Corian is a foundational material in our product offer. It looks great, is easy to work with, and holds up extremely well to the rigors of public space. With this in mind, our research-minded team set out to learn more about this magic material.

Composed of approximately one-third PMMA – a plastic of 100% acrylic resin, and two-thirds aluminum hydroxide (ATH) – a material derived from Bauxite (an aluminum ore), Corian is a solid surface material invented and patented by Du Pont in 1967. The man behind the invention was Dr. Donald Slocum, a Du Pont chemist.

Bauxite interestingly dates way back to the early 19th century; It was discovered in 1821 by the French geologist Pierre Berthier near the village of Les Baux in Provence, France.

Upon a quick look at DuPont’s Corian palette, the material seems like a chameleon in both its style and performance. It can mimic granite, marble, stone and other natural materials. And, it is nonporous, impermeable, durable, low maintenance and can be joined “seamlessly” with a color-matched adhesive. Interesting though, is that Corian’s seams aren’t literally “seamless”; they just appear that way due to the use of a color-matched adhesive that bonds the pieces chemically and blends them visually. After the adhesive dries and cures, the surface is sanded and polished to remove any evidence of the seam, resulting in smooth, unblemished, finish perfection.

Corian is environmentally sound (low VOC and Greenguard certified) and its non-porous, smooth composition achieves a compelling cleanliness factor, which is key in public spaces where germs tend to meet and mingle. Liquids cannot penetrate the material and bacteria and mold have nowhere to hide.

Corian’s durability is also compelling – it won’t fade or change, even in direct sunlight and scratches and stains can easily be removed. More serious damage is also often repairable in the field with the right tools and skills.

As we look to beautiful materials that perform well, last, and consider the environment, Corian is on solid footing. It is an ideal pairing for products bound for public spaces, and will certainly find its way into future Memo product introductions.