Stone-Ideas.com 
Update: “Brazilian Natural Stones: Inspiring Versatility“ will be the topic of a discussion between Amanda Ferber (Architecture Hunter) and Fábio Cruz (Vize-President Centrorochas) on Wednesday, September 24, 4.45 p.m., in the Auditorium in Hall 1.
What is actually happening in Hall 1 at Marmomac this year?
For many years, it served as the stage for the creative center of the trade fair, called the “Italian Stone Theater,” until this was moved to Hall 10 at the other end of the fairground and renamed “Plus Theater.” In 2023 and 2024, it was given a new use as a venue for stone applications in luxury and interior design. The cooperation partner was Elle Decor magazine.
This year, there is a completely new concept for this stage, covering an area of around 4,000 m² directly at the former main entrance to the trade fair: Brazil, one of the big fish in the global stone sector, will be renting the entire space. Tales Machado, president of the Brazilian association Centrorochas, comments on this year‘s appearance in an unusual tone: He sees his home country “no longer acting as an apprentice or just another country among many others, but as a protagonist, the first country to have its own dedicated hall.”
From Veronfiere‘s point of view, the country focus is also intended to promote Marmomac Brasil in São Paulo together with the regional show in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim. The Italian trade fair company purchased both from the Brazilian company Milanez&Milaneze several years ago.
The figures published by Centrorochas regarding the, so to say, takeover of the hall 1 suggest that, this year, less space will be left unused a last: A total of 41 companies will be exhibiting there, 31 of them under the joint slogan “It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone,” which is financially supported by the export organization Apex.
In addition, there will be ten companies presenting themselves with their own stands, as well as a restaurant serving typical local cuisine. We can guess what will be served there: Churrasco (grilled beef) is a must in Brazil, Farofa (roasted manioc flour) is new to European tastes, Feijoada (bean stew) is different from beans from elsewhere, and rice.
Apart from this, Centrorocahs‘ press release highlights the important role played by Italian emigrants in the stone sector in South America’s biggest country: “Since the inception of the sector, individuals such as Giorgio Veneziani (Sociedade Marmífera), responsible for bringing the iconic Azul Bahia [Blue Bahia] to the world; Enrico Guarneri (Guarnieri Ltda), Guido Bissi and Cláudio Bissi (Granimar); Dino and Dante Napoli (São Sebastião), Jean Guagni dei Marcovaldi (Marcovaldi Granitos), Gianfranco Biglia (Icesa), the trailblazer for Bege Bahia [Beige Bahia] and the renowned Super White, as well as Benjamin Zampirolli (Mineração Capixaba) and Luiz Scaramussa (Santo Antonio Stones), trailblazers for the stone industry in southern Espírito Santo, among many other pioneers, were instrumental in establishing the technical and sales foundations of the industry in Brazil.“
Even today, subsidiaries of Italian companies continue to play a key role in Brazil’s stone sector: “Bruno Zanet (Marmi Bruno Zanet Brasil) is one of the names that helped promote Brazilian stone internationally. He played a key role in the development of quarries in northern Espírito Santo (the most important stone exporting state in the country). Sandro Verzola (Vitória Stone and Pedreiras do Brasil) built global alliances that developed strategic markets for Brazil, while Luca Burlamacchi (Decolores) has taken his company to the next level when it comes to management, identity, and positioning in the industry. Stefano Madrigali (Asa Branca) is also part of this group. He was responsible for promoting several Brazilian natural stones in foreign markets. Giulio Malenza (Corcovado/Brasigran), in turn, is still a leading figure in the sector, exemplifying leadership, family continuity, and strategic vision.“
Other companies mentioned in the press release include: “Also worthy of note are entrepreneurs such as Alberto Antolini (Antolini) and Giovani Caruso (Alfa Graniti), Geane Carnevale (Marmo Orobici) and Giovane Conterno (Favorita), as well as leaders of input suppliers, such as Dino Bombana (Tenax), who, despite starting his activities in Italy, expanded his operations to Brazil and contributed significantly to the development of the national production chain. This legacy, built by different generations, helps explain the prominent role Brazil will play at Marmomac Italy.“
We point out another nearby new feature this year: directly opposite Hall 1, across the street, Antolini has rented two former industrial halls for his presentations.
Our photos show some of the typical Brazilian – “exotic” – stones, here from the quarries of Vitória Stone, which are also featured in the Stone Finder.
Marmomac, September 23 – 26, 2025
