Highway S6 Semmering Schnellstrasse

Kerlite slabs have been used to cover a 160 metre-long tunnel on the Wartberg S6 Semmering Schnellstrasse. The project, commissioned by the Austrian firm Asfinag, was carried out with the aim of redeveloping a section of the motorway. The tunnel has been completely renovated by replacing the conventional tunnel covering with Cotto D’Este porcelain stoneware slabs.

The aim of the project is to use the outstanding Kerlite material in order to obtain long-term advantages in terms of, above all, durability, ease of cleaning and safety.

For this new project, Cotto D’Este created an entirely custom-made product in Kerlite 3 plus in the 300×100 cm size, obtained using an exclusive technology that gives the slab an incomparable degree of elasticity and resistance. More than 1,300 sq m of walls were tiled in the tunnel and every slab is presented in the colour white.

The decision to use Kerlite is an innovative choice that turns a ceramic product into a true architectural element. The technical and physical qualities of the material guarantee important advantages. First and foremost, the slabs’ flexibility, which has made it possible to adapt to the curvature radius of the vaults, as well as the ability to offer optimal acoustic comfort, intrinsic fire resistance, greater durability and ease of maintenance and cleaning compared to traditional finishes, along with better light reflection, ensuring a high level of safety for motorists driving through the tunnel.