en.Wedoany.com Reported - From June 17 to 19, the second edition of the Stonegal Natural Stone Fair (Stonegal 2026) will be held at the Vigo Exhibition and Congress Center (IFEVI), with preparations in their final stages. Organized by Natural Stone Events and supported by the Galician natural stone ecosystem, the fair focuses on internationalization, technological innovation, and high-value-added application scenarios, bringing together mining, processing, technology companies, design consultants, and professionals from the construction sector.
According to organizer data, in 2024, Spain's natural stone industry achieved a turnover of €2.735 billion, creating over 12,600 jobs. Spain holds a leading position in the international market for slate, granite, and marble, with exports exceeding €747 million and a trade surplus of €582.6 million. The Galicia region contributes approximately 29.5% of the national turnover (around €806 million), serving as a major production and export hub; local leading companies export 75% to 80% of their output, making overseas markets a strategic axis for growth.
Key export destinations include France, Portugal, the United States, and Morocco, while markets such as Algeria and Mexico show significant growth rates. For example, in 2024, Mexico's imports of Spanish natural stone increased by 26.6%, exceeding 21,400 tons.
The industry maintains close ties with local communities, particularly in rural mining and processing areas, generating substantial economic activity and employment. Currently, the sector is accelerating digitalization, automation, and productivity improvements, fostering new professional roles in data management, advanced manufacturing, and the circular economy. In terms of sustainability, companies are updating product environmental declarations (DAP) and advancing projects for quarry waste utilization to optimize resources and reduce the environmental impact of production processes.
The fair's core agenda is the "Architecture and Stone" summit, exploring technical, construction, and sustainability applications of natural stone in architecture, renovation, and urban planning. Organizers expect over 120 direct exhibitors and more than 6,000 professional visitors, with strengthened international delegations from strategic markets in North Africa and the Middle East. The summit invites experts in design, heritage conservation, facade engineering, solid stone construction, and digital manufacturing. Confirmed speakers include Marisa Santamaría, Ibai Rigby, Xavier Ferrés Padró, Jean-Manuel Perraudin, Giuseppe Fallacara, Alejandro Bernabéu, and Pierre Bidaud.
During the event, the Antonio Palacios Stone Architecture Award (Premio Arquitectura en Piedra Antonio Palacios) will be presented, this year honoring architect César Portela for his career achievements. In 2025, the award was granted to Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, continuing to strengthen the integration of modern architecture and natural stone in benchmark projects.
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