Page 11 - Demo

Slippery rock Gazette
Cosentino
Continued from page 1
Although Cosentino was al- ready a European stone power- house for 15 years, Silestone put the company on the map in North America, while defining the quartz category of countertops. Silestone is now one of the lead- ing brands of quartz in America.
Next on the timeline, Cosentino went back to its roots with a new line of marble, plus granite and quartz, with its Sensa natural stone line. Sensa incorporates Senguard NK, an exclusive pro- tection against stains and allows the stone to breathe. The stone is treated at Cosentino before it leaves.
Then, in 2013, the company created the ultra-compact surfac- ing material Dekton. Dekton® is manufactured using Cosentino’s exclusive TSP (Technology of Sintered Particles) technology, a manufacturing process that uses an accelerated version of the high pressures and high temperatures processes that nature applies over thousands of years, to product nat- ural stone. In 2016 Dekton® ob- tained the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), after analyz- ing the environmental impact of its life cycle. Dekton® offers a 25 year warranty.
The Sensa exclusive stain pro- tection, called Senguard NK, is applied by means of a chemical bonding process, providing in- visible protection that enables the natural stone to breathe. The treatment works by preventing penetration by any type of liquid into the granite, meaning that properties of the stone, such as its color, quality and finish, remain unaltered for longer, and that the resulting protection is better.
What are the benefits to our readers who are interested in using your material: price, dura- bility, aesthetics?
“Each of our brands has unique features and advantages that make them a great choice for indoor or outdoor projects. Silestone by Cosentino, our world-leading brand of quartz surfaces, is a ma- terial made of 90 percent natu- ral quartz. Silestone surfaces are highly stain, impact, and scratch resistant, as well as having a low liquid absorption rate. I would
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In a Miami, Florida, park, Cosentino & Pininfarina created a dis- play of unique sculptural forms using Dekton® and natural stone.
Eduardo Cosentino, spokesperson Cindy Crawford, Brandon Calvo, and Matt Thurston, West Coast Regional Director, Cosentino.
chose this surface for indoor kitchen or bath projects.
“Dekton is also highly resistant to scratching and abrasion, it has very low porosity and therefore almost non-existent water absorp- tion and maximum resistance to stains. This product is becoming increasingly popular in kitchens, as well.
“For those who prefer to go with natural stone, Our Sensa line of sealed and protected granite and quartzite stone comes with a 15 year warranty.”
What notable past or current large-scale projects using your material?
“We are proud to say many large projects around the world include Silestone, Dekton and Sensa, including indoor and out- door spaces. The St. Jude Dream Home project in Charlotte is one recent project that combines Silestone and Dekton in several rooms.” (See page 20 for a case study on the Charlotte, NC St. Jude Dream Home, project).
What do you see for the fu- ture of Cosentino? Any trends in large format and Ultra-compact materials?
“In the near future, I see more custom-made products, using ultra thin materials, and with higher performance. Also, I en- vision more realistic expressions and variety in textures and fin- ishes. All of that combined will make these products very versa- tile and used in new applications not seen before.”
Any other points you think our readers may find interesting?
“Cosentino’s focus on
sustainability is worth mention- ing. Cosentino is committed to building a prosperous, safe, and sustainable industry for the fu- ture. In 2019, Cosentino allocated $11.8 million USD to the start-up of assets related to our environ- mental management, and $9.1 million USD to environmental ex- penses. Cosentino also increased waste recycling rate by 30 per- cent, compared to 2018 levels, in the Cantoria Industrial Park. We’ve just completed our first year operating our own non-haz- ardous waste treatment and recov- ery plant.
“For example: as a result of our commitment, Cosentino Group has reached several milestones like the daily reuse of 70,000m3 water to achieve a “0” Water Discharge assessment. And con- sumption of 100 percent certi- fied renewable electric energy, all in the recently constructed Cosentino Waste Management Plant inside the company’s indus- trial park.
“There are other environmental steps we are proud of: In 2016, Dekton earned the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), a prestigious certification by The International EPD System. EPD certification was also obtained in 2019 for all the Silestone color range.”
Eduardo concluded, “As a mul- tinational company, since the very beginning Cosentino Group has upheld its commitment to the local communities in which it op- erates. This social, voluntary and real responsibility is reflected in continued support offered through education, and training in differ- ent fields; our policies for the encouragement of equality; our
community support actions; and our sponsorship of a wide range of cultural, educational and sports activities, worldwide.”
“In closing, I’d like to stress that we take our corporate responsi- bility statement very seriously. There are three initiatives I’d like to specifically mention: the Cosentino Design Challenge pro- motes and encourages creativity and talent among students of de- sign and architecture from around the world.
“Our Eduarda Justo Foundation scholarships are International graduate scholarships awarded to enable young people to pur- sue their studies in the world’s leading universities such as MIT, Harvard, Stanford or Columbia. Together with the United Word Colleges, two scholarships are offered each year to study the International Baccalaureate in one of this institution’s 13 centers, around the world.
And lastly, our Silestone Institute is an international plat- form devoted to the study and awareness of hygiene in kitchens and bathrooms, in both public and private spaces, for the purpose of promoting a healthy lifestyle. Its activity areas focus on kitchens in the home, professional kitchens and other areas related to the food industry or the hospitality sector. The institute’s Advisory Board comprises experts in different areas of food safety, professional cooking, scientific communica- tion, cleaning products, architec- ture and design, and the studies on offer are open to consumers, pro- fessionals and the general public.”
The Silestone Institute has pub- lished two editions of the “Global Kitchen” trends report: sile- stoneinstitute.com/en/.
See also the Cosentino St. Jude Dream Home project on page 20.
Canadian-born International supermodel Coco Rocha chose Dekton® countertops in Opera hue for
her farmhouse kitchen in New York state.