After many years of research, in 2020 Cosentino launched Silestone HybriQ®, the first low-silica high-performance mineral surface. Silestone HybriQ is made with less than 40% crystalline silica, 99% recycled water and 100% electric energy from renewable sources. More Sustainable. Low silica. High Performance.

Cosentino addresses the Australian market

In light of recent concern in news media regarding engineered stone products, Cosentino, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of luxury mineral surface products, is communicating its position with the Australian design, lifestyle and consumer market.

Over the last 10 years, Cosentino has undertaken comprehensive research and development programs to substantially reduce the crystalline silica content of its Silestone® products, to contribute to the limitation of exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica. Engineered stone products originally had up to 95% silica in their manufacture.

Cosentino’s market leading Silestone® Q10 and Q40 products contain less than 10% and 40% crystalline silica respectively, and this has been independently verified by Perth-based laboratory, SGS. These verification documents can be provided on request.

HybriQ Technology® has been Cosentino’s strategic response to the demand for sustainability and responsibility from products and brands globally.

Utilising a sustainable manufacturing process that uses 99% reused water,100% renewable energy and zero waste water, Cosentino’s HybriQ Technology® is employed across its entire Silestone® range.

Providing a low silica product that can deliver high performance and durability has been at the core of Cosentino’s development work.

The Silestone® low silica entire range is available in Australia now, reassuring the Australian market of the continued safe supply of their products.

Empathetic to the health and safety concerns of industry around engineered stone, Cosentino has been working tirelessly with industry to educate on best safety practices.

Cosentino’s VP Oceania, Itay Shimony said, “We support the development of a nationally coordinated approach focussed on the elimination (so far as is reasonably practicable) of health and safety risks associated with high-risk crystalline silica work. To this end we encourage the national adoption of the Victorian definition of ‘engineered stone’ as defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021 being, ‘manufactured composite stone material that contains resins and 40% or more crystalline silica’.

“Providing a low silica alternative that continues to deliver high performance and durability is at the heart of Cosentino’s entire ranges, providing Australian consumers with a positive choice,” Mr Shimony added.

To read Cosentino’s statement on Silestone®, or for more information, visit: www.cosentino.com/en-au/news/.