Silica-Free Quartz Countertops Are Changing the Industry Big Time

In kitchens across North America, engineered quartz countertops have become a fixture of modern design, prized for their durability, low maintenance, and aesthetic appeal. Yet beneath their gleaming surfaces lies a growing concern that's reshaping the entire industry: crystalline silica and its associated health risks. Today, a remarkable innovation is addressing this challenge head-on—silica-free quartz countertops.

The Hidden Danger in Traditional Quartz

Traditional engineered quartz slabs contain an alarming amount of crystalline silica—often up to 93%. During fabrication, when these slabs are cut, ground, or polished, they release fine silica dust that poses a serious health risk to workers. Prolonged inhalation of this dust can lead to silicosis, an incurable and potentially fatal lung disease characterized by scarring of the lungs.

This hazard gained significant attention following investigations by media outlets like 60 Minutes Australia and has resulted in numerous lawsuits against manufacturers. The growing awareness has prompted regulatory responses, with Australia announcing a ban on engineered stone in December 2023, specifically citing the high incidence of silicosis among workers.

For consumers who value both beautiful homes and ethical purchasing decisions, this presents a dilemma. How can they enjoy the benefits of engineered stone without contributing to an industry with recognized health hazards?

Bioquartz®: Engineering a Safer Solution

Enter Bioquartz®—a revolutionary material developed by Italian company Breton S.p.A. that maintains all the performance characteristics of traditional quartz while eliminating crystalline silica entirely.

Officially trademarked on April 13, 2018, Bioquartz® represents a fundamental shift in material science. Unlike traditional quartz, which uses crushed quartz crystals bound with resin, Bioquartz® is produced through a pyrolytic transformation process. This innovative approach involves melting common siliceous and feldspar sands at approximately 1500°C, resulting in a material that retains the technical and aesthetic qualities of quartz but without the dangerous crystalline silica component.

The development of Bioquartz® stems from Breton's strategic commitment to operator safety and waste reduction. After years of intensive research, the company designed and installed a state-of-the-art industrial plant specifically for Bioquartz® production, enabling the first industrial tests of truly silica-free surfaces.

OK Stone Engineering: Bringing Silica-Free Innovation to America

While Breton pioneered the technology, OK Stone Engineering is bringing this revolutionary material to the American market. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, OK Stone utilizes next-generation technologies licensed from Breton to manufacture engineered quartz slabs primarily used in homes for countertops, kitchens, and bathrooms.

OK Stone identified a critical void in the market: the increasing demand for engineered quartz stone wasn't being met by domestic producers in the USA and Canada. This gap was being filled with foreign products that have faced scrutiny for unfair trade practices, potentially leading to future import tariffs.

By manufacturing with Bioquartz® technology, OK Stone produces slabs that address two major problems plaguing the industry:

1. Health risks: By eliminating crystalline silica, their products are safer for fabricators and installers, combating the silicosis epidemic that has affected workers in the stone industry.

2. Supply chain vulnerability: Traditional quartz manufacturing requires importing raw materials that can be unreliable to source. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry faced logistics challenges that created difficulties with importing raw materials, resulting in product shortages and price fluctuations. Bioquartz® leverages domestically available materials, ensuring more stable supply chains.

The CHROMIA and KREOS PLUS Advantage

OK Stone offers two distinctive silica-free product lines that showcase the versatility of this new technology:

CHROMIA utilizes advanced printing technology to produce slabs with full-body natural stone design. This allows for sophisticated patterns and modern aesthetics that compete not only with other engineered stones but with natural stone as well.

KREOS PLUS takes aesthetic innovation even further with:

• Advanced material flow control that creates natural veining patterns with depth and texture

• Precision particle distribution that replicates the uneven mineral patterns found in granite, marble, and quartzite

• Controlled pigment diffusion that mimics the movement of minerals through rock

• Multi-angle vibration and compression that creates fluid-like movement in the stone

A particularly innovative feature of KREOS PLUS is its ability to create extremely thin 4mm finished products, expanding design possibilities beyond traditional applications.

Benefits Beyond Safety: The Complete Package

While worker safety is the primary driver behind silica-free quartz, these innovative materials offer numerous other benefits:

Environmental Sustainability

Bioquartz® contributes to environmental sustainability in several ways:

• Circular economy: The production process allows for the reuse of processing sludge and slurries from quartz-slab manufacturing

• Reduced transportation impact: Using readily available sand deposits reduces the need to transport ground quartz from distant quarries

• Waste reduction: The reuse of industrial residues minimizes waste and promotes resource efficiency

Performance Qualities

Silica-free quartz doesn't compromise on performance. These materials maintain:

• High resistance to scratches, stains, and heat

• Non-porous surfaces that resist bacterial growth

• Consistent coloration and patterning

• Durability comparable to traditional quartz

Aesthetic Versatility

With technologies like those used in CHROMIA and KREOS PLUS, silica-free quartz offers:

• Realistic natural stone appearances

• Deep, three-dimensional veining

• Custom patterning possibilities

• A wide range of color options

Changing Landscape: The Market Responds

The introduction of silica-free alternatives is reshaping the engineered stone market. As health concerns continue to drive regulatory changes, manufacturers are increasingly investing in safer alternatives.

This shift aligns with broader consumer trends toward ethical consumption and environmental responsibility. Modern buyers are increasingly considering the conditions under which products are made as a factor in purchasing decisions.

For distributors and retailers, silica-free quartz represents an opportunity to offer customers a product that addresses growing safety concerns while maintaining the performance characteristics that made quartz popular in the first place.

Why Choose Silica-Free?

For homeowners considering countertop options, silica-free quartz offers compelling advantages:

1. Peace of mind: Knowing your countertop choice didn't contribute to dangerous working conditions

2. Future-proof investment: As regulations tighten around silica-containing materials, silica-free options are positioned to meet anticipated regulatory changes

3. Environmental benefits: Contributing to waste reduction and resource efficiency

4. Performance without compromise: Enjoying all the practical benefits of traditional quartz without the ethical concerns

5. Design versatility: Accessing cutting-edge aesthetic options that rival or exceed traditional offerings

A Material Revolution in the Making

The development of silica-free quartz represents more than just a product improvement—it's a fundamental rethinking of how we balance performance, aesthetics, and responsibility in the materials we bring into our homes.

As companies like Breton and OK Stone continue to refine these technologies, silica-free quartz isn't just poised to compete with traditional engineered stone—it's positioned to replace it entirely, creating a safer, more sustainable future for the industry and the homes that depend on it.

For consumers making countertop decisions today, silica-free quartz offers an opportunity to be part of this transformation—a chance to choose beautiful, high-performing surfaces that align with values of health, sustainability, and ethical manufacturing.