How materials and technology have created a real stir in kitchen sinks and offer a lucrative trade-up opportunity for kitchen retailers

Blanco Silgranit sink with basket strainer Infino waste, specifically designed for seamless integration.

Transforming from workhorse to thoroughbred, the kitchen sink has undergone a seismic shift to become a food and drink preparation area for high-end, living spaces.

Hand-in-hand with changes in material choice for worktops, allowing a variety of installations, has been an evolution of materials and technology.

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These developments cater for the sink’s new multi-function role and to enhance aesthetic value. T

hink scratch-resistant and hydrophobic surfaces, though to soundproofing and even self-cleaning functions for improved user experience.

Brand communications manager of Blanco, Tamsin Mills comments: “The need for kitchen sink technology to develop has been driven by the evolving role of the kitchen as the central hub of the home, where cooking, cleaning and socialising often take place simultaneously.

“This shift in purpose has created a demand for sinks that not only perform efficiently but also add aesthetic value to the kitchen.”

Durable design

From coloured granite to PVD finishes, sink materials have been developed to withstand greater wear and tear, providing scratch and stain resistance.

Ivy is the latest colourway added to the Schock Cristadur Green Line series, with 99% of its composition made from renewable or recycled materials

Commercial director of Reginox UK Dave Mayer states: “Functionality is probably just as much a driving factor for choosing sinks and taps as the design in itself.”

Tamsin Mills of Blanco adds: “The improvement of scratchproof surfaces in sink design is revolutionising the durability of sinks and can be a major selling point for retailers.

“The non-porous surface of Blanco Silgranit sinks repels water and liquids, making it stain resistant and easy to clean. Its scratchproof surface ensures that the sink maintains its appearance even with heavy daily use.”

Granite sinks have long been recognised for their scratch resistance and stainless steel sinks can now be treated with PVD finishes for enhanced durability.

Both of these also introduce colour into the kitchen, offering a warmer environment, think neutrals or warmer metallic finishes for PVD sinks – from gold through to Nickel and Black.

Head of product at Caple Luke Shipway explains: “Recent advancements include PVD coatings for sinks and accessories, which resist tarnishing, corrosion and scratches, while offering vibrant finishes.”

He adds: “PVD coatings, used for high-end finishes, are a standout feature that some may not fully appreciate. Known for their durability and brilliance, these coatings are even used in luxury industries like watchmaking and Formula 1.”

Enabling sink surfaces to look good for longer plays into the hands of retailers looking to explain the value, versus costs, when encouraging consumers to trade up.

Resistant coatings

Along with enhanced scratch resistance for ease of maintenance, there have been advancements which focus on ease of cleaning.

Reflecting the trend for warmer materials is the New York range of sinks with PVD finishes, from Reginox

Spanning well thought-out bowl shapes through to anti-bacterial composite, these have now been joined by water and oil resistant surfaces for stainless steel.

Although relatively niche, nano coatings are gaining traction as retailers are starting to understand the hygiene benefits offered by the material.

Design manager at Abode Paul Illingworth comments: “We are noting that refined corners for easy cleaning are in strong demand and that sinks with nano technology coating to repel water and dirt are also growing in popularity due to their lasting durability and product resilience.”

These coatings can be found in premium-priced sinks and remove the drudgery of scrubbing the kitchen sinks, offering consumers added benefit along with the higher price tag.

Sales and marketing director of Franke UK Jo Sargent explains how nano coatings has influenced her company’s portfolio: and outlines the benefits “A key development in kitchen sink technology is the introduction of hydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces, such as our patented F-Inox Technology.

“This technology, featured on our premium Mythos Masterpiece coloured metallic sinks, bonds a specialised coating to the coloured PVD layer, creating an ultra-smooth, non-porous surface that enhances durability.

“The hydrophobic coating repels water, preventing stains and spot marks drying on.

“The Oleophobic coating resists oils, smudges and fingerprint marks. These innovations ensure the sink stays cleaner with minimal maintenance, offering an ideal combination of aesthetics, functionality and ease of care.”

Self-cleaning sink

However, arguably, for the ultimate in sink user experience is for the sink to clean itself? Unlikely? Not so.

Made from Black Cristadur quartz composite, the Bora Self-Cleaning Sink operates by push button which releases water to flow down the bowl sides

Luxury appliance manufacturer Bora has just launched the self-cleaning sink. Joining the likes of the automatic waste so users’ don’t have to plunge their hands into dirty water, the self-cleaning sink goes one step further and washes down the bowl.

Bora head of sales UK Andy Cummings explains: “Designed for ease of maintenance, this cutting-edge sink is easy to keep clean – users simply push a button to release water, which flows from the rim and down all four sides of the sink at the same time to collect dirt.”

Gathering pace since the pandemic, and with people still spending more of their working life at home, the kitchen is a focal point in protecting health through hygiene.

Along with nano coatings, the self-cleaning Bora sink plays into the need for improved wellbeing.

“With hygiene more of a hot topic in recent years, durability and cleanability have become key selling points when it comes to sinks, which makes the self-cleaning Bora sink such an attractive proposition for retailers”, explains Andy Cummings.

Sound reduction

Improved hygiene is just one part of enhancing consumer wellbeing.

The Clearwater Kameo-X sink features a compact design with large single bowl and drainage which allows it to be used to maximum depth.

With the kitchen an integral part of living space, encouraging consumers to spend more time in the room, alongside reducing dirt and odours, a reduction in noise is also a consideration in an area when consumer.

Enter sound proofing technologies, which muffle intrusive noise from taps when they run water onto a hard surface.

Jo Sargent of Franke UK states: “We have launched the Maris Quiet sink with an integral sound pad to make for a quieter user experience.”

Along with its advanced surface treatments, she says: “These technologies aim to enhance functionality and improve the overall user experience, offering unique value to consumers.”

Showroom theatrics

Excitingly, these technologies can provide an in-store shopping experience for consumers, enthusing them about their kitchen project and equally making the showroom visit memorable.

Dornbracht has launched a range of brushed stainless steel sinks, available in a choice of sizes and installations

Demonstrations of new technologies, whether water and oil repellent coatings or a self-cleaning sink, can create real in-store theatrics. However it can also help consumers better understand the value, encouraging trade-up, of materials that may be less obvious.

Leader product management, kitchen category, at Grohe UK Elina Enqvist Twomey states: “A premium quality worktstation sink is all about the functionality and convenience benefits, alongside aesthetic and quality.

“With this in mind, retailers can provide working displays and hosting demonstrations to encourage conversation with the customers to highlight the benefits and differences between entry level and high-end models.

“That way, the customers can see the technical and aesthetic benefits of the product first hand, while also learning of features and benefits that may not be instantly visible.”

Andy Cumming agrees, putting it succinctly: “Seeing really is believing and creative displays featuring working models are the best way to help introduce new sink technology and really sell their benefits”.

So take a look at the latest sink materials and tech to discover how they can help you increase the value of a sale and create real kitchen sink drama!

Franke’s Fragranite sinks are reportedly aresistant to burns, dents, chips and stains and finished with the company’s Antimicrobial Sanitized Technology, which claims to reduce bacteria and microbe growth by 99%