Marmomac, the leading international exhibition for the entire natural stone supply chain, returns to Veronafiere, bringing together materials, surfaces and design languages from the world’s leading quarrying regions, transforming Verona into a contemporary narrative of aesthetic research and material culture.
Natural stone continues to be one of the most representative elements of contemporary architectural culture, and each year Marmomac showcases its evolution through an international map of materials, surfaces and applications. In doing so, Verona is transformed into a true “materials library” spanning 76,000 square metres across 12 halls and 8 outdoor areas. From Italy to Brazil, from Greece to India, the exhibition brings together some of the world’s most important quarrying regions, offering a unique overview in terms of both geological diversity and aesthetic research.
The Italian Stone Sector
Italy remains a global benchmark for the natural stone industry. Arabescato Orobico, Travertino Romano, Ceppo di Gré, Pietra di Luserna, Bardiglio, Verde Alpi and Botticino illustrate the geological richness of the country, with 13 regions involved – currently or historically – in the production of high-quality stone materials.
These stones have shaped the history of architecture, from the Pantheon in Rome to St Peter’s Basilica, through to contemporary landmarks such as Jean Nouvel’s Louvre Abu Dhabi and Kengo Kuma’s Stone Museum, both architects having featured among the distinguished figures who have passed through the halls of Veronafiere. Tuscany, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige remain among the leading production districts, alongside established centres in Lombardy, Piedmont, Apulia, Sicily and Sardinia.
Italy boasts more than 300 varieties of natural stone, reflecting a culture of materiality that continues to find expression in architecture and interior design. The continuity between heritage, design and manufacturing remains one of the key strengths of the Italian natural stone sector, which today comprises around 3,200 companies and more than 34,000 employees. Combined turnover – including both materials and processing technologies – amounts to €4.5 billion, while exports account for 70.8% of national production, equivalent to €3.1 billion, according to the Confindustria Marmomacchine Report 2025.
The Global Industry Landscape
The global natural stone sector – encompassing marble, granite, quartzite and other stone surfaces – is today characterised by a broad and well-established production geography. Within this context, Italy maintains a distinctive position thanks to its ability to compete at the premium end of the market, where the value of materials is closely linked to design quality and attention to detail.
It is precisely this cultural dimension that defines the deeper significance of natural stone: a material that spans eras and civilisations without losing its expressive power, and which continues to serve as a common language between the past and the contemporary world. From the Pentelic marble of the Acropolis in Athens to the granite used in the temples of southern India, and the marble of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, the history of architecture is marked by a continuous and enduring relationship between material and construction, one that continues to inspire contemporary design research.
Within this global framework, Marmomac becomes the meeting place for the international geography of contemporary stone, where materials from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and South America come together within a single, collective narrative of material culture. The exhibition’s strong international dimension was once again confirmed at the last edition, where 68% of exhibiting companies came from abroad and more than 50,000 professionals travelled to Verona from 140 countries, reaffirming Marmomac’s role as the world’s leading platform dedicated to natural stone.
From Material to Design
Natural stone continues to evolve within the language of contemporary architecture through surface research, new applications and a renewed appreciation of its material value. It is within this context that Marmomac’s cultural programme in Hall 10 takes shape. This year it is entitled THE BEDROCK – Leading the Future of Natural Stone, using the metaphor of “foundations” to present stone as both an original material and the basis of contemporary design.
Through exhibitions and installations curated by Joseph Grima, Davide Fabio Colaci, Raffaello Galiotto and Giuseppe Fallacara – alongside talks and workshops – The Bedrock explores the relationship between architecture, design and material culture, highlighting natural stone’s ability to support contemporary design visions and new interpretations of space.
The 60th edition of Marmomac will take place in Verona from 22 to 25 September 2026.
About MARMOMAC
Marmomac is the leading international trade fair for the entire natural stone supply chain, from quarrying to processed products, technologies, machinery and tools. Established in Verona, at the heart of one of Italy’s principal marble districts, Marmomac has evolved into the industry’s foremost international hub and a key platform for innovation, culture and education. With around 1,400 exhibitors from more than 54 countries and a global community of over 50,000 professionals and industry operators from 140 nations (2025 figures), the exhibition strengthens its position year after year as a strategic platform for the sector, bringing together companies, designers, institutions and operators from around the world. A visit to Marmomac offers the opportunity to discover new products and technological innovations, keep abreast of developments in machinery and equipment, and take part in exhibitions, in-depth discussions and accredited professional training. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between business, design and product culture – a distinctive added value recognised internationally.
Partener Principal
MATEK Build Smart