Sintering
Want to impress your friends with a new word in innovation? How about sintering? If you think that will impress them, wait till they see your new sintered kitchen and bathroom worktops!
Improving on Nature
Sintered Particle Technology is the most modern hi-tech fabrication process to create extremely attractive Ultra Compact worktops, with the highest levels of physical and mechanical properties in terms of compaction, resistance and durability.
To explain the process simply, it involves creating a new category of solid material by mixing and compacting raw stone elements under high temperatures and extreme pressure. Using the most modern technology and science inventors have imitated natural fusing of mineral deposits, to formulate a manufacturing process to sinter elements of glass, porcelain, and quartz material that improves on the appearance, strength and resilience of any natural product, such as marble, granite or quartz. Another improvement on nature: Ultra Compact worktops contain anti-microbial elements that actively fight bacteria!
In a nutshell, sintered particle technology achieves in a few hours what will take nature thousands of years and then improves on it!
It is completely natural with no plastic additives! The most eco friendly worktop on the market.

How do Ultra Compact worktops differ from Solid-Surface, Natural Stone and Quartz worktops?
These are all extraordinary products at the top end of the market, with Ultra Compact worktops probably at the very top of the totem pole. All these products are supplied and installed only by approved fabricators and contractors and are not suitable for DIY. Comparing a few of the major factors will help you select the best option for you:
Ultra Compact Worktops
- 100% Natural materials with no additives gives the most eco friendly worktops on the market.
- The greatest difference lies in its composition and manufacturing process. Ultra Compact worktops are formed by mixing elements of glass, porcelain and quartz and sintering them under extreme pressure and heat, just below the point of melting them.
- Sintered stone is UV-stable and chemical resistant, which means it is completely colour-fast and the solid colours do not fade over time.
- It has the highest compressive strength of any of the comparable products currently on the market. This means it can be used for anything requiring super strength, including staircases.
- Sintered stone does not warp and has virtually no thermal expansion, regardless of temperature and moisture changes.
- It is completely non-porous and will not absorb any moisture, bacteria, or stains.
- It is more resistant to heat and temperature changes than any other comparable products, to withstand hot pots and pans. Short of setting it on fire, it will probably survive any hot item you can place on it.
- It is extremely hard and resistant to scratches. This, together with its capacity to resist high heat, makes it perfectly suitable for outdoor firepits and fireplaces.
- It actively fights bacteria and raw foods can be prepared directly on the surface.
- Currently, it is available in a wide array of solid colours, textures and finishes, with constant new development of a veined and marbled look. The colours are embedded throughout the slab for a natural appearance, but with much greater consistency across slabs than natural stone.
- It is available in very large slab sizes, making it highly suitable for kitchen island and similar areas that require a single surface.
Cons of Ultra Compact worktops
- Not freely available. Only the top fabricators can fabricate and install them
- Cannot be repaired easily
More expensive than other products - Cabinets and other supporting structures have to be perfectly straight and level. Because of the weight and ultra-high density, it is possible that the tops may crack if not installed properly.
Quartz Worktops
- Quartz is at the high end of luxurious kitchen and bathroom worktops.
- It is an engineered stone product that consists of about 94% to 95% natural quartz aggregate, blended with polymer acrylic resins and pigment, to create a radiant 3-dimensional crystal-like appearance. The mixture is compressed through a special heat and pressure process, making the final product one of the hardest substances used in worktops, but with great flexibility and resilience.
- It is available in a wide range of textures and the colours and patterns follow consistently throughout the entire thickness of the worktop.
- Quartz countertops have a higher heat and chemical resistance than solid surface materials, but lower than Ultra Compact materials.
- It is highly scratch and stain-resistant and has anti-microbial properties, actively fighting bacteria.
- Quartz can be shaped into basins, sinks, shower trays, etc for a fully integrated appearance.
- Quartz worktops are smoothed and joined with specially formulated colour coordinated adhesives, silicone caulking and a heat process that make joints almost imperceptible, giving the appearance of solid, seamless design and no crevices where dirt can accumulate.
Cons of Quartz Worktops
- Silestone is non-porous and highly resistant to stains, so chemicals will not be absorbed, but corrosive chemicals or acids will damage the surface.
- Quartz is very heavy and worktops should be properly supported.
- Quartz worktops are competitively priced but are generally more expensive than natural stone and solid surface worktops.

Solid Surface Worktops
- As a very popular alternative to solid natural stone, Solid surface worktops are extremely durable and versatile, and are available in an extremely wide range of colours, patterns, textures and finishes.
- Designer material with contemporary clean lines and seamless appearance.
- Solid surfaces are manufactured by mixing approximately 66% pulverized natural stone (mostly a bauxite derivative) with acrylic resins and other chemicals and forming sheets with high heat and compression. It mimics natural stone, with much greater flexibility and strength.
- Solid surface sheets are formed into matching sinks, basins, shower pans, bathtubs, vanity tops and much more. It can be shaped and moulded to any form, shape or size.
- The seamless installation of Solid surface creates the impression that the kitchen or bathroom has been cut out of one solid piece of stone and makes it extremely hygienic.
- It is highly durable, non-porous, resistant to heat and damage.
- The homogenous colour that penetrates the entire slab, makes it highly attractive and much more consistent across slabs than would be possible with natural stone.
- Easy to repair. Scratches can be polished out and stains can be easily removed.
Cons of Solid Surface
- While it is highly resistant to heat and scratches, damage is possible.
- It is preferable to use cutting boards and trivets to protect the surface.
- It is resistant to chemicals but remains vulnerable to any excessive exposure.
- Competitively priced, but generally more expensive than natural stone.
Natural Stone Worktops
- Natural stone – such as marble, granite, limestone and slate – makes any space look and feel more luxurious and can completely transform the appearance of a kitchen, bathroom, or living area.
- Natural stone improves and actually looks better as it is allowed to age and mature.
- It works well with other natural and man-made material, making it a great choice to create a luxurious atmosphere with a great deal of charm
Cons of Natural Stone Worktops
- Each slab is unique, giving it great appeal, but adjacent slabs may not necessarily match.
- Natural stone is porous, which means it has to be sealed at installation and again at regular intervals to prevent absorption of moisture.
- It is not as resistant to stains and chemicals as the re-engineered stone products.
Our specialists at Worktops.net are standing by to answer any question you might have and to supply you with samples and expert advice.
Other inspiring articles
How to restore Corian countertops
Corian countertops are a popular choice for many homeowners due to their durability and low maintenance requirements. But if yours has become stained or damaged, you’ll need to know how to restore [...]
What is a Quartz Worktop?
Quartz worktops are a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops due to their durability, low maintenance, and attractive appearance. At the top end of luxury and quality, quartz kitchen countertops are [...]
New Pietra Kode Collection designed by Daniel Germani for Dekton
Drawing inspiration from Italian architecture while keeping an eye on the future, this collection reinvents classic stones into contemporary beauties with the high-performance capabilities of Dekton®.Cosentino Group, a global leader in producing and distributing innovative [...]
How to take scratches out of kitchen worktops
We’ve pulled together this handy guide on how to take scratches out of kitchen worktops. Other than the floor, kitchen worktops have to withstand the greatest amount of wear and tear. They [...]