While innovative manufacturing practices and a growing movement to embrace recycled, non-toxic, and low-carbon materials have revolutionized design, environmental responsibility often comes at the expense of luxurious aesthetics and top-of-the-line performance. For Cosentino, however, the next generation of mineral surfaces is distinguished by a seamless marriage of form, function, and environmentally responsible design. Case in point? The Spanish brand’s evolving Hybriq+ technology recently marked another milestone with the launch of Silestone XM, a standout collection of hybrid mineral surfaces that replicate the warmth and texture of natural stone.

While Silestone XM surfaces are virtually indistinguishable from natural stone to even the most practiced eyes and hands, the organic ambiance comes courtesy of a technological breakthrough. The surfaces contain a maximum of 10 per cent crystalline silica content, all while maintaining exceptional performance and durability. A carefully selected range of new minerals chosen for their design and capabilities give Silestone XM its nuances of sheen, colour and depth. What’s more, the versatile collection is equally at home in kitchens, bathrooms, and even furniture, offering a wealth of design possibilities.

For Cosentino, the Silestone XM surfaces are the latest step in ongoing innovation. Following several years of research and development, the brand debuted Hybriq+ technology in 2020, which allows for reduced crystalline silica content across a wide range of mineral surfaces. The introduction of new premium minerals — as well as a minimum of 20 per cent recycled raw materials, such as glass — makes for more sustainable products, all while maintaining exceptional performance and style. Today, all Silestone products are manufactured through a sustainable production process with 100 per cent renewable electrical energy and 99 per cent recycled water.

Last year, Cosentino reached another benchmark with 100 per cent of the total production of Silestone meeting Q40 guidelines, which reflects a maximum of 40 per cent crystalline silica in composition across all product lines. As the technology continues to evolve, Silestone XM continues to lead the way by meeting the industry-leading Q10 standard, with the full selection of Cosentino surfaces eventually set to be manufactured with less than 10 per cent crystalline silica.

And the global design community is taking notice. First unveiled at the KBIS trade show in Las Vegas in 2023, Silestone XM took centre stage at this year’s Milan Design Week, where the EARTHIC LAB installation, designed in collaboration with FormaFantasma, brought the EARTHIC x Silestone XM capsule collection to the eyes of the world at Fuorisalone. It made for an immersive journey through sustainable innovation — with no shortage of design inspiration.

This content was published by Azure on behalf of Cosentino. Read more about Silestone XM here.