The organisers of Marmomac, Veronafiere have revealed that 51,000 visitors attended last week's event (24-27 September) in Verona, Italy – an increase of 10% compared with last year's show. This was the 57th edition of the world-famous event dedicated to the stone production chain and of those visitor figures, more than 60% came from outside Italy including the UK.

Known for being one of the most important stone shows in the world, it attracted more than 1,500 exhibitors from 54 countries many of which have UK agents and distributors who were also in attendance. The team from Stone Specialist and the Natural Stone Show including Clare Howcutt-Kelly, Charlotte Shacklock and Richard Bradbury headed out to cover the event and meet exhibitors.

An outbreak of sickness (including Covid-19) among air traffic control staff at Gatwick caused logistical complications and flight cancellations affecting many of those visiting from the UK but in spite of this, the mood was one of optimism and celebration. Look out for our coverage in the next issue of Natural Stone Specialist magazine – video interviews will also be added to our YouTube channel.

The UK Natural Stone Show team are back at Marmomac this week. You can find us on stand G16 between halls 6-7 in the Central Service area. 

The Natural Stone Show in London is a biennial event, the next of which takes place 3–5 June 2025. Backed by stonespecialist.com, Stone Specialist magazine and Stone Bulletin, the Natural Stone Show is the only event dedicated to the stone industry in the UK and Ireland, bringing together many of the world’s leading stone producers and suppliers. It offers an ideal opportunity for your company to enter the UK market to source new projects, establish relationships and sell to the wholesale and retail trade. 

We are in Verona for the duration of Marmo+mac and would welcome the opportunity to introduce the team and provide you with detailed information about the event. You can send us a message on Whatsapp on: +44 7969 813 261 to arrange a meeting. 

The Polycor Group, which operate more than 80 quarries and 24 processing plants across the US, Canada and France, have completed their acquisition of French company Rocamat, known for their limestone.

Founded in 1853, Rocamat employ 160 people and operate 30 quarries and four processing plants in France, supplying natural stone for major construction companies, public works and historical monuments in France and overseas. 

The takeover proposal was announced in February this year (read about that here). Polycor have been a minority shareholder in Rocamat since 2018, operating four of Rocamat's quarries. Their markets include the UK and Polycor are a member of Stone Federation Great Britain. 

On the acquisition, Polycor's president and chief executive officer, Patrick Perus, said: "We are delighted to welcome Rocamat into the Polycor family. They are an esteemed flagship of our industry whose stones grace some of the most prestigious buildings in the world. 

"Acquiring Rocamat not only allows us to inherit the exceptional expertise and know-how of its employees but also bolsters our mission of restoring natural stone to its former glory, which is the driving force behind everything we do."

The takeover is being heralded as paving the way for more sustainable construction in France with Polycor using the acquisition to collaborate with French group Verrecchia.

Verrecchia have more than 30 years' experience in new build cut stone construction, establishing themselves in France as prominent developers committed to environmentally friendly, mixed-use construction.

Patrick Perus: “The buildings of the future demand a departure from short-lived and environmentally harmful materials, prioritising the longevity of infrastructures. Natural stone, owing to its exceptional durability and low carbon footprint, rightfully emerges as a central component in eco-conscious and sustainable construction – an area where Verrecchia have already established a strong presence.”

Stone Italiana, represented by Italian Luxury Surfaces in the UK, has published its third sustainability report. It details the company's commitment to its green, digital, welfare and social responsibilities by maintaining the level of recycled raw materials used at 11%, increasing the recycling of its own waste to 83 per cent, the introduction of new welfare facilities for their staff and an investment in cyber security and digitalisation.

Stone Italiana has its own internal initiative known as Green Vision and has promoted its own recycled material, Cosmolite since 2020 which comes which comes in slab format. It is produced using inert materials that are 100% recycled pre-consumer minerals and, other than quartz and the resin part of the polymeric, the binder originates from renewable vegetable sources obtained from non-Genetically Modified (non-GM) and Identity-Preserved (IP) plants.

This Green Vision has also driven the company to continually innovate and focus on increasing the levels of recycled materials across its portfolio with products that are low VOC and safe for foodpreparation, and on reducing the company’s overall carbon footprint through the installation of photovoltaics and grid economisers installed at their manufacturing sites.

The Design Museum in London has opened a new exhibition called How to Build a Low-Carbon Home with a focus on three key sustainable materials – natural stone, straw and wood.

Running until March 2024, it will showcase how these three ancient low-carbon materials can enable to  the UK to address the housing crisis while also meeting climate pledges. The display will show how these three resources are being championed through the work of a new generation of architects, who have been pioneering their use in ambitious and innovative construction projects across the UK and includes contributions from Amin Taha of Groupworks Architects and Steve Webb of Webb Yates Engineers among others.

How to Build a Low-Carbon Home was initiated by the Design Museum’s Future Observatory, a national design research programme for the green transition and is led by architect Dr Ruth Lang, includes a broad programme of activities to engage the UK construction industry in more sustainable approaches. Future Observatory was launched in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The display explores the urgent need to rethink the way we build our towns and cities, to respond to both the housing and climate crises. Materials commonly used in construction, such as steel and concrete, contribute to nearly 10 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions. Each section is dedicated to one of the three resources, tracing its journey from raw material to building material to architecture. 

The prominence of stone in construction dwindled with the advent of reinforced concrete and steel in the nineteenth century, and its use today is largely decorative. Unlike these materials, however, stone is an abundant resource found in the earth’s crust. It can be three times stronger than concrete, and requires much less energy to produce. The display highlights new stone architecture, as well as the tools and craftsmanship of Lincolnshire stonemasons who handshape blocks for sustainable construction.

To find out more, visit the Design Museum's website.

Waters Group has become the official distributor for the CleanSpace range of Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) in the UK stone industry.

CleanSpace Technology was established in Australia in 2019 and has its own UK-based technical team who can provide full, free of charge training to Waters Group customers who purchase the PAPR. 

Bradyn Mirabelle, UK & Ireland Sales Manager for CleanSpace said: "CleanSpace Respirators offers the next generation of innovative respiratory protection with P3 HEPA filters, coupled with positive air protection and a comfortable design. The newest range of respirators – CST Pro and CST Ultra - are the lightest PAPRs on the market, under 500g, making it easy for users to wear and able to do their job without unnecessary bulk and weight. They are Bluetooth-enabled for connectivity with the CleanSpace Smart App allowing access to respirator data regarding battery charge, filter status and wearer protection.
 
The CleanSpace CST Ultra also delivers CleanSpace Smart Insights – a report which is ideal for larger worksites where respiratory compliance programmes are part of workplace operations. It is water tolerant with an IP rating of 65 making it perfect for workers who are wet cutting stone or concrete. Programmed with enhanced battery management, it retains a battery charge in storage up to a year."

PAPR products can be purchased via the Waters Group website.
 

Four new courses are to be made available to Stone Federation members as part of its Stone Academy. Devised in response to member feedback, they comprise: 

• The Use of Stone for Interiors, Tuesday 19 September at The Building Society, 55 Whitfield St, London W1T 4AH and online. £200 + VAT (in person), £150 + VAT (online).
• Natural Stone: An Introduction to the Material and the Industry, Thursday 26 October at The Building Society, 55 Whitfield St, London W1T 4AH and online. £100 + VAT (in person), £75 + VAT (online)
• Stone in Construction: Design & Installation, 6-10 November (the course content is 3 hours but will be available to watch all week). Online only. £75 + VAT
• Bathrooms, Shower Enclosures & Wet Rooms & BS 8298 – Part 5,
  Wednesday 22 November at The Building Society, 55 Whitfield St, London W1T 4AH and online. £200 + VAT (in person), £150 + VAT (online)

Member exclusive discounts are available for multiple bookings. 
2-4 bookings – 15% discount.
5 or more bookings – 25% discount
(All bookings must be made at the same time and on the same booking form to qualify for the discount).

To book, email sara@stonefed.org.uk