A delegation of thirteen Italian manufacturers, among the very best in the building and construction materials sector, will be visiting South America to meet with finishing material buyers and users (stone works and ceramics mostly). All this will take place at the Revestir trade fair from March 22 – 25 in Sao Paolo, Brazil. A sort of “Fashion Week” for finishing materials, where the Italian delegation, coordinated by the ICE [Foreign Trade Institute], Confindustria Marmomacchine and Confindustria Ceramica, will be exhibiting the very best of its production.

Just what will these Italian manufacturers be exhibiting at the booths? Italian marble, for one, the white gold of Carrara with its age old tradition, proposed in a variety of colours, such as Sicilian pearl, Riviera beige and Issorie green, and manufactured in blocks, sheets and modules for floors and panelling. Other stonework on display will include grey porphyry, recently chosen for the building of the Islamic Art Museum in Doha, ceramic tiles in real leather on porcelain gres (an entirely Italian innovation), and other high quality ceramics.

Architects, interior decorators, contractors, buyers and distributors on hand will certainly get an eyeful. Sao Paolo thus confirms its position as the ideal location for the promotion and distribution of high quality innovative design products for the building sector, and Italian products are without a doubt among the most appreciated at the Revestir trade exhibit.

Numerous South American manufacturers will also be participating in the event, expanding business and trade horizons beyond Brazil. Figures for last year’s event bode well for a successful public showing this year as well: the 2010 edition showcased around 200 exhibitors, hailing from 34 different countries, for a total number of nearly 45,000 visitors. It’s truly difficult to say which product will attract the most attention, whether the elegance and refinement of marble, or the robustness and water resistance provided by porcelain gres (proposed in different versions, even with an original wood effect). A real surprise might be reserved to porphyry: the Italian north-eastern region of Trentino is one of primary extraction sites for this stone, particularly the municipalities in Val di Cembra and the Piné plateau, and an important tradition also exists in the area of Varese, in Lombardy.

All of the ingredients for attracting visitors and industry operators to Italian booths at the trade exhibit appear to be in place: the goal, naturally, is to create new business opportunities, compare products and technology, and exchange expertise; in addition, a broad range of high quality products will also be offered, made available to discerning buyers in Brazil’s dynamic market.