Bien starts up new plant

Bien Ceramics, a Turkish company owned by Ercan Corporate group since 1997, has achieved growth over the years through a series of technological investments. The latest project, a new plant for the production of large-format tiles, was completed in June at the Bozuyuk facility. This investment has raised the company's annual production capacity to 23 million sq.m and extended its product portfolio to large sizes up to 120x120 cm. The new plant extends over an area of 60,000 square metres and stands out for its efficient production processes, guaranteeing savings in times and costs.

The plant is fully automated with 6500 ton presses and 140 metre kilns which deliver high productivity and considerable flexibility in terms of sizes. The decoration stage uses digital printing technologies, while sizing and lustering machines add further value to products. The end-of-line stage has a high level of automation and uses System sorting lines and palletisers as well as the new 4Phases custom packaging machine, which considerably reduces the consumption of packaging materials. Environment-friendly technologies that also reduce energy and water consumption have also been adopted. Hot air from the kilns is recycled through vertical and horizontal dryers. The new kilns consume about 400 kcal/kg compared to the 500 kcal/kg of the old models, a saving of 20%.

The use of modular continuous mills in the clay preparation area has also resulted in energy savings. Water treatment systems have been installed so as to recycle water into the production process as well as dust filters and noise insulation elements to protect employee health. The unique design of the architectural structure allows for greater use of natural lighting. The next investment will be a gas turbine for self-production of energy and gas savings.

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