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Noxite, BMI Icopal's innovative flat roofing system, purifies the air of harmful nitrogen compounds by converting them into harmless particles. These are then removed by rain and wind. The effective action of Noxite is permanent; every flat roof equipped with Noxite helps purify the air on a daily basis. This sustainable and recyclable roofing material is increasingly used in new construction and renovation of flat roofs. In road construction, the active top layer has recently been added in wearing courses for asphalt. Research has proven the purifying effect of Noxite.
Nitrogen oxides are released during the combustion of fossil fuels, are inhaled and enter the environment. This is not only harmful to the environment, but can also cause lung irritation, lower resistance and respiratory infections. The urgency to reduce nitrogen emissions is therefore great.
According to Cor den Hartog, Sales Director BMI Netherlands, use can be made of the 450 million m2 of flat roofs present in the Netherlands. "Actually, every flat roof in the Netherlands should be given a second function," Den Hartog believes, "you can put solar energy systems on it to generate more renewable energy or you can put Noxite on it to render the nitrogen oxides present in the air harmless. In all cases, that means direct benefit to the environment." The effect of Noxite has been proven, as research during a trial at Schiphol Airport showed that the roofing system really does have an air-purifying effect. Noxite's innovative top layer consists of natural stone granules coated with titanium dioxide. This acts as a catalyst to convert, with the help of the sun, the harmful nitrogen particles into harmless substances. These harmless substances are then released into the soil via rain and wind. The effect of this topsoil is permanent and most effective in areas where nitrogen emissions are high. In areas with low emissions, for example, installing solar energy systems on flat roofs is more obvious.
100 m2 of Noxite roofing each year purifies the air of nitrogen oxides from an average car driving 15,000 km per year. If all flat roofs in the Netherlands were fitted with Noxite, some 4.5 million cars could drive 15,000 km a year while their emissions were purified. "If you set these figures against the total amount of nitrogen oxides produced annually in the Netherlands," Den Hartog nuances, "then of course only a small part is purified and especially in areas where nitrogen emissions are high. But in combination with other measures, small bits quickly become a lot bigger."
The top layer of Noxite is also already being used on a modest scale in road construction. "If you add these natural stone granules to wear layers of asphalt," Den Hartog continues, "you are therefore offsetting the emissions from the traffic using the road. You then tackle the problem at the source. Only a few roads have been fitted with this air-purifying top layer; many more will soon have to be fitted. We are thus creating many more kilometers of air-purifying surface."
BMI Group was created in mid-2017 by the merger of Braas Monier (roof tiles) and Icopal (bitumen and plastic roofing membranes). This merger created the largest manufacturer of roofing systems for flat and pitched roofs in Europe. With tremendous dedication and expertise from the entire team, BMI always aims to perform and inspire at the very highest level. Whether sloping or flat roofs, every roof is seen as a roofing system for which only the best is good enough. BMI combines not only its products, but also its strengths in innovation and sustainability. Its product range includes bitumen and plastic roofing, ceramic and concrete tiles, lightweight steel roofing elements and technical advice. BMI Group is headquartered in London and has approximately 9,600 employees in more than 40 countries worldwide.
