The Ascot Group has always paid great attention to the surrounding environment and to the health of its workers. So much so, it has decided to do its utmost to reduce the environmental impact of its ceramic production activities.

This policy gave rise to the "LEAD-COLOURED LEAD-FREE" project, which obtained an important recognition and funds from the European Commission through the LIFE+ financial support programme.

Still in its initial phase, the project will show how boron-based lead-free glazes can be used instead of lead-based glazes in the ceramic industry and how the quality and characteristics of the resulting products are identical to those of products made with traditional glazes, thereby overcoming all the current problems concerning the application and appearance of such glazes.

Owing to the volatile characteristics of boron, the new process will take place in two stages: creation of a new type of frit – fusion of a dry mixture of raw materials, essential if well-vitrified glaze is to be obtained – without lead compounds but based on boron, pre-stabilized at a low temperature with silica and sodium oxide and then mixed only afterwards in a rotary kiln with other glaze components.