Bretonstone, also known as vibro-compression under vacuum, is a formerly-patented technology[2][3] invented in the early-1970s[citation needed] by Breton S.p.A.[4] Nowadays most manufacturers of engineered stone use similar technology, typically involving quartz and a resin binder combined under vacuum, and compressed under heat into a desired form such as a countertop slab.

[5] In the early-1970s Marcello Toncelli,[6] founder of Breton, started developing the Bretonstone system, which allows to produce a solid surface similar to granite, using small stone aggregates and stone-like materials.

The composite material is manufactured in slabs, which can be worked as natural stone, instead of blocks that should have been cut.

Basically the vibro-compression vacuum technology,[7][8] used by Bretonstone system, consists of blending the natural aggregate of stone with a polymer mix (usually unsaturated polyester resin),[9] taking away air with a vacuum, and catalyzing the molded product whilst vibrating and applying pressure to this mix.

Then the mixture is heated, and the output is a slab of non-porous and quite stable engineered stone.