THE 2014 edition of Carrara Marmotec will showcase the very best in marble, granite, stone, technology and services to keep pace with new trends in a highly competitive and diversified market, according to CarraraFiere, the event’s organiser.

On display will be a wide variety of marble, stone, tools, abrasives, transport, handling and lifting machineries, and other specialised services for the industry.

In the run-up to the event, the organiser is undertaking a promotional drive at key events around the world including the Gulf.

These include a presence at next month’s Saudi Stone Tech, which is being held alongside Saudi Build 2013 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 4 to 7, and The Big 5 exhibition in Dubai, UAE, which will be held from November 25 to 28.

CarraraFiere says the business prospects for Italy’s marble industry are looking promising in the run-up to the event. “2012 was a positive year for the Italian stone industry with exports reaching €1.81 billion ($2.44 billion), for a total of 4.17 million tonnes, an increase of 9.8 per cent in value and 4.17 per cent in quantity and returning to the volumes and values of 2005,” the company said in a statement.

“The best performance came from marble, both raw and processed, with increases both in quantity and in value, while granite saw a reduction in the quantity exported yet an increase in value.

“The first four months of 2013 have substantially confirmed this trend, recording a positive trend in exports of marble, granite and other stone varieties. These stood at 1,268,663 tonnes worth €562 million, with an increase in both quantity (4.2 per cent) and value (10.7 cent).

“Again, the best results in the quarter were those of marble, with a 4 per cent increase in the quantities exported and a 10.47 per cent increase in value for raw materials, while finished products fared even better with increases of 6.5 per cent in quantity and a striking 15.8 per cent in value.”

The 32nd edition of Carrara Marmotec will be held from May 21 to 24, 2014 at the CarraraFiere Exhibition Centre in Carrara, Italy, and is expected to be attended by architects, civil engineers, developers, marble and international transportation specialists from across the world.

The event promises many new features, a highlight of which will be Carrara Marble Week, which will show “strong bonds with the culture of marble”.

Carrara Marmotec will be trade-centric while providing an opportunity to view and analyse new application trends. Exhibitors will be able to interact with the stone testing technology centre which has been set up by the Internazionale Marmi e Macchine as a centre for research and advanced services, based on European standards.

In addition to technical seminars and workshops, the event will also feature a keynote lecture on the culture and use of marble that will be delivered by one of Italy’s most prestigious experts.

Also on the agenda will be the international Marble Architectural Awards, a competition that attracts designers from across the world.

The fair will also feature leading Italian experts and economists who will analyse the state of the industry, its strategic role in Italy’s economy and its importance at an international level.