TECHNOLOGY THE FRESH PRINTS Mar Esteve Cortes, Director of Neolith, discusses the transition of the sintered stone


industry as technology has advanced, explaining what brands can do to ensure they keep up with trends in 2020.


The sintered stone industry is constantly evolving. New innovations are allowing surfaces to get even closer to faithfully recreating natural marbles, granites, sandstones and more. Putting time and resources into R&D is therefore crucial, and any brand that fails to do so risks getting left behind. As this investment speeds up advances in printing technology, it will lead to trends that will define interior and exterior surfacing over the next year. Here are a few which I believe will set the tone throughout 2020.


Safety First


From ultra-hygienic through to low combustibility, safety has become a paramount consideration when specifying surfaces for both commercial and residential projects. With enhanced building regulations, 2020 will see an ever-increasing desire to develop advanced materials with inherent properties that actively protect the public inside and outside the home, and enhance their experience. This includes everything from photocatalytic applications which purify urban air to surfaces containing anti-slip treatments which work even in wet weather.


Clean and Crisp and Even


Snowy white, quartzite-like surfaces have increasingly grown in popularity over the last couple of years. Strides in printing technology have brought incredibly precise detail, allowing for the creation of slabs with more subtle striations, cleverly manufactured to texturally match the naturally hewn stone.


Tactile Surfaces


It’s not just patterns and aesthetics that will benefit from drastically improved detailing. Over the last year, there has been an increase in requests for surfaces with a distinct texture. Expect to see a response, with the development of advanced finishes which can create the unique and captivating feel of clean cut, unpolished natural marble. The trend for surfacing materials which are as pleasant to the touch as they are to look at is only set to keep growing.


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Full-bodied


Once regarded as an impossible dream, full-bodied veining within sintered stone surfaces is fast becoming a reality. Following considerable and extensive research and development into production techniques, surfaces can be achieved with profiles which truly capture the deep veining found in marbles, granites and quartzite. Specifically for thick worktop and sink applications, this will add another element of hyper-realism to the slabs, capturing an authentic aesthetic alongside superior performance qualities. This is truly an industry milestone and the result of years of intense prototyping.


Sustainable Surfaces


Over the last decade, architects and designers have become more conscious about the materials they specify. Growing awareness surrounding the impact of climate change is encouraging a more sustainable approach to both commercial and residential projects. Sintered stone already has a 100% natural composition, but new technology is helping to make it even more eco-friendly, by making the manufacturing process as low impact as possible. Advancements have allowed the replacement of solvent-based inks with water-based varieties with a far lower carbon footprint. This gives professionals and consumers confidence they are working with a green product with low environmental impact.


Quality Control


New technology is allowing companies to have ever greater control over their products. For example, dry-spraying technology allows brands to process raw materials into solid particles for sintering process on-site. Bringing it in-house offers superior quality control, as sintered stone companies will no longer be reliant on external supply chains. Additionally, any materials wasted during slab production can be reused, reducing resource consumption.


www.neolith.com/en www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk


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