StonePeak Ceramics introduced several new products at Coverings 2019, the global tile and stone expo held this year in Orlando, FL, including a marble-look tile, a wall tile collection and new 2019 Plane 2.0 colors. The high-tech porcelain producer is the first tile manufacturer of large slab porcelain tile in the U.S., a style that has gained in popularity and was in full force at this year’s Coverings, held at the Orange County Convention Center, April 9-12.
Enormous Porcelain Slabs
Originally based in Italy, StonePeak opened a facility in Crossville, TN, which has since enabled the company to extend its reach in the U.S. commercial and residential markets. Most large slabs are produced in Italy and Spain, and their arrival in the U.S. is noteworthy. StonePeak chose Tennessee because of the state’s abundance of raw clay used to create the tile.
“The opening of the new production line represents an important investment for our company,” says Federica Minozzi, CEO of Iris Ceramica Group, in a news release. “It is part of the strategic decision we made to mature as a global product supplier in this rapidly growing market segment. By offering large size panels, made in the USA, we will shorten delivery times and simplify all over logistics while reducing the environmental impact.”
StonePeak’s U.S.-produced collections like Plane 2.0, comprised of marble-styled gauged panels, can reach up to 5-by-10 feet. Doug Snell, vice president of sales and marketing for StonePeak, notes that the original Plane line was produced in Italy before the Tennessee facility was introduced. The revamped collection was named Plane 2.0 partly in recognition of the new production location.
Porcelain Tile is Tough
StonePeak unveiled eight new colors for the Plane 2.0 collection at Coverings 2019, including Statuarietto, Calacatta Oro, Cremino, Bardiglietto, Bianco Carrara, Avalanche, Saint Laurent Dark and Saint Laurent Light. Snell adds that eight more colors will be unveiled later this year, bringing the total to 16 color options.
“People think it’s marble – they’re afraid to walk on it,” he says of Plane 2.0. “But this is porcelain tile. It’s tough.” Snell adds, “Some tiles will blind you. They’re not very clear. That’s really the strength of this technology. We get the color to pop out through our technology.”
StonePeak gets its authentic marble looks by using ink-injection technology. “If we can take a picture of it, we can make it,” Snell says. This process enables Plane 2.0 to offer fresh looks to continuous surfaces, and provides an endless array of uses for resident and commercial applications.
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