Circular economy is also a future key for Vortex Hydra extruded tiles

Vortex Hydra is one of the thirteen partners directly involved in the RE4 project co-ordinated by CETMA (Italy) and funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. RE4 stands for Reuse and Recycling of CDW (Construction and Demolition Waste) materials and structures in energy efficient pREfabricated elements for building REfurbishment and construction.

The final objective of the project is to develope prefabricated energy-efficient building concepts containing up to 85% of recycled materials and reused structures from construction and demolition waste (CDW). The RE4 concepts enable the easy assembly and disassembly of buildings for future reuse. The project’s solutions were integrated, validated and showcased in the construction of demonstration buildings in Spain, UK, Italy, and Taiwan.

Further details concerning the RE4 Project can be found at the following link: http://re4.eu

Vortex Hydra specific involvement in RE4 project was to investigate the possibility of using different percentages of CDW derived aggregates, in lieu of new aggregates, in the manufacture of both extruded tiles that comply with European Standards currently in force and for extruded non-bearing building façades (Marmoroc type). The Marmoroc façade tiles were produced at the Vortex premises in Italy and delivered to the demonstration sites in Southern Italy and Spain where they were successfully installed on the building mock-ups to validate and monitor their on-field behaviour.

The Vortex Hydra machinery proved suitable for the manufacture of building products using an even higher percentage CDW derived aggregates above the minimum threshold percentages targeted by the project’s goal.

Vortex Hydra has always been sensitive to environmental issues and will always continue in the future to be prepared to face the new challenges that they bring. Customers can rest assure that equipment manufactured by Vortex can produce building products using a percentage of CDW derived aggregates as this approach becomes more encouraged by national standards.