing reagents which decompose some organic and inorganic substances in the atmosphere by oxidation. Photocatalysis is therefore an accelerator of oxidation processes that already exist in nature. It promotes faster decomposition of pollutants and prevents them from accumulating.
For over a decade, photocatalysis has been applied to various materials glass, ceramic, cementitious binders to obtain a “self-cleaning” effect.
Ever-increasing air pollution affecting urban areas has recently compelled researchers to take advantage of photocatalytic properties to abate the noxious substances that are contaminating the environment.

De-polluting:

In addition to self-cleaning, surfaces containing TX Active
photocatalytic cements decrease many of the pollutants deemed harmful to human
health and the environment. TX Aria has been proven to reduce:

• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) – major component in the formation of acid rain, ground level ozone (smog), certain toxic chemicals, and water quality deterioration.
• Sulfur Oxides (SOx) – component to acid rain and the formation of many harmful sulphates and other products.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) – such as benzene and toluene.
• Ammonia – NH3.
• Carbon Monoxide.
• Organic chlorides, aledehydes, polycondensated aromatics, among others.

De-pollution Test

Effectiveness against nitrogen oxides (NOx) is assessed in a chamber of known volume into which NOx is first blown and then diluted with air to achieve a preset concentration of pollutant, typically 200ppb. The chamber contains a UV lamp, the light source, and a test specimen of known surface area produced with photocatalytic cement. The amount of time is determined that will eliminate all of the pollutant. Below is a graph that represents a common result.