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Slate stone formation and the production of Ultra Thin Stone Veneer

Have you ever stopped to think about where the slate used in your roofing tiles or flooring comes from? It may surprise you to learn that slate is actually a metamorphic rock, formed through a process of heat and pressure over millions of years.

The journey of slate begins with sedimentary rock, such as shale or mudstone. These rocks are formed from the accumulation of sediments, such as mud, clay, or silt, in a marine or freshwater environment. Over time, these sedimentary rocks are subjected to high pressure and temperature, either through tectonic activity or burial beneath overlying layers of rock.

During this process, the minerals in the sedimentary rock are rearranged and recrystallized, forming a new rock with a foliated structure. This new rock is called slate, and it is composed of thin, closely spaced layers of minerals such as mica, quartz, and chlorite. The layers are typically parallel to the original sedimentary layers, and the rock has a fine-grained, homogeneous structure.

Natural ultra-thin slate stone veneer is produced from real, natural slate rock that has been carefully selected for its quality and beauty. The slate is then cut into thin slices, typically less than 3/8 inch thick, using specialized equipment such as a diamond saw or a water jet cutter.

The thin slices of slate are then sorted and graded based on color, texture, and other characteristics. The highest quality slices are chosen for use in the production of natural ultra-thin slate stone veneer, while lower quality slices may be used in other products or discarded.

After the slate has been cut and graded, it is carefully hand-sorted and cut to size, if necessary, to fit the desired application. The thin slices of slate are then adhered to a backing material, such as cellulose non woven or a textile backing, using a high-quality adhesive.

The resulting natural ultra-thin slate stone veneer is a lightweight and flexible product that can be easily installed over a variety of surfaces, including wood, drywall, and concrete. It is an excellent alternative to traditional, thicker slate products, and it is often used to add a natural, rustic touch to homes, commercial buildings, and other structures.

Slate is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to weathering, which is why it has long been used as a building material. In addition to being beautiful and durable, natural ultra-thin slate stone veneer is also environmentally friendly. It is made from a natural, renewable resource and can be easily recycled at the end of its useful life.

So the next time you see a slate roof or walk on a slate floor, take a moment to appreciate the incredible journey that this rock has been through to reach its final form. The formation and production of natural ultra-thin slate stone veneer is a testament to the power of time, pressure, and human ingenuity, shaping the world around us in ways that we may not always see.

Natural Cork Fabric: A Sustainable and Versatile Material

As consumers and companies become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their choices, there has been a push toward more sustainable materials and products. One such material that has gained popularity in recent years is natural cork fabric.

Cork fabric is derived from the bark of the cork oak tree, which grows predominantly in Mediterranean countries. The cork oak tree can be harvested every nine years, making cork a renewable resource. In addition, the process of cork production is environmentally friendly as it does not require cutting down trees or damaging the tree’s structure. The bark is carefully removed from the tree in a process called “corking,” which allows the tree to regenerate new bark and continue to grow.

Cork fabric can be used in the fashion industry for accessories production, such as handbags and belts, as well as in the home for furniture. Its lightweight and elasticity make it ideal for use in footwear, particularly to cover insoles, platforms, heels and wedges.

Cork fabric has also been used in a variety of other industries. In the automotive industry, it has been used for interior paneling decorations, and in the bookbinding industry for making agenda. Its versatility and sustainability make it an attractive option for a wide range of industries.

In addition to its practical uses, cork fabric has a unique aesthetic appeal. Its textured surface and warm, natural color make it a popular choice for designers and consumers looking to incorporate a natural element into their designs. It is also a hypoallergenic material, making it suitable for use in products for sensitive skin.

Overall, natural cork fabric is a sustainable and versatile material that has numerous applications across a variety of industries. Its environmental benefits, durability, and unique aesthetic make it an attractive option for companies and consumers alike. As awareness of the importance of sustainability continues to grow, cork fabric is likely to see even more widespread use in the future.

top ten benefits of cork fabric:

  1. Sustainability: Cork fabric is a renewable resource as it is derived from the bark of the cork oak tree, which can be harvested every nine years. The production process does not require cutting down trees or damaging the tree’s structure, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
  2. Durability: Cork fabric is durable and resistant to wear and tear, making it suitable for a variety of uses.
  3. Water-resistance: Cork fabric is water-resistant.
  4. Lightweight: Cork fabric is lightweight and flexible, making it ideal for use in footwear and other products where weight is a concern.
  5. Elasticity: Cork fabric has a natural elasticity, making it comfortable to wear and easy to work with.
  6. Hypoallergenic: Cork fabric is a hypoallergenic material, making it suitable for use in products for sensitive skin.
  7. Mold and pest resistant: Cork fabric is resistant to mold and pests
  8. Comfort: Cork fabric is soft and comfortable to the touch, making it a suitable choice for use in the fashion industry. Its natural elasticity and flexibility also make it comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
  9. Aesthetic appeal: Cork fabric has a unique textured surface and warm, natural color, making it a popular choice for designers and consumers looking to incorporate a natural element into their designs.
  10. Versatility: Cork fabric has numerous applications across a variety of industries, making it a versatile material with a wide range of uses.

Overall, cork fabric is a sustainable, durable, and versatile material with numerous benefits. Its environmental and practical benefits make it an attractive choice for companies and consumers alike.

Discovering the Advantages of Tencel™ Cork Fabric: A Responsible and Sustainable Choice

Tencel™ Cork fabric is a sustainable and innovative material that is gaining popularity in the fashion and design industries. It is made from a combination of Tencel™, a wood pulp-based fabric, and cork, a natural and renewable material harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree. The two materials are bonded together using an adhesive, creating a durable and versatile fabric with a range of benefits.

One of the main benefits of Tencel™ Cork fabric is its sustainability. Tencel™ is produced through a closed-loop production process that captures and reuses solvents and water, making it an environmentally friendly fabric. Cork is also a sustainable material that can be harvested without damaging the cork oak tree, making it a renewable resource.

In addition to its sustainability, Tencel™ Cork fabric is also durable and long-lasting. It is water-resistant, but not naturally so – it requires treatment to achieve this property. However, once treated, Tencel™ Cork fabric becomes stain-resistant as well, making it suitable for use in bags, shoes, and other accessories that may be subjected to wear and tear. It is also lightweight and flexible, making it comfortable to wear and easy to work with.

Tencel™ Cork fabric can be used in a variety of styles and designs in the fashion industry. It can be treated and finished in different ways to achieve different looks, from a smooth and polished finish to a more textured and rustic appearance. It is also available in a range of natural shades.

Tencel™ Cork fabric is not only limited to fashion and accessories. It can also be used in furniture, home decor, and other design applications. Its durability and water-resistant properties make it an excellent choice for use in outdoor furniture and flooring.

While Tencel™ Cork fabric is not completely compostable due to the use of an adhesive to bond the two materials together, it is still a more sustainable and environmentally friendly choice compared to traditional synthetic fabrics. It can also be recycled and repurposed at the end of its life, making it a responsible and sustainable choice for fashion and design applications

check out the Cork & Tencel™ fabric here https://www.villanileonello.com/cork-tencel/

TENCEL™ is a trademark of LENZING AG

About Seaqual Initiative

SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE is a community with a single voice against plastic pollution. SEAQUAL® brings together individuals, organizations, and companies, to help clean the oceans, raise awareness of the issue of marine plastic, and highlight the heroes who are working to solve it.

A SINGLE VOICE AGAINST PLASTIC POLLUTION

OCEAN CLEANING SEAQUAL®

INITIATIVE WORKS WITH OCEAN CLEAN-UPS AROUND THE WORLD, TO BRING VALUE TO THE WASTE THEY RECOVER

Worldwide, there are a growing number of ocean clean-ups working hard to retrieve marine litter from our oceans, beaches, rivers, and estuaries. Ocean clean-ups can be anything from small groups of local volunteers, all the way through to large international programs. They can be one-off beach clean-ups or involve whole communities of fishermen retrieving waste on a regular basis. These ocean clean-ups collect all types of waste; plastics, metals, glass, rubber, and mixed material items – everything from shoes to refrigerators! Because mixed waste is expensive to recycle, in the past much of this waste was destined for landfills or incineration. SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE is dedicated to giving a second life to this material. At SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE we don’t look for materials to recycle, we recycle the materials we find.

This mixed waste is sorted into different material types; materials such as metals and glass are recycled through traditional routes, while organic material and other non-plastics are recycled or disposed of responsibly. Marine plastics are harder to recycle. Although plastics can survive in the ocean for hundreds of years, UV rays, saltwater, and friction mean they can degrade quickly. SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE is dedicated to giving a new life to all types of marine plastic. The types of plastics found and the ratio of plastics to other materials depend upon many factors, including the type of ocean clean-up, the region, and the season. Typically, beach clean-ups have higher percentages of plastics, because the waste has been carried there by the tides; for example, PET water bottles may represent 40% of waste collected on some beaches, but only 5-10% of the waste collected from the ocean floor by fishermen.

SEAQUAL INITIATIVE: LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO A GLOBAL PROBLEM

Today, all transformation of marine plastic by SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE takes place in Europe. This marine plastic has been retrieved by ocean clean-ups in Europe, the Mediterranean, and the west coast of Africa. SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE recognizes the importance of providing local solutions to global problems and markets. For that reason, SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE is preparing to transform locally retrieved marine litter from local organizations at strategic locations around the world, starting with Asia and Central and North America. SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE is committed to supporting local communities to improve their waste management and recycling infrastructure.

UPCYCLED MARINE PLASTIC IS A NEW, FULLY TRACEABLE RAW MATERIAL WITH THE POWER TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE OF MARINE LITTER AND HIGHLIGHT THOSE HELPING TO FIGHT IT

Marine litter from our beaches found on the ocean floor and surface, or entering our oceans via rivers and estuaries is collected by clean-up programs. It is then sorted into different material types. The plastic portion is cleaned and transformed into Upcycled Marine Plastic at SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE approved facilities. It is then returned to the industry to be transformed into beautiful, new, sustainable products. Transforming marine litter into Upcycled Marine Plastic: Prevents marine litter from being sent to landfills or incinerated Creates awareness of the problem of marine litter Gives visibility to those people and organizations helping to clean our oceans

Sustainable Thinking, at Museo Salvatore Ferragamo

Museo Salvatore Ferragamo, Palazzo Spini Feroni, Firenze

12 April 2019 – 8 March 2020

The term “sustainability”, according to the 1987 Brundtland Report, defines the capacity of man to “satisfy the needs of the present generation without compromising the possibility that future generations will be able to satisfy their own “, that is, it represents one a condition of development capable of ensuring a quality of life of not less than the current one.

Numerous artists are looking at sustainability, some focusing on recovering our relationship with nature, the use of organic materials, the need for creative re-use of materials, or relations between nature and technology, while others are looking at the importance of a collective commitment to refounding society overall. Museo Salvatore Ferragamo presents the exhibition “Sustainable Thinking”, created to make people reflect on these themes.

Villani Leonello’s cork fabric has been selected to participate in this exhibition and the artist Paola Anziché made a suspended sculpture using the cork fabric with a clever concentric weaving that enhances the characteristics of the fiber.

Cork is a natural material obtained from cork oak and has been used for over two thousand years. It is mainly found in the Mediterranean; and in Italy, especially, in Sardinia and Sicily. It has excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties, is water- and fire-resistant, and is naturally biodegradable. Cork can be reused several times through non-invasive processes.

It is estimated that cork forests absorb 14 million tons of CO2 per year and contribute to reducing the number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and slowing down global warming. Cork is able to retain approximately twice its weight of CO2. An excellent example of the circular economy.

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