Polycor Quarry in France Goes Green

OBERLIN, Ohio – The National Stone Sustainability Standard – ANSI/NSI 373 – is now making its mark in Europe.

The green standard for natural-stone production, previously met by select North American sites, went transatlantic last month with a Bronze status for Polycor’s limestone quarry in Massangis, France.

“Achieving the first certification outside North America was a way for us to lead the expansion of the standard worldwide,” said Ralph Morgan, Polycor director of environment and sustainability. “Natural stone is a sustainable material and deserves recognition when quarrying and manufacturing processes are sustainable.”

The Massangis operation is the 12^th certification to the ANSI/NSI standard by Polycor.

The Natural Stone Sustainability Standard, first published in 2014, came under the ownership of the Natural Stone Institute in early 2021, marking a significant opportunity to raise awareness about the standard within the design community and helping to position natural stone as a solution for green building goals.

Through third-party verification by NSF International – an independent, global organization – companies can certify compliance to the standard’s metrics, which include human health and safety, social governance, and environmental responsibility. By defining best practices for land reclamation, adaptive reuse, and management of excess materials and waste, the standard ensures that natural stone companies are being good stewards of the land.

To learn more about the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard and source certified sustainable natural stone, visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/sustainability.