Weather forecaster Erwin Krol predicted it years ago: the winters are getting warmer and wetter, the summers hotter and drier. This summer we have noticed it again: heavy rain showers cause a lot of flooding. The Limburg-based innovative company TileSystems is responding to this. It develops innovative, permeable and absorbent tiles and clinkers. Slurp tiles, in other words.  

Is it a clinker or is it a sponge?  

"Actually, it's a sponge," says Rob Alards, co-developer of the sustainable street clinkers. "The clinkers and tiles absorb rainwater in no time." He enthusiastically talks about the sustainable potential of these clever clinkers. "We thought: what if we could not only develop a product that responds to the changes in our climate, but what if this product itself is also sustainably developed?" 

Tile adapts to climate

TileSystems therefore sought contact with LIOF to further develop the slurp tiles. Rob: "Together with LIOF we looked at infiltrating paving products that adapt to the climate, now and in the future. LIOF made it possible, among other things, to do more research into the 'Very Open Waste Ceramic' tile." 

Of course, the ZOAK tile

LIOF was immediately intrigued by this sustainable tile developer. Ruud Nissen, business developer at LIOF: "This product is a great example of an innovative solution that looks at the environment and the future of our planet in several ways. We are happy to contribute to that.

"The ZOAK tile goes one step further:  made from ceramic waste."

Smart slurp tiles

LIOF did that by (financially) supporting TileSystems to do further research for its 'smart slurp tiles'. Rob: "With an innovation subsidy from LimburgMakers we were able to develop a prototype of the ZOAK tile. This tile is produced from ceramic waste generated in the making of ceramic tiles. The ZOAKs absorb rainwater incredibly quickly, greatly reducing flooding during heavy rainfall." 

A nice boost

The ZOAK tile is included on the Environmental Investment List (MIA), which allows companies that invest in ZOAK to obtain a tax benefit. Rob: "This shows that the ZOAK offers many environmental benefits. In addition, we won the RIONED innovation prize last year with the ZOAK clinker. A great boost!

The RIONED foundation is the umbrella organization for urban water management. For city, water and people. It wants to stimulate innovation in urban water management and sewerage by offering a platform where organizations (companies and governments) can show their innovation.

"We don't do it alone"

The Limburg-based company has developed the bricks together with Dutch and Asian partners, among others. Furthermore, they are doing research into the possibilities/improvements with this product at TU Delft and the Colleges of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht. Rob: "In addition, we worked together with several municipalities, including Horst aan de Maas, Amsterdam and Rotterdam."

Revolutionary clinkers and tiles   

A godsend for the future

Rob looks to the future with great enthusiasm. "We are currently in the pilot phases with the ZOAK. Some municipalities are using the tiles now. We are currently monitoring this and collecting valuable data. To then be able to start producing the tiles on a larger scale. We hope to start doing this from 2022 onwards."

"Go for it if you support it yourself!"

More information: www.tilesystemx.com