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Ornamental Stone In Europe |
| In Europe, more than any other part of the world, ornamental stone has been throughout in history and is at present time, an important construction material. Worldwide use and production of stone is steadily increasing, and during the last 30 years, the technological development within the sector has been tremendous. Europe counts for approximately 35-40 percent of world production and consumption of stone. The European stone quarrying industry shows great variations in size of operation and thus the level of industrialisation and application of new technology. Nevertheless, the ornamental and dimensional stone quarrying industry in Europe will be facing great challenges in the years to come; the import of stone from low cost countries is increasing and the quarrying sector faces more and more regulations and environmental restrictions. |