SapienStone porcelain slabs are crafted from ceramic clays and mineral colourings – and, thanks to its unique manufacturing process, cannot be altered by heat, UV light or chemical cleaners. SapienStone is scratch resistant, resistant to thermal shock and requires no special care and maintenance. The outstanding qualities of SapienStone worktops are characterised by a long-lasting, unalterable product that is resistant to the most common forms of damage and wear such as blows, scratches and abrasions. These qualities are the natural result of careful selection of the best raw materials and decades of experience.
With its large range of colours and finishes to choose from, SapienStone is entirely customisable to make your space exactly what you want it to be, whether it be ultra-modern or classic and traditional. Its large format slab size (3200x1500mm) allows for a seamless finish with the least number of joins or grout lines.
SapienStone can be used in all spaces and not just as a kitchen countertop. It can easily be used as a bathroom countertop, shower cladding, outdoor tabletop, external building façade, and so much more. The applications of SapienStone are only limited by your imagination.
SapienStone is the newest addition to the Iris Ceramica Group SPA, a world-leader in the production of high-quality porcelain and ceramics for over 50 years. With cutting-edge technology in nine industrial plants based in Europe and the United States, advanced logistics and a constant focus on the environment, the Group has always been at the forefront of the ceramic industry on an international scale.
Ethics and sustainability have always been present in the history of Iris Ceramica and the green mentality was not born recently, but from the start. The Group has always tried to bring together ecology and economy with an attentive look at the well-being of all its stakeholders as well.
Iris Ceramica has also been the world’s leading manufacturer of photocatalytic ceramic tiles, known as ACTIVE SURFACES. This means the effects are triggered by light sources, both natural and artificial.
This innovation is the Group’s response to the pressing need to rethink the world of design, with the future in mind. This ceramic product affords people the ability to enjoy the beauty of design while simultaneously taking care of their wellbeing and the planet. ACTIVE SURFACES were created to offer architects and designers, investors, public administration and private citizens the opportunity to make more conscious choices when selecting materials and to guarantee a better quality of life, in an aesthetically pleasing and healthier environment.
ACTIVE SURFACES are incorporated into SapienStone slabs by the application of titanium dioxide and silver on the surface of the stone and boast the following four properties:
- Anti-pollution efficacy: The slabs purify the air around them by the oxidative process that takes place when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds come into contact with the slabs. The polluting substances are converted into salts which are harmless to humans.
- Antibacterial and antiviral: The product effectively eliminates over 99% of viruses and bacteria that come into contact with the slabs (Including H1N1 and H3N2 Pandemic Influenzas, Enterovirus 71, the Poliovirus and, most recently, SARS-CoV-2).
- Anti-odour efficacy: ACTIVE eliminates bad smells by degrading the main molecules responsible for odours.
- Self-cleaning efficacy: Reducing the use of environmentally unfriendly detergents is a huge benefit. The ‘super-hydrophilic’ properties of the slabs limit the amount of dirt that can adhere to the surface, therefore making them increasingly easy to maintain and clean.
The Iris Ceramica Group’s zero emission initiative was pursued and achieved in March of 2019. This mission to decrease the company’s environmental footprint not only benefits the planet but improves the standard of living for the population living near to production plants.
