Iris Ceramica Group produces first test slab using hydrogen power

Castellarano, Italy, July 11, 2024--Iris Ceramica Group, an Italy-based producer of high-end technical ceramic slabs, and Edison Next, a company in the Edison Group that supports customers along their decarbonization journey and ecological transition, announce the production of the world’s first 4D technical ceramic slab using a blend of green hydrogen–hydrogen obtained using renewable energy–and natural gas.

“The test phase will help us to fine tune the production process, before moving on to the next phase, which will allow us to increase the percentage of green hydrogen more and more, up to 50% with the bespoke production system that Edison Next is creating for us," explains Federica Minozzi, CEO of Iris Ceramica Group.

the H2 pilot production plant, in operation since May 2024 for the test phase, includes two temporary electrolysers, which are powering the “hydrogen ready” kiln with a blend of green hydrogen up to around 7%. The final system will produce green hydrogen through electrolysis, which will power the kiln with a blend of methane and green hydrogen up to around 50%–replacing around 500,000 cubic meters of natural gas per year and thus avoiding around 900 tons a year of atmospheric emissions of CO2.

“The start of this test phase is a concrete step towards net zero for a particularly energy-intensive industrial sector like ceramics," notes Giovanni Brianza, CEO of Edison Next. "This is not only an opportunity for positive change, but also a tool for increasing competitiveness in the reference markets.”

Listen to the interview with Hector Narvaez here.