Cosentino’s Xeron®: The future of 0% silica is sustainable, stunning… and here

When the Cosentino team introduces a new product portfolio as “the beginning of a groundbreaking innovation,” the whole industry pays attention. Cosentino has long been a market-leading innovator in the realm of sustainable architectural surfaces, a status first earned in the 1990s with the trailblazing launch of Silestone®. The brand’s pioneering position was then reaffirmed with the revolutionary 2013 arrival of Dekton®, an ultra-compact and only carbon-neutral cradle-to-grave surface available on the market, and then further solidified by the recognition of the sustainable innovation at the heart of the Silestone® XM “Le Chic Bohème” collection, awarded in the “Sustainable Standout” category at the KBIS, the largest kitchen and bath trade show in North America at the start of this year.

And now, as one of the world’s first manufacturers to launch a zero crystalline silica product range without compromising either the quality or the research behind it, Cosentino once again bolsters its pioneering position. The new Xeron® range, spearheaded by the exquisite Xeron® Premium collection, marks a powerful shift in how Cosentino and the architecture and design industry at large think about surface materials: they can finally prioritise safety, environmental and social responsibility and a carefully curated gamut of stunning colours all at once.

“Xeron® addresses one of the most urgent challenges in our industry – creating beautiful, high-performance surfaces without compromising worker safety or sustainability,” enthuses Maria Del Rocio Rueda Lopez, Cosentino’s Regional Director Australia. “It’s not just a cosmetic or incremental upgrade – it’s a reimagining of the entire material structure, built from the ground up using Cosentino’s patented technologies and manufactured with 100% renewable electricity and recycled water.”

The future of zero silica is safe…

And let’s be clear: any Australian industry professional will immediately see this innovative surface for what it is: a genuine game changer. The elimination of crystalline silica from Xeron® is monumental from a health and safety standpoint.

“Inhalation of silica dust without appropriate safety equipment is a known occupational hazard in construction and fabrication, with long-term exposure linked to serious respiratory conditions like silicosis,” explains Maria. “By removing crystalline silica, Xeron® dramatically reduces the risks for our stonemasons, fabricators, installers, and others involved in the handling of engineered stone surfaces, which we already started with Silestone HybriQ and Silestone XM around the world for multiple years already.”

…sustainable…

Maria adds that specifying Xeron® certainly isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about choosing a material that actively supports a safer, more ethical industry. And Cosentino’s groundbreaking surface material does that in more ways than one. With up to 88% recycled content forming the foundation of its composition, Xeron® gives a new lease on life to materials that would otherwise go to landfill, reducing the product’s embodied carbon and supporting circular design principles.

And while the recycled materials include post-consumer recycled glass, pre-consumer stone waste and upcycled minerals from other industrial processes, Xeron® maintains Cosentino’s signature performance profile, backed by its industry-leading 10-year warranty. The new surface is engineered to resist scratches, stains, heat and impact, which makes it suitable for high-use spaces like kitchens and bathrooms.

“It actually undergoes rigorous internal and third-party testing to meet or exceed global standards for surface durability, including tests for Mohs hardness, thermal shock and chemical resistance,” explains Maria. “Xeron’s warranty is anchored by real-world performance data.”

The secret? “It’s our advanced material science,” Maria says. “That means carefully engineering the matrix to balance durability, design, and sustainability. Each component is selected for both its functional properties and environmental benefits.”

The outstanding Xeron® Premium product line is manufactured at Cosentino’s state-of-the-art industrial facility amongst the hills of Almeria, in Spain, where the very inception of the manufacturer’s enduring story was first etched in stone. The carbon-neutral manufacturing plant is run using 100% recyclable energy and 99% recycled water, and environmental stewardship underpins the entirety of Cosentino’s production.

“Xeron® is also free from resins derived from petroleum,” says Maria. “It uses bio-based bonding agents instead – that helps reduce the product’s environmental footprint even further and contributes to superior indoor air quality, which is crucial for Green Star, WELL and LEED-certified buildings.”

…stunning…

What makes this revolutionary surface particularly appealing from a design standpoint is the fact that Xeron’s compelling palette, especially the bold visual articulation of the Premium range, complements its impressive sustainability profile and performance. This meticulously curated line is defined by an eloquent interpretation of expressive elegance, which masterfully fuses the quiet, unimposing confidence of modern vernacular with the inherent opulence of traditional luxury.

This stunning, intricate visual language is beautifully embodied by colours like Cascade Gold, Aurum White or Artico Grey. Cascade Gold is a striking interplay of a crisp, white foundation and sweeping grey reflections, punctuated by unexpected bursts of ornate gold, which yields a timeless and distinguished aesthetic paying homage to the grandeur of ancient marbles. A little more subtle, Aurum White is a vision of pure elegance; its luminous white canvas graced by flowing grey veins and delicate golden strokes. Artico Grey, on the other hand, stands out as a sophisticated equilibrium of soft grey hues, enriched by a delicate network of veins that adds layers of depth and understated elegance, seamlessly bridging the gap between modern and classic aesthetics.

“The Premium range is designed for statement-making spaces that demand a strong design identity,” Maria explains. “Which makes it ideal for luxury interiors or high-impact retail and hospitality projects.”

In addition to the high-end Xeron® Premium range, Cosentino also offers the Xeron® Elemental, an imported product designed by Cosentino that adheres to the same outstanding quality and purchasing standards as the Premium range, while offering a stunning selection of versatile, neutral colours at a more accessible price point.

… and here

With all that in mind, it becomes clear why Xeron® might be a genuine preamble to what the future of silica-free surfaces holds. “It aligns with growing demands for low-toxicity, low-carbon, and ethically manufactured products. Its zero-silica composition and high recycled content make it one of the safest and most sustainable surface solutions currently on the market. So, for design professionals aiming to meet strict green building certifications or ESG goals, Xeron® helps tick all the boxes – without compromising on design flexibility or material performance,” Maria enthuses. “It offers specifiers a truly future-forward choice.”

And while Xeron® might be the future of zero-silica surfaces, it’s only the beginning of Cosentino’s groundbreaking innovation. What’s next for the market-leading surface manufacturer?

There is, Maria assures, much to look forward to. Towards the end of this year, Cosentino is set to launch an exciting new range worldwide. Featuring zero-silica colours and a pioneering technology that cannot yet be disclosed, this upcoming industry-defining event underscores Cosentino’s continued commitment to innovation and leadership in the sustainable surface materials industry.

“Xeron® is the first step in the next evolution in Cosentino’s long-standing mission to lead with purpose and innovation,” Maria says proudly. “It’s the culmination of years of R&D, driven by the belief that beauty, performance, and responsibility should not be mutually exclusive. And as more of the built environment shifts toward healthier, low-impact materials, Xeron® will help accelerate the industry’s transition to safer, circular, and regenerative design.”

With this bold, optimistic vision and the brand’s unwavering commitment to transparency, worker welfare and environmental leadership, Cosentino continuously raises the bar for what sustainable architecture, design and construction can and should be. And Xeron®, another transformative innovation directly reflecting this unapologetic pursuit of a better tomorrow, sets a new benchmark for what the future of surface materials should – and is already starting to – look like.