Marmotec 2006, more space, more exhibitors, more revival

The fair of Carrara in the international limelight. While the new huge hall starts operating, Italian and foreign operators increase, and new materials and new technology make their appearance. A tight schedule of events and conferences

It’s a sold out in CarraraMarmotec 2006: the figures (to be certified by ISF, so not final yet) give an idea of the success and, just a few weeks before the fair, such figures are bound to grow quite a lot, but, with over 441 exhibitors (12% more) on over 21,000 square metres of net surface, 23% more than in 2005, the size of this growth is clear. These are the figures of the 27th International fair of Marble, Machinery and Services, presented in Carrara today by president Giancarlo Tonini and CEO Paris Mazzanti, in an atmosphere of palpable satisfaction for the debut of the huge hall covering 10 thousand square metres, which multiplied the saleable area, as well as for the appreciable increase in the number of exhibitors, with foreigners coming from 22 countries, up by 10%.
“These figures�, commented Tonini, “prove that the companies consider once again CarraraMarmotec an extremely important opportunity to launch themselves on the global markets. We have worked hard, not just for this, but also to show to the operators new materials and innovative technology.�
The increased number of foreign exhibitors also goes hand in hand with a remarkable increase in the number of foreign delegations. Large groups of operators are awaited from Mediterranean Africa, Eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East and the United States as well as from South Africa, France, Spain and England.
All this is the fruit of a wide promotion campaign conducted by CarraraFiere and Internazionale Marmi e Macchine (IMM) all over the world, in particular in those countries where Italy expects a development in trade flows and a significant increase in the use of natural stone. Such promotional campaign involved a prominent participation in the leading trade fairs and a huge number of direct contacts with associations, businessmen and designers. A widespread work that now has its reward.
The announced success of CarraraMarmotec 2006 is even more significant, as the Italian stone industry is going through a very complicated time. In 2005, Italy exported 4.7 million tons worth 1.7 million euros, with a slightly negative balance in the most important entries (raw and finished marble and granite) and a positive one (+1.1%) in terms of quantity only in the less valuable materials (chips and dusts). The imports are consistent with this trend: over 3 million tons of marble and granite (+1.3%) worth 552 million euros (+4.0%).
“Such a complicated scenario shows some weak signs of recovery�, added Tonini, “The confidence of the companies in CarraraMarmotec is therefore a very encouraging sign, since it comes from the companies of the historical districts, especially the Apuan Alps and Versilia. In addition, it concerns materials and technology, with companies coming to Carrara to launch brand-new products.�
This year, CarraraMarmotec, recalled president Tonini, will offer to the operators a number of new, cutting-edge facilities and will operate in particular a big hall, covering 12 thousand square metres. “These facilities�, he explained, “will make for more rational areas, will make the supply side more competitive and will offer both exhibitors and visitors services and contents that are more suitable and fit for their expectations�.
As usual, this year the exhibitors will be grouped by themes: raw and finished marble, machinery and technology, services. Smaller companies specialising in finished products will be hosted in the Idea & Prodotto area, which will showcase the very best of the great modern handicraft and artistic tradition, aimed at showing the great expressive potentials of stone, ranging from items to floors, from stair panels to kitchen and bathroom panels.
One of the strengths of CarraraMarmotec 2006 is the schedule of commercial, scientific and cultural events, a tradition that this year will include events of great significance in terms of subjects and protagonists. One of the most longed-for events (2 June) is the conference of the great Swiss architect, Mario Botta (Marble and stone in a new Renaissance) on the occasion of the presentation of the book on the great marble works made by the stone companies of the district of Carrara
The calendar also includes a few theme days about materials (white marble is the chosen material of 2006) and the transfer of technology, with the presentation (31 May) of TRAS.LA, a project involving IMM and the Region Tuscany.
In addition, June 1st will be the day of the presentation of the interregional project, 7 Italian regions for the promotion of marble. It is an initiative invented by the Region Tuscany (as the coordinator of the stone-specialist regions) and the Italian Trade Council (ICE) to develop tools for the promotion and investigation of the knowledge of natural stone. The regions involved are Lazio, Liguria, Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily and the self-governing province of Trento.
The workshop Stones that make architecture (3 June) will include the presentation of the winners of the Marble Architectural Awards (MAA), an award that is given to those designers who have used marble and stone to excellent standards. This year, the award has been given to works completed in Europe, and everybody knows that the winners (equal firsts) are architects Norman Foster and Pei Ieoh Ming (external facings), the Belgian Binst Crepain (interior design) and the English firm Skidmore, Owings and Merril and the Croatian Nenad Fabijanic (urban landscape).
Other traditional dates are those about stone restoration and the presentation of Stone Sector, the book edited by IMM containing the updated statistics about the world’s stone production and stone trade. Very important is the meeting with the press (2 June) planned by the Federation of European Marble Industries (Euroroc) that registered the European Mark to distinguish natural stone materials. The Italian version of the mark is Pietra Autentica, protecting producers and end users.
The sponsors of the event include Toscana Promozione and ICE (Italian Trade Council), while Cassa di Risparmio di Carrara è is the only sponsoring bank.

	Marble MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS This standard includes general information on the characteristics and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems associated with the material. INTRODUCTION Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite (CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed, is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds react differently with marble and produce various by-products, which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration. Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red, yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition. TYPICAL USES Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage to which marble is susceptible.