Pavimental Spa, a majority-owned subsidiary of Autostrade per l'Italia, chose Kerlite panels by Cotto d'Este to clad the walls of the "Galleria di Base". This is the longest tunnel (8,703 m) on the Variante di Valico alternative carriageway, which is now approaching completion, on the trans-Apennine stretch of the A1 motorway between La Quercia and Aglio.
Produced in 300x100 cm panels with a thickness of just 3 mm, the type of Kerlite selected for the cladding of the tunnel will be non-reflective white in colour. Kerlite was chosen for many reasons, including the flexibility of the product, whose curvature radius of 5 m makes it ideal for the vaulted walls of tunnels; the competitive cost of ceramic compared with alternative materials, partly in terms of its ease of cleaning and consequently low maintenance costs; its fire-resistance, and the long service life typically associated with porcelain tile, which is the best guarantee of safety and quality.
Amounting to a total of 175,000 square metres, this was the largest order in the now decade-long history of this material (Kerlite was first launched in 2004). Reinforced with glass-fibre matting, the panels will be bonded directly to the concrete walls using Mapei adhesives. The works are due for completion by the end of September 2015.
"I am proud to be involved in this major work," announced Paolo Mussini, Managing Director of Cotto d'Este, "which Italy's motorway users have been awaiting for many years. I like to think of this bright new tunnel clad in white Kerlite as a kind of gateway to Italy's future".
Pictured: Paolo Mussini, Managing Director of Cotto d'Este
