Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica - Asociación de investigación de las industrias cerámicas (ITC-AICE)
Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica - Asociación de investigación de las industrias cerámicas (ITC-AICE)

Overview

The Ceramic Industry Research Association (ITC-AICE) is a Private non-profit Research Institute recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness as Technology Centre. ITC-AICE is committed to providing solid support for ceramic sector in the defence and enhancement of their strategic positioning in the current global context, principally through innovation-enabling research and development actions, but also through whatever activities might serve to foster the competitiveness and growth of the sector, always based on sustainability criteria and commitment to societal well-being.

In 1969 ITC-AICE concerted an agreement with the Universitat Jaume I of Castellón in response to the needs of companies from the Spanish ceramic cluster, resulting in the Institute for Ceramic Technology (ITC). During its more than 50-year history, this agreement has articulated a successful university–business cooperation system that has borne its fruits, witness the significant development of the Spanish ceramic… Pilot plant production of ceramic floor tiles

ITC-AICE has a Pilot Plant fitted with the necessary equipment to run the ceramic manufacturing process stages on a semi-industrial scale.

This facility, which currently has 600 m2, is at the disposal of companies for carrying out pilot-scale trials designed to improve the manufacturing process. It allows to perform relevant tests to check the correct behaviour of the product developed in the laboratory on their way to the industrial sector.

The objective of these tests is to improve the manufacturing process and prevent problems and risks that may arise in the same. Thus, the use of use the pilot plant helps the companies to avoid expensive industrial tests.

Characterisation facilities:

Some of ITC-AICE most relevant technical equipment for materials characterisation are listed below:

Physical characterisation: particle size distribution (1000 microns - 100 nm), true density, open porosity, pore size distribution by means of mercury…. Industrial processes

Advice and technical audit
Process optimisation and control
Equipment and machine design
Industrial process simulation
Implementation of industry 4.0

Materials and products

Developement of ceramic materials and additives
Material simulation for product development and optimization
Development of inkjet inks
Photocatalytic material application
Surface functionalization

Business strategy

Market study
Technology watch
Competitive intelligence
Ceramic product management
Focus ceramic group
Digital marketing
Design thinking

Analysis and testing

 Chemical analysis
 Physical and structural analysis
 Microscopy and superficial analysis
 Ceramic finished product characterization and certification

Construction systems

Bioclimatic and energy-efficient solutions
New systems evaluation and monitoring
New architectural applications

Environmental technologies 

Air quality and industrial emission control
…. Yes. service.