You can’t see anything, nothing at all – residue from red wine on light marble or flecks of lemon juice on beige travertine. I can hardly believe it. And acidic liquids can even be completely removed without affecting the appearance of fine, polished natural stone surfaces. For me, it is clear that the Italian company Antolini’s development of Azerocare, a new high-tech process for soft types of stone, is revolutionary. It may not only be one of the most spectacular innovations, but will also make life so much easier – and keep the elegant material looking good – permanently.
There are inventions that are so ground-breaking that they revolutionise anything that came before them. Take the zip, the light bulb or the computer, whose complex technology is today found in every smartphone. A completely new process that makes marble fully impervious to acid and fat is now joining their ranks. Through a specially developed high-tech treatment process, the open-pored stone can be sealed. Up until now, great care and attention was required to maintain the immaculate look of marble floors, kitchen worktops or marble walls in bathrooms over the long term. With Azerocare, burns and colour changes in the soft natural stone are definitely a thing of the past. Acidic liquids, which up until now could penetrate the stone and destroy its structure, won’t cause damage anymore. Fats, which up until now caused unsightly blotches, run off the surface without trace. The glass of red wine that gets spilt, the champagne that overflows, oil or yoghurt – all these no longer present a problem. Bathroom cleaners with vinegar or citric acid can be used quite safely. I want to know more about Azerocare. I get the answers from Real Stein AG. It is in their capable hands that Antolini has placed the exclusive distribution for Switzerland. Behind Azerocare, I learn, lie many years of research by Antolini. The treatment process is carried out directly in the plant according to a secret method – prior to the stone being cut. Retrospective treatment is not possible. The method is only used on polished surfaces; the different marble stones are treated using their own formulas according to their individual qualities. The benefit of resistance is coupled with a greater scratch resistance and more shine. Azerocare is undoubtedly an innovation that will open up countless new uses for marble – where previously it had its limitations.
