At Marmomac 2023 natural stone is internationality champion

The 57th edition of Marmomac opened today, and it already holds a record: the exhibition representing every aspect of the techno-stone industry, scheduled at Veronafiere from 26th to 29th September, is the most international ever. Out of 1,507 exhibiting companies, 68.5% come from abroad. A percentage that also exceeds the result of the 2019 edition by 3.8 points, at that time the number of foreign exhibitors reached 64.7%.

Marmomac thereby confirm its status as the leading global hub bringing together all the players in the natural stone industry. A community of companies and professionals returning to the event in Verona once again this year to learn about the latest market trends and meet a select, high-profile audience of clients, partners, distributors, contractors, architects and designers from all over the world.

“Marmomac is a true international business hub,” said Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere, “where political-economic relationships are developed to guide the present and future of the natural stone market. This is thanks to the event’s ability to network the skills of Veronafiere and its delegates in 60 countries together with those of entrepreneurs in the supply chain, the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ITA-Italian Trade Agency, Confindustria Marmomacchine and the production districts all over the country, starting off precisely from Verona itself.”

Marmomac will host exhibitors from 54 countries  over four intense days of business and training with already accredited operators from more than 140 countries. A full-scale melting pot trade fair covering every business area of the global natural stone industry: blocks and unhewn stone, technologies and equipment for quarrying and processing stone materials, tools, chemicals and services.

In addition to Italy  – which accounts for the lion’s share with 474 companies – the top ten countries for exhibitors attending of Marmomac are China (347), Turkey (238), India (78), Spain (76), Portugal (63) Brazil (46), Greece (40), Germany (35) and Egypt (27).

Internationality also one of the main characteristics of the professional visitors expected, thanks to major incoming investments implemented by Veronafiere in collaboration with its network of international delegates, the ITA-Italian Trade Agency and Confindustria Marmomacchine.

A team effort between Veronafiere as the organizer of the trade fair itself and “System Italy” which has achieved the objective of selecting and attracting groups of top buyers and architects from target countries including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, India, China, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Kenya, Mozambique, Malaysia and Myanmar.

“In addition to the calibre of its international profile – which also benefits from synergies with our trade fair companies operating in Brazil and Asia – ” said Maurizio Danese, Managing Director of Veronafiere, “Marmomac’s strong point has always been its ability to combine specific occasions for B2B meetings with the promotion of product culture, training, research and experimentation. This is why – edition after edition – we have sought to encourage dialogue with the studios of star architects, famous designers and the international academic world. The objective is to promote the increasing use of stone materials in high-end building projects, furnishing and interior design solutions.”

Three specific initiatives of Marmomac 2023 move in this particular direction.

A Matter of Stone is the new commercial area in Hall 1. The concept curated by Elle Decor sees companies exhibit design projects and products and, thanks to targeted b2b meetings, meet professionals from the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland and Italy, invited to find our more and decide about the use of natural stone materials in construction and furnishings.

“With the new “A matter of stone” pavilion project we show not only the incredible versatility of the stone as material, but also the role of design in creating value. An evolutionary piece that completes Marmomac’s offer, strengthening its role as hub for all the key players in the supply chain and as a stage for the latest trends and innovations regarding natural stone” said Raul Barbieri, commercial director of Veronafiere.

Hall 10 is home to The Plus Theatre, a hub for experimentation associated with natural stone. This facility with host shows, workshops and talks to explore the relationship between natural stone, technology and art. A relationship exemplified by the dynamic installation at the centre of the exhibition area, where a latest-generation machine will create a sculpture in real time during the course of the trade fair.

Marmomac Meets Academies, lastly, involves Italian and international universities and research centres in the exploration of the aesthetic and application potential of natural stone. Marmomac will welcome universities from Florida, Auckland and Dortmund alongside Bari Polytechnic University, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, the Italian Institute of Design and the Academy of Fine Arts of Verona to address topics ranging from the application of stone slabs only a few millimetres thick and recomposed or 3D printed materials, through to in-depth analysis of natural stone materials structurally optimized for environmentally aware applications.