At KBIS 2026 in Orlando, AntiEtch® Next Gen was awarded two Gold honors as part of the Best of KBIS awards program, receiving recognition in both the Most Functional Find and Sustainable Standout categories. Best of KBIS is considered one of the kitchen and bath industry’s most respected product awards programs, highlighting new products that push forward design, innovation, and performance. Entries are reviewed by a panel of design professionals and evaluated across defined criteria, including functionality, sustainability, and overall impact.

The Most Functional Find category recognizes products that deliver meaningful, real-world benefits, particularly in terms of usability, longevity, and value relative to their price point. AntiEtch® Next Gen was evaluated not as a marketing concept, but as a performance solution. For decades, natural marble and other calcite-based stones have presented a well-known challenge: exposure to common acids such as citrus, wine, or household cleaners can cause etching that permanently alters the surface. Traditional sealers may help reduce staining, but they do not prevent etching. As a result, designers and homeowners have often had to choose between the beauty of marble and the practicality required for everyday use.

AntiEtch® Next Gen was developed to address that longstanding limitation. By providing a permanent protective treatment that prevents both etching and staining, it allows marble to function more reliably in kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-use areas. The Gold recognition in the Most Functional Find category reflects this shift from surface-level protection to long-term performance. It signals that marble no longer has to be specified with hesitation due to maintenance concerns.

The Sustainable Standout category recognizes products that demonstrate environmentally responsible characteristics, which may include energy or water efficiency, carbon considerations, recycled content, or other sustainability-related benefits. In the case of AntiEtch® Next Gen, sustainability is tied directly to longevity. When natural stone surfaces fail prematurely due to etching or damage, replacement carries environmental costs associated with quarrying, fabrication, transportation, and installation. Extending the lifespan of installed stone reduces those replacement cycles and supports a more durable, resource-conscious approach to design. The Gold award in this category acknowledges that surface protection can play a meaningful role in long-term sustainability.

Together, these two recognitions represent more than individual category wins. They reflect an industry acknowledgment that performance and sustainability in surface protection are interconnected. AntiEtch® Next Gen was evaluated alongside other new products introduced to the market and selected through a structured judging process that included pre-show review and onsite presentations during KBIS. Being recognized in both categories reinforces the broader impact of solving a problem that has historically limited the use of one of the world’s most desired natural materials.

For homeowners, this recognition provides reassurance. It signals that the product protecting their investment has been independently evaluated and validated by industry professionals. It reduces uncertainty around maintenance and supports the decision to incorporate marble into active living spaces.

For designers and architects, the awards provide specification confidence. Independent validation makes it easier to recommend marble in kitchens, bathrooms, and commercial applications without the same level of performance hesitation that has existed in the past. It strengthens conversations with clients and helps protect project outcomes.

For applicators, fabricators, builders, and others throughout the supply chain, this recognition elevates the category itself. Installing or recommending a product that has been recognized for both functionality and sustainability enhances credibility, differentiates services, and supports higher-value project positioning. It reinforces the idea that protection is not an afterthought, but an integral part of responsible material specification.

These awards do not change the purpose of AntiEtch®. They confirm it. The goal remains to make natural stone more durable, more practical, and more sustainable for the long term. The recognition at KBIS 2026 affirms that the industry sees that shift and that it creates tangible benefits for everyone involved in bringing a project from concept to completion.