FROM QUARRY TO DESIGN: UNITED ALABASTER NOVEMBER DIVULGATION DAYS
At United Alabaster we have always believed in the importance of sharing our knowledge and promoting learning about a material as unique as alabaster. Our commitment to dissemination is reflected in our annual activities, where we welcome students, teachers and professionals interested in learning more about the applications, processes and impact of this very special resource. Today we want to share with you the experiences and lessons learned from our two most recent activities: the visit of the University of Zaragoza to our facilities and the alabaster conference held at the Escuela Superior de Diseño de Aragón (ESDA).
Visit from the University of Zaragoza: Exploring alabaster from the ground up
On November 14th, we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of students and professors from the "Degree in Geology" and the "Master in Geology, Techniques and Applications" from the University of Zaragoza to our alabaster quarries and facilities at Exportadora Turolense S.L. (a mining company belonging to the United Alabaster group of companies). This activity, which has already become a tradition for us, seeks to connect academic theory with professional practice in the mining and ornamental rock sector.
At the Gelsa quarry: learning from the origin
Our visit began at the alabaster quarry, where we extract one of the most valued varieties of alabaster for its beauty and versatility: the "Gelsa variety". Here, students were able to learn about:
- The geological formation of alabaster: We explain how this very particular rock is formed and the geological conditions that make it unique in our region.
- Extraction processes: We show the mining techniques used to ensure sustainable and efficient use of this resource.
- Particularities of the quarry: We talk about the geological and operational challenges we face in this particular alabaster quarry.
At the sawmill and processing plant: from block to art
The second part of the visit took the students to our sawmill and processing plant, where they discovered the journey of alabaster from its extraction to becoming an ornamental piece ready to be used in design and lighting. Among the highlights of this part of the visit, we explained:
- The cutting and cleaning process: The different types of cutting we do depending on the final use of the alabaster.
- Production lines: How we optimize each stage of the process to ensure quality and sustainability.
Innovation and sustainability: a priority for us
In our meeting room, we shared with the students some of our most outstanding projects, such as:
- Circular economy: We investigate how to take advantage of discarded materials in slurry and industrial wastewater purification processes.
- Role of geologists in the mining industry: We talked to them about the versatility and challenges that geologists face in their professional development, highlighting skills that are often not addressed in university training traditional.
Alabaster Conference at ESDA: Design and Innovation in Perfect Harmony
On November 26th we brought alabaster to a different setting: the Escuela Superior de Diseño de Aragón (ESDA). This conference, organized in collaboration with Dr. Francisco Javier Serón Torrecilla and the ESDA Relations Department, allowed us to bring this unique material closer to the world of interior design and lighting.
A talk to discover alabaster
The event began with a talk in the ESDA auditorium, where we presented:
- The formation and characteristics of alabaster: From its geological origins to its unique properties as an ornamental material.
- Its applications in interior design and lighting projects: We showed examples of how alabaster can transform spaces thanks to its ability to play with light.
Practical experiences: Getting to know the material up close
In a second moment, the students were able to interact directly with alabaster, exploring:
- Its varieties and textures: An opportunity to observe closely the differences between the different varieties of alabaster.
- Plays of light: They discovered the infinite possibilities that alabaster offers to create unique environments in interior design.
- A creative challenge: Designing with alabaster
To close the day, we challenged the students: create an original design using alabaster. The winning design will be produced by our experts, giving the students the chance to take their idea into the real world and enrich their academic experience.
These activities not only allow us to share our knowledge and experience, but also to connect with new generations of geologists, designers and professionals interested in alabaster. At United Alabaster we firmly believe that the future of our industry depends on collaboration, innovation and commitment to sustainability.
We will continue to open our doors and foster learning around this unique material. Because alabaster is not only part of our heritage, but also an inspiration for those who seek to transform the world through creativity and knowledge.
At United Alabaster we have always believed in the importance of sharing our knowledge and promoting learning about a material as unique as alabaster. Our commitment to dissemination is reflected in our annual activities, where we welcome students, teachers and professionals interested in learning more about the applications, processes and impact of this very special resource. Today we want to share with you the experiences and lessons learned from our two most recent activities: the visit of the University of Zaragoza to our facilities and the alabaster conference held at the Escuela Superior de Diseño de Aragón (ESDA).
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