Adam Miles, MD, Athena Surfaces

Given the recent concerns over silicosis from quartz fabrication, how are you addressing health and safety in your product offerings?

With recent discussions around the health risks associated with quartz fabrication, particularly silicosis, we’ve seen increased interest in low silica products such as porcelain, from our customers. 

It should be made clear that silicosis becomes an issue with prolonged exposure and homeowners are not at risk, but fabricators and installers can be if they don’t follow legislation. At Athena we use state-of-the-art technology and continually invest in the well-being of our employees and customers. Our production includes the use of water to mitigate dust and full positive flow PPE, effectively removing the risk of exposure to silica dust. This approach has always been a priority for us, long before the recent news brought this issue to the forefront.

What unique features does porcelain offer compared to other surface materials?

Porcelain is highly resistant to scratches, heat, and UV light, which makes it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.  

Another standout feature of porcelain is its design versatility. Porcelain can mimic marble, natural stone, or even offer bold, modern patterns with a consistency that quartz struggles to match due to its composite nature. 

What about from a sustainability perspective? Is porcelain a good choice?

We’ve made sure our porcelain production processes focus on reducing waste and energy consumption, which results in a lower carbon footprint. 

Unlike quartz, which contains resins and polymers, porcelain doesn’t emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) contributing to better indoor air quality. 

Furthermore, the longevity and low maintenance of porcelain means less frequent replacements, which also reduces environmental impact over time. 

It’s also worth noting that our porcelain, that we get through Italian brand Mirage, is made with up to 60% recycled pre-consumer materials reducing waste. It also has a 29% reduction in CO2 emissions per square metre compared to the industry average, and global warming potential (GWP) of only 17 when competitors are nearer 40.

What all this really means is that with our porcelain, we have a truly sustainable and safe work surface option that is available right now. What’s more, we have committed to making it an affordable option for our customers.

How do you manage to offer porcelain surfaces at competitive prices?

By handling large volumes of porcelain, we can negotiate better terms with suppliers, which reduces the cost per unit, allowing us to pass these savings directly to our customers. 

Our investment in technology, like high-precision waterjet cutting, plays a crucial role as well. This technology minimises waste and speeds up the production process, significantly cutting down on both labour and material costs.

The most important reason though, is our commitment to changing the market by making porcelain affordable. We aren’t looking to increase margins on porcelain just because we can. This commitment to non-inflated pricing means that designers, developers and homeowners can enjoy porcelain at a cost that’s competitive with quartz.

To work with Athena Worksurfaces call 01886 880967 or email [email protected]

Home > Sponsored > Athena Surfaces: ‘We’re making porcelain worktops affordable’