BLUE HORIZON
Optimisation of Egyptian blue and related two-dimensional silicates for sustainable pigment production and training of process control algorithms in circular economies
Scheda del progetto
The unsustainable use of materials and ineffective waste management represent significant environmental challenges. The BLUE HORIZON project focuses on pigment innovation, transforming rice husk, an abundant agro-food waste, into Egyptian blue, a sustainable pigment with unique properties. In addition to reducing waste, the project aims to use these pigments to train artificial intelligence-based process control algorithms, thereby optimising production and recycling processes. This approach not only contributes to the reduction of the ecological footprint but also to the advancement of circular economies.
Contact:
- Marco Nicola, Adamantio srl, nicola.adamantio@gmail.com
Addressing the management of agro-food waste by transforming it into valuable resources is a crucial challenge. The project aims to convert rice husk, an abundant but under-exploited waste, into a sustainable pigment by tackling obstacles related to process efficiency, the use of innovative technologies and the integration of artificial intelligence solutions to optimise production and recycling.
The inorganic blue pigments currently on the market are mainly artificial ultramarine blue and cobalt blue. The former is a pigment that is not very stable in light and aggressive pH levels and is produced in a process that generates large quantities of SO2, a pollutant gas that is difficult to manage. The second is based on cobalt, a relatively rare and expensive element whose supply is problematic. BLUE HORIZON proposes an innovative solution, transforming rice husks into Egyptian blue, a sustainable pigment that addresses the challenges of stability and production of traditional inorganic pigments, offering an environmentally friendly and profitable alternative.
BLUE HORIZON offers a sustainable alternative to traditional inorganic pigments such as cobalt blue and artificial ultramarine blue. By transforming rice husks into Egyptian blue, the project promotes more sustainable practices in the pigment industry, reducing dependence on non-renewable and expensive materials. The adoption of sustainable pigments such as Egyptian blue can reduce the overall environmental impact of the pigment industry, contributing to a circular economy and greater sustainability.