Stone Summit discusses the future of the stone industry in Espírito Santo

The event addressed sustainability, logistics, and communication as key elements to boost Espírito Santo in the global scenario of the industry.

The Stone Summit, held on Tuesday morning (December 3) at TV network Rede Gazeta, brought together leaders from the stone sector to discuss the challenges and opportunities of an industry that generates billions of reais in annual exports. The event, promoted in partnership with Centrorochas, Marmomac Brazil, and Nebrax, highlighted ways to make Espírito Santo a global point of reference in the segment.

The opening ceremony of the event was led by Tales Machado, the president of Centrorochas (Brazilian Center of Natural Stone Exporters), Flávia Milaneze, the CEO of Milanez & Milaneze, and Lucas Chequer, the CEO of Nebrax.

Sustainability, international competitiveness, and innovation in communication with global markets were the central subjects of the panel, which also addressed the importance of environmental certifications and efficient logistics to strengthen the industry. Rafael Furlanetti, a partner and the institutional director of XP Investimentos, Fabio Cruz, the vice president of Centrorochas, and José Eduardo de Azevedo, the secretary of Economic Development of Aracruz, participated in the debate. A Gazeta columnist Abdo Filho mediated the debate.

Global point of reference

The potential of Espírito Santo on the global stage was one of the highlights, emphasized by Furlanetti. He highlighted the strategic advantages of the state in a world that increasingly values ​​sustainability. “We are a privileged country in terms of natural resources and renewable energy. We have everything the world needs in this new moment of global sustainability. In Espírito Santo, specifically, we can lead with unique products, such as our exotic stones, demonstrating that they are not only aesthetically superior, but also environmentally responsible.”

Growth lever

The logistics infrastructure was also highlighted. José Eduardo de Azevedo pointed out the strengths and challenges to integrate and improve logistical processes in the state. “In Espírito Santo, we have independent ports, a growing infrastructure, and a strategic position within the country. However, to be truly competitive, we need to ensure that each step of this process, from transportation to the dispatch of goods, works perfectly. The integration of the public and private sectors is essential to transform these opportunities into a competitive advantage that benefits the entire region.”

Challenge in the global market

Fabio Cruz, in turn, drew attention to the lack of environmental certifications that demonstrate that Brazilian natural stones are sustainable. It is a factor that might limit the sector’s competitiveness in the international market. He emphasized that Brazil has one of the cleanest energy matrices in the world, but highlighted that it is necessary to better disclose these characteristics.

“Our natural stone is more sustainable than many man-made products, but we are losing ground because we do not have the appropriate certifications, such as the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). To compete in international projects that require standards such as LEED and Green Building, we need to communicate better and demonstrate the sustainability of our product. Without them, we are out of contention, even with a superior product,” Cruz pointed out.

The vice president of Centrorochas emphasized that the evolution of the industry depends on strategic narratives that engage with the target markets. He highlighted the need to invest in marketing and communication to bring the sector closer to professionals such as architects, designers, and end consumers, ensuring that stones from Espírito Santo are properly appreciated on the global stage.

* With information provided by Rede Gazeta