SUSTAINABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CERAMICS - MUCH MORE THAN WORDS
Sustainability can be demonstrated by means of specific data, it can be measured and it has tangible and long-term effects. There's much more to it than just a simple sales pitch or a legal requirement.

Respecting the environment is one of society's constant requirements, but opportunists often take advantage of issues like this and confuse consumers.

At TAU we want to show you our perception of sustainability, another side of our company that isn't so well-known even though it affects everything we do.

• In our factories we recycle and save energy; the equivalent of 13,000 Mt of CO2 emissions a year.
• We recycle 100% of the water used in the manufacturing process, 0% of waste is dumped into the rivers and the water distribution system.
• We have exceeded the emissions target assigned to us through the Kyoto Agreement by 25%.
• 100% of our packaging is made from recycled material.
• Having mastered the process and control systems used we are able to reduce the permitted level of emissions of CO, fluoride, and the total suspended particulates in the air by 20%.
• As for NOx gases, we keep to the maximum permitted level of under 5%.
• We also have the minimum level of emissions of SO2, our figure being less than 3% of the permitted maximum.

These are just some of our "imperceptible" achievements thanks to the integration of an environmental management system pursuant to the ISO 14001 Standard. AENOR has carried out audits on these standards since 2000 when TAU was the first from the sector to comply with this protocol.

And there's more, we’re constantly innovating products that allow the transfer and integration of sustainable features between systems. At TAU we provide practical solutions to help improve the energy rating of buildings, to prolong their useful life, to reduce maintenance levels and to speed-up & simplify refurbishment while, at the same time, reducing the carbon footprint, respecting historical heritage and enhancing aesthetics. Add to this our use of discreet technology and, all in all, our products provide an overall feeling of well-being and contribute to complete sustainability and an improvement in the quality of life. They can be found in TAU bathrooms, the TAU Ecotile, the TAU Fine, the Drysystem, the Frontsystem, the Waytech, the Civi's, Keraon…

And one final point. Sustainability and design make a fantastic combination. Proof of this is in Fluidity: ceramics for the city of the future, the spectacular work of architect José Ramón Tramoyeres, on display in Milan and, for a few days, in the foyer at CEVISAMA 2012. A sculptural structure for all visitors to enjoy. In schemes chosen to make cities more sustainable in terms of surface covering systems the creator has incorporated TAU Ecotile porcelain paving.

Lama by TAU, inspired by wood grains, helps create a sensual, cosy atmosphere. But it's also stain resistant, easy to clean, durable, practically maintenance free and easy to replace. The TAU Ecotile range reduces the carbon footprint because it's made of 70% recycled material. It significantly reduces the amount of clay required in production thereby reducing the extractions and transportation of raw materials to and from the quarries. All the solid waste generated during the firing of the tiles is re-used and as a consequence of these efficient processing procedures CO2 emissions are dramatically reduced.

Sustainability is one of the cornerstones of the TAU in PROGRESS project…. the driving force behind a series of changes aimed at adapting products to new scenarios and improving the service we provide to our clients.