eco-logic®

We are part of the planet®
eco-logic
®
by Breinco
better quality
of
air to improve our
quality of
life
Breinco is aware of the challenge represented
by sustainability and the importance of establishing
a strategic approach based on change. Breinco
has developed a new message for positioning
the corporate brand, breincobluefuture, in response
to new market demands and the requirements
of society as regards sustainability criteria. Following
its new strategic guidelines, Breinco has evolved
its product research and development,
and has created a new line of products: eco-logic®.
Commitment to the environment
-CO2
regional
materials
flexible
paving
long
life
Including environmental aspects in the design of the products is no longer just an
idea; it has begun to be a necessity, and in
some cases a reality.
The 5th edition of the Design Award for
Recycling in 2009 saw Breinco receive recognition from the Catalan Regional Government for the company’s innovative
strategy for the development and creation
of new, highly-innovative and environmentally-friendly products aimed at the
construction sector. The award, which was
presented by the Regional Minister for the
Environment and Housing, Francesc Baltasar, also recognised the company’s firm
commitment to pioneering a model conception of business management.
Once more, Breinco led the field with the
launch of this new strategy and its eco-logic® products at the 2009 Construmat fair
in Barcelona and has positioned itself as a
national benchmark in sustainable products.
policy of
sustainability
respect
for nature
light
colours
green
joint
great
durability
Breinco is the first Spanish company to
produce air clean® concrete pieces with
photocatalytic properties, which cause a
decontaminating, self-cleaning effect and
which reduce the emission of environmentally-harmful NOx.
Another feature of the eco-logic® range
of products is the use of recycled materials and their re-use and corresponding
recycling when they reach the end of their
useful lives. A significant amount of the
aggregates used in manufacturing the
product comes from construction and demolition waste from the Tecnocatalana de
Runes S. L. treatment plant at Les Franqueses del Vallès.
Thus we obtain products of the same quality and which utilise waste, so that it does
not build up at refuse dumps.
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We are part of the planet®
air clean®
by Breinco
Breinco has undertaken the tests that certify the efficiency of the air clean® product together
with F.C.Nüdling, an important German company in the sector. Breinco and FCN belong to SFKooperation, an international group of manufacturers of prefabricated concrete products,
which provides its partners and shareholders with trials and technical support for developing new
products and trials, and contributes its many years’ experience in installing products. Breinco and FCN
have worked together in researching the efficiency of photocatalytically active paving stones.
The research began in 2006, and during these years we have been carrying out laboratory tests
at an institute of molecular biology and applied ecology, as well as field trials and trials at real work sites..
Following a laborious research process, today we can guarantee
the efficiency of photocatalytically active paving stones, by means of certified trials.
A long-lasting effect
Photocatalytic paving stones reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides and organic hydrocarbons in the air, thus creating
a healthier environment with less pollution. This product reduces the quantity of air pollutants above it, i.e. the area
where emissions are released from vehicle exhaust pipes. With these paved surfaces, the process of degrading pollutants
by means of photocatalysis takes place naturally and is produced thirty times faster than the normal speed.
SUNLIGHT
INORGANIC POLLUTANTS
NOx
ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
SOx
Benzenes
particles
Aromatic
polycondensates
TiO2
PHOTOCATALYTIC
SURFACE
NOx (nitrogen oxide)
SOx (copper oxide)
Ca(NO3)2 (calcium nitrate)
Ca(SO4) (calcium sulphate)
Ca(NO3)2
CaCO3
Co3 (carbonate ion)
CaCO-23 (calcium carbonate)
Ca(SO4)
-2
Co3
TiO2 (titanium dioxide)
The beginning: photocatalysis.
Using light energy, photocatalysts induce the formation of strong oxidising reagents capable of decomposing some of the
organic and inorganic compounds contained in the atmosphere, principally through oxidation.
Photocatalysis is a process in which the substance acts as a catalyst and increases the speed of a chemical reaction. In
the course of the oxidation reaction, the highly toxic nitrogen oxides convert into nitrates. The natural photolysis process
is produced without the presence of this catalyst. The photocatalyst we use is a specially-modified titanium dioxide. The
minerals which contain titanium dioxide belong to the large group of rock-forming minerals. In the photocatalytic process,
the required energy is supplied only through ultraviolet radiation and visible radiation emitted by the Sun. 2
We are part of the planet®
nitrates
The highly-toxic nitrogen oxides themselves dissolve in water with
great difficulty, meaning that not even rain can eliminate these
gases from the atmosphere. In contrast, the final products of the
chemical reaction, i.e. nitric acid or its salts, are especially soluble
in water, and therefore rainwater, condensation, or water used
for cleaning can dissolve and eliminate them. The nitrate thus generated may be available as an essential nutrient for plants, even
in biodegraded form in the soil or dissolved in water.
A long-lasting effect
With the adherents used, the photocatalyst sticks to the structure of the concrete paving stones while its composition remains
unaltered. Therefore the TiO2 which acts as a photocatalyst in
the chemical reaction which degrades the contaminants is not
reduced, but remains intact. As a result of this, the photocatalytic
action of the air clean® paving stones is maintained during the
entire useful life of the paving.
Added benefits: it improves the colour retention and eases
cleaning
As well as ensuring the degradation of NOx and VOC as gaseous
contaminants in the air, TiO2 also has an effect on paste- or
liquid-type organic compounds and decomposes the biological
materials. The decomposition of the virtually-invisible films of
grease and oil which are mainly responsible for dirt adhering to
surfaces makes cleaning air clean® surfaces easier. The degradation of biological materials prevents the biochemical degradation
of air clean® paving stones and improves colour retention.
The organic part of the fine powder accumulated in concrete paving stones is also degraded. By means of this mechanism the photocatalytic process eliminates organic molecules. The dust particles
use these organic molecules to adhere to the surface. But these
molecules no longer exist; the degree of adherence is minimised
and removal of the particles in suspension is made easier.
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We are part of the planet®
Tested and approved
Here we present the complete report on the efficiency of air
clean® paving stones. The following pages contain the summary
of the experts’ report by the Fraunhofer Institute, where you can
verify the NO2 and NO reduction rate in air clean® paving stones.
en pavimentos air clean©.
Projects undertaken:
In August 2006, the first municipal project in Germany using active photocatalytic paving stones
was completed. The air clean® paving stones were laid on a paving in the city of Fulda.
Mercedes-Benz completed the first private project in Germany where air clean® paving stones were
used for one of its official dealers.
Also, Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, saw the first project in a federal capital where air clean®
paving stones were used on a large scale in the area of a public highway with heavy goods traffic.
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We are part of the planet®
Experts’ report summary
On the efficiency of
air clean®
by Breinco
Active photocatalytic paving
Collaboration between:
F.C. Nüdling Betonelemente GmbH + Co. KG 36037
Ruprechtstraße 24, Fulda (Germany)
www.nuedling.de
breinco
BREINCO SA
Crta. de Cardedeu a Dosrius Km. 6,50
08450 Llinars del Vallès, Barcelona (Spain)
www.breincobluefuture.com
To reduce concentrations of nitrogen oxide in the air
Produced by:
Fraunhofer-Institut für Molekularbiologie und Angewandte Oekologie
(Fraunhofer Institute of Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology)
Auf dem Aberg 1
57392 Schmallenberg (Germany)
AZ 25306-31
Supervised by the German Federal Foundation for the Environment
Schmallenberg (Germany), January 2010
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We are part of the planet®
Experts’ report summary
In a series of investigations, it has been possible to verify that the concentration of nitrogen oxide (NOx) in outside air, in an area
paved with paving stones which include titanium dioxide, supplied and manufactured by the company F.C. Nüdling, degraded
rapidly and significantly.
Therefore, air clean® photocatalytic paving stones signify an active contribution to protecting the Environment. The product in
degradation resulting from photocatalysis (nitrate salts) involves no environmental risk.
air clean® photocatalytic paving certificate of effectiveness
The effectiveness of air clean® photocatalytic paving has been demonstrated through validation in two study phases and in a real case:
1. Examination of paving stone samples in an independent laboratory
By means of a standard approval process according to regulation UNE ISO 22197-1.
2. Field study
Simulating real conditions during 6 months in order to compare two stretches of street, or passages separated by a vertical wall. In
total, a surface area of 315 m2. One stretch was paved with Standard slabs and the second stretch with air clean® photocatalytic slabs.
Monitoring of the field study will continue until 1 year has been completed in order to obtain an annual average, and it is verified that
this is lower than the legal limit applied to NOx’s. The gases emitted by a diesel engine were channeled into the alleys to simulate the combustion gases produced by vehicular traffic.
In the two alleys, two NOx meters are placed at a height of 3 metres. The results obtained for reduction of NOx in the alley paved with air clean®, compared to the one paved with Standard paving
stones were:
NO2 reduction rate:
NO reduction rate:
18%
29%
During the period of time studied (4 months), the light intensity was 30% lower than the average annual value, due to cloudiness.
By extrapolating the values obtained in average light conditions typical of Central Europe, the results would have been as follows:
NO2 reduction rate:
NO reduction rate:
25 %
41%.
The wind direction and speed have an influence on these results. In absence of wind, the NO2 and NO reduction results could reach 70%.
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We are part of the planet®
Field study:
Monitoring of NOx in the field trial.
Monitoring of the wind direction and speed in the field trial.
Detail of the passage with field trial photocatalytic paving.
Detail of the channeling of combustion gases in the field trial.
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We are part of the planet®
3. Real case
A street in Erfurt, Germany, was paved using using air clean® photocatalytic paving stones and the results obtained affirmed an average reduction of 20% in NO2 and 38% in NO. These results certify and confirm the values obtained in the field study measurements.
The measurements fulfil the values required by regulation 22 on Immission Values for Harmful Substances in the Air (BImSchV Regulation) in the version accepted on 4 July 2007 (German Official Bulletin 1, page 1006), appendix 4, for oriented measurements.
Quality certificate of the pavings developed with regard to long-term stability:
Verification of the paving in accordance with regulation DIN EN 1338
As a basis for determining resistance, the breaking strength test for paving stones was used. The process of exposure to weather conditions was determined according to the CDF procedure and the slab test.
Air clean® complies with all standardised values at the time it is laid. After 23 months, no deterioration in the wear and resistance
properties has been detected. In this case, there is also good long-term stability in accordance with the standard values.
Prospective estimate of the risk to the environment caused by the products in transformation
(nitrate salts).
A prospective estimate has been made of the risk to the environment (multi-worst-case) caused by the generation of nitrate salts. It has
been possible to verify that the NOx transforms into nitrate salts, meaning that nitrate salts are a final compound of the photocatalytic
degradation.
The maximum quantity of nitrate salts that may be generated in surface water, which can be attributed to photocatalytic paving (per
m2, in 1 year and the the worst case), is 15 mg/l (cutoff value for 20 mg/l fishing water masses).
The maximum concentration of nitrate salts in subterranean water, attributable to photocatalytic reactions (per m2, in 1 year and in the
worst case), is 1.6 mg/l (cutoff value of nitrate for surface water): 50 mg/l).
We therefore verify that the amounts of nitrate formed due to photocatalytic reactions and introduced into the environment
are clearly lower than the cutoff values currently in force.
Schmallenberg (Germany), 25 January 2010 (Dr Monika Herrchen)
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