ACTIVE SURFACES® AGAINST SARS-COV-2
ACTIVE SURFACES®, on the market for 10 years, have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-pollution, anti-odor, and self-cleaning properties. They boast major ISO certifications and international patents, and research carried out in 2021 with two Departments of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Milan showed extraordinary results regarding the ability of Active Surfaces® to eliminate 94% of SARS-CoV-2 after only 4 hours of exposure to UV light (both natural light and conventional light bulbs).
27th BIENNALE OF ARCHITECTURE
Iris Ceramica Group was the main sponsor of the Italian Pavilion at the 27th Venice Biennale of Architecture curated by architect Alessandro Melis. “Resilient Communities” was the theme chosen to encourage a new alliance between nature and society with which to face the current climate crisis. Installed at the center was the large “Cyberwall”, created using cutting edge design solutions, with ACTIVE SURFACES® panels chosen to make the installation an icon of sustainability, using “Design Your Slabs” technology to ensure maximum graphic customization with an extraordinary aesthetic result.
THE ARCHITECT’S NEWSPAPER 2021, BEST OF PRODUCTS AWARDS
The Verde Fantastico surface by Fiandre Architectural Surfaces received an “Honorable Mention” at The Architect’s Newspaper 2021 Best of Products Awards, in the Finishes and Surfaces category. Part of the MARMI MAXIMUM collection, the product has a dark green background crisscrossed by white, brown and ocher details, creating a snake skin motif reminiscent of the rain forest in its shades. The judges were particularly attracted by its elegantly bold aesthetic with a typically Iranian refinement and versatility of use.
IRIS, A HISTORIC BRAND OF NATIONAL INTEREST
An important milestone was reached by the Iris Ceramica Group in 2021 when the Iris Ceramica brand was entered in the Register of Historic Brands of national interest. Established by the Ministry of Economic Development in 2019, the register is intended to protect the industrial property of excellent production companies with a historic link to Italy, as well as to promote Italian production globally.
THE WORLD’S FIRST GREEN HYDROGEN CERAMIC INDUSTRY
Supported by Snam, Iris Ceramica Group will be carrying out an industrial project that involves creating the first ceramic factory in the world powered by green hydrogen, confirming that sustainable innovation is always a priority in the Group's choices. The new plant will be built in Castellarano and will start operating by 2022, equipped with native technologies that will allow green hydrogen to be introduced into production processes, which could prove decisive in achieving of the European goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
SOS SCHOOL OF SUSTAINABILITY FOUNDATION
The SOS School of Sustainability Foundation was established by Mario Cucinella Architects, with the enthusiastic support of two other founding partners, Iris Ceramica Group Foundation and SAIB Spa, based on shared values and with the aim of training the next generations of professionals in architecture and design in the field of sustainable architecture, according to the principles stated in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda. Our support is intended to encourage collaboration between industry, institutions and the entire community by activating economic and environmental regeneration processes for people and territories.
BIOREGENERATION PROJECT IN THE CERAMICS DISTRICT
Conscious of the need to tackle the problem of climate change, the ICG Foundation has promoted a threeyear research program on the ceramic district aimed at identifying solutions for sustainable economic growth and environmental protection. The research, which covers various aspects: Environment, Mobility, Waste, Water and Emissions, involves partners like MCA architects, MIC-Mobility in Chain, the Department of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Parma, HERA, BPER and, at institutional level, Art-ER.