Gruppo B&T becomes key Revigrés partner for growth and sustainability projects. Revigrés has been leading the way in the Portuguese ceramic tile market for over 46 years and it recently chose Gruppo B&T for the supply of a complete production line. Producing 100% green porcelain stoneware, the new line comprises technology including Supera® Rapida, a 7-layer horizontal dryer, a Titanium®H2 kiln, a DryFix digital decoration machine, and a latest-generation automatic storage system.
One of the technologies that Revigrés has implemented is Supera® Rapida, the technology for conveyor belt pressing without mould by Gruppo B&T. Also designed for traditional sizes, this line delivers matchless results in the factory, both by reducing consumption and costs in a green perspective and improving performance. Named after its high pressing speed, in the 20,000-tonne version it produces sizes ranging from 60×60 cm to 120×280 cm, with thicknesses from 6 to 20 mm.
Unlike the most common market proposals, Supera® Rapida uses a superior high-hardness, easily storable resin punch and a patented perimeter containment system. Thanks to this procedure, products need no trimming after pressing, which cuts down waste to just 1-2% of the slab’s weight, with the little waste produced then fully recycled within the process. Featuring raw cutting technology developed by Ancora -a sister company that leads the market in finishing equipment- Supera® Rapida also guarantees maximum flexibility and product size and thickness versatility, while eradicating raw waste. In addition to these advantages, the press offers exceptional tolerance to different kinds of body mixtures. This means users can source local raw materials that -while not necessarily offering high plasticity or humidity- have a very low carbon transportation footprint, leading to some of the lowest operating costs on the market and reducing production costs by 50% each year.
Revigrés has also chosen to install the patented Start&Stop® system, an innovative hydraulic control unit with pumps that can be adjusted according to the pressing cycle. This ensures minimum power consumption, resulting in a 50% energy saving compared to conventional presses. The firing system consists of a Titanium®H2 single-tier roller kiln ready to operate with 60% hydrogen blends using self-produced hydrogen originating from high-flow electrolysers. This system is powered by a photovoltaic array, allowing for a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
As for decoration, Revigrés will be able to create products with unique aesthetic effects using the Dryfix digital printer from Gruppo B&T’s sister company Projecta, which applies powders to achieve deep 3D structures, textured decorations and high-gloss full lappato finishes. This is also a green technology as the machine uses water-based solvents.
“Being involved in the success of a company like Revigrés motivates us to improve constantly and to continue to invest in R&D,” says Fabio Tarozzi, Chairman and CEO of Gruppo B&T. “This project rewards our vision for a green, sustainable ceramic production facility with low production costs. It incorporates all our latest technologies and sets a new standard in ceramic production.”
