Category Melamine
Melamine; the durable choice...
A valid choice for hospitality venues, particularly those with outdoor spaces, and increasingly popular for retailers whose customers enjoy warm-weather hosting, advances in melamine décor means the hard-wearing material enjoys a steady sellthrough. Tableware International takes a closer look at its benefits Durable, cost effective, impact resistant – just some of the benefits of melamine according to key suppliers such as Steelite who supply the hospitality industry’s demand for the hard-wearing material. Citing its suitability for high traffic environments, Ben Tearall, VP UKI sales for Steelite International and Utopia says melamine is ideal for a range of different environments. “It is also significantly lighter than traditional dinnerware materials making it easy for staff to move and serve, reducing strain during peak times. This durability helps to reduce long term expenses as they need to be replaced much less frequently.” Of course, melamine’s benefits aren’t just to be enjoyed by the hospitality sector, having just expanded into melamine, Heinen Delfts Blauw has launched its very first collection with its stylish Delft blue décor. “The main advantages of melamine is that it is extremely sturdy, lightweight and user-friendly,” says Femke Smelt, design and product manager. “When you see our melamine tableware you must look twice to notice that it isn’t actually made of ceramics. Our Delft blue design is hand-painted and turned into a transfer, the shiny top layer looks
Beatriz Ball
“We made a conscious choice to use this melamine instead of, for example, bamboo or other types of fibre” Femke Smelt, Heinen Delfts Blauw like the tableware is glazed just like our porcelain tableware collections.” Explaining the brand’s choice to use melamine, Femke says: “We made a conscious choice to use melamine instead of, for example, bamboo or other types of fibre. These materials aren’t always tested. While there is a debate going on about the safety of melamine, we carefully selected a type of melamine which is thoroughly tested and approved as food safe.
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This is a big thing to be aware of when you want to produce tableware made of melamine.” Another brand who has fully embraced melamine is Beatriz Ball whose growing design-led collections are hugely popular, particularly with US retailers and consumers. “In today’s world, casual rules, and melamine is a very versatile, easy-care, and user-friendly material. It’s infinitely adaptable and allows a designer to lend a touch of class to casual design. It is dishwasher safe, heavy weight, break resistant and durable, food safe, BPA and PABA free; a material custom made for today’s busy lifestyles,” says Beatriz
Steelite
Ben Tearall
Femke Smelt
Beatriz Ball
VP UKI sales, Steelite International and Utopia
design and product manager, Heinen Delfts Blauw
founder, Beatriz Ball
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whose melamine serveware pieces are particularly well-received. In terms of the hospitality industry, Steelite’s Ben Tearall tells us there has been a “steady growth in demand for melamine products throughout the hospitality industry, particularly for segments focused on casual dining and outdoor service and also for operations where cost effectiveness is a priority. “Melamine is particularly popular for al fresco and poolside service, thanks to its shatterproof properties and increased resistance to ambient environmental damage,” Ben says.
Heinen Delfts Blauw
He also touches on melamine’s popularity in other sectors such as healthcare, the corporate world and education, areas where more tabletop providers are expanding into. “One thing all these sectors have in common is a need for durable, hygienic and low maintenance tableware, which makes melamine the perfect solution,” says Ben.