An innovative process for the production of high surface area materials from natural acid clays and bentonite by organic acid treatment

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The Stone Market

• Stone industry is of strategic importance to the
  EU and particularly to the Southern European
  member states.
• 65 of the total world stone production can be
  attributed to the EU countries, representing a
  market of about 20 billion EURO.
• World trade figures show that the last years the
  market share of the EU countries has been
  decreasing steadily in favour of new stone
  producing countries (China, India, Brasil,
  Turkey).

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Stone Industry Problems
The prospects for the EU stone industry appear to
be promising but a number of problems has to be
addressed in order to maintain its leading
position in the global market

• Low productivity and efficiency in quarrying and
  processing operations.
• Huge quantities of waste material produced.
• Fluctuation in the quality of the final product.
• High labour and energy cost in the EU.
• Environmental management

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Proposed methodologyto address the problems
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What is needed a Network

• to review the existing technologies
• to prepare technical editions on best available
  technologies
• to review the current stone market status
• to propose new research ideas

Working Groups

• to disseminate the Network deliverables to
  the EU Stone Industry

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OSNET Objectives

• OSNET aims to bring together all the
  organisations active in the Ornamental Stones
  Sector, industry, academia, research institutes,
  national centres and stone federations.
• OSNET will provide the necessary forum to share
  problems and experience and to facilitate the
  transfer and incorporation of technology to the
  interested market companies and organisations.

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Main Activities

• Organisation of an annual Workshop and Sectorial
  meetings
• Development of a market oriented Web site
• Edition of a quarterly Newsletter including
  information on the OSNET activities.
• Publication of technical editions of key issues
  concerning best practice/best solution production
  methodologies on production, stone
  characterisation, use of equipment, safety and
  environmental aspects.

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Main Activities

• Special editions on specific state of the art
  topics, presentation of emerging and innovative
  technologies, economic and market reviews and
  development prospects.
• Development of databases including information on
  technological know-how, equipment,
  specifications, best practice methodologies and
  links with the end-users.
• Organisation of training courses and seminars.

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OSNET Structure
E.C. Scientific Officer
Dr. G. Katalagarianakis
Coordinator
Prof. I. Paspaliaris
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Quarrying Sector

• Technical objectives
• Promote new methods for reserve recognition and
  evaluation of quality.
• Promote new quarrying methods.
• Provide the frame for improving the cutting
  efficiency and the optimisation of machine
  structure.
• Support the development of devices to improve
  productivity rate.

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Quarrying Sector
Foreseen editions

• State of the Art in Dimension Stone quarrying
• Methods and Instruments for the control and
  monitoring of the stability condition of
  Dimension Stone exploitation
• Optimising Quarrying Techniques and Practices

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Quarrying Sector
Sector Leader
Members
National Technical University of Athens
DIONYSSOMARBLE SA
Geological Survey of Norway
Instituto Geologico e Mineiro
Laskaridis Marble S.A.
Marini Quarries Group s.r.l
Naxos Marble S. A.
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Processing Sector
Technical objectives

• Improve efficiency and reduce cost of stone
  processing by improving sawing and polishing
  efficiency and minimising the waste generated
• Identify the technological needs for the above
  and engage industry and research institutions in
  carrying out the necessary research and
  technology development
• Support the understanding and dissemination of
  appropriate new technologies

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Processing Sector
Foreseen editions

• Review on stone processing techniques
• Review on marble and granite sawing
• Machining complex shape in stones
• Stone surface inspection using photometric vision
• Recycling of granite wastes

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Processing Sector
Sector Leader
University of West England
Members
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Stone Characterisation Sector
Technical objectives

• review on the State-of-the-Art of Stone
  characterisation
• identification and spreading of new
  characterisation technologies
• stone market analysis structure, demands and
  coming development
• Identification of best practice of
  characterisation techniques, their harmonisation
  with the existing regulations
• inform the stone producers on the existing
  European stoandards, the rising obligations and
  of the related deadlines

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Stone Characterisation Sector
Foreseen editions

• Characterisation targets, methodologies and norms
• Needs and priorities in stone characterisation

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Stone Characterisation Sector
Sector Leader
Members
University of Bologna
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Tools and Equipment Sector
Technical objectives

• support the industry in implementing novel
  concepts and solutions to their production in
  order to maintain the world-wide leadership of
  Europe.
• open discussion between industrial companies and
  representatives from the academic and research
  world.
• networking with experts in several disciplines
  that will be considered through synergies with EC
  initiatives in the field of economic and
  technological intelligence.

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Tools and Equipment Sector
Foreseen editions

• Review on quarrying and processing tools and
  machines
• Application of diamond technology in the stone
  sector
• Introduction of robotics, remote control of
  operations and integrated machines in the quarry
  and processing sector

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Tools and Equipment Sector
Sector Leader
D Appolonia S.P.A.
Members
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Risk Assessment Safety Environment Sector
Technical objectives

• Identify the State of the Art of the risk
  assessment, safety and environment of the
  Ornamental and Dimensional Stones Industry
• Evaluate the causes and effects of risks
  associated to working conditions, in order to
  adopt appropriate measures
• Define prevention measures, which include also
  training, and other similar activities.

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Risk Assessment Safety Environment Sector
Foreseen editions

• Risk assessment and Safety on Natural Stones
  (quarries and processing)
• Best practices on Environment on Natural Stones

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Risk Assessment Safety Environment Sector
Sector Leader
CEVALOR
Members
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Technology Transfer Sector
Technical objectives

• Promote inter-sectorial technology transfer
  between the different OSNET sectors and between
  the Sector and the market
• Facilitate the dissemination of OSNET results to
  the relevant industry and SMEs.
• Establish contact between technology developers
  through technology transfer, demonstration,
  provision of services and training.
• Contribute towards the improvement of the
  efficiency and productivity of the ornamental
  stone sector by disseminating information on the
  use and application of modern and
  non-conventional technologies.

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Technology Transfer Sector
Foreseen editions

• Open Technology Transfer days (Selection and
  installation criteria for natural stones in
  buildings)
• Training courses (Technology transfer to the
  stone industry)
• The current technological situation and the
  future needs and priorities of the European Stone
  Industry

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Technology Transfer Sector
Sector Leader
National Technical University of Athens
Members
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OSNET database

• List of European and non-European ornamental and
  dimensional stones (characteristics/properties,
  fields of application)
• Innovative technologies and techniques with
  potential applications in quarrying and stone
  processing
• List of processing machineries (specifications,
  functions)
• Information on abrasives and accessories used in
  stone processing
• List of tools and equipment manufacturers
  overview of products

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OSNET database

• Information on stone characterisation
  technologies and tests
• Information on risk assessment methodologies
• Main environmental problems related with
  quarrying and stone processing
• Main regulations concerning quarrying, stone
  processing and tools and equipment
• Norms concerning ornamental and dimensional
  stones
• Legislation concerning risk assessment and
  environmental issues

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OSNET database

• Information on market demands
• List of European companies, research institutes
  and experts involved in quarrying, stone
  processing, safety and environment
• List of European laboratories involved in stone
  characterisation
• List of European projects and publications
  dealing with various aspects of ornamental stones

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OSNET Web site
www.osnet.ntua.gr
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Annual Workshops
1st Workshop Greece, 2001
2nd Workshop