The prototype of a revolutionary new ceramic tile with insect repellent properties aroused great interest at this year's edition of CERSAIE, the leading ceramics industry fair at Bologna. Produced by the Edilizia Cottovietri manufacturer of Cava dei Tirreni, near the Amalfi Coast ceramic producing centre of Vietri, the hi tech tiles contain elements of diatom, photosynthetic single cell micro-organisms derived from alghi and other plants.

Diatoms create a natural repellent against mosquitos and other insects.

The project is being developed in collaboration with the scientific department of the II University of Naples and is still in an experimental phase, but it is hoped that eventually these tiles can be used in homes and other buildings in the place of environmental damaging chemicals.

For the Bologna Fair, architect Ivo Caruso created a tile design inspired by the typical hexagonal form of diatoms.

Info: www.cottovietri.it