News
/
10/14/2024
Marmomac 2024: an increasingly global trade fair
The exhibition in Verona featured Mapei’s presentation of innovative solutions for architectural stone paving and systems to install, clean and protect stone
At the 2024 edition of Marmomac Mapei presented innovative solutions for installing and grouting architectural stone paving, such as the MAPESTONE DRAIN drainage system and MAPESTONE JOINT GHOST and MAPESTONE JOINT GHOST PLUS silane-terminated resins, ideal for repair work. Also highlighted was the ULTRACARE range for the cleaning protection and maintenance of stone surfaces.
Increasingly global: with 51,000 visitors, 66% of which from overseas, the 2024 edition of Marmomac, the trade fair dedicated to the marble and natural stone sector, once again confirmed its leading role for the global natural stone industry. Thanks to the presence of 1,507 exhibitors from 54 different countries extending over an area of 74,000 m2, Marmomac 2024 offered visitors a complete panorama of the latest innovations in the sector, from new stone materials and machinery and technologies used to process stone, to the installation and care of stone.
The Mapei stand at Marmomac showcased new products to create stone and concrete paving as well as to install stone.
Two product lines and a host of new products
Mapei seized on the occasion again this year to exhibit innovative solutions from two product lines: architectural stone and concrete paving and systems to install and care for stone.
For the first time, alongside consolidated solutions such as the MAPESTONE and MAPEI COLOR PAVING systems, new products were presented for installing and grouting long-lasting paving with high performance characteristics. The list was topped by MAPESTONE DRAIN ready-mixed pervious mortar with high mechanical properties (30 Mpa) for external screeds. Particularly recommended to help manage rainwater run-off in urban areas, it ensures paving installed and grouted with this product is permeable and resistant to thermal shocks, freeze-thaw cycles and moderate vehicular traffic, meeting the requirements of UNI 11714 – 1- 2018 standard for class P7.
Also debuting at the trade fair were MAPESTONE JOINT GHOST and MAPESTONE JOINT GHOST PLUS silane-terminated resins, an evolution of MAPESTONE JOINT polyurethane binder, to be used to grout stone paving. Its innovation with respect to polyurethane resin lies in its transparency, making them perfect for any colour paving, not being sensitive to moisture during installation and the time required to put paving back into service (5 hours). This latter characteristic makes the product ideal for repair and renovation work, with areas under repair reopened to traffic on the same day.
Also showcased were highly sustainable solutions such as MAPESTONE CALCIX, a system that includes cement-free pre-blended mortars (MAPESTONE TFB CALCIX and MAPESTONE PFS CALCIX), made from lime and Pozzolan-reaction recycled materials. Ideal for piazzas, roads and pavements in old town and city centres, the system, which has already been employed in redevelopment projects such as Piazza Sant’Oronzo in Lecce (Southern Italy) and the old town centre of Amelia (Central Italy), has a high percentage of recycled materials which allows it to contribute to international sustainability protocols (LEED and BREEAM).
New development, too, for MAPESTONE GR-ECO cement-free pre-blended grout made from natural fibres of vegetable origin, selected aggregates and lime, which enables architectural stone paving with filtering properties to be created in areas providing access to homes, hotels and carparks that have to withstand light vehicular traffic, or in pavements, parks, gardens, porticoes and pedestrian zones.
MAPESTONE GR-ECO was presented at Marmomac 2024 alongside MAPESTONE GR-7 mortar, ideal for grouting joints in paving subject to light vehicular traffic (class P6 according to UNI 11714 – 1- 2018) and recently used in the redevelopment of Piazza Martini in Tradate (Northern Italy), and MAPESTONE GR-ECO FILL, a grout containing recycled materials specific for paving made of interlocking blocks.
In the spotlight were, among other new products, MAPESTONE GR-7 and MAPESTONE CALCIX system for architectural stone paving.
Two more new products for the ULTRACARE range
New additions also for the ULTRACARE line, launched three years ago and, since then, in constantly growing demand. Dedicated to the cleaning, finishing and protection of surfaces in various materials, including stone, it was presented at Marmomac 2024 enhanced with the new ULTRACARE FINISH LUCIDA and ULTRACARE FINISH OPACA, waxes that provide long-lasting protection and create a fabulous appearance for floors in stone, unpolished and engineered marble and stone, terracotta and similar materials in internal and covered external areas.
Also playing a leading role at the trade fair were ULTRACARE RAIN PROTECTOR W (water-based) and ULTRACARE RAIN PROTECTOR S (solvent-based), water-repellent and hydrophobic treatments for temporary protection against rainwater on terraces, balconies and other areas exposed to bad weather.
Apart from cleaners and protectors, also showcased at Marmomac were the systems developed by Mapei for installing stone material indoors: from products to prepare and waterproof substrates to adhesives and grouts, right up to specific sealants for stone materials and solutions for raised floors by Profilpas (Mapei Group).
At Marmomac 2024 Mapei also highlighted ULTRACARE RAIN PROTECTOR W (water-based) and ULTRACARE RAIN PROTECTOR S (solvent-based) water-repellent protective and consolidating treatments for balconies and terraces.
Pervious paving: training courses for professionals
Stone paving was also the centre of attention at one of the events organised by Veronafiere for this edition of Marmomac: on 24th September, as part of a training programme organised in partnership with the Italian Trade Agency for international architects and building companies, Grazia Signori, Line Specialist for architectural stone paving by Mapei, presented: “Draining stone paving for roads and squares. Thus the water returns to the earth.... But are design and installation enough?”. The presentation highlighted how, by adopting the correct procedures to design, process and install stone materials, using cutting-edge systems and technologies and following the indications contained in reference standards, it is now possible to install sound, long-lasting paving and, at the same time, guarantee a high level of sustainability. Highlighted was how pervious paving can contribute to the management of rainwater in urban areas.
Grazia Signori, Line Specialist for Architectural Stone Flooring at Mapei, presented one of the events scheduled at Veronafiere during Marmomac focusing on sustainable stone paving systems.
Photo/Video Gallery
Products
Interviews
4/2/2024
From natural stone to ceramic tiles: the aim is to be quick
News
9/17/2019
The Mapestone Line and the new UNI 11714-1:2018 Standard
Projects
11/16/2021
Mapestone System for the new Saint Francis Road at Santa Maria degli Angeli
Projects
8/9/2021
The revival of sanpietrini cobblestones
Interviews
11/6/2023
The charm of stone adds prestige to embassies and hotels
