PRODUCT INNOVATIONS THE STRENGTH OF STONE FOR MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLE CERAMIC-GLASS 44 Glass-Technology International 6/2013
During Vitrum 2013, Glass- Technology International spoke to Marco Pietroni, the Sole Director of Arcom Srl, the Italian headquarters of Stoneglass products, who gave us some background information on this highly innovative product. So innovative that it won the Most Innovative Product of 2013 award at GlassBuild America. Stoneglass is a new material that combines the advantages of glass with the strength and ductility of stone, providing an unalterable and perfect reflection. Thanks to its unique characteristics, this new material has a multitude of uses and applications, such as: small objects, furniture, work tops in kitchens, vanity tops for bathrooms, wall tiles for interior and exterior environments, as well as flooring. Stoneglass is an ecomaterial par excellence, made of natural elements, without any resins and solvents. It can be processed without risks to health and has no odour. It is also 100 per cent recyclable. Stoneglass maintains all
PRODUCT INNOVATIONS the features of glass, combining them with the qualities of stone. The final result is a strong flat element. It is made by the melting and crystallization of silicon particles. The process is very similar to the natural condition of granite formation. It looks very similar to marble but has improved features in terms of hardness, brightness, imperviousness and resistance. THICKNESSES, SIZES, COLOURS AND FINISHINGS Stoneglass plates are available in three different thicknesses: 12 millimetres, 18 millimetres and 30 millimetres, depending on the type of process and use. The sizes of the plates are different, so as to comply with client demand: 3,060 x 1,340 millimetres; 2,860 x 1,340 millimetres; 2,660 x 1,340 millimetres. Black Stoneglass plates are available in 2,440 x 1,830 millimetres sizes. Stoneglass is available in white, matt white, black and matt black. Black and matt black colours are available in 15 millimetres thicknesses. MANUFACTURING PROCESS It is not just its appearance that makes Stoneglass look like marble, because it undergoes the classic processes of marble too, maintaining the characteristics of 46 Glass-Technology International 6/2013
Hangzhou Hangzhou Seoul Bangkok London New E.M.P.A.M. Roma, Italy Los Angeles glass. Cuts and shapes, profiles finishings and engravings, sandblasting, gluing process (UV) and thermoforming. Each and every single stage is carried out with specific toolings or by manual processes, as the company believes that it is the experience of artisans that create pieces of art. Possible types of cuts in- clude: Some processes may have to be adapted during the installing stages of the materials. Any adjustment made du- ring the installing stages is absolutely faster and easier than with stone or glass.
INTERVIEW DURING VITRUM 2013 During the recent edition of Vitrum, we spoke to Marco Pietroni, the Sole Director of Arcom Srl, the Italian headquarters of Stoneglass products. First and foremost, he informed us that Stoneglass was awarded during GlassBuild America as the Most Innovative Product of 2013. Stoneglass products appeared on the market two or three years ago, and since then have continued to see growth in their use and with regards to market sector. The products are dedicated to the construction sector with internal and external use, as well as that of interior design and furniture. Stoneglass stands out for one main feature that of being totally resistant to any atmospheric and chemical agent. It can therefore be used for external applications, as well as have an eternal lifetime. External applications include façades, also ventilated, floors, stairs, and, as an additional use, for funeral stones, as Stoneglass can be engraved. Internal uses of Stoneglass include kitchen worktops and splashbacks, bathrooms. This makes it a unique product. With regards to floors, these can be both domestic and commercial such as hotels, showrooms, where it can highlight even further the products and environments where it is used, also thanks to its pure white colour. Another strong point of Stoneglass is that it is totally ecological as it can be produced using recycled material and can, in turn, also be 100 per cent recycled. Moreover, it has absolutely no odour and is not toxic. And what about resistance to scratching? No problem at all - you can also cut bread on it. Let s imagine a manufacturer of tiles, who would also defend its products and say that they are better, especially with regards to their whiteness... One of the main features that attract buyers to Stoneglass is its absolute whiteness not able to obtain with ceramic tiles. Moreover, it does not discolour or yellow over time. What about other colours? We are presently carrying out market tests and surveys on other colours such as beige/cream, and we are already getting positive feedback. So in 2014 we will be doing this again. Of course, costs for colouring this type of product are really high and so we cannot make small batches. We have to make at least 150-1,000 square metres of Stoneglass for it to be convenient. We obviously have the product in stock for the two main colours black and white. Where is Stoneglass made? How is Stoneglass produced? Its white colour is caused by a chemical-mechanical process. In fact, during fusion it is transparent, and when it cools, it undergoes a crystallization process and the crystals that are formed by defragment and are, in fact, white just like snow crystals. It can also be supplied in black thanks to the addition of a mineral that, on compression, becomes black. Stoneglass has a laboratory and a production unit in China, where the product is manufactured under out complete control and with a single line that manufactures the material which is branded Stoneglass, and is CE certified. And now let s speak about the market and distribution of Stoneglass. Where is it sold and used? It can also be supplied opaque or polished right? Yes. To give Stoneglass its opaque format, we use the same procedure as that used on normal glass. The trademark Stoneglass is registered and used almost all over the world from China to the United States and Canada. It is however, an Italian brand, and is sponsored and used globally. In some countries we are present as distributors and in others we have direct customers. We are now focussing on increasing our visibility and making our name known even more. What about sterile environments such as hospitals and medical centres? Can Stoneglass be used there too? Yes, of course, since Stoneglass is glass, and glass has almost zero porosity, it can ensure total hygiene in environments where this feature is essential. You can also eat directly from it, when used as a worktop in a kitchen, for example, as it is even more hygienic than a plate! Stoneglass Via Del Commercio Nord 83/85 56034 Casciana Terme (PI) - Italy Tel: +39 0587 645079 - Fax: +39 0587 645508 info@stoneglass.it - www.stoneglass.it 48 Glass-Technology International 6/2013