MARBLE

One of the most important sectors.

The marble sectorin Almería is a sector that is mainly in Macael (so called region of marble that comprise the municipalities of Macael Olula River, Fines, and Purchena Cantoria), located in the north of the province of Almería , where the largest reserves of marble of the country, both in quantity and in quality. By its color variety and high quality, recognized throughout the world since ancient marble Macael is highly demanded by leading architects and therefore is present in large and renowned monuments such as the Great Mosque of Cordoba, the Monastery of the Escorial, among others.

At present this sector is composed of some 120 companies in which more than 3,000 people work. Among the companies in the county , about 70% are engaged in cutting, shaping and finishing of stone and the rest develop the extraction of stone, clay and sand.Almería represents about 6% of the value of exports of Spanish marble.But one of the main differences between Almeria and the largest exporter of marble in Spain (Alicante), is the greater relative importance in Almería has marble made ​​in foreign sales. Indeed, this represents 90% of the export value, which reflects the higher value-added production of Almeria. This sector has record exports each year , with the main destinations U.S., UK, Germany , France, Italy, Russia , Japan , United Arab Emirates. The most important company of the province ( by relevance , level billing and international presence ) belonging to this sector: Cosentino , first world producer of Silestone quartz surfaces , is a family-owned business group and full Spanish capital. Focuses on the design, production and distribution of architectural and decorative solutions based on natural stone . Meanwhile, there is also a high level of quality and expertise in the industry and the development of important research and development. Such is the importance of R & D in the sector in 2002 the Advanced Technology Center Stone (CTAP ), which is composed of leading companies and institutions are created . It is a private foundation working on the development of knowledge and transfer of results to companies . For more information on the area visit the following links:

- Centro Tecnológico de la Piedra (CTAP)

- Fundación Marca Macael

- Asociación de Empresarios del Mármol de Andalucía