MG Marble and Granite Ltd go GREEN

World Leader in Quartz and Stone Surfacing Sets New Standard for Environmental Practices The world’s leading manufacturer of quartz surfaces and one of the world’s largest natural stone importers, Cosentino has announced the launch of ECO by Cosentino, a revolutionary new decorative recycled surface material composed of 75% recycled materials.

The launch of ECO by Cosentino sets an unprecedented standard for the green building and sustainable design industries. ECO by Cosentino is the official sponsor of the 2009 Royal institute of British Architect’s (RIBA) Lubetkin Prize reception, which will be held on Tuesday 14 July at the Foreign and Commonwealth office. The RIBA Lubetkin Prize is awarded for the most outstanding building outside the EU by a RIBA member and is chosen from the winners of the RIBA International Awards, which will also be presented at the reception.

The result of a 4.5 million euro research and development investment, this innovative new product caters to the environmentally conscious and design-oriented architect, designer and consumer. Extremely durable and available in an array of stunning colours and finishes, the applications and uses for ECO by Cosentino are endless and include interior cladding, flooring and work surfaces. “The launch of ECO by Cosentino is an exciting milestone for the company,” said Christophe Gontier, managing director of Cosentino in the UK. “It marks the introduction of an entirely new category for the surfacing industry, setting a new standard in sustainable manufacturing practices which go way beyond normal environmental regulations.”

ECO by Cosentino is composed of 75% post-industrial and post-consumer recycled raw material, including: mirrors salvaged from houses, building and factories; glass from windows and bottles; granulated glass from consumer recycling practices; porcelain from china, tiles, sinks, toilets and decorative elements; and industrial furnace residuals from factories in the form of crystallised ashes. By reusing these recycled materials, Cosentino is “upcycling” products that have reached the end of their lifecycle – meaning that they cannot be incorporated in to any other industrial product and would otherwise collect in landfill sites. According to Cosentino, approximately 3000 glass bottles equals 1Tn of raw materials.

The production of ECO by Cosentino is expected to re-use the equivalent of 65 million glass bottles, over 2 million square metres of bathroom mirrors and over 50,000 discarded ceramic tiles of every year. Re-using this huge amount of material prevents it from building up at landfills year after year, and reduces the need to mine for new resources. The recycled content is then mixed with other materials including: stone scrap from mountains, quarries, manufacturing, and fabrication; and is bonded together with an eco-resin, which contains 22% corn oil and soy resin. This pioneering resin is the result of a major research and development initiative, and is unmatched in the market today. ECO by Cosentino’s unique make-up of recycled materials combined with natural elements is achieved through state-of-the-art technology and delivers a hard durable surface that has high stain, scratch and scorch performance. Unlike more traditional materials, it is non-porous and does not require sealers.

At launch, ECO by Cosentino is available in a sophisticated colour palette totaling 10 individual designer colours, Diamond White, Riverbed, Terra, Iron One, Polar Cap, Crystal Ash, Star Light, Luna, Crystal Sand and Black Forest suitable for both commercial and residential projects. It is also available in both a polished and a matte Leather finish.

ECO by Cosentino is available in jumbo slabs of 327x159cm and standard tile sizes of 30x30cm 45x45cm and 60x60cm. The jumbo slabs allow for a higher square footage of material per container, therefore minimising the product’s carbon foot print, and provide a higher yield of material during fabrication, minimising seams and waste. The slabs are available in 1,2cm, 2cm and 3cm thickness to respond to varying market needs.

ECO by Cosentino is GREENGUARD certified for low chemical emissions, Cradle to Cradle certified as an environmentally-intelligent design and is also certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED Green Building Rating System; a third-party certification program created by the U.S Green Building Council. “ECO by Cosentino matches the superior durability of quartz surfaces, exceeds the performance of more conventional materials such as granite and marble, and is dramatically less damaging to the environment. It is the ideal product for today’s eco-minded consumer who seeks performance and sustainability, without sacrificing design,” said Valentin Tijeras Garcia, Director of Product Innovation, Cosentino.