GLOBALl warming is a phenomenon that affects the average temperature of our planet. According to most scientists, humans are responsible for the overproduction of greenhouse gases or GHGs that contribute to global warming.

Reducing GHGs has become an international priority, and everyone can contribute by lowering their carbon footprint – which is the quantity of carbon dioxide released by consumption patterns –  into the air. Buying vehicles that consume less petrol, for instance, has become a common choice, so why not extend this criterion to all your purchases?
Water, meanwhile, is not an endless resource and must be managed carefully and used responsibly. Industries typically use large amounts of water in their production processes, and must therefore manage its use by filtering, recycling, and whenever possible, using less of it. 
All raw materials used to manufacture products come from the Earth and return to it, whether in a few days or a few thousand years. It goes without saying that the less raw material we use, the better. This can be achieved by recycling, using renewable sources, and of course, by using less materials overall.

Green building certifications
Today, systems are being developed worldwide to evaluate the environmental impact of products and processes along with methods to promote and reward eco-friendly behaviour. Companies taking action to lower their impact on our planet can communicate their commitment by acquiring environmental certifications released by the government or independent institutions that rate products and processes in a comparable way. Particularly for the building sector, certification systems aim to evaluate the environmental impact of a construction and promote eco-friendliness as well as energy efficiency.
One of the most widespread initiatives is the US-based Leed (Leadership in Environmental Energy Design), a green building certification system based on credits assigned for each element of the building –including materials.
Kalesinterflex tiles produced by Kale seramik, part of Kale Group of Turkey, can help earn credits within the Leed system in the following areas:
• SS 7.1 (Heat island effect – non-roof):  Kalesinterflex is produced in light colours that have a solar reflectance index (SRI) higher than 29. An additional advantage is that, if periodically washed, the tiles do not absorb dirt and get darker over time. Other materials tend to get darker even if washed and then achieve a lower SRI. For example, weathered concrete has an SRI that is almost half that of new concrete! Kalesinterflex tiles can be used on hardscapes including roads, sidewalks, courtyards, and parking lots.
• MR 1/1.1 (Building reuse – maintain existing walls, floors and roofs): Because Kalesinterflex is ideal for use over existing structures both inside and out, they are suitable for projects aiming at Credit 1/1.1.
• IEQ 4.3 (Low-emitting materials – flooring systems): Kalesinterflex has low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The tiles use just one-fourth of the raw material (per sq m) consumed by a standard tile. Additionally, 1 sq m of Kalesinterflex requires a mere 8 litres of water to be produced, compared to 50 litres needed for 1 sq m of a standard tile. Also consumption of natural gas is three times lower, and consumption of electricity is four times lower than standard ceramic tile production. Kalesinterflex is manufactured in an ISO 14001-certified factory, where the correct management of all production processes has been set. The advanced plant is designed to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions: it only emits 1/1000th of CO2 and 1/20th of the dust that is released into the atmosphere from a standard tile plant.

Better living
In its pursuit of being environment-friendly, Kalesinterflex does not compromise on performance. Thanks to technological innovation, Kalesinterflex is a superior material in terms of hardness, durability, cleanability, and resistance to chemical agents. It is lighter, thinner and bigger than a standard tile, giving it outstanding advantages in renovation. However despite the thinness, its thermal insulation is comparable to that of a standard tile. Kalesinterflex also ensures indoor air quality in the home. It does not contain (and therefore emit) chemicals, and thanks to virtually no water absorption, it provides extraordinary hygiene.
Kalesinterflex is a 100-per-cent porcelain ceramic, bringing with it the advantages associated with that material: fine aesthetics, easy-cleaning, durability, hygiene, and fire resistance . The extraordinary dimensions of the tiles – 1 m by 3 m by 3 mm of thickness – make them the largest glazed or polished-surface tiles in the world, and also the lightest at only 7kg/sq m. Add to this the fact that Kalesinterflex is the only flexible ceramic tile in the world, with a 3-m slab having a 5.5-m range of flex, and the new range of possibilities become self-evident.
It is this combination of unique qualities that makes Kalesinterflex uniquely suited to modern exterior covering applications.
The Kale Group specialises in exterior systems and offers a full technical support service and a wide variety of solutions.