From Glass Waste to Construction Material

The fact that there is room for innovation in the construction material industry is evidenced by the company Fragment from Čačak. Its founders, Marija Marković and Pavle Milošević, patented a revolutionary construction product that captivates with its beauty and sustainability.

We are talking about Fragment panels, which contain 75 per cent recycled glass collected directly from local sources. These panels are characterized by exceptional strength that surpasses marble and natural stone, making them a durable and reliable material for various applications.

Marija Marković, an artist and environmental activist who received her master’s degree in New York, says that the idea of producing Fragment panels arose from an experiment connected with art and ecology.

– We started with the desire to make a sculpture and find a solution for the bottles piling up in our households. In many parts of Serbia, it is not easy to dispose of recyclable waste, so we decided to try to make a material similar to terrazzo. When we first polished the material, it looked fantastic. We still keep that first tile as a reminder of our beginnings – our interlocutor explains.

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However, the initial appearance of the material was far from the products the company offers today. Since glass and cement do not mix well chemically, these innovators embarked on two-year research that included cooperation with the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy in Belgrade and the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Čačak.

– That cooperation started well, and we are still successfully maintaining it. After over 2000 experiments, we were finally satisfied with the mechanical and aesthetic properties of the Fragment panel – Marija says.

The company currently offers 17 different panel designs suitable for interior and exterior use. These panels have been used to make fountains, outdoor furniture, ledges, bathroom walls, kitchens, bars, and various tables.

– Fragment panels have an A1 flammability class, which guarantees that they do not burn, do not spread fire, and do not catch fire in the event of a fire. They are adaptable to the specific needs of each project because they can be cut into different shapes. Our protective coatings are certified for food contact, ensuring safety and hygiene in all applications. In addition, they are UV neutral, which means they are resistant to harmful UV rays and will not fade or lose their properties under the sun’s influence – she points out.

Fragment panels are breathtaking in their appearance. They have depth; they shimmer and refract light in a way that creates a feeling of being lost on the surface. Even to the touch, they are very interesting and unique.

Prepared by Milena Maglovski