The raw materials utilized to manufacture BRETONSTONE® blocks are Aggregates, Mineral Fillers, Bonding Agents, Additives and Coloring Agents, all easily available in the market.

AGGREGATES

Stone materials are mixed with a bonding paste to create a mixture that needs to be compacted. The aggregates used in the production of the blocks are calcareous stone in nature, such as marble, dolomite, colored stones, etc. Stone-like materials such as glass, shells, mirrors, etc, can also be added to create desired unique effects. The aggregates used can be either in sand form or granular and/or stones of various size.

The nature, size and granular scale of the aggregates are chosen according to the appearance and physical- mechanical properties that are desired of the final product. Aggregates can be purchased directly from companies that produce them, dry and already divided into the various granular dimensions required, or, a suitable system for the crushing and screening of materials can be installed next to the BRETONSTONE® production plant.

MINERAL FILLERS

Mineral fillers are mixed with the bonding agent to form the “bonding paste”. These fillers consist of various types finely pulverised of calcareous stone materials.

BONDING AGENTS AND ADDITIVES

The bonding agents used are either polyester resin or the Ecodrolic® binder previously described (solvent-free bonding mix dispersed in water), according to the intended end use of the final BRETONSTONE® marble product. Any additives are included in the mix in small percentages to obtain specific aesthetic results.

COLORING AGENTS

The mixes can be colored by the addition of metal oxide pigments. These coloring agents play an important role in the process, because, combined with the natural color and size of the aggregates, and thanks to special mixing, compacting and treating equipment, they offer unlimited choices in the color and final appearance of BRETONSTONE® products.

BRETONSTONE® blocks are an excellent material to use even for exterior cladding. They can be applied as ventilated facades in large panels of limited thickness. This provides great advantages such as: an economical mounting structure and ease of transport and handling on the jobsite. Thus, these applications still demostrate all the beauty and value of natural stone along with superior physical-mechanical qualities.

Since the blocks are manufactured with natural calcareous aggregates, like for the natural marble a non-glossy surface finish and subtle color tones (beige, white, etc...) are suggested for use as exterior cladding. This will avoid the normal wear and deterioration of the finish on colored and polished marble applied on a building’s exterior.

Some of the features that distinquish BRETONSTONE® blocks (with Ecodrolic® binder) in exterior applications are a higher resistance to UV rays, the nonflammable nature of the binder, and the limited thermal expansion.

Thanks to the innovative, ecofriendly technologies, “Catrix Tech” and “Ecodrolic Tech” for the formulation and hardening of the blocks, the manufacturing process of BRETONSTONE® blocks guarantees that all non-hazardous residual materials from production are easily disposed of, and that the final product releases no harmful substances. It is therefore suitable for every type of application in any location.

BRETONSTONE® marble contains a very high percentage by weight of natural stone which comes from crushed residual materials from the quarries, hence, the bonding agent is limited to just a small percentage. Based on project requirements and intended application, BRETONSTONE® blocks can be manufactured using different types of binders:

• A traditional polyester resin can be used. Modern BRETONSTONE® block plants, due to “Catrix Tech” technology, guarantee a lower content of styrene and BTEX compounds in the final product than is required by even the strictest regulations. This eliminates the risk of any volatile chemical compound being released into the environment and makes the disposal of the nonhazardous residual materials from production easier and economical.

• An innovative new binder, called Ecodrolic®, can also be used. This product, using a technology called “Ecodrolic Tech”, is dispersed in solvent-free water with a minimum content of organic compounds, and is utilized in accordance with the strictest health and environmental regulations as they apply to both the finished product and its residual processing materials.

The high content of stone aggregate in the mix and the absence of porosity not only gives BRETONSTONE® marble blocks their natural beauty but makes them extremely versatile and highperformance in all their applications.

A variety of surface finishes are available to match one’s creativeimagination, for a finished product that can be either polished, honed or matte, sandblasted, bush hammered, brushed for an “antique” effect, or many other personalized solutions, to produce a creative appearance not naturally occurring in nature.

Throughout the centuries, marble has globally dominated the world of architecture and sculpture due to its quality, value, and appeal, and it will surely continue to hold a position of prestige in the future. However, through the years, it has become more and more evident that there are major limitations both to the industrial utilization of natural marble and to its ability to express the innovative aesthetic and functional ideas of the architect.

For example, the massive exploitation of many stone quarries has nearly caused the total depletion of several prestigious marbles, leading to justified stricter environmental protection legislation and enforcement.

Moreover, marble is everincreasingly fissured and often cannot be used unless impregnated with resins through a complicated reinforcement process. It is also true that natural marble, by nature, varies greatly in color and hue, making it very difficult to find large quantities that are aesthetically the same and perfectly uniform in appearance as required by modern architecture. Therefore, it has become necessary to offer new industrial solutions and new technical and aesthetic options in building materials.

Today’s market needs innovative “stone” materials which can be designed and produced according to the specifications of the end user, aesthetically pleasing in appearance, durable over time, environmentally friendly and adaptable to modern construction and design techniques.

Today’s demand is for BRETONSTONE® compound marble: an industrial product with exceptional technical and functional features, which can be designed in a great variety of aesthetic styles. It is unique in that it gives a modern look to the timeless appeal, prestige, warmth and value of the marble man has used throughout history to build some of its most ancient and beautiful buildings.