Xiamen International Stone Fair 2026: Artificial Stone and Microcrystalline Stone Take Center Stage

Among the most talked-about highlights ahead of the opening are artificial stone and microcrystalline stone. These emerging material categories are gaining remarkable momentum in both architectural and interior applications, and their prominent presence at this year’s fair reflects the stone industry’s ongoing shift toward greener, smarter, and higher-value solutions.

A Global Event Covering the Full Stone Industry Chain

According to official event information, the exhibition will span 191,000 square meters across 24 halls, with eight themed sections designed to cover the entire industry chain. These sections will include natural stone, artificial stone, microcrystalline stone, stone machinery, auxiliary materials, accessories, design applications, and more.

This broad layout gives buyers, designers, contractors, distributors, and developers an efficient one-stop sourcing platform. So far, around 2,000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries and regions have confirmed participation, including 280 overseas exhibitors. Nearly 20% are first-time participants, while eight major national pavilions and over 70 strategic partner organizations will also join the fair, further expanding its international reach.

Customs Clearance Progress Signals Final Countdown

Preparation work is also progressing smoothly behind the scenes. On March 12, the first batch of overseas exhibits successfully arrived at Haitian Terminal under the supervision of Xiamen Dongdu Customs. The shipment included premium marble, granite, and limestone slabs from Greece, Portugal, Italy, Brazil, India, Turkey, and Egypt.

With a total weight of 273 tons and a declared cargo value of USD 62,000, this shipment marked an important milestone in the exhibition’s final preparation phase. To ensure efficient setup for international exhibitors, customs authorities have introduced a green clearance channel and convenient rapid-response support measures, helping guarantee a smooth launch for the event.

Why Artificial Stone and Microcrystalline Stone Matter More Than Ever

In recent years, global demand for sustainable building materials and intelligent manufacturing solutions has accelerated the development of new-generation decorative surfaces. In this trend, artificial stone and microcrystalline stone have emerged as key material categories driving industry transformation.

Their appeal lies in a combination of environmental advantages, design flexibility, durability, and strong visual performance. Artificial stone is widely appreciated for its recyclability, customizable appearance, and wide range of uses in residential and commercial interiors. Microcrystalline stone, meanwhile, is increasingly valued for its dense structure, elegant surface effect, high durability, and suitability for premium architectural applications.

Industry reports suggest that by 2025, global microcrystalline stone production capacity had exceeded 180 million square meters, with China accounting for approximately 65% of total output. Major industrial clusters have formed in Guangdong, Fujian, and Shandong, reinforcing China’s leading role in this sector. At the same time, artificial stone continues to gain popularity as a practical and aesthetically versatile material for kitchens, bathrooms, commercial spaces, healthcare environments, and customized interior projects.

Exhibitors Preview New Products and New Technologies

Ahead of the show, many participating companies have already started previewing their latest artificial stone and microcrystalline stone product lines. These pre-show announcements offer a glimpse into the pace of innovation across the industry.

One exhibitor, Ouboli, is expected to present its core product range including acrylic artificial stone and quartz stone slabs. Its acrylic artificial stone products are known for their smooth finish, easy maintenance, low permeability, and seamless joining capability, making them suitable for kitchens, hospitals, laboratories, and commercial interiors. Its quartz slabs, containing over 90% natural quartz, offer excellent hardness, abrasion resistance, and stain resistance, with colors ranging from solid tones to natural stone-inspired patterns.

The booth design is expected to emphasize a blend of modern simplicity and natural texture, creating an immersive presentation area that helps visitors better visualize real-world applications.

Sustainability and Functional Upgrades Are Reshaping the Market

Other leading brands, including Dongpeng New Materials and Nabel, are also set to showcase new material solutions. Dongpeng New Materials will reportedly introduce artificial stone products made from natural stone residual ore and industrial solid waste, continuing its sustainability-focused development strategy.

Through advanced manufacturing technology, industrial waste can be transformed into decorative products that are both visually attractive and functionally practical. The company is also expected to display premium microcrystalline stone series featuring improvements such as lightweight structure, antibacterial performance, and broader adaptability for high-end residential and commercial applications.

Nabel will reportedly launch microcrystalline stone products that recreate the visual richness of rare luxury stone textures. By combining digital inkjet printing with nano-coating technologies, the company aims to deliver personalized surface design while maintaining eco-friendly production standards. Its manufacturing process can reportedly incorporate over 30% industrial waste residue, and the finished products contain no radioactive elements, aligning with modern green building requirements.

International Participation Adds More Value to the Exhibition

International participation remains one of the strongest attractions of the Xiamen International Stone Fair. This year, Italy, the Guest Country of Honor, will present two major delegations: the Italian Stone Machinery Industry Association delegation and the Tuscany delegation, bringing 40 and 17 companies respectively.

These exhibitors will not only showcase iconic Italian natural stones and advanced machinery, but are also expected to introduce technologies related to the processing and application of artificial stone and microcrystalline stone. Their participation will further promote international technical exchange and cross-border cooperation in advanced stone materials.

More Visitors, More Opportunities, More Industry Dialogue

Visitor registration is also showing strong momentum. Pre-registration has already exceeded 80,000 visitors, and the exhibition is expected to attract over 150,000 professional visitors from more than 120 countries and regions. These visitors include stone traders, architects, interior designers, decoration firms, developers, and contractors from across the global stone and building materials industry.

Registered visitors will benefit from faster entry through a VIP channel, helping them connect with exhibitors more efficiently. At the same time, the fair will host a number of supporting activities focused on the future of innovative stone materials, including design forums, architecture events, and professional discussions on the application, upgrading, and development trends of artificial stone and microcrystalline stone.

Xiamen Strengthens Its Role as a Global Platform for New Stone Materials

Backed by Xiamen’s port advantages, the strong industrial base of Shuitou, Nan’an, and the fact that a large share of China’s stone trade passes through Xiamen, the fair continues to strengthen its identity as an international, professional, green, and innovation-driven platform.

For manufacturers, traders, architects, and developers interested in artificial stone, microcrystalline stone, and other advanced decorative materials, the Xiamen International Stone Fair offers valuable opportunities for product display, business networking, technical exchange, and global market expansion.

Industry insiders believe the exhibition will help accelerate the commercialization and wider adoption of new stone materials, while encouraging the broader industry to move toward a more sustainable, high-value, and intelligent future.

Ready for Opening Day

Booth setup is now fully underway, with exhibitors entering the venue in an orderly manner to complete displays and prepare for visitor arrivals. New artificial stone and microcrystalline stone products are gradually being installed on site, waiting for their official debut.

As the opening day draws near, the 26th Xiamen International Stone Fair is ready to become a major international stage for stone industry resources, new materials, design trends, and technical innovation. For anyone watching the future of advanced decorative surfaces, this year’s show is set to be one of the most important events on the global calendar.