The Green Factor. Environmental issues on the development of the Spanish Tile Industry

The Green Factor

Environmental issues on the development of

the Spanish Tile Industry

Daniel Gabaldón-EstevanDepartment of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Valencia- Valencia (ES) - [email protected]

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Index

• Introduction

• Theoretical framework

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion

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IntroductionIntroduction ResultsResultsMethodsMethods DiscussionDiscussionTheoretical frameworkTheoretical framework

Debate on the sustainability of the actual production model of ‘developed countries’ within globalisation:

Increased demand of resources

Limited capacity of the environment to assimilate human activity

Increase public awareness and demands for the improvement environment quality

How is the interlink between environmental constrains and the evolution of a particular

industry?

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Innovation is a collective and an interactive process

[…] “all important economic, social, political, organizational, institutional and other factors that influence the development, diffusion and use of innovations” (Edquist, 2004, pp. 182)

Sectoral systemof innovation

Technological systems

(Breschi and Malerba, 1997; Malerba, 2002)

(Carlsson and Stankiewitz, 1995; Huges, 1984; Callon, 1992)

Knowledge Heterogeneity Institutions Learning Interrelations

National systemof innovation

Regional systemof innovation

(Freeman, 1987; Lundvall, 1988, 1992; Nelson, 1993)

(Cooke, 1993 and 2001; Saxenian, 1985; Jaffe et al., 1993)

Evolutionist perspective

(Nelson and Winter, 1977 and 1982)

Functional approach

(Bergek et al., 2008; Jacobsson and Johnson, 2000;

Edquist, 1997)


DistritualInnovation system

(Gabaldon-Estevan et al., 2011)

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Technological and advanced

services providers’

environment

Legal & institutional framework

Methods for the value chain analysis

Distribution & consumption

Frits, glaze & ceramic colour

Tile production

Machinery & equipment

Raw material extraction

Design

Scientific environment

Productive environment

Adapted from Fernández, I., et al. (1996)

Methods for the structural analysis

Semi-structured interviews (24 ES e IT) tile

Semi-structured interviews (14) frits, glaze and ceramic colour

Secondary analysis (INE, SABI)


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Knowledge development and diffusion

Influence on the direction of search

Market evolution and competition

Legitimation / counteracting resistance to change

Resource mobilisation

Semi-structured interviews (15) including managers of ceramic, electro-mechanical, glaze companies or atomization plants; representatives of employers’ or workers’ associations; directors of research institutions responsible for R&D for the industry; academics and consultants

Entrepreneurial experimentation

Adapted from Johnson A. (2001)

Methods for the functional analysis

Functions analysis is based on idea that a well functioning innovation system requires that a number of key activities takes place.

If this occurs, output of innovations is higher.


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Locating the industry

Onda

L’Alcora

Vila-real

Castellón Almazora

Sant Joan de Moró


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Format design

Texture design

Silk-screen printing design

Catalogue design

Clay, silica, etc. extraction

Store and logistics

Clay grind

Firing (2nd firing if double firing)*

Press

Draying & 1st firing if double firing*

Glazing and silk-screen printing

Selection and packing

Construction firms

Final user (consumer & institutions)

Tilelayrs and reform Architectures and decorators

Department Stores Retailers

Frits, glazes and ceramic colours production

Kilns

Grinding and spray-draying

Presses

Dryers

Glazing

Porcelain tiles

Maintenance

Frits and glazes preparation

Auxiliary machines

Environment

The ceramic tile value chain


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The components of the Spanish tile distritual innovation system

Legal & Institutional environment

IPC

Tec

hnol

ogic

al &

adv

ance

d se

rvic

es e

nviro

nmen

t

University departments, CSIC & ITC - ALICER

Scientific environment

Productive environment

Diverse semi elaborates producers:

ITC - ALICER

Public administrations: EU, state, regional and local governments and legislationsProducers associations: ASCER, ANFFECC, ASEBEC, AFPEOther associations: ATC, ANDIMAC, SECV, professional collegesFairs and promoting instruments: CEVISAMA & QUALICERChamber of Commerce, Industry and Sailing of Castellón

Frits, glaze and ceramic colours producers

Machinery and equipments fabrication and repairs

Design, CAD/CAM & printing systems companies

Other services for companies: consulting, informatics,…

Ceramic tiles producers

Atomizers producers

Precooked tiles producers

Special pieces

Distribution

Adaptación de Fernández, I., et al. (1996)


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Knowledge development and diffusion

Analysing the dynamics and functionality of the DIS

Influence on the direction of search

Entrepreneurial experimentation

Market evolution and competition

reductions in materials use, energy and water consumption

a Schumpeter Mark II scenario competing on price is no longer a good strategy

Legitimation / counteracting resistance to change

increase in public awareness regarding environmental and health issues

Resource mobilisation

Infrastructures and financial capital fine, some needs in human capital and

challenge in raw materials

Strength in physics, chemistry and engineering; Weak in distribution and commercialisation,

technician crucial in the diffusion


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Energy consumption

ProductMaterials use

Pollution

Water consumption Waste Tile industry

MarketLegislation Legitimation

Environmental issues on the development of the Spanish tile industry

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Energy consumption

Materials use

Water consumption

Inputs

- Tile industry is a big energy consumer (gas & electric).- Transition from oil to gas in the 80’s & new kilns reduced firing times from 35-45 hours to 35-70 minutes. - Atomisers have cogeneration (total efficiency to 85-90%) so further reductions in of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions more difficult.

- Availability of raw materials worldwide will worsen as production increases in developing countries.- Locally mining activity is being displaced to more remote areas because of the environmental impact.

- Water is intensively used in the ceramic tile manufacturing process.- Efforts are directed either to reduce the thickness. - To recycle of the refuse-mud (reduces the need for water and suppresses dumping).- Or to improve the dry route powder processing.

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Pollution

Product

Waste

Outputs - Tile industry has done progress in substituting most of the hazardous elements that characterised production in the early industrialisation years. However there are still areas for improvement: - Further reduce carbon dioxide (CO2).- Deal with elements as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), boron (B), sulphur (S), sulphur dioxide (SO2), or fluorine (F).- And dust pollution, specially suspended particles due to transportation.

- Sustainable product due to its characteristics: resistant, durable, versatile, requires low maintenance and aseptic.- Green developments are thinner tiles, photovoltaic tiles-Active surface tiles combining tile with other elements that provide an added benefit or fulfilling an new function. - Ventilated facades, radiant ceramic tiles, raised floor systems for flat roofs, ceramic lattice, Pot-in-pot system, Giraplax, Trombeta for Trombe wall and dry collocation.

- 17% of the waste is reincorporated to the process (some lines of product with about 80% recycled material).- Efforts are directed towards integrating ceramic leftovers in other products (like asphalt), towards recycling the waste produced by the ceramics industry to produce mortars, and towards new potential sources for the production of ceramic tiles from other industrial activities

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Legislation

Legitimation

Market

Context -. EPBD seen as an opportunity to promote their recent developments into the building sector.- IPCC seen as beneficial because it promotes adoption of the best available technology in terms of energy use. - Kyoto and emissions rights: problem with twin industries & hope that it will change to best available technologies.- REACH regulation could force the disappearance of small and medium frits and glaze companies.

- Long tradition of good status and legitimation challenged since 1990s (increase in production, high geographical new environmental regulation and control and other economic activities)- Will to keep legimated by moving to environmental production (Environmental Product Declaration or the EU-ECOLABEL) to improve public image and secure markets with high environmental consciousness.

-.Delocalisation of production centres will continue - Providers experience problems in transposing their R&D effort to clients via the products they acquire. - A focus on technology and ecology would make Spanish industry very competitive.

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Conclusions


Schumpeter Mark II scenario characterised by creative accumulation where old bigger companies prevail and new companies face entrance barriers

Competition is forcing a move from physics, chemistry and engineering to marketing (from product to brand)

Increasing competition is forcing tile enterprises to externalize R&D

Globalization force two strategies: brand or price (none seems to leave space for R&D)

Difficulties for the final user to value the properties of the product (push strategy) brand

Home market is reducing new construction -> reposition, facades, sidewalks

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Conclusions

The threat to the legitimation of the industry stems from environmental pressures on the region

Energy saving and climate protection are part of the tile industry agenda

Environmental laws demands new technologies to be adopted, but in the short run is only of an additive nature

Demanded developments are those that will significantly reduce the consumption of energy, materials and water

The strategy has to be production of ‘green’ tiles and emergence of synergies with the different actors involved

Thank you for your attention

Daniel Gabaldón-EstevanDepartment of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Valencia- Valencia (ES) - [email protected]