Quartz Countertops: 3 Massive Trends for the Future
In the United States, quartz has become the preferred choice for kitchen countertops among the population. By the end of 2021, it established itself as the most used material in the US territory, surpassing laminate for the first time.
In this conversation with Damiano Caon (Export Area Manager of Breton SpA), we want to discuss the secrets behind this success and the emerging trends that could shape the future developments of the industry.
Damiano, which factors have determined the great success of quartz in the United States?
The achievement of this significant milestone can be attributed to the great versatility that quartz offers in terms of aesthetics, hygiene, and durability. If we compare quartz to competing materials, it stands out for its extraordinary resistance to impacts, abrasions, scratches, and stains.
It is also important to consider its ease of transformation from slab to finished product. Over the years, aesthetics played an increasingly prominent role in the development of this product. The constant evolution of aesthetics has given rise to a wide range of new, high-quality products: from new effects of exotic granites to an endless variety of veined and decorative effects of the latest generation.
Which role could the development of new aesthetics play in the growth of the quartz market?
In the last decade, the North American market has been characterized by a growing and lively demand for quartz slabs with veined effects that mimic precious natural marbles, such as Calacatta or Carrara, in various versions offered by different manufacturers.
Breton has always worked to provide its customers with the opportunity to produce an increasingly innovative range of aesthetic effects. In this sense, Kreos® represents an important innovative technical solution that some of our clients have already invested in.
I believe that Kreos® technology has the potential to revolutionize the North American and global quartz market, not only for its unique and innovative aesthetic possibilities but also for its ability to produce very thin slabs, starting from 7mm, which effectively opens up new markets and opportunities.
The new surface decoration technologies on quartz slabs are attracting the interest of many players in the stone industry. What do you think of this emerging trend?
The success of quartz, as I mentioned earlier, is also the result of offering slabs with ever-new aesthetics that lately recall exotic granites and veined marbles. Many of these effects may require elaborate processes that, even if fully automated, require a considerable expenditure of time.
Therefore, I believe that the development of processes for the digital decoration of quartz slabs is very promising, as it would allow the production of endless aesthetic effects in a short time without implementing or modifying existing plants.
In this sense, Breton has recently developed a technology called Chromia®. Chromia® is an innovative system that guarantees unlimited aesthetic possibilities of incredible quality while maintaining unchanged all the peculiarities over time that characterize quartz, such as resistance to impacts, scratches, stains, acids, and its ease of transformation into finished products.
The main objective of Chromia® technology is to elevate the current boundaries of quartz’s distinctive design, exploring the aesthetics of the most precious natural stones and beyond.”
Damiano, what do you think about the growing attention to respiratory diseases in the quartz industry, related to the inhalation of free silica?
There has been talking of silicosis for some time now. The issue could negatively affect the market by sending the message that quartz is a harmful product, which is not correct.
Cases of silicosis have occurred only when the slab is transformed into a finished product, and therefore when it is cut, contoured, and “dry-worked”, in the absence of appropriate personal protective measures.
It may not be known to everyone that silica, albeit in different amounts, is contained in many other materials, such as natural granite, quartzites, and ceramics in general. The risk, therefore, is now to demonize quartz by implying that it is the only and uniquely responsible for silicosis, while other materials are exempt.
It is important to emphasize that finished products derived from quartz slabs, such as kitchen countertops, are completely inert and 100% safe for the end consumer. They are easy to clean, stain-resistant, do not release any type of pollutant into the environment or to the touch, are antibacterial, and are therefore hygienic and recommended for home environments.
One last thought: I believe that it is appropriate to remind slab processors that adopting adequate technologies and measures to protect operators represents a moral duty in respect of their collaborators.
In addition to the well-known Bioquartz®, is Breton working on new solutions that allow the production of slabs with reduced silica content?
Breton is always looking for solutions that meet the needs of the industry: Bioquartz® is one of them, a 100% silica-free raw material. Therefore, an industrial solution is already available to all our customers who aim to eliminate the potential risk of silicosis.
We haven’t stopped there. Breton has also developed an alternative solution that can be applied through Kreos® technology. Previously, I have discussed the advantages of Kreos® technology from a design point of view, but the same technology can also give us relevant advantages.
Kreos® is, in fact, the only technology on the market for producing ultra-thin slabs, even in double layers. The thin upper layer is made with quartz aggregates, while the lower layer, which is thicker, is made with calcareous and/or amorphous aggregates.
The result is a finished product with a crystalline silica content present only in the very thin upper layer, which is lower than 40% (by weight) — much lower than traditional quartz throughout the entire thickness. If we were to use Bioquartz® aggregates in the thin upper layer, the result would be a “100% silica-free” product.
As entrepreneurs always strive for excellence, as well as maximum efficiency, Kreos® technology represents a concrete solution not only to create products with previously unimaginable aesthetics but also to reduce or even eliminate silicosis risks and reduce production costs related to raw materials used in the manufacturing process.
It is, therefore, an incredible result. And, it is immediately available to all our customers who have BretonStone® plants.
Breton S.p.A.
Via Garibaldi 27
31030 Castello di Godego (TV)
Italy
Tel. +39-0423-76-91
www.breton.it
Facebook: @BretonSpa
