Dezeen promotion: from sustainable materials to the rise of terrazzo, Spanish sintered stone manufacturer Neolith has released a breakdown of the trends that are set to dominate surface design in the year ahead.
The list was compiled after the brand spent a year on the design fair circuit, chronicling the latest innovations and common themes across interior and exterior surfaces.
According to Mar Esteve Cortes, director at Neolith, the first major trend the team noticed was a shift towards technical, protective coatings that enhance the performance of different materials.
"With increasingly strict building regulations, 2020 will see a desire for construction materials with inherent properties that actively protect the public inside and outside the home," Esteve explained. "That includes everything from surfaces which contain anti-slip treatments to Pureti's photocatalytic applications which purify urban air."

This treatment, which has also been explored by NASA to maintain hygiene in space, utilises a natural process called photocatalysis through which plants create energy while trigging a chemical reaction that breaks down organic matter.
When applied to surfaces, this means they stay cleaner for longer, while reducing odours and pollutants in the surrounding air.
Sustainability is a key trend for 2020
As the world wakes up to the threat of climate change, sustainable production is another key trend identified by Neolith, as architects and designers a...