Our Commitment

1. Emissions to air

The processing of clays and other ceramic raw materials inevitably leads to dust formation –especially in the case of dry materials. Drying, (including spray drying), comminution (grinding, milling) screening, mixing, conveying can all result in a release of fine dust, necessitating dust extraction equipment. Some dust also forms during decorating and firing of the ware, and during machining or finishing operations on fired ware. Dust is one of the main pollutants, in quantitate terms, from the ceramic processes.

2. Emissions to water

Water is a very important raw material in the ceramic manufacturing industries, but the amount used varies greatly between sectors and processes. The water added directly to ceramic body mixes does not lead to a waste water problem, as it is subsequently evaporated into the air during the drying and firing stages. Process waste water is generated mainly when clay materials are flushed out and suspended in flowing water during the manufacturing process and equipment cleaning, but emissions to water also occur during the operation of wet off-gas scrubbers.

Process waste water occurs in small quantities in the manufacture of bricks and roof tiles, vitrified clay pipes and refractory products, if surface treatment such as glazing and englobing, or wet grinding is carried out. Additional amounts of water arise in the cleaning process of the mixing, englobing and glazing units, and of the molds. In expanded clay aggregates production, usually no process waste water is generated, only the cooling water for the kiln system passes through an oil separator and is returned to the cooling circuit. In the wall and floor tiles, table- and ornamental ware, sanitaryware, technical ceramics and inorganic bonded abrasives sectors, process waste water occurs mainly as cleaning water in preparation units, in casting units, in the glazing and decoration process or as grinding water in subsequent treatment.

Effluents which arise as a result of compound processing and equipment cleaning usually contain the same raw materials and auxiliary materials as those used in the process concerned. As a rule, these compounds are water insoluble. The waste water in the process mostly shows turbidity and coloring owing to the very fine suspended particles of glaze and clay minerals. From a chemical point of view, these are characterized by the presence of:

• suspended solids: clays, frits and insoluble silicates in general

• dissolved anions: sulphates

• suspended and dissolved heavy metals: e.g. lead and zinc

• boron in small quantities

• traces of organic matter (screen printing vehicles and glues used in glazing operations).

3. Process losses or waste

Process losses/waste originating from the manufacture of ceramic products, mainly consist of the following materials:

• different kinds of sludge originate from the process waste water treatment facilities of water arising in the processes involved in cleaning body preparation, glaze preparation and application equipment, and also from wet grinding. The quantity and composition of sludge varies considerably as, besides arising in the different production processes, a great variety of raw materials tends to be used (different glazes, frits, clays, etc.), even in the same facility, which produce significant fluctuations in sludge composition

• broken material/ware arises from shaping, drying, firing, subsequent treatment and broken refractory material

• dust arises from off-gas cleaning units

• used plaster moulds arise from shaping processes

• used sorption agents (granular limestone, limestone dust) arise from flue-gas cleaning systems

• packaging waste (plastic, wood, metal, paper, etc.) arises in the packaging step

• solid residues, e.g. ashes arise from firing with solid fuels. Parts of the accumulated process losses mentioned above, can be recycled and re-used within the plant due to product specifications or process requirements. Materials, which cannot be recycled internally, leave the plant to be used in other industries or to be supplied to external waste recycling or waste disposal facilities.

4. Emission of noise

Noise occurs in the several steps during the manufacturing processes of ceramic products, mainly by operating noise generating machinery and by carrying out noisy working procedures.

Upon inception the company will employ 50 employees in the local communities of Namibia with the necessary skills and experience and offer them a better salary to look after their families. There will be joint venture programs into which Biofeedback Inc. is willing to participate to help communities that are hard hit by natural disasters. The company also offers bursaries to previously disadvantaged Namibians to pursue career of their choice and come back to work for the company and or better their living standard on their own and improve the economic situation in Namibia.

In the next two to three years, Biofeedback Inc. looks to expand its manufacturing process by introducing new products such as table ware and sanitary ware alongside its tile’s manufacturing operations. Table ware and sanitary ware will begin in 2029, 20 February and will be fully operational if the business remains on solid financial ground. Biofeedback Inc. seeks for intellectual property rights over its business operation activities as such the business is registered with Business Intellectual Properties Administration of Namibia.

Biofeedback Inc. will launch its website in 2020, July. This will help the business to reach out to customers, consumers and other stake holders about the company’s products. Biofeedback Inc., will set up agreements with key companies that will be supplying the company with machinery and technical support services on procurement lead time. The company will also have agreement put in place about certain individual customers to help smoothen out the process of purchasing Biofeedback Inc.’s products. Biofeedback Inc. Will put in place strategic alliance with University of Namibia and Namibia University of Science and technology to explore other advanced innovative methods in the ceramics industry.

Biofeedback Inc. takes pride in its decision to all Black Economic Empowerment policy to take effect up on its business practices. The company will give much preference to women, black people and previously disadvantaged Namibians when considering employment opportunities.