As we approach the end of the third quarter of 2025, the natural stone sector is experiencing strong momentum. With Marmomac recently held in Verona and several international trade fairs still ahead —including TISE Las Vegas, Marmol & Stone Istanbul, Construct Madrid, Stone Summit in São Paulo, and London Build—, this is the perfect time to review the natural stone trends 2025 and anticipate how the year will close.
Global outlook for 2025
During the first nine months of the year, the trade fair calendar has been intense: Cevisama (Valencia), Xiamen Stone Fair (China), Marble Izmir (Turkey), Coverings (USA), Stonegal (Vigo), Cachoeiro Stone Fair (Brazil), Cersaie (Italy) and, as the summer highlight, Marmomac (Verona). All of these events have consistently emphasized sustainability, technological innovation, and the return of marble and natural stone to large-scale and luxury projects.
From now until the end of the year, key events such as TISE (Las Vegas, October), Marmol & Stone (Istanbul, October), Stone Summit (São Paulo, October), Construct Madrid (November), and London Build (November) will continue to set the agenda for architects, developers, and investors.
Sustainability and low carbon
One of the recurring themes in 2025 has been sustainability.
From the European Commission’s review of Green Public Procurement (GPP) to the Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) presented at Marmomac, natural stone is strengthening its position as a low-carbon material.
The Natural Stone Institute and its ANSI/NSI 373 standard have reinforced global benchmarks, while the Transparency Catalog includes EPDs specific to construction applications. Traceability, recycling, and durability of stone are now, more than ever, essential requirements.
Digitalization and new technologies
Digitalization is another cross-cutting trend. Concepts such as Quarry 4.0, the use of BIM for natural stone, blockchain traceability, and the automation of cutting and processing processes mark a turning point.
At Marmomac 2025, innovative solutions such as the Quarry Integrated Visual System and Italian quarrying and processing technology programs were presented. These tools aim to improve efficiency, workplace safety, and waste reduction.
Design and premium applications
The market is showing renewed interest in white marble and monumental format surfaces (slabs of 320×160 cm or larger), highly valued in commercial and luxury residential projects.
Tactile textures and natural finishes (brushed, flamed, with dramatic veining) are prevailing over glossy polished surfaces. Also noteworthy are monolithic applications, such as bathrooms or kitchens carved from a single block of marble, a trend seen in Xiamen and anticipated for TISE.
Circular economy and value of origin
The circular economy has gone from concept to standard practice: recovery of workshop offcuts, reuse of historic marble in contemporary restoration, and valorization of by-products (limestone for the chemical industry).
In addition, the storytelling of origin is gaining ground. Architects and clients demand materials with history and clear provenance, adding value to quarries with tradition and certification.
Key reference portals
The consolidation of these trends is also reflected in the most influential specialized portals and media, for example:
- Stone World (leading sector portal in the USA)
- Fortune Business Insights and Global Insight Services (market reports)
- Stone-Ideas.com (international architectural projects)
- Quarry Magazine (online sector publication)
- Litosonline (global technical coverage)
- Focus Piedra (Spanish-speaking markets)
These outlets, along with talks delivered at industry fairs and events, confirm the convergence of sustainability, digitalization, luxury, and circular economy as strategic pillars for the natural stone industry.
Consensus trends 2025 table
| Global Trend | What it means | Events, Portals & Media supporting it |
| Certified sustainability | EPD, low carbon, traceability, GPP | Marmomac, NSI, JRC, Litosonline |
| Digitalization | BIM, blockchain, Quarry 4.0, automation | Marmomac, Stone+tec, Coverings, Focus Piedra |
| Monumental formats | XL slabs, monolithic applications | Marmomac, Xiamen, Litosonline |
| Natural textures | Brushed, flamed, dramatic veining | Marmomac, ArchDaily, Dezeen |
| Circular economy | Recycling, second life of materials | Stonegal, Focus Piedra, Sodoindustries |
| White marble and luxury | Premium symbol, interiors and wellness | Univdatos, Marble Systems, Fortune BI |
Closing: investment opportunity
In conclusion, the natural stone trends 2025 reinforce a clear message: stone gains value when it combines low environmental impact, technological innovation, premium design, and certified origin. With one quarter left in the year, the industry is looking ahead to 2026 with a market that is increasingly demanding and globalized.
In this context, the María del Carmen quarry (VALEXMAR) represents a unique investment opportunity. With reserves of more than 18 million m³ of marble across five varieties at only 50m depth (from an estimated 400m total depth), in gently sloping terrain with easy access —a guarantee of low extraction costs and reduced environmental impact—, combined with higher-than-average Spanish yields in large-format, high-quality blocks, and a historic legacy —Alconera marble has been used since pre-Roman times—, it aligns with current demands for sustainability, traceability, and prestige.
Its sealed-bid sale, open in 2025, is a strategic opportunity for those who want to lead the future of marble and natural stone.
👉 More information: VALEXMAR Sealed-bid Auction 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Green Public Procurement (GPP) is a European Union initiative that requires public administrations to include environmental criteria in their tenders. In natural stone, this means demanding documentation such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and life cycle assessments to promote sustainable materials.
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a verified document that communicates the environmental impact of a material throughout its life cycle. In the natural stone sector, the first sectoral EPD was presented at Marmomac 2025, a key milestone for architects and developers.
The Natural Stone Institute (NSI) is the international association headquartered in the USA that provides training, technical standards, and sustainability certifications. Its portal is a reference for architects, specifiers, and manufacturers worldwide.
The ANSI/NSI 373 – Sustainability Standard for Natural Dimension Stone sets environmental, social, and management criteria for responsible stone quarrying. It is a global benchmark promoted by the Natural Stone Institute.
The Carbon Footprint measures the greenhouse gas emissions associated with stone production. Applied to natural stone, it includes extraction, processing, transport, and installation, and is considered in certifications such as LEED or BREEAM.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an international certification for sustainable buildings developed in the USA by the U.S. Green Building Council. In natural stone, it values low impact, durability, and contribution to credits in categories such as materials and resources.
The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is the most widely used sustainability certification in Europe. In natural stone, it considers life cycle, energy efficiency, and responsible sourcing to add credits to projects.
The Transparency Catalog is a digital platform that compiles construction products with verified EPDs. In natural stone, it enables architects and specifiers to compare solutions with clear environmental information.
Quarry 4.0 is the adaptation of Industry 4.0 to natural stone quarrying. It includes IoT sensors, drones, data analytics, 3D scanning, and smart systems to optimize extraction, improve safety, and reduce environmental impact.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital methodology that integrates technical material data into 3D building models. In natural stone, specific libraries are being developed to facilitate specification and compliance with regulations.
Blockchain traceability allows for digitally recording the journey of a stone block from the quarry to the final project. It guarantees authenticity, origin, and environmental compliance. This technology is expanding in Europe and North America.
The Quarry Integrated Visual System, presented at Marmomac 2025, is a digital tool that combines drones, sensors, and modeling software to monitor quarry production in real time, improving precision, safety, and planning.