Possibilidades de aproveitamento do rejeito das indústrias de beneficiamento do caulim para a produção de tinta ecológica à base de terra.

Abstract

The search for sustainability has made companies re-evaluate their performance in the search for products, services and processes that cause less environmental impacts, adjusting to the increasingly demanding demands of the market. In the mining sector, the productive practices represent the activity with great environmental damage, especially when considering the beneficiation. In Paraíba, the exploitation of kaolin produces a high percentage of waste, whose inadequate disposal causes several negative impacts on the environment. The aim of this research was to present theoretical and practical foundations to support the use of kaolin waste in the production of ecological paint (geotinta), as a sustainable alternative. A case study was used to contextualize the theme. The kaolin reject was collected on the banks of BR 230, near the municipality of Juazeirinho-PB. The ecological ink was prepared using the waste, water and white glue. To verify the potential of the ecological paint, a masonry wall was painted. Preliminary results confirm that this kaolinite residue is an excellent raw material for the manufacture of ecological paint, demonstrating the potential to be used in the painting of internal walls. The feasibility of using the kaolin waste as an alternative to making ecological paint was concluded, providing a new direction in the use of this material discarded in the environment.