Tiles made from non-recyclable plastic pollution

This startup turns low-value plastic waste into a concrete alternative

Spotted: Concrete alone accounts for at least eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the largest contributors to the climate impact of our built environment. At the same time, plastic pollution is growing and only a fraction of this waste ever gets recycled.

Now, Cairo-based startup TileGreen is tackling both of these problems by using non-recyclable plastic, like single-use packaging and plastic bags, to make construction materials that can replace concrete. The company’s patent-pending thermomechanical process cures a mixture of plastic waste, mineral aggregates, and plastic additives into a sub-solid intermediate material that can, in turn, be made into other products.

The first of these products is an interlocking paving tile that has the same market price as concrete equivalents, but is stronger, lighter, and more durable. Installed in the same way as today’s paving products, the novel tiles have very low maintenance costs. And because they contain no cement, they offer significant environmental benefits, including saving substantially on energy and water usage.

The paving tiles are just the tip of the iceberg for TileGreen’s technology, with the company claiming to have a pipeline of over 40 potential building products made from its intermediate material, including roof tiles, building bricks, and beams. TileGreen has already partnered with leading real estate developer SODIC and is exploring further opportunities with SODIC and other organisations.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead