Engineered stone is a composite material comprising of rock and resin. It has been accepted as part of the natural stone industry, although many conservative members still show some resistance. 

However the product has gained popularity, mainly in the kitchen work top industry, through good marketing and some advantages over natural stone. The main advantage are the colours available. The claim of less maintenance and higher resistance to stains and bacterial contamination is debatable and is contested by the natural stone industry.

Breton S.P.A, Treviso, Italy, are the inventor and dominant supplier of equipment for the production of engineered stone. 

The make up of Engineered stone consists of a mixture of quartz and polyester resin, Which is pressed  into slabs (or larger blocks)  using Breton's "vibrocompression vacuum process" 
                                                      
The major producers of engineered stone are;
• Cosentino   
• OKITE                                                   
• CaesarStone
• Comac marmol & quartz
• DuPont                                                
• NaturaStone                                                                    
• Technistone                                                          
• Emirates Designer Stone