Manufacturers seek safer alternatives to engineered stone

Sydney-based stone supplier Gitani Stone is advocating for safer alternatives to engineered stone, after the Commonwealth, state and territory governments prohibited the use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone due to its link to silicosis.

Jason Gittany, Managing Director of Gitani Stone, said the best alternative to engineered stone is the exact material it attempted to mimic — natural stone — and that there are plenty of natural stone options that are just as cost-effective as engineered stone.

“Without a doubt, natural stone is definitely the best option for anyone looking to prioritise quality and longevity as a product. I always strongly recommend natural stone as it is superior in every aspect of durability, quality and aesthetic appeal, and there’s tons of options that are just as affordable as engineered stone was. In the 50 years that Gitani Stone has been in business, we’ve learned that there is a form of beautiful natural stone to fit any project and any budget,” Gittany said.

According to Gittany, the market is also trending towards porcelain, which offers a “natural” look, is heat and scratch resistant and has zero silica. Both porcelain and natural stone also undergo “rigorous testing” to ensure that they meet the company’s standards for safety and performance.

“As well as natural stone, we are seeing a market trend towards porcelain, which can offer a great natural look, it’s heat and scratch resistant, and of course it has zero silica. We are currently in the process of developing a full-body porcelain option that’s just as durable as some of our natural stone products. We are very thankful that the right decision was made to ban engineered stone. I’m excited to finally say goodbye to crystalline silica and innovate with newer, safer products of higher quality,” Gittany said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Mogala