Future of stone benchtops: Exploring a new stone alternative to engineered stone

After recognising an increased incidence of silicosis in industry workers exposed to dust from cutting engineered stone, which is commonly used for kitchen and bathroom benchtops, Australia has become the first country to ban the material. This is a pivotal moment for the design and construction industry, requiring resilience and adaptability. Fortunately, leading manufacturers such as Smartstone have introduced a genuine substitute for engineered stone that is suitable for use in building projects.

Future of Stone Benchtops: Exploring a New Stone Alternative to Engineered Stone addresses the future of stone benchtops further to the Australian government prohibiting the supply and manufacture of engineered stone surfaces. Following the ban, industry leaders are obligated to transition, develop and scale the production of silica-free materials and other benchtop surface alternatives, such as sintered stone. However, the availability of these substitutes remains uncertain.

Due to these new government restrictions, Smartstone was motivated to reimagine their product line while preserving their renowned qualities and attributes. In October 2023, in anticipation of the announcement of the engineered stone ban, Smartstone responded to the needs of the industry by releasing a viable engineered stone alternative by early 2024 called the Sintered Collection, a comprehensive and government-compliant surface solution.

Download this whitepaper to learn why sintered stone presents a viable, safe and high-performing alternative to engineered stone.