Concerns about the future of the stone industry are felt in many parts of the globe, for a variety of reasons. This article examines aspects of a number of key studies and papers on the subject that have been published at home and abroad.

Before we examine some of the challenges which face our industry I would like readers to consider comments published in Stone World magazine which is published in the United States. Editor Michael Reis wrote ‘Does the stone industry have a future?’ in October 2012.