STEP
Stone Technology for Eco-efficient Production
The objective of the STEP project is the implementation of new eco-efficient technologies in the natural stone industry, which are expected to result in significant environmental, financial and sustainability benefits for the construction sector.
The natural stone production process involves drying in natural gas kilns, applying reinforcement resins to seal cracks, and curing the resins in furnaces. The project introduces the use of water-based epoxy resins, formulated for a new thermal curing process to be validated at an industrial scale. This innovation allows the removal of natural gas-fed drying lines, as the new resins are compatible with wet conditions, and enables the adoption of a more efficient thermal curing technology. The combined implementation of these advancements will significantly enhance efficiency, productivity, raw material utilization, and improve health and safety for production line employees in the natural stone sector.
8 European partners participate in this project funded by the EU commission through the CIP-EIP-Eco-Innovation call, with the aim to overcome important limitations associated with the natural stone sector, such as high energy costs, low material efficiency and the emission of toxic volatile organic compounds.
