Studio ThusThat Converts Aluminum's Red Mud Waste into Ceramic Vessels and Tiles
Studio ThusThat, located in Amsterdam, has created a method to convert red mud—an alkaline byproduct from alumina extraction—into ceramic products and construction materials. Initiated in 2019 at the Royal College of Art in London, the project progressed with the help of materials scientists from KU Leuven, who recognized the high iron oxide levels in the residue suitable for ceramics. The treated red mud contributes to ceramic bodies and glazes, yielding warm reddish hues. Given its high alkalinity and potential hazardous components, raw red mud requires processing. Annually, over 150 million metric tons are produced, with merely three percent being reused. An architectural partnership with Tonkin Liu investigated modular ceramic tiles for roofing and coastal restoration. The studio is led by designers Kevin Rouff and Paco Böckelmann.
Key facts
- Studio ThusThat's Red Mud project started in 2019 at London's Royal College of Art
- Research advanced with materials scientists at KU Leuven in Belgium
- Over 150 million metric tons of red mud are generated globally each year
- Existing stockpiles are estimated at more than four billion tons
- Only around three percent of red mud was being repurposed when the research began, per figures cited by the studio
- Red mud's high iron oxide content enables its use in ceramic bodies and glazes
- A collaboration with London practice Tonkin Liu produced modular ceramic tile proposals for roofing and coastal regeneration
- Designers Kevin Rouff and Paco Böckelmann lead Studio ThusThat, based in Amsterdam
Entities
Artists
- Kevin Rouff
- Paco Böckelmann
Institutions
- Studio ThusThat
- Royal College of Art
- KU Leuven
- Tonkin Liu
- designboom
- INDX|GLOBAL
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- London
- United Kingdom
- Belgium
- Hungary
- Western Australia
- Australia