EXPANDED CLAY – EVERYWHERE

Expanded clay is a unique lightweight aggregate with versatile applications, the only « all in one » aggregate with sustainable use « everywhere ». Thanks to its unique characteristics, expanded clay has broad range of applications « everywhere », like in the housing, infrastructure and green projects.

Learn more about the benefits that expanded clay will bring to the various applications by downloading the brochure below.

FROM 1 M³ CLAY TO 5 M³ EXPANDED CLAY

Expanded clay is produced from naturally and abundantly available clay. The clay is extracted, pre-treated and introduced to rotary kilns. These kilns are heated to temperatures up to 1.150 ºC and this process transforms the clay into various sized lightweight aggregates with a hard ceramic shell and a porous core.

To produce expanded clay high temperatures are necessary and the production is therefore energy intensive. However, it is also resource efficient at the same time with a yield of five cubic metres expanded clay from just one cubic metre of clay.

The clay is extracted from clay pits normally located close to the plants, thus keeping haulage costs and carbon emissions to a minimum. By considering biodiversity issues at the planning stage as well as during and after extraction we can ensure protection of habitats. The clay pits are restored and rehabilitated to both preserve biodiversity and create new natural habitats.

Once transported to the plant the clay is pre-treated and processed in rotary kilns. After passing through the kiln the now expanded clay is cooled. A correct cooling process is essential to ensure a high-quality product. It also significantly improves the energy performance. As the hot clay cools, cold air is warmed and this heated air is used to dry, heat and expand the clay in the kiln. Energy represents a significant part of the production cost of expanded clay. Over the last few decades the industry has considerably reduced energy consumption and today all European plants use state of the art technology.

All European expanded clay plants are operated in compliance with the European Industrial Emissions Directive. The industry is focussing on continuous improvements and aims to use the best available technology.

Learn more about the sustainable production process by downloading the brochure below.

EXPANDED CLAY – ALL IN ONE

Expanded clay is a well-proven, high quality, efficient and durable lightweight aggregate suitable for a wide range of applicants in the construction sector. Expanded clay is various sized granules, each with a hard ceramic shell that surrounds a honeycomb core.

It is a sustainable construction material packed with properties that improve the economic, social and environmental performance of a building or infrastructure over its whole lifetime. Expanded clay combines low density with high strength. In addition, the aggregate holds many other important characteristics, and it can be described as an “all-in-one” product, providing a huge range of properties vital for sustainable construction.

Learn more about the properties of expanded clay by downloading the brochure below.
Learn more about the benefits that expanded clay will bring to the various applications by downloading the brochure below.

Applications