Find a Contractor Buyer's Guide
MCAA Logo
Member Login JOIN
NEWS
Join Us For The 75th Anniversary Midyear Meeting Sep 7-11 ↗

NSC Completes Benchmarking Assessment

Words: Dennis f BuechelThe Natural Stone Council (NSC) conducted a comprehensive study of the natural stone industry. Forty-two North American companies responded to the survey, yielding data for a sum of 64 quarries and 45 processing facilities. Responding to the survey in the greatest numbers were the granite and limestone sectors. Sandstone, marble and, to a small extent, slate and travertine comprised the remainder of stone reported. With regard to quarry operations, adequate information was collected to assemble an initial life-cycle inventory for granite, limestone and sandstone. Data is still being collected to do the same for marble.

The first versions of these data sets are in their final draft stages and will be available on the Genuine Stone Web site this fall, www.GenuineStone.org. Survey responses revealed that water consumption efficiency will be key for the industry's sustainability profile because of increasing global water shortages. Another issue is site maintenance and quarry closures. Regarding processing operations, an important issue for the industry to address is the diversity in the transportation distance of stone. Again, water consumption will be a significant topic in discussions about sustainability. Survey responses indicated that water reclamation is one of the industry's best practices.

With industry data now in-hand, the NSC will continue to work with the Center for Clean Products at The University of Tennessee to perform a life-cycle analysis of the environmental impacts of certain stone products, identify strategic sustainability goals for the industry, and continue outreach efforts to the environmental and green building communities through vehicles such as best practices, case studies and material fact sheets.
 0
Using Respirators for Silica Exposure
July 2025

Some in the masonry industry have expressed interest in respirator use as protection from harmful exposure to silica. This topic is of paramount importance due to its impact on our workers and the serious health effects of silica exposure. For those new t

Zach Everett
Read More
From Bikes to Buildings: The Importance of Embracing Rainscreen Wall Designs and the New Building Codes.
July 2025

Have you ever been asked to do a project over the course of your lifetime? For example, when my kids were little, my wife asked me to assemble their bicycles. So, I opened the box, dumped out the contents, and cast aside whatever I thought was unnecessary

Keith Lolley
MAP Partner
Read More
Laying the Foundation for Growth: Concrete Masonry Checkoff Unveils Five-Year Vision for Industry
July 2025

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) put the finishing touches on an ambitious five-year vision for the industry, targeting a 20% increase in market share, driven by increased demand for concrete masonry products. “This is about building exquisite, enduri

Industry News
Read More
Five of the Seven Chimneys Have Been Saved: Project Chimney Update
July 2025

In the wake of the devastating January wildfires that swept through Los Angeles's Pacific Palisades, a remarkable preservation effort is underway, spearheaded by Project Chimney, an initiative led by Evan Hall, founding director of the non-profit House Mu

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More