Innovative byproduct use by Brazilian slab producer
Since its foundation in 2001, Decolores of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Espírito Santo, Brazil, has placed an emphasis on the preservation of nature and respect for the surrounding community. As part of this, the company is committed to sustainability in relation to its operating procedures, and it is always seeking to reduce the environmental impact caused by its production activity. As part of this, for over two years, Decolores has been developing a method to reuse one of the most common byproducts of natural stone slab production — abrasive slurry. Ultimately, it has devised a method to use the slurry in the production of “ecological bricks,” which have been used for a variety of applications.
The ecological bricks are used for building construction as well as curbing, and they have been utilized for houses, retaining walls and industrial warehouses. The physical properties of the bricks allow them to be used as structural masonry, thus reducing construction time and labor requirements while also providing an environmentally friendly building solution. According to Decolores, the product is finding demand in markets across Brazil.