“Serpentino della Valmalenco” (Central Alps, Northern Italy): A green dimension stone with outstanding properties

the “ Serpentino della Valmalenco ”, a group of serpentinite varieties, was quarried and used as dimension building stone since XI century, especially in thin slabs for roof covering. The extractive activity initially took place underground, moving to open pit quarries 20th century. It is currently widely appreciated material on international market, commercialized several commercial varieties processed many ways. schistose are characterized by marked mylonitic foliation, which confers excellent attitude splitting, whereas “massive” ones suitable paving cladding. rocks made up abundant antigorite, with minor olivine, clinopyroxene, chlorite magnetite. values compressive flexural strength, well extremely low porosity, documented ultra-centenarian roofs high-stress applications. significant historical heritage, represented underground quarries, historic buildings, trade routes, deserves be enhanced development geotouristic routes. At same time, peculiar chemical, mineralogical microstructural characteristics horizons new • Roof dating back 11th Schistose global market. History tradition: from active Space circular economy: innovative ideas waste recovery.