23 November 2023
Essastone to be discontinued in 2024
Laminex Australia will discontinue the Essastone range in the Australian market in 2024. There is still inventory to support customer orders into the first half of 2024, so in most instances Essastone will be available to meet existing specifications.
This will be a phased exit to allow our customers the opportunity to manage their existing orders to minimise disruption during this transition period.
Laminex will continue to provide our customers the necessary safety and technical data, labelling and fabrication manuals with the sale of Essastone, to ensure safe fabrication and installation of our products.
Laminex is focussed on assisting our customers and specifiers with the transition to alternatives to engineered stone in future, such as our Australian made, silica free Laminex High Pressure and Compact Laminates and our imported range of acrylic solid surface materials Hi-MACS®.
Laminex’s range of silica free High Pressure and Compact Laminate benchtop surfaces are made from sustainably sourced materials, in a range of colours and textures, which can be personalised to meet any design or space requirement.
You can find more information on Laminex Australia’s range of silica free benchtop surfaces here: Silica Free Benchtops.
FAQs
What is the timing of the exit?
Laminex Australia will continue to receive inventory for some of the range from our overseas, third party suppliers during the first quarter of 2024. The run out date of individual decors is heavily dependent on demand by region over the next few months. Based on current demand forecasts some decors will start to run out in some distribution centres from early 2024, while other decors have many months of supply available.
What does Laminex recommend as an alternative to engineered stone?
Laminex Australia recommends its range of silica free benchtop materials, such as High Pressure and Compact Laminates, and Hi-MACS® solid surface benchtop surfaces. Laminex’s range of silica free High Pressure and Compact Laminate benchtop surfaces are made in Australia from sustainably sourced materials, in a range of colours and textures, which can be personalised to meet any design or space requirement.
Laminex also offers HPL in TrueScale no repeat full sheet stone designs and InvisiEdge seamless edging. These ranges offer a wide range of design options across price points to meet the needs of both residential and commercial projects.
Does Laminex manufacture engineered stone?
No, Laminex Australia distributes engineered stone manufactured by third party suppliers from overseas. There is no impact to our Australian manufacturing sites or manufacturing operations.
Will you warrant existing Essastone installation projects? And will you warrant those that are yet to be installed?
Yes, Laminex will continue to warrant past and future Essastone projects in accordance with the relevant warranty documentation.
Is this part of a global ban or exit on engineered stone?
No, this is a proactive step by Laminex Australia to discontinue the Essastone range due to the uncertainty of the future of engineered stone in Australia.
I purchased Essastone for my own home, should I be concerned for my family?
There is no risk from Essastone surfaces once installed.
Who can I contact for further information?
Please contact Laminex Customer Service on 132 136 or email essastone.enquiries@laminex.com.au