Evaluating the potentials of Ovia clay for sustainable tile production

Overview This upload contains the full-text article “Evaluating the Potentials of Ovia Clay for Sustainable Tile Production” by Kennedy J. Eweka. The study systematically investigates whether Ovia clay, an abundant but underutilized ceramic raw material from Edo South, Nigeria, can be upgraded through beneficiation to meet international tile standards while reducing energy consumption. Methods Three progressive beneficiation routes were tested: Route A – wet sieving only Route B – wet sieving + magnetic separation Route C – wet sieving + magnetic separation + oxalic acid leaching Raw and beneficiated clays were characterised by XRF, XRD, SEM‑EDS, particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, and thermal analysis. Tile bodies were pressed and fired at 950 °C, 1050 °C, and 1150 °C, then evaluated for water absorption, flexural strength, shrinkage, and colour. Key Findings Iron oxide reduction: Fe₂O₃ content dropped from 2.8% in raw clay to 0.68% in Route C – a 76% decrease. Improved ceramic properties: Route C bodies achieved water absorption of 2.1% and flexural strength of 32.4 MPa at 1100 °C, satisfying ISO 13006 floor‑tile requirements. Energy savings: The required firing temperature was 50 °C lower than for untreated clay, offering meaningful reductions in fuel consumption and emissions. Implications The study demonstrates that Ovia clay, when properly beneficiated, can serve as a high‑quality local alternative to imported tile bodies. The combined physical‑chemical treatment (Route C) supports more sustainable, energy‑efficient ceramic manufacturing in Nigeria and other regions with similar clay deposits. File contents ajol-file-journals_486_articles_318196_699f6f6f65d94 (1).pdf – Full article as published in ATBU Journal of Environmental Technology, Vol. 18, No. 2, December 2025.