Carraramarmotec 2016, from 18 to 21 May, A Large Showcase of the Made in Italy Brand and Italian Excellence in Stone Processing Technologies.

The 33rd CarraraMarmotec, the special meeting place for the international elite in the stone-technology sector, revives the Italian expertise in the field of natural stone. Revival of the role of IMM and great attention during the exhibition to themes linked to sustainability.

 

The preparation of CarraraMarmotec, in its 33rd edition in 2016, sees the strong involvement of the Internazionale Marmi e Macchine. The IMM considers it strategically important to offer its expertise in the field of promotion and development of natural stone and related technologies to companies in the Apuan-Versilia district. This includes the study and execution of a long-term development project for the local stone industry, which will also serve to promote the exhibition, with services for companies that work in the industry and contribute to the image of Carrara in the world. The exhibition project for the next Marmotec focuses attention on the wealth of Italian marble basins and the unbeaten capacity for processing raw material into finished products of the highest quality.

 

The European Commission is currently preparing a law that is to recognise the protected geographical indication of origin for non-agricultural products too, including Carrara marble, and CarraraMarmotec 2016 will gather the stone companies of the Apuan-Versilia territory within an   area where the Made in Tuscany excellence of workmanship and materials can be seen first-hand through art, history and avant-garde design. Of course all the other beautiful national stone materials will be enhanced too, as well as the leading companies in the field of stone processing technology, a source of pride for the Italian mechanics industry, aiming to realize a real tribute to the Made in  Italy brand.  

 

The new feature in 2016 will be the emphasis on an issue that is central to the stone industry: sustainability. The sustainable supply chain is the future goal necessary to create a production chain that is socially responsible and respectful of the land and the environment. Many virtuous companies have embarked on a strategy in this direction, but their visibility is limited, even though it is known at all levels that it is no longer possible to overlook the issue. As a first for a stone trade fair, CarraraMarmotec 2016 aims to highlight and promote companies that produce technology for recycling or that operate ensuring greater safety for their workers. It aims to show companies that make innovative products by recycling waste or simply companies that cover the entire supply chain and have based their production activity on the criteria of sustainability and respect for the environment, in some cases obtaining certification. 

 

To promote the transfer of knowledge between the academic and business worlds, innovative companies in areas related to eco-sustainability and other issues related to technological innovation can make use of the Research to Business (R2B) area. In order to ensure the presence of academics specialised in research in the stone industry, the IMM is already working on the organisation of a major international conference entitled "First Sustainable Stone Conference".  

 

As usual, many initiatives will also be organised dedicated to the design world, with workshops, seminars and conferences of the highest level on the new frontiers of marble, plus professional symposiums dedicated to the indispensable knowledge for the optimum use of stone materials in all areas of construction. The winners of the international architectural award Marble Architectural Awards (MAA), which in 2016 is celebrating its twenty-eighth edition, will also be presented at the trade fair. 

 

What remains central to Marmotec is the event's trade and business slant both through the exhibition and with the planning of the presence of foreign operators for the organisation of Business to Business (B2B) meetings so that exhibitors can meet the buyers in search of materials and technology. In addition to recruitment activities carried out by CarraraFiere,  the Italian ICE agency - that believed in the new project and decided to strongly support the activities of incoming - is supporting the attendance of highly selected importers and contractors from the main markets for Made in Italy stone. These include the USA and Germany, but also China, Iran and other important emerging countries for technology in particular. Over  200 operators are expected to attend for an important calendar of business oriented meetings, completely free of charge to participating companies."