A new tile line provides a sustainable solution for the trend of including nature-inspired materials in today’s designs.

Technology and sustainability come together in a new Fiandre collection that combines the best of technical development, large dimensions, and the traditional surfaces of fine wood crafting. Fiandre’s inspiration has always been nature—from quarry marbles to stone and wood. With its new Natura Maximum Collection, Fiandre aims to fulfill an extremely difficult task: to produce a natural material combined with advanced technology to give new life to the ancient concept of building.

The Phoenicians exploited the sinuousness of the majestic cedars of Lebanon in order to make their agile boats. From this ancestral material, the new wood themes of Natura Maximum are inspired to provide a sustainable solution for the trend of including nature-inspired materials in today’s designs.

The slabs, made with fine porcelain stoneware, offer a streamlined, imposing format in a natural and contemporary style. Produced with full respect for the environment and with particular attention to energy and natural resource conservation, they guarantee the same performance as Fiandre’s technical porcelain stoneware.

The porcelain stoneware slabs can be produced in dimensions up to 300 x 150 cm—an area of 4.5 m² for every slab (reportedly the largest available on the market)—and in thicknesses of 3 or 6 mm. Their flexibility enables additional uses beyond the traditional floor and wall installations.

Sustainable Benefits

Despite their size, the slabs provide a net saving of raw materials compared to the marble quarry. The 6- and 3-mm thicknesses allow the use of 16.66% and 33% of the necessary raw materials, respectively, compared to quarry stone for the same surface. In addition, a new patented process ensures a significant reduction of dust emissions with a high degree of automation. The purest raw materials are pressed and fired during a highly automated process that results in lower power consumption and reduced CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere.

For more information, visit www.granitifiandre.com.