Continuous research into the production process sees a renewed collaboration between BMR and Florim, in choosing the firm from Scandiano as a technological partner for the development of large format ceramic slabs.
Scandiano, April 2017 – Florim‘s continued product research finds the right technological response in BMR and strengthens a synergy between the two companies in the name of quality, innovation and environmental sustainability.
In fact, there have been 19 squaring and lapping lines installed over the years at the various Florim Group factories, which today has more than 1,300 employees worldwide, a turnover of 406 million euros and various Made in Italy brands consolidated on the international market.
Over the last 5 years, Florim has invested more than 200 million euros, has completely refurbished 3 production plants, and has opened several flagship stores throughout the world and launched two new brands on the market.
For Florim, investing in technology means continuing to offer a product that is innovative, aesthetically sought after, and with high technical performance. BMR, which in the realization of the squaring and lapping lines sees not just an important and consistent technological development, but also a continuous research in the process capable of satisfying, if not anticipating, the needs of the largest ceramic tile manufacturers, responded to Florim’s needs by providing a second finishing line for large slabs (up to 1600×3200 mm) for the Mordano plant (BO) capable of improving the expected productivity. The process, in fact, allows multiple production combinations according to strategies that best exploit space and environmental resources, allowing for high flexibility and minimizing machine stops.
Respecting Florim’s philosophy, which puts environmental sustainability among its strategic priorities, BMR has developed the process on two priority elements such as Dry Squaring and Squaring Powder Retrieval.
The “dry” technology that was developed in 2009 and presented for the first time at Tecnargilla 2010, has received several green innovation awards: thanks to the elimination of water, other than safeguarding the natural resource, it was possible to eliminate the tile drying and desiccation processes (with relative systems) and water purification and sludge disposal. Installation simplification, environmental protection and economic savings, resulting in a longer service life and hence the life of the entire line.
To these advantages, it is now possible to add recovery of large amounts of powder resulting from squaring and its recycling as raw material in the mix. This is the result of a recent scientific research conducted by BMR in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry and Geology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia which shed light on the chemical, granulometric nature and the technological properties of the powder obtained through dry squaring techniques, highlighting the fundamental role of the type of tool fitted to the machines.
Another investment involving BMR is destined for Florim’s Clarksville (Tennessee) production site, with a line for full-lapping of traditional formats and stain treatment, a dry squaring and dry cutting line.
The choice of cutting-edge technological solutions, together with the two cogeneration plants for combined heat and power production and 16,000 square metres of photovoltaic panels, place Florim as a reference for the ceramic sector in terms of plant design. Solutions that fully capture the attention through the sophistication and aesthetic care of a product from a company that has always pursued beauty with complete solutions that meet the demands and architectural models of every country in the world.