Column: Innovation in Porcelain – Surfaces that Work

Monthly Column By Emilio Mudrak

When it comes to innovation, nothing impresses me more within tiles than Iris Ceramica’s ACTIVE Surfaces®.

I’ve always championed materials that do more than simply looking good, and in my opinion, ACTIVE is the best example of a tile that works for the building and the environment. In this day and age, creating experiences, but also environments where tech and surfaces live simultaneously is crucial to both user experience and functionality.

The patented technology lock a layer of titanium dioxide + silver into the glaze, triggering photocatalysis that scrubs VOCs and destroys viruses and VOCs (including SARS-CoV-2).

ACTIVE also has proven antibacterial properties, killing up to 99% of bacteria on contact—ideal for high-touch external areas like hospital entrances or public plazas.

The beauty? It’s passive.

Both Daylight and LEDs activate the surface. So no gimmicky chargers, no coating re-application after a few years.

It is difficult to put into reality this technology, however one project demonstrates the power of Active Surfaces®. The Department of Chemistry at University of Milan conducted a test of an external façade installed with the technology and found 16,000 sq.m reduced 59 kg/year of nitrogen oxide, which is the same as 200,000 sq.m. of green space! After this finding, the building has been called a “smog-eating” building, understandable!

In my experience, this makes ACTIVE perfect for urban projects where planners are chasing BREEAM, WELL or LEED points, or where air quality is a concern. Think healthcare facilities, schools, or city-centre hotels.

For me, ACTIVE proves tiles aren’t passive finishes anymore. They’re active contributors to healthier cities and better public spaces—something every designer should be specifying today.

Emilio Mudrak, Director of Mudrak & Sons