Quartz countertops have become an increasingly popular option for kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects in recent years. With their durability, low maintenance, and customizability, it’s no wonder many homeowners are choosing quartz over natural stone or laminate. But with so many quartz brands and fabricators on the market, it can be hard to know exactly how many companies are manufacturing these engineered stone slabs. Here’s a closer look at the quartz countertop industry and the major players.
A Look at the Quartz Manufacturing Process
Quartz countertops are made from crushed quartz crystals combined with resins and pigments. The crystals provide the countertops their strength and scratch resistance while the resins bind the material together. The pigments add color and pattern.
The manufacturing process starts by selecting high purity quartz crystals. These crystals are crushed into a fine powder. The powdered quartz is then combined with resins, pigments, and other proprietary additives in precise ratios. This mixture is compacted into slabs using a vacuum and vibration process. The slabs are then cured in ovens and polished into the finished product.
The Major Quartz Countertop Brands
While fabricators ultimately cut and install the slabs, most of the major brands focus on manufacturing the raw quartz material. Here are some of the leading companies in quartz countertop production:
Cambria
As the first American company to produce quartz surfaces for countertops in 2000, Cambria is one of the most established and trusted brands. They offer a wide variety of designs from solid colors to dramatic patterns. Cambria is unique in that it only makes quartz and doesn’t manufacture other surfaces.
Caesarstone
One of the early pioneers of engineered quartz, Caesarstone was founded in Israel in 1987. They have a wide distribution network with slab manufacturing on five continents. Caesarstone is known for innovation and holds multiple patents related to quartz production.
Silestone
Part of the Spanish company Cosentino, Silestone entered the quartz market in 1990. They have over 90 colors and patterns available. Silestone has also recently launched antibacterial and hypoallergenic options.
LG Viatera
As part of the LG Corporation, LG Viatera is a well-known electronics and appliance brand that also manufactures quartz surfaces. They focus on high-end premium countertops with realistic natural stone and marble designs.
DuPont Zodiaq
Zodiaq by DuPont pioneered the branded quartz countertop concept with the launch of their product in 1992. While they’ve scaled back production, Zodiaq still offers a line of popular prefabricated quartz countertops.
MSI
Headquartered in California, MSI has been fabricating stone counters since 1975. They produce their own QPremium quartz line with high-end options as well as private label slabs for other brands.
Other Notable Companies
Some other major players in the quartz manufacturing industry include Wilsonart, Samsung Radianz, Compac, Vicostone, Quartzforms, Stone Italiana, Technistone, and Hanwha. There are also several companies that focus mainly on the Asia-Pacific quartz market.
Estimating the Total Number of Quartz Manufacturers
With such an array of brands, coming up with an exact number of quartz manufacturers worldwide is difficult. The total likely falls somewhere between 10-30 major companies that dominate global production. Then there are smaller regional producers that serve local markets.
In the United States, it’s estimated there are around 10 major quartz suppliers. However, many brands source their engineered stone from parent companies overseas. There are also hundreds of smaller regional distributors and fabricators that import premade slabs.
Quartz Countertop Industry Continues to Grow
By combining the durability of natural stone with the consistency of solid surfaces, quartz has captured a significant share of the countertop market in recent years. According to some estimates, quartz now makes up around 13% of the global countertop market.
With more homeowners opting for low maintenance and stylish kitchen and bath upgrades, the quartz manufacturing industry is poised for continued growth. The major brands compete heavily on innovation, performance, and design offering. With new players joining the market and existing companies expanding production, the choices for beautiful and functional quartz countertops will only multiply in the years ahead.
FAQ about Quartz Countertop Manufacturers
How many companies manufacture quartz countertops in the United States?
There are around 10 major quartz countertop brands that produce slabs in the United States. Top U.S. quartz manufacturers include Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone, LG Viatera, and DuPont Zodiaq.
What country produces the most quartz?
China and India are currently the world’s largest producers of quartz surfaces. Major Chinese quartz manufacturers include Kingkonree, Overland, and Bitto. In India, brands like Technistone and Compac are among the top producers.
Which quartz countertop brand is the largest?
Based on global market share, the largest quartz countertop brand is Silestone, produced by the Spanish company Cosentino. Caesarstone and Cambria are also among the world’s biggest quartz manufacturers.
How many quartz colors and styles are available?
Most major quartz brands offer over 50 color and pattern options. Overall there are hundreds of different quartz designs available on the market ranging from solid whites to bold granites.
Are quartz countertops only made by major brands?
While large brands dominate production, there are also many small regional manufacturers. Additionally, some fabricators make their own quartz slabs. So quartz countertops are produced not just by major national companies.
Conclusion
The engineered stone quartz countertop market has exploded in recent decades. While a handful of major brands account for a significant amount of global production, there are likely between 10-30 companies worldwide focused on manufacturing quartz slabs. Plus hundreds of smaller regional producers and fabricators also make quartz countertops. With its rising popularity, the quartz countertop industry will continue to grow and evolve in the coming years.