Concept and Origin: Created through a chemical process called plasma gasification, PlasmaRock represents the transformation of solid waste into gas at extreme temperatures (up to 1500°C). Artist and researcher Inge Sluijs, through her project “The Rebirth of Waste,” views landfills as “mines” or viable economic resources.
Technical Characteristics:
- Process: Waste is broken down at an atomic level. A plasma torch generates heat more intense than the surface of the sun, decomposing gases into atomic elements.
- Result: A composite material that is extremely stable, chemically resistant, and structurally solid. It has a glassy, angular appearance.
- Efficiency: 100 kg of waste yields approximately 20 kg of PlasmaRock, along with syngas that can be stored and used for energy consumption.
Ecosystemic Impact: This material addresses the toxic infiltration of soil and water caused by old landfills. By artificially recreating a natural process in a very short time, it cleans up environmental hazards while providing a durable material for tiles or glass-like architectural elements.
