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Pioneering the Crystalline Silica-Free Revolution

02/05/2024
Caesarstone

The end of an era in engineered stone brings with it the exciting prospect of brand-new surfaces for the home, ones that are sustainable and free of crystalline silica.

Leading the way in sustainable mineral surfaces, we are proud to announce the launch of a revolutionary new surface – Mineral™ Crystalline Silica-Free – a collection of 33 mineral surfaces created from a unique mix of minerals and containing a minimum of 80% recycled materials (such as glass). These surfaces contain no crystalline silica. The game-changer is the fact that this Mineral™ range looks and performs exactly like the surfaces it is replacing – offering exceptional resistance to heat, stains and scratches – and is the only surface of its kind to carry a lifetime warranty.

As a pioneer and leader of the global benchtop industry for more than 35 years, at Caesarstone® we are once again at the forefront of technological innovation with the early release of 20 new Mineral™ Crystalline Silica-Free surfaces in the first half of this year (2024), and the remainder to follow in the second half. 

With Caesarstone Mineral™ Crystalline Silica-Free, we retained all the most popular colours and designs of our original engineered stone collection, such as the marble-inspired Calacatta Nuvo™, Empira White™ and Statuario Maximus™. Concrete designs such as Fresh Concrete™ and Raw Concrete™ will also be among the first batch of designs to be released. In fact, there is no visible difference between the surfaces in this new Crystalline Silica-Free range and our original engineered stone collection – the only difference is the complete absence of crystalline silica.

Modern minimalistic industrial style kitchen featuring caesarstone marble inspired grey benchtop and island and wooden cabinetry.
Kitchen designed by Studio Minosa featuring Caesarstone Mineral Crystalline Silica-free Statuario Maximus™.

The new Mineral™ Crystalline Silica-Free collection will be produced in Grande size slabs – 3240 x 1640 x 20mm – to maximise the expanse of joint-free surface achievable.

Each Mineral™ Crystalline Silica-Free surface is produced with the utmost attention to sustainable practices.  The surfaces, which will never require sealing, are both non-porous and non-toxic, with extensive independent testing certifying the absence of crystalline silica*. Caesarstone benchtops are guaranteed to be safe to use in the home, including when the product is being installed.  These benchtops also pose no risk during the fabrication process, provided the necessary safety measures are adhered to.

*May contain traces of crystalline silica up to 1%.

FAQs

What materials make up Caesarstone?

Caesarstone is made from a blend of natural minerals and advanced materials, designed to capture the beauty of stone with the strength of modern technology. Our Caesarstone ICON surfaces combine high-quality minerals such as recycled glass and crystalline silica-free materials*, fused together under intense heat and pressure to form a dense, non-porous slab.
This mineral composition delivers remarkable durability — resistant to scratches, stains, and heat — while maintaining a smooth, refined finish that feels timeless. The move to advanced mineral surfaces reflects Caesarstone’s ongoing commitment to more sustainable production, without compromising performance or design. Each slab has up to 80% recycled glass in the composition, every slab embodies decades of craftsmanship and innovation, offering the natural authenticity of stone with the reliability of engineered precision. It’s a material built to last a lifetime — one that stands as a symbol of quality, trust, and enduring Australian design.
 
*Formulated without crystalline silica; however, may contain traces of up to 1%.

Why has Caesarstone been banned or restricted in some regions?

Caesarstone, the brand, has not been banned or restricted. In some regions, restrictions or bans have been introduced on certain engineered stone products more broadly, following regulatory reviews focused on fabrication and processing practices.

Traditional engineered stone often contained higher levels of crystalline silica, a naturally occurring mineral found in many building materials. During cutting, grinding or polishing, fine dust particles may be generated if appropriate controls are not in place, which has led to increased regulatory oversight across the industry.

In response to evolving regulations and industry requirements, Caesarstone has invested extensively in research and development to evolve its material technologies. Our newest generation of advanced mineral surfaces, ICON, is crystalline silica-free*, reflecting a continued focus on material innovation and responsible product development. These surfaces maintain the strength, beauty and performance that define Caesarstone, while utilising an evolved material composition.

This shift represents an important evolution in surface manufacturing. Caesarstone continues to lead the industry through innovation and sustainability, supporting the future of design with thoughtfully developed surface solutions.

*Formulated without crystalline silica; however, may contain traces of up to 1%.
 

What health risks are associated with Caesarstone fabrication?

Health considerations associated with the fabrication of engineered stone have historically been linked to earlier generations of products that contained higher concentrations of crystalline silica. During fabrication processes such as cutting, grinding or polishing, fine dust particles may be generated if appropriate controls are not in place, which has led to increased regulatory attention across the industry.

In response to evolving industry requirements, Caesarstone has continued to invest in material innovation and manufacturing development. In 2024, we commenced production of advanced mineral surfaces that are crystalline silica-free*, reflecting an evolution in material composition aligned with regulatory change and responsible product development.

Alongside material innovation, Caesarstone supports responsible fabrication practices through education and guidance. Our Master of Stone® online training program provides fabricators worldwide with access to best-practice information on fabrication processes, including dust management, ventilation and equipment use, supporting consistent standards across the industry.

*May contain up to 1% crystalline silica.