Abstract: The present invention relates to an essentially isotropic slab of engineered stone, said slab having a thickness of about 2 mm to about 10 mm and preferably a width of about 0.2 m to about 3.0 m, wherein said slab is made from a composite material comprising about 50 to about 95 wt. % of solid filler and about 5 to about 50 wt. % of a thermoplastic binder, based on the total weight of the essentially isotropic slab, wherein the essentially isotropic slab has a warpage of less than about 1 mm/m. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing an essentially isotropic slab of engineered stone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a shaped article from a composite material comprising a solid filler and a thermoplastic binder, said process comprising the following subsequent steps: (a) feeding a solid filler and a thermoplastic binder to a kneading device; (b) mixing the solid filler and the thermoplastic binder in the kneading device, wherein the pressure exerted on the mixture of the solid filler and the thermoplastic binder is in the range of about 100 kPa to about 1500 kPa to obtain a composite material; (c) forming the composite material as obtained in step (b) into a shaped article; and (d) cooling the shaped article as obtained in step (c), wherein the shaped article is cooled at a cooling rate of at least about 5° C./min to about 120° C./min.