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Sivec and Thassos: what is the difference?

Location

Sivec and Thassos are two different but very similar white marbles. They are quarried in different countries but not far from each other. 

Sivec is quarried in Macedonia, near the town of Prilep (green circle) and Thassos is quarried from the Thassos Island on the North part of Greece (yellow circle). Both these marbles are clear white and have been used for thousands of years. In this article, we are going to find out their differences.

Art and White Marble

Marble has been around for years and its influence on art has survived until today. We associate marble with exclusivity and luxurious architecture. Having white marble in your project is one of the most exquisite materials you can have- its purity and richness represent the union of refinement luxury with durability. Greek and Roman civilization gave humanity some of the most extraordinary marble sculptures and monuments. One of them is The Parthenon, Greece’s most know historic building; another is The Temple of Ártemis, made with 127 marble columns, with 18 meters of height and 2 meters of diameter. These are some Greek examples, that survived the arise and fall of many civilizations and wars. But, all around the world, we can find amazing pieces that use marble, especially white marble.

Sivec or Thassos?

Sivec

Sivec is quarried in Macedonia. This marble, although form Macedonia, is believed to be used in Greece since ancient times. This exquisite white marble might have some grey variation in the background, depending on the block. Also, depending on the block part it is cute, it can have small veining, not like Carrara or Calacatta, but smaller and more spacious light grey veining. It has almost no grains or crystals.
Sivec is not like most marbles- it has a high degree of hardness and high durability. For this reason, it is appropriate for a wide range of areas, including high traffic surfaces.

Thassos

Thassos is originally from Greece. It is believed that Ancient Greek structures were made from this white marble. This luxurious and pure dolomitic marble has a uniform background, resembling little imperfections- the whiter, the purest.
It usually has no veining, although in some cases, it can have small grey graining and even crystals. These crystals, give the marble a shiny look, especially when exposed to sunlight.
This is one of the most expensive marbles on the market, due to its purest clean white colour. It can be applied in most interior areas, but it is not recommended to exterior surfaces or areas with a lot of traffic.

Application

Knock Shrine, Ireland using Sivec project by Feelystone
Interior Design using Thassos on the floor and walls

In general, white marbles can be used for either interior or exterior applications. Although Sivec is slightly harder than Thassos, we do not recommend either to exterior applications. These white materials can be easily stained with sunlight or general exterior factors- such as pollution or dust. Some sealants can be used, and regular maintenance can help to reduce these effects, but usually, they are not worth the risk of exposing such a noble material to these types of factors.

On other hand, if white marble is being used in interior spaces, we can appreciate and improve its qualities, adjusting light and surrounding materials. We can k sure it is the centrepiece in every interior design project. Its beauty should be appreciated closely and detailed. So, applications such as interior cladding, furniture, fireplaces, bathtubs, sinks, flooring with medium traffic, art pieces and others are the most appropriate use for either Sivec and Thassos.

Like most marbles, Sivec and Thassos allow most finishes, except those that wear the stone and leave them thinner and with a bigger risk of breaking.

Source:
1. Minexco
2. Albora

 

March 24, 2021

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Sustainability and limestone waste

Although natural stone is not usually discardable by the end of its lifetime (due to its extended durability), our main goal as a natural stone manufacturer is to give back what nature gives us. We think in a Su(stone)ble way and recycle all our waste and re-use our resources the best we can.

Our recycling system is organized to allow the complete reuse of stone, letting what once was considered waste for our company to be reborn as a raw material to other industries.

sustainability
LSI Stone

Assuring Sustainability

Today more than yesterday! At a time when the world has increasingly limited natural resources, it is important to review our habits and search for more ecological and sustainable solutions.

Our circular economy (CE) proposes resource-efficient management of resources throughout “an industrial system that is restorative by intention and design”.

At LSI Stone we think positive, we think GREEN.

Portuguese Natural Stone being cut at LSI Stone's factory

 

At LSI Stone we think green. Our circular economy (CE) proposes resource-efficient management of resources throughout “an industrial system that is restorative bye intention and design”.

The natural stone industry generates a large volume of stone waste. It is classified in various forms such as powder or fines, aggregates, larger stone pieces and cobbles, damaged blocks or slabs.

Due to the huge amounts of stone waste generated in generation sources and plants, vast sums of money spent on its transportation to landfills. Besides the accumulation of waste in landfills is also a pressing problem for many businesses, from an economic perspective. Further, if waste must be disposed of off-site, landfill fees can create additional cost.

Here are 10 best practices and sustainable ideas for the use of limestone waste generated by the processing operations:

Cement Production

The production of cement, usually white, is another alternative for the route of our waste. It is usually more associated with the “paste” resulting from the stone process, than the stone itself.

Massive Bricks

A simple and smart way to reuse stone waste is to create massive bricks with a rustic finish. Aesthetically it can give a wonderful look to a wall, very different from the traditional wall. It has numerous advantages; requires less maintenance, have greater durability, and it is easier to apply and build. It is a more resistant product than the traditional brick, and we can reuse a natural product with no transformation. The image below shows a wall in our company, built by us.

Roads

Depending on the method of production and application of tar, used by road builders, limestone can be used in the construction of it. Thus avoiding further excavations to obtain a raw material that is already available in a large majority of stone companies. With this, companies can reduce costs, avoiding the landscape destruction of a new location and, consequently, a reduction of the CO2 emission that all this process of extraction and transport would imply.

Glass Production

Another smart way to give a new life to waste is through the production of glass, which in some circumstances can use limestone.

Products Pigmentation

Incredible as it may seem, limestone can be used to give pigmentation to the most diverse products that we all have in our homes. Products like paper, plastic, toothpaste, paints, tiles, often use limestone to give a lighter colour to the final product.

Building Construction

In the construction area, it is often necessary to use other materials to flatten the surface of the place where the construction will be carried out. It is usual to add different layers to the ground, being limestone waste one of them. This option is cheaper and equally effective as any other, and certainly the most sustainable one.

Soil Acidity Conditioner

The huge amounts of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere generate serious consequences on the environment, being acid rain one of them. When these rains fall on the soil, it makes them unsuitable for cultivation due to their high acid Ph.
Using pulverized limestone as a soil acidity conditioner restore the Ph balance and reactivates the soil to be proper for cultivation.

Animal Breeding

Limestone has a very important role in animal breeding, more particularly in granivorous birds, such as chickens. These animals usually ingest small stones to help crush the food during the digestion process, which helps avoids certain animal health problems, which will consequently decrease the occurrence of deaths.

Source of Calcium

The rate of purification present on limestone allows it to be added to consumable goods. For example, it can be added to bread or cereals as an important source of calcium. It contributes to our health by helping control blood acidity, hormone level or blood clotting, and also to strengthen our bones.

Water Additive

Finally, when it comer to water purity, limestone can be used for remineralizing and increasing the alkalinity of purified water.
In order to prevent pipe corrosion and restore essential nutrient levels, limestone is one of the very important natural stones that create that effect.

Benefits of Waste Management

1.

Improved health and safety: decreasing the number of scrap piles, airborne particulates, and general trash creates a healthier and safer environment for employees.

2.

Reduces storage, transport and disposal costs: with less waste to store and transport, the costs of handling waste are diminished. Landfill fees are avoided and combustible expenses are reduced.

3.

Potential generation of revenue: scrap stone and other waste products and waste by products can be sold on an array of markets, from agriculture to construction, creating a secondary company revenue stream.

4.

Increased efficiency: Decreasing the amount of material lost during the quarrying, crushing and cutting processes increases company efficiency and the quantity of profitable product. In effect, the company sees a heftier return for every ton of product sold.

5.

Enhancement of company reputation: comprehensive, proactive waste management practices can result in not only a socially responsible reputation but in greater community acceptance of the quarrying operation.

March 15, 2021

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Differences between Calacatta, Arabescatto and Carrara

Marble History

– Some may call it the divine stone.

Marble is a mineral that is made up of calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCo3). Marble comes from dolostone (limestone with dolomite) or limestone. It is a non-foliated (cannot be broken into layers) metamorphic rock that is white when pure and is stronger than the rock from which it forms (parent rock- usually limestones). Due to chemical impurities in the parent rock, marble can take on colors such as green, pink or black. Similarly to limestones, marbles are sensitive to etching and staining, so its finish must be in accord to the type of surface is being applied on.

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Marble stones have been used all around Italy since the Ancient Rome time. The most used marbles are Calacatta, Arabescato and Carrara. These three marbles are present in a lot of sculptures and monuments not only in Italy but around the world, such as Michelangelo’s David statue in Florence, Kind Edward VII memorial in the UK and the George Washington Statue on display at the National Museum of American History.

The reason why most of history’s great masterpieces and representations of prestigious people are made with Italian marble, specially Carrara is because it represents greatness, divinity and eternity.

“The etymology of the word marble comes from the Greek marmairein or of the Latin marmor and means the stone of quality or white stone 5 . Thus the denomination, by including the term “quality” refers to something superior, distinctive.”

-Marble the Divine Stone by EXTRAEXPO.

Geology Behing Marble

In geological terms, marble is a metamorphic and crystalline carbonated rock composed by calcite crystals or dolomite. This composition results in a recrystallization that creates the separation between limestone and marble. Due to high pressure and high temperatures from inside the subsolo, limestones turn into marble. Due to chemical impurities in the parent rock, marble can take on colors such as green, pink or black.

As for these specific marbles they are -geologically speaking- all the same because they all come from the same region and so, it can be difficult to distinguish them. 

Get to Know the Stone

Carrara
3.arab

Carrara marble is extracted from the Carrara area in Tuscany, Italy. The look of Carrara marble is very common in countertop kitchens style. It has white to grey milder markings and usually a grey veining with a white and sometimes grayish background. The background can also tend toward blue-gray, and the patterning is usually soft and looks like feathers. When compared to other marbles, the Carrara is more subtil and homogeneous. It is usually applied in wall panels, stairways, countertops or flooring, besides the historic monumentos and statues such as Michelangelo’s David and London’s Marble Arch.

Calacatta
2.carrara

Calacatta usually has a pure white background with dramatic and define veins. It does not follow a linear pattern or type of veining. This marble is quarried in Carrara (is from the Carrara family) as well and has a wider range of veining color from gold to brown to beige to dark gray. Is very common at homes that feel more luxurious using whiter marble. It is consider one of the most luxurious and pure marbles. Its pattern has more contrast than Carrara. It is applied as an elegant element for either flooring, countertops or art pieces. It is usually applied in wall panels, stairways, countertops or flooring.

Arabescatto
1calacatta

We can say that Arabescatto is between Carraca and Calacatta. It has a very white background and dark grey veining. Its veining is not as defined and big as calacatta. Arabescato is quarried from the area of Luca in Tuscany Italy. How to identify Arabescato? It has Dark grey veins extremely dark comparing to the white background; It has a crystalline white color interval in-between.

These marbles can have variations. For example, a sample of Carrara sometimes is not true to the real slab- nature can not be measured. We recommend you search for projects that use all of these three marbles to see its application to see which one fits your project the best.

Which marble is best for my project?

When choosing one of these three amazing marbles you need to understand the area you are going to use them. Each slab is unique and naturally imperfect, so it is normal if color and pattern does not match completely.

Aesthetically speaking, for example, when applying on a kitchen top we recommend using arabescatto instead of calacatta, only because on an extensive area such as this one, the larger veining in the slabs are more likely to coincide than the calacatta ones that have more and thin veining. 

When it comes to price, it may vary accordingly to the supplier. However, out of the three marbles, Calacatta and Arabescatto are the most expensive and Carrara is usually slightly cheaper. The slabs are not the only price you should worry about you need to make sure you don’t forget about installation and maintenance costs.

If you are worried about stains being too noticeable, opt for a marble with a less whiter background, such as Carrara. Certain marbles are the combination of one of these three, for example, there is a marble called Arabescatto Carrara that is a combination of dusty grays and soft whites that combine an amazing pattern. This could also be a better option to apply in areas with more probability of etching or staining, making these incidents less noticeable.

Calacatta marble is the most searched one, due to its wide range of price, patterns and colors. So you need to be careful when choosing for the “true” calacatta stone. The whiter the background and the more define the veining, the more expensive it is.

Captura de ecrã 2021-02-16, às 18.55.30
1.exaustos
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Maintenance

Marble has a higher maintenance than most natural stones due to its high porosity. Usually marble does not vary a lot when it comes to this factor, however some marbles require more maintenance than others- click here to see our article. It stains very easily and is not acid-resistant, so it needs to be sealed regularly to prevent it from become etched or stained by substances such as red wine, tomato sauce or lemon juice.

Why choose marble?

No matter the style of your kitchen or the colors of your bathroom, marble will always be a statement piece that fits every project. Marble is an intemporal traditional, classic and elegant stone all at the same time.

Each piece is unique in color, pattern and veining, so your search for the perfect countertop or the most luxurious bathroom is more diverse that one may think. Due to its natural irregularities it is normal for two pieces of stone to not look the same. This makes having a piece of marble at your home even more special and unique. 

If you are looking for a luxurious and elegant material, you can choose from the three most classic marbles of all time- Carrara, Calacatta or Arabescato.

We can help you find it!

February 19, 2021

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Natural Stone for Interior Design

Natural Stone has become a top-choice material that lasts forever and represents luxury and status. Due to its versatility, it is the first choice for either interior design and external covering.

In many cases, when it comes to interior design, Natural Stone acts as a decoration piece, suitable for any aesthetic. Natural stone will bring character and warmth to your home.

Each piece of stone is unique and a beautiful way of incorporating nature into your house. It is full of qualities such as being a timeless and sustainable material that can be combined with different types of materials like wood, steel, glass or other types of light. You can also put together different types of stones and finishes according to your desired aesthetic. We can obtain different patterns and grains depending on which area from which the stone is extracted in the quarry.

How can you distinguish each type of stone? Click here to read more about limestone, marble and granite.

Different Finishes

Depending on the stone, a number of different finishes can be applied to the surface of the stone creating different looks and textures. Not every stone is capable of receiving every finish. It depends on its characteristics and other technical dispositions.Click here to see the specific finishes for each stone. Here are some of the most common:
Polished

Honed

Sandblasted

Bush Hammered

Splitted

Brushed

Natural Stone in Interior Design

You can use Natural Stone not only for flooring or cladding but also for decoration, using statement pieces made of stone like furniture or wall decorations. You can also use stone to add flow to a certain part of the house, for example, using a double wall covered with stone or creating a movement between the inside and outdoors. 

Natural Stone is a reflection of nature so it is perfectly imperfect- It has a wide range of colors, textures and patterns where not a single one is the same. From beige neutral to dark black you can choose your next aesthetic from nature’s palette. For example, if your living room has a more neutral and withe style, add a dark stone as a statement piece to stand out from the rest of your decoration.

 

 

You can make endless combinations with natural stone, according to your style. With marble you achieve a modern look while granite gives a more in temporal look, while other stones like limestones and sandstones give a more relaxed neutral look. From rustic to modern looks.

There are physical and technical properties that separate each stone and make them more appropriate for some areas.

Where can I use Marble?

One of the materials that represent modern luxury is the inevitable and incredible Marble. Marble is timeless and a classic material that has been around for centuries. The greatest artworks were sculptured and moulded with marble stones. Marble is distinguished by its veins, where each piece is unique and changes in colour and pattern. 

Usually, it is seen in kitchen countertops, although it makes every kitchen unique, it is not appropriate if the user is not prepared for the maintenance it takes to keep the countertop intact. It usually is more appropriate to use stones like granite, with less porosity to these areas. 

Marble looks fantastic in other parts of the house such as bathrooms when usually does not represent any problem. And, because of its softness, marble is mostly used for artworks and statement pieces such as side or coffee tables, or other décor objects. It usually works well with other materials, like wood. When using marble and combining it with other materials, you transform the space as well.

Where can I use Granite?

Granite has minimal maintenance requirements fitting perfectly in areas with a lot of traffic and staining/ etching probability, such as kitchen countertops. When you choose granite, you might be choosing a material that will last longer than your house. Its durability and heat resistance, turns every countertop invincible, without showing any signs of wear. Granite is also great for flooring with a lot of traffic. Its unique sparkle, due to quartz guarantees a statement piece for every part of the house. 

Where can I use Limestone?

Limestone is great for either flooring or wall cladding. This stone brings a warm and soft mood to the area where applied. If you use it on floors, you can expect a soft touch when walking on it. It can also be heated. If you are going for a neutral and soft aesthetic, limestone is the perfect stone!

The use of natural stone allows us to maintain and receive nature’s energy and its connection while keeping an environmental-friendly and sustainable material in our homes.

Bring nature into your house and achieve fantastic bold designs!

January 26, 2021

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Natural Stone in extreme weather conditions

Natural stone is an incredible material full of benefits and properties that help boost your life. Whether it is applied indoors or outdoors, natural stone complements each construction piece. When it comes to choosing the right stone for your project, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information regarding natural stone. You can read more about that in our article.

Natural stone is suitable to either hot and dry climates to cold and humid environments. Not many materials are capable of adapt and resist a wide range of climate changes. Keep reading to find out more about stone’s flexibility to adapt.

To better understand how different kinds of stone perform in different weather conditions, let’s understand how these stones differ from each other.

Limestone

Limestone is classed as a sedimentary rock. It is formed on the surface of the Earth by the process of sedimentation, with several minerals or organic particles coming together that form a solid sediment. Usually limestone has high to medium porosity, which means that the type of finish varies depending on the type of surface. Limestone is mainly whitish, although it may be tinted by impurities.

Granite

LSI Stone supplies Portuguese natural granite stone Pedras Salgadas

Granite it’s made of quartz and feldspar, which are harder than glass. It doesn’t split into layers, and the minerals are held tightly together in an interlocking. That’s why this stone is suitable for most surfaces and finishes. So, when it comes to staining and etching, Granite is not affected. Usually represents a grainy appearance and can be pink or varying shades of gray, depending upon its minerals composition.

Marble

Marble is a mineral that is made up of calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCo3). Marble comes from dolostone (limestone with dolomite) or limestone. It is a non-foliated (cannot be broken into layers) metamorphic rock that is white when pure and is stronger than the rock from which it forms (parent rock). Due to chemical impurities in the parent rock, marble can take on colors such as green, pink or black. Like limestones, marbles are sensitive to etching and staining, so the finish must be in accord to the type of surface

Sandstone

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock that is the result of the compaction and lithification of a granular material similar to the dimension of sand.
Sandstone is composed by quartz, feldspars, micas and impurities. The different impurities are responsible for determinate the colour and aspect of the sandstone. This type of stone is deposited in a continental environment, rivers ad lakes or salty environments.

Travertine

Travertine is a limestone, composed by calcite, aragonite and limonite, that forms near natural springs. It has parallel layers compacted in between, where you can observe small cavities that add movement to the stone.

Types of Application

Interior Cladding
Interior Flooring
Exterior Cladding
Landscape

Resistance to Climate

Natural stone has shown us throughout the years that is a great material to use no matter where we are in the world, especially in critical weather conditions. Not only in warm environments but also in cold and extremely cold weather. When applied properly it can last “forever”.

Thus, there are some situations that require special attention in order for the stone to resist to these weather conditions.

Cold Environment

Energy Efficient Heat

Radiant heat is a good provider of heat and warmth from the floor up the room without any cold areas. Due to its properties, some natural stones are a great heat conductor which means that they transfer heat in an efficient way throughout the heating cable to the surface. They also have a great retaining rate making the system efficient. This means that it will heat up quickly and keep warm with less energy and less time-consuming. Some natural stones are a great option to use is these cases.

Expansion due to freezing

When it rains during colder climates, it usually tends to freeze. The water that seeps into the pavers also freezes and expands, which can lead to expansion and further breakage of the stone (the pressure cracks the stone). So, to avoid that type of incident, we need to choose the right type of stone, with low porosity and high durability; or, apply the stone with that in mind making sure the fixing system allows the water to cycle. There exist two test procedures for this purpose: “Determination of Frost Resistance” and “Determination of Resistance to Aging by Thermal Shock”.

Granite Application

Granite is the best natural stone for cold environments because it has low porosity and ends up protecting the surface where is applied. We can find in many places where it snows, an application of granite in the lower external façade to protect the stone façade from snow accumulation and water infiltration. Thus, there are many variaitions in granite.

Warm Environment

Cool Flooring

The use of natural stone on interior flooring is also suitable to cool an area. When heat is not applied to the stone (interior flooring), this material acts as a natural air conditioner, refreshing the entire space. The same happens to interior cladding. In some cases, when the stone is applied to the exterior, it is preferable to be in a wither colour reflect the maximum amount of heat. An interior area revested in stone refreshes the environment.

Fire Resistance

Natural stone is a great heat conductor, meanwhile, it is resistant to fire and helps prevent and protect the areas where applied.

Stone Breakage

Certain types of stone are not suitable for hot climates, where, due to dry conditions can break. But others are. This depends on the hardness and porosity of the stone. Each stone is unique and has its characteristics, so when exposed to extreme weather conditions, it can break or crack. Some types of limestones and marbles, are not very good at accumulate heat, so that’s why they are more likely to break than (for example) granite, that has a big capacity to accumulate heat. Certain characteristics change the way a stone acts when exposed to extreme weather, such as porosity, mineral constitution, and other chemical characteristics.

In this table, we have summed up the characteristics of Granite, Limestone, Marble and Travertine. This examples are general and may vary according to the stone used. Some stones, even in the same category, have different chemical and physical characteristics that can change the way they react to different environments.

January 8, 2021

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Barts Square nominated in Natural Stone Awards 2020

The Natural Stone Awards is an event that celebrates the brightest and best natural stone projects across the United Kingdom. Choosing the most recognizable construction projects in all the industry.

This award is organized by The Natural Stone Federation that helps to promote the use of natural stone as the main sustainable building material.This event is compulsory for exposing the winners to our industry as well as winning one of the industry’s most sought-after accolades.

The 2020 Shortlist is out and the project supplied by LSI, Barts Square was announced as one of the chosen projects for the category New Build Modern Style Stone Cladding.

New Build Modern Style Stone Cladding Nominees:

  • Island House
  • Barts Square
  • St John’s Library & Study Centre
  • 8 Chesterfield Hill, London
  • UCD Confucius Institute

Location
London, UK

Status
Completed, 2019

Natural Stone 
Cabeca Veada

Architect
Sheppard Robson

The Building

Barts Square is a patchwork of buildings and uses, located at the city gate at Crossrail Farringdon Station. This scheme offers the perfect balance of new and old life, exclusivity, and accessibility. The architect’s inspiration come from the 19th century industrial architecture with a warm, simple, and harmonious palette. The design of the new buildings picks up on Smithfield’s traditional warehouses and classic stone-and-brick façades. One of the buildings of the Phase 3, is completely cladded with Portuguese natural stone. The limestone façade adds neutrality and calm to the area. The attention to details was a key step into the making of this project. The exterior façade is coated with Cabeca Veada limestone. This limestone from Portugal has a light beige/ white homogeneous colour, fine brown grain, and medium hardness. Its characteristics are similar to Moleanos limestone, perfect for exterior claddings and strong weather conditions.
On the first half of the building, it was installed 100mm thick limestone pieces with a honed finish, creating a smooth and soft edge look. The upper façade adds a remarkable stone detail creating a modern, ribbed, and clean texture that divides the façade into two different sections. The interior design is filled with space, light, and texture. The use of soft, warm, and polished colour stones creates a welcoming and comforting palette and an effortless urban elegance.

Discover all the nominees here.

December 11, 2020

Notting Hill
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New Londons Award 2020 Shortlisted

Vote for your favourite project to win!

Vote Now!

Location
59 Notting Hill Gate, Kensington, London W11 3JS, UK
Status
Complete August, 2019
Duration
34 weeks
Structural Engineer
Elliot Wood 
Architect
Squire and Partners
Natural Stone Supplier
LSI Stone

Notting Hill

Font: New London Architecture

LSI Stone’s project 47-69 Notting Hill Gate is shortlisted for the New London Awards 2020 in the Conserving category – for the #NLAwards20 People’s Choice Prize.

This project consists of the refurbishment of an updated building in Notting Hill Gate. The previous building was demolition and substituted from a residential place to an office area. The materials were carefully chosen and the attention to details was meticulous.

This soon-to-be office building counts with 15,000 ft2 of prime working space. This beautiful renovation project, involved many parties that worked together to achieve this refurbished masterpiece. LSI supplied Moleanos limestone with a honed finish, combining nature’s stunning material with glass panels, creating this breath of air facade.

Shortlisted in the Conserving category
Winners will be announced from 2nd November 2020
 
Peoples Choice Award
Vote for your favourite project to win: Click to tweet this project
 
October 2, 2020

sustainability
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How to become more sustainable?

When it comes to working with a natural material, we need to analyze each step of the way to guarantee its sustainability. Today, sustainability is one of the main concerns in almost every industry, especially on those who rely their activity on natural resources.

Our factory is emerged in the National Natural Park of Serra de Aire e Candeeiros so we are faced with an astonishing panoramic view, as well as a sense of protection of this natural treasure. Through our activity we act with one purpose: contribute and preserve our natural environment.

Therefore, during transformation and production of natural stone, like any other industries, we face ourselves with waste. It is up to every one of us to be responsible and reduce our ecological footprint.

And now you ask: how? Keep reading to find out more!

Nature give us its best and we contribute to give it back.

Sustainability starts at the Quarry

When exploring a quarry, it is possible to reconcile the extractive activity and sustainability intended in the use of a raw material that is 100% natural. Therefore, the extractive companies of ornamental stones are smaller and promote their activity in a programmed way, always keeping in mind environmental and social sustainability principles. We have to assure that the quarry is being explored under the right policies and laws.

Production

It is important to start reducing stone waste right from the beginning when is being transformed, using efficient strategies. At LSI we have three fundamental pillars on sustainable matters:

Water Reuse

Water is one of the most important natural resources we have in the world and at the stone industry. It is up to us to use it sustainably and consciously.

Using an  internal water treatment system allows a cyclonic reuse of all water in the factory. Taking advantage of the rainfall water in the area. This system storages water that, afterwards, is reused in the production processes. These measures avoid the use of clean and drinkable water each time a cycle is processed. 

Use of Natural Light

Allowing natural light to illuminate the entire factory does not only helps reduce energy consumption but also turns the place more open and enlighted.

One of the ways we became more sustainable was the use of transparent panels on the roof of the production unit, as well as using solar panels to generate energy.

Reuse of Materials

Our recycling system is organized to allow the complete reuse of stone, letting what once was considered waste, to be reborn as a raw material to other industries. So, we are proud to say that our company has a zero-waste policy. We reuse our materials, especially crushed/ broken stone pieces, to different industries, from food to cement. These simple steps, help reduce waste during the transformation and extraction process. Yet, after production, we have non-expected waste that is taken care of after this process. So you may ask what happens when the process is over.

If you are looking for a stone supplier, you need to ensure that they have a sustainable policy.

Bring a new life to your limestone

Right now, LSI is using its stone waste mostly in Cement Production, that’s usually associated with the “paste” resulting from the stone process than the stone itself and Fillings for Production.

However, there are more purposes for limestone waste, such as:

Cement Production

Cement is manufactured using the paste resulting from the combination of limestone and water, during its transformation. The stone industries are capable of supplying large amounts of limestone pieces and debris. Usually this paste is more used for this purpose than the actual limestone debris.

Roads

Depending on the method of production and application, limestone can be used in the construction of roads, avoiding further excavations to obtain a raw material that is already available in the large majority of stone companies. We can help reduce costs, landscape destruction of a new location and, consequently, a reduction of the CO2 emission this process of extraction and transport would imply.

Massive Bricks

A simple and smart way to reuse your stone waste is to create massive bricks with a rustic finish. Aesthetically it can give a wonderful look to a wall, very different from the traditional wall. It requires less maintenance, have a great durability, and it is easier to apply and build. It is a more resistant product than the traditional brick, and we can reuse a natural product with no transformation. 

Glass Production

Another smart way to give a new life to waste is through the production of glass, which, in some circumstances uses limestone aside from types of sands.

Construction Filling

In the construction, it is often necessary to use other materials to flatten the surface of the place where the construction will be carried out. Limestone waste can be used as a cheaper and equally effective fill.

Product's Pigmentation

As incredible as it may seem, limestone can be used to give pigmentation to the most diverse products that we all have in our homes. Products like paper, plastic, toothpaste, paints, tiles, often use limestone to give a lighter colour on the final product.

Soil Acidity Conditioner

The huge amounts of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere generate serious consequences on the environment, one of them is acid rain. When it falls on the soil, its Ph becomes acid, making it unsuitable for cultivation. Pulverized limestone is used as soil acidity conditioner, serving to balance the Ph and reactivates it.

Animal Breeding

Limestone has a very important role in animal breeding, more particularly in granivorous birds, such as chickens. These animals usually ingest small stones to help crush the food in the digestion process, avoiding certain health problems, which will consequently decrease the occurrence of deaths.

Water Additive

Limestone can be used for remineralizing and increase the alkalinity of purified water to prevent pipe corrosion and to restore essential nutrient levels.

Source of Calcium

In our daily foods, such as bread or cereals, we can add limestone purification. This type of purification is an important calcium source. It contributes to our health by helping to control blood acidity, hormone level or blood clotting, and also to strengthen our bones.

It is important to optimize each industry to be more sustainable and reduce its ecological footprint. If you have more suggestions about this topic, please leave a comment!

September 23, 2020

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Visit of Secretary of State for Economy to LSI

On the 24th of July, we had the honor of welcoming the Portuguese Deputy Secretary of State for Economy, Dr. João Neves, to our factory; the President of NERLEI, António Poças; the President of the CCDRC, Isabel Damasceno, accompanied by Neusa Magalhães; the President of IAPMEI, Nuno Mangas; ASSIMAGRA’s President, Miguel Goulão; the Mayor of Porto de Mós, Jorge Vala; and the President of the Pedreiras Parish Council, Rogério Vieira.

The visit took place in the morning, where the Portuguese Deputy Secretary of State for Economics Dr. João Neves and his distinguished comitee had the opportunity to visit our facilities and learn a little about our projects developed around the world, through a short presentation, as well as understanding part of the transformation process of natural stone.

During the visit, they were able to observe the factory in operation, the recent investments in new technologies and the adaptation of LSI to the new post-pandemic reality. In addition, visitors had the opportunity to taste a wine with grapes harvested in the vineyards of our facilities, 100% sustainable and produced by regional professionals in a traditional way.

This visit focused on the importance and recognition of LSI Stone in the natural stone processing sector. The constant investment in technology and innovation are fundamental aspects in the differentiation of LSI Stone in the global market, in a sector that evolution and adaptation are inevitable.

LSI exports more than 98%, and the pandemic forced the company to adapt and innovate in the new media. In general, the B2B industry, characterized by strong face-to-face relationships between customers and suppliers, found it more difficult to adapt in this area, such as adapting to fairs, meetings and visits to the facilities and work sites. Webinars, digital meetings and digital dry layouts have replaced all these traditional methods.

Despite the uncertainties that COVID-19 brought us, we know that the future of Portugal is in the hands of each of us and it is up to each company to adapt and readjust its strategies, so that together we can win.

We thank the visit of Mr. Secretary of State and all other entities.

July 27, 2020

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LSI Stone is now a member of COTEC Portugal

COTEC Portugal is the Business Association for Innovation that aims to bring together a group of companies and promote increased competitiveness and development of innovation.

The partners of COTEC are innovative companies who have been able to adapt and innovate over the years; and at the same time, COTEC has the role of encouraging companies that have not yet transformed and adapted and need encouragement and support to do so.

It is with great pleasure that LSI Stone, LDA became an official member of COTEC Portugal and joins the list of Portuguese companies that are part of the association. We are motivated for this new stage and we remain focused on innovation and development in the Sector for the transformation of ornamental stones in Portugal.

May 27, 2020

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