FRAVIZEL held a public live streaming event to present the latest results achieved within Work Package 1 – Upstream 4.0, as part of the SUSTAINABLE STONE BY PORTUGAL AGENDA.
During the presentation, participants were introduced to the progress achieved across six strategic technological development areas, all aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the natural stone sector through automation, robotics, digitalization of production processes, and waste valorization:
• Additive manufacturing using stone industry waste materials
• New electric chain saw for stone cutting
• Autonomous robot for finished product transportation
• Reprocessing of non-commercial stone blocks
• New horizontal cutting concept using diamond wires
• Intelligent block cleavage system
• Technology for a more sustainable industry
The results presented demonstrate a strong commitment to digitalization, industrial automation, energy efficiency, and waste valorization, contributing to a more sustainable, competitive, and future-ready natural stone industry capable of meeting the demands of international markets.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of Fravizel’s patented technological solutions, specifically designed to address the current challenges faced by the natural stone extraction and processing industry. These innovations represent a significant leap forward in operational efficiency, enabling the reduction of operating costs, lower energy consumption, and increased productivity of both equipment and work teams. At the same time, they incorporate electrification, automation, and intelligent process management concepts that directly contribute to the decarbonization of industrial activities and the reduction of the environmental footprint of operations.
It was also emphasized that many of these solutions substantially reduce execution times in quarry operations. Shorter preparation, positioning, cutting, handling, and processing times result in increased production capacity and a more efficient use of available resources. Beyond the economic and environmental benefits, the newly developed technologies significantly improve operator safety by reducing exposure to high-risk tasks, minimizing manual intervention, and promoting safer, more controlled, and technologically advanced working environments.
Another key aspect highlighted during the presentation was the strong focus on sustainable water management. The solutions developed by Fravizel integrate intelligent water control systems capable of automatically interrupting water consumption whenever it is not required by the process. This feature, incorporated across the different equipment and prototypes presented, contributes significantly to reducing water waste while promoting a more efficient use of natural resources and lowering operational costs.
The results presented further strengthen Fravizel’s position as one of the leading innovation-driven companies in the mineral resources and natural stone sector, while reinforcing the commitment assumed by the Sustainable Stone by Portugal Agenda: sustainability. Through the reduction of energy consumption, water savings, lower carbon emissions, waste valorization, and improved operational safety and productivity, these technologies are helping to shape a more sustainable future for the industry.
With a portfolio of more than 130 patents registered and under development, Fravizel continues to play a pivotal role in driving technological innovation within the sector, making a significant contribution to the modernization of the natural stone industry and the development of a more efficient, competitive, and environmentally responsible industrial model.
Closing the session, Eliseu Frazão- CEO da Fravizel emphasized that the achievements presented represent only another step in a journey that must be continuous. He stressed that innovation should not be viewed as a one-time objective, but rather as a permanent practice within organizations. According to him, the future of the industry depends on developing increasingly efficient, sustainable, and competitive solutions capable of addressing the economic, environmental, and social challenges facing the sector.
“Innovation must be a continuous task so that we can find the balance between doing more with less,” stated Eliseu Frazão, reinforcing the need to continue investing in technology, knowledge, and development to increase productivity, reduce resource consumption, and create more sustainable operations.
This vision lies at the heart of the Sustainable Stone by Portugal Agenda and will continue to guide the efforts of the sector towards a more innovative, efficient, and future-ready natural stone industry.
