International Award for Sustainable Excellence

Participate in the 2026 International Award for Sustainable Excellence

On the occasion of the 60th edition of Marmomac 2026, Veronafiere is promoting the International Sustainable Excellence Award, organised under the patronage and in collaboration with the University of Verona.

The Award aims to identify and promote the most advanced solutions for sustainable innovation in the stone industry, recognising machines, plants, tools, materials and projects capable of delivering tangible improvements in terms of environmental impact, production efficiency and responsible use of resources.

The initiative is based on collaboration between the trade fair system and the academic world, with the goal of strengthening companies’ competitiveness and resilience through sustainable, concrete and applicable technological innovation. In this context, the contribution of the University ensures scientific rigour, independence in the evaluation process and a direct link with advanced research on sustainability, process efficiency and the circular economy.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration will open soon.

View the regulation

The Award is divided into five categories:

New-generation technologies and plants or significant developments of existing solutions, presented for the first time in 2026 or during the event. Assessed on innovation, energy efficiency, safety, ergonomics and sustainability.

Innovative tools and equipment for the stone industry, either new or significantly improved. Assessed on performance, efficiency, safety, ergonomics and environmental impact.

Innovative digital and software solutions for the stone supply chain. Assessed on their ability to optimise processes, improve operational efficiency, integrate technologies and reduce environmental impact.

Chemical products and solutions for stone processing with an innovative and sustainable approach. Assessed on effectiveness, safety, environmental sustainability and reduced impact in production processes.

Innovative projects, concepts and solutions from startups and emerging companies. Assessed on innovation potential, sustainability, feasibility and contribution to the circular economy and the transformation of the sector.

Essential Requirements

The products entered must meet the following criteria:

Be newly developed or provide significant practical innovations and substantial improvements compared to products already available on the market.
Be introduced to the international market for the first time during the 2026 calendar year.

For each category, three finalists and one winner will be selected, along with the possible awarding of special mentions.

The evaluation will be entrusted to an international jury composed of university professors, researchers and industry experts, selected through a public call, ensuring expertise, transparency and independence.

All finalist projects will be showcased through the event’s official channels and may be exhibited during Marmomac 2026. The awards ceremony will take place during the event, providing international visibility to the most innovative and sustainable solutions in the sector.

Meet the Jury:

Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (Türkiye)

Professor of Applied Geology at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Professor Atiye Tuğrul is one of the world's leading experts in the field of natural stone and dimension stone materials. She heads the University's Natural Stone Laboratory and has spent more than thirty years conducting research into the physico-mechanical properties of rocks, material durability, weathering processes, and their use in construction and cultural heritage conservation.

Author of more than one hundred scientific publications, she has coordinated numerous national and international research projects and is actively involved in the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG), where she holds scientific leadership roles in the field of aggregates and natural stone.

University of Turin

Mining engineer and researcher at the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Turin, Giovanna Antonella Dino specialises in the sustainable management of geo-resources, the circular economy, and the valorisation of mineral raw materials. Her research focuses on the recovery of extractive waste, critical raw materials, the sustainability of mining supply chains, and material reuse.

Head of the Mineral Dressing and Sampling Laboratory at the University of Turin, she is involved in numerous European projects dedicated to the ecological transition and the sustainable supply of resources. She is the author of an extensive body of scientific publications and collaborates with institutions, companies and international research centres.

University of Salamanca (Spain)

Geologist and lecturer at the University of Salamanca, Professor Dolores Pereira Gómez is an internationally recognised authority in the study of natural stone, geological heritage, and the conservation of stone materials used in historic architecture. Her research integrates geology, sustainability, and the enhancement of cultural heritage, with a particular focus on the role of natural stone in the history of territories and communities.

She has participated in numerous international scientific programmes and has played a leading role in initiatives promoted by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) for the recognition of Heritage Stones, stones that have contributed to the development of the world’s architectural heritage. She is the author of hundreds of scientific and outreach publications.

Director of IS.I.M. – International Marble Institute

Engineer, Director of IS.I.M. – International Marble Institute, and Secretary General of Confindustria Marmomacchine, Paolo Marone is one of Italy’s leading experts in technology, standardisation and innovation for the natural stone sector.

For many years, he has promoted applied research, technology transfer and the development of international standards to support companies across the natural stone supply chain. His work focuses on material performance, production processes, sustainability and the technological evolution of the industry.

A speaker at numerous specialist conferences, he serves as a key link between scientific research, industry and the market.

Designer

Designer and researcher, Raffaello Galiotto is internationally recognised for his pioneering work at the intersection of design, technological innovation and natural stone. His research explores the expressive potential of marble through the use of advanced digital fabrication technologies, helping to redefine the relationship between material, design and production processes.

Author of publications and theoretical contributions on stone design, he has taught Design at the University of Ferrara and collaborates with international companies and institutions in the development of new languages applied to architecture and contemporary design.

His works have been exhibited at major design events and cultural venues dedicated to design and materials.

Mining Engineer

Mining engineer and consultant specialising in the sustainable management of natural resources, Claudia Chiappino works in the fields of quarry and mine design and management, sustainable development, and the valorisation of raw materials.

An expert in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), and innovation in stone and industrial materials, she provides research and consultancy services to companies, public bodies and industry associations.

She collaborates with leading Italian universities active in the fields of mining and geological sciences, contributing to the development of production models focused on sustainability, the circular economy, and the reduction of the environmental impact of extractive activities.

Jury Coordinators:

Full Professor at the University of Verona, Marco Cristani is one of Italy’s leading experts in artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer vision. His research focuses on the development of intelligent systems for the automated analysis of images, videos and complex data, with applications ranging from industry to healthcare.

He coordinates national and international projects dedicated to digital innovation and technology transfer and is the author of numerous scientific publications. His expertise contributes to the integration of artificial intelligence technologies into evaluation and decision-support processes.

University of Verona

Researcher at the Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine at the University of Verona, Eros Radicchi conducts research in the fields of data analysis, artificial intelligence and digital technologies applied to complex processes.

His work focuses on the development of advanced tools for information processing and decision support, adopting an interdisciplinary approach that combines scientific research with practical applications. He collaborates on innovative projects dedicated to digitalisation and the use of emerging technologies in industrial, scientific and organisational contexts.