A new era of engineered stone, everything you need to know about the ban.

A new era of engineered stone, everything you need to know about the ban.

What is engineered stone?

Engineered stone is an artificial product made from a combination of natural stone materials and resin. Since the 1960s, they have had sweeping popularity and are often used in luxurious home builds as large panels and slabs for their non-porous and stain-resistant properties. However, recent years have seen a ban implemented on certain engineered stone processes due to the high rate of silicosis occurring after 5-10 years of exposure.

Kitchen bench top detail

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The engineered stone benchtops ban

The Australian government announced a ban on engineered stone effective 1 July 2024. The ban was introduced to lower the rates of silica poisoning during the manufacture, processing and installation of engineered stone.

What is Silica poisoning?

When stone, sand or soil is processed, Crystalline silica dust is released in microscopic particles that, when inhaled, over time, cause scar tissue to build in the lungs and lead to chronic breathing problems. There is no cure for silicosis at this stage. However, it is preventable when the correct health and safety precautions during dust extraction are taken.

Implementation of the Ban

The engineered stone ban is enforced by WorkSafe, which ensures that people or businesses working to manufacture engineered stone comply with the regulations. They are required to notify WorkSafe before carrying out any further manufacture or disposal of engineered stone.

Are there any exemptions?

Yes, the ban on manufacture and processing doesn’t apply to every product that contains silica, such as porcelain products and sintered stone. You’ll still be able to use large slabs of natural stone that don’t contain resin, as these pose far less risk to workers.

Australia was the first to implement the ban, with it applying to all engineered stone products with a high silica content, regardless of their country of origin. This means that just because production is permitted overseas, you are prevented from importing engineered stone with a high silica content. 

What does this mean for your luxury home build?

Silica dust is not just found in engineered stone but also in natural stone, bricks, tiles, concrete, mortar, and some plastic materials. Silica dust occurs naturally in stone however, the composition varies between types of stone.

If you’ve been dreaming of an elegant home with large slabs of marble or granite, that dream isn’t over. Marble, for example, contains 2% silica, while granite typically contains 30%. Contrasted with engineered stone bench tops, such as Quartz contains up to 97% silica.

The ban is strictly imposed on engineered stone benchtops. However leading providers, Caesarstone, and Stone Ambassador have reworked their operations to release ranges that are compliant with the ban. The new compositions offer similar qualities and aesthetics for your home build, with Caesarstone’s lifetime warranty remaining unchanged. 

Popular natural stone alternatives to engineered stone slabs are:

Granite

  • Granite is a great option for kitchen benchtops due to having a highly scratch and heat-resistant surface.

Marble

  • A luxurious stone that can instantly elevate the aesthetic of any room, with a durable finish and relatively heat resistant.
  • Due to having a porous surface, regular sealing is required to prevent stains.

However, that’s not to say engineered stone is entirely out of the question; the ban only applies to engineered stone with high crystalline silica content. Here are some alternatives that give your home a luxurious aesthetic by combining natural stone materials with lower maintenance requirements than completely natural benchtop panels and slabs.

Porcelain Benchtops

  • Incredibly durable, UV-proof and able to withstand high temperatures of pots and pans with an estimated lifespan of 30 years or more with good care.
  • Extremely versatile and can be manipulated to resemble marble, metal stone or concrete!

Sintered Stone benchtops

  • Highly durable, sintered stone is a great option for benchtops or flooring, with UV-resistant properties to maintain its colour and finish.
  • Low maintenance compared to natural stone alternatives, with resistance to stains and spills.
  • An eco-friendly option, processed with few chemicals.

Do I need to remove engineered stone from my house?

As a widely used alternative to marble and granite, installed engineered stone benchtops are entirely safe to have in your house, posing no health and safety risks unless you require work to modify or remove it. 

If you’d like to learn more about how the engineered stone ban will affect your luxury home build, reach out to our experienced team today.