Nuremberg – Innovations in machinery, tools and chemical system solutions for natural stone have traditionally attracted strong interest among visitors to Stone+tec Nuremberg. In 2026, the range of information on offer will once again be extensive. In the fields of bonding, maintenance and cleaning, technical experts from leading exhibitors including AKEMI, AFG Reinigungssysteme Mack & Radzuweit and Möller-Chemie will be available to answer visitors’ questions.
For AKEMI, Stone+tec 2026 will focus on direct dialogue with the German-speaking market, explains Managing Director Dr Dirk Hamann: “In our home city of Nuremberg, our focus is on the German-speaking market, which is characterised by a very high level of craftsmanship.” The trade fair provides an important platform for presenting innovations and maintaining close contact with customers.
While AKEMI is not yet revealing specific product details, the company has announced innovations across all areas of stone care and stone chemistry, including new surface adhesives, impregnating agents, cleaning products and memorial bonding systems. According to Dr Hamann, current design trends include softer, curved forms in bathrooms and kitchens, growing demand for the quartzite Taj Mahal, and increased use of translucent natural stones such as onyx in premium interior projects. These developments are generating rising demand for colour-matched and flexible adhesives.
Despite increasing digitalisation, AKEMI considers personal interaction indispensable. Stone+tec provides ideal conditions for this, enabling direct dialogue with fabricators, manufacturers, specialist distributors and industry associations. The company believes that weak construction activity and rising costs are currently weighing on the natural stone market. Nevertheless, AKEMI continues to see stable prospects in the high-end interior design sector.
With machinery manufacturers such as CMS Brembana, CO.B.A.L.M., Comandulli, Donatoni, Prussiani and Thibaut, as well as machinery suppliers including DeMa Steinmaschinen, L. Hietel and Weha, Stone+tec 2026 also offers comprehensive coverage of the machinery segment.
French machinery manufacturer Thibaut will present its T812V5 CNC machining centre at Stone+tec. Available in both 3-axis and 4-axis configurations, the machine is one of the company’s established solutions, with several hundred installations worldwide. The 3-axis version on display in Nuremberg is equipped with a granite table and a pneumatic pressure system and is suitable for applications ranging from interior design projects to memorial production.
Frank Szillat, Area Sales Manager at Thibaut Germany, explains that the machine was specifically developed to meet new processing requirements for innovative materials such as ceramics, with particular attention paid to workpiece clamping technology.
Additional highlights include a new range of rotating-head bridge saws for blades ranging from 725 mm to 1,600 mm in diameter, distinguished by their compact overall height. User-friendly software developed specifically for interior design applications simplifies communication between the saw and subsequent processing operations on CNC machining centres.
“The German market remains, and will continue to be, a key strategic market for the Thibaut Group,” emphasises Frank Szillat. Stone+tec provides an important opportunity to meet customers in person and gain a deeper understanding of market expectations.
Despite weak demand in the new-build sector, Thibaut sees stable prospects in the renovation market and regards the memorial sector as stable to growing. Modern 5-axis technologies and new software solutions help companies address the shortage of skilled labour while simplifying programming processes. The company is also observing increasing demand for natural stone in landscaping and garden design projects.
About Stone+tec – International Competence Forum for Natural Stone and Stone Technology
Stone+tec Nürnberg – the international trade fair for natural stone and stone technology – will take place from 17 to 20 June 2026 at Messe Nürnberg. Stone+tec addresses all professionals involved in stone processing for construction, cemeteries, memorials and design, as well as developers, planners and architects. In addition to the exhibition itself, an open forum in Hall 11 will provide technical information and opportunities for networking and professional development for all visitors.
For further information: www.stone-tec.com
Text and research: Richard Watzke