Hi-Macs
Korean precision in every curve
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Hi-Macs is an acrylic solid-surface composite from South Korean conglomerate LX Hausys (formerly LG Hausys, a division of LG Group). Composition: natural minerals — aluminum trihydrate (ATH) — and acrylic resin (MMA), with no polyester additives. Like Corian, Hi-Macs enables invisible seam bonding with its proprietary adhesive, but its formula offers enhanced fire resistance: Hi-Macs is rated B-s1, d0 (EN 13501-1) and passes self-extinguishing tests. Certifications: Greenguard Gold, NSF/ANSI 51 (food contact), ISO 846 (fungal resistance). The Ulsan plant (South Korea) produces over 1.6 million m² of sheets annually. In Europe, Hi-Macs is a direct Corian competitor, priced 10–25% lower at comparable quality.
TECHNICAL PASSPORT
Hi-Macs product lines: Solid (100+ single-tone decors), Granite (granular stone imitation), Marmo (marble veining), Lucia (translucent), Concrete (concrete textures), and Volcanics (textured volcanic effects). Sheet thicknesses: 3, 6, 9, 12 mm — 3 mm for curved-surface cladding, 12 mm for countertops. Thermoforming at 150–160°C enables complex 3D shapes: streamlined reception desks, wave-form walls, integrated sinks, and even furniture. We have used Hi-Macs on 40+ projects — from clinical modules at the 'Mother and Child' hospital network to reception zones at Marriott hotels. Key competitive advantage over Corian: 10–25% lower price with identical seamless bonding technology. Hi-Macs also offers the unique Lucia line with up to 70% translucency, surpassing competitors in light transmission.
Varieties & Types
Alpine White (S028)
$$LX Hausys, Ulsan, South Korea
Pure white without inclusions — the baseline decor for medical facilities and minimalist kitchens. Comparable to Corian Glacier White but 15–20% more affordable. Suitable for backlighting thanks to slight uniform translucency.
Black Granite (G019)
$$$LX Hausys, Granite collection
Black with fine mineral inclusions — imitating natural black granite. The inclusions mask micro-scratches and everyday soiling, making it more practical than solid black. Popular for bar counters and windowsills.
Carrara Verona (M201)
$$$$LX Hausys, Marmo collection
White with gray marble veining — a seamless alternative to Carrara marble. Veining is applied via DFI (Direct Film Injection) technology, creating depth in the pattern. Ideal for kitchen countertops and reception zones.
Lucia Ice Queen (L502)
$$$$$LX Hausys, Lucia collection
Translucent white — up to 70% light transmission at 3 mm thickness. Used for backlit bar counters, ceiling panels, and decorative partitions. Produces an 'ice glow' effect under LED lighting.
Urban Concrete Grey (T010)
$$$LX Hausys, Concrete collection
Mid-gray with a subtle concrete texture — loft aesthetics without the cracking and dust of real concrete. Matte surface creates an industrial look. Thermoformable — can wrap a column with no seams.
Advantages
- ✓Seamless bonding — identical technology to Corian but 10–25% less expensive
- ✓Excellent repairability — scratches removed with sandpaper in minutes
- ✓Thermoforming from 150°C — 3D shapes, curved desks, and integrated sinks
- ✓B-s1, d0 self-extinguishing fire rating — enhanced safety for public spaces
- ✓Lucia line — up to 70% translucency, the best light transmission among solid surfaces
- ✓ISO 846 antifungal certification — suited for humid environments
- ✓Lightweight — 1.5× lighter than stone, lower structural load
- ✓Wide thickness range — from 3 mm (cladding) to 12 mm (countertops)
Limitations
- ⚠Soft — scratches from knives and abrasive items, like Corian (2.5 Mohs)
- ⚠Low heat resistance — hot cookware leaves marks on direct contact
- ⚠Acid-sensitive — lemon juice dulls the polish (sandable in 5 minutes)
- ⚠Lesser brand recognition — dealer network in some markets smaller than Corian's
- ⚠Limited stone imitation depth — veining less realistic than quartz agglomerate
- ⚠Dark decors show micro-scratches — matte finish recommended for practicality
Applications
Kitchen countertops with integrated sinks — the solid-surface hallmark. Hi-Macs delivers the same seamless integration as Corian at a more accessible price point. Recommendation: 12 mm Hi-Macs + 18 mm moisture-resistant plywood substrate.
Reception desks — monolithic fronts with no seams, backlit Lucia panels, radiused edges. When the budget is below Corian specification, Hi-Macs delivers a visually identical result.
Wall panels and column cladding — 3 mm and 6 mm sheets on a subframe. Thermoforming wraps columns without a single joint. Used in hotel lobbies, clinics, and shopping malls.
Medical countertops and modules — NSF/ANSI 51 + ISO 846 (antifungal) certification. Seamless integrated sinks = critical requirement for sterile zones.
Luminaires and backlit panels — Lucia (3 mm, 70% translucency) creates ceiling panels, glowing walls, and designer fixtures. Outperforms Corian Private Collection in light transmission.
Furniture and art installations — thermoforming at 150°C makes Hi-Macs a material for designer furniture: chairs, tables, shelves of non-standard shapes. Used in exhibitions and showroom displays.
Pricing & Economics
Pricing Factors
- ·Collection — Lucia and Marmo cost 40–80% more than Solid and Granite
- ·Thickness — 12 mm standard; 3 mm cladding costs ~50% of the 12 mm price
- ·Form complexity — thermoforming adds 15–30% to the price
- ·Integrated sink — a one-piece molded sink adds $420–$960
- ·Shipping — delivery from South Korea / Europe adds 8–15% to the sheet price
- ·Finish — matte (standard), semi-gloss, and mirror gloss (+10–15%)
Care & Longevity
Daily Care
Wipe with a soft cloth and soapy water — sufficient for daily maintenance. Hi-Macs is nonporous: coffee and juice stains do not absorb even after prolonged contact. On dark decors, dry-wipe to prevent streaks.
What to Avoid
Do not place hot cookware directly on the surface — use trivets (limit 180°C; a skillet reaches 200–250°C). Avoid abrasive powder on polished surfaces. Acetone is acceptable briefly for adhesive removal.
Periodic Maintenance
Renew matte finishes every 6–12 months: sand with P320, then P400 in circular motions. For polishing: 3M compound or equivalent + felt pad. A 20 sq ft countertop takes 30–45 minutes. Sealing is NEVER required.
Professional Care
Professional restoration (deep scratches, chips, burns): from $20/sq ft. The technician removes 0.3–0.5 mm of surface, fills damage with color-matched Hi-Macs adhesive, sands, and polishes. Result: surface as new.
Expert Reviews
Average Rating · 5 expert reviews
«For the Marriott we chose Hi-Macs over Corian — 18% savings with a visually identical result. An 8-meter reception desk in Alpine White, radiused edges, underlighting. Two years in operation — no complaints. Staff sands minor scratches themselves, following our care guide.»
«Hi-Macs is our standard for clinics. Seamless sinks are NSF-certified, antifungal protection meets ISO 846. But when ordering the Marmo collection we found the veining was less defined than the sample — more diffuse. We had to accept the compromise. Next project we'll request an actual slab for approval.»
«Hi-Macs machines just like Corian. CNC cuts, bonds in 45 minutes, sands normally. Thermoforming is slightly easier: 150°C vs. 165°C, more pliable. But logistics lag: Lucia sheets take 6 weeks; Corian is stocked in Moscow warehouses. For rush projects that's a drawback.»
«Lucia Ice Queen on the bar counter — a wow effect: white surface, then when the LED strip turns on underneath, a soft glow across the full length. Guests photograph it. One scratch in a year — sanded it out myself with a Scotch-Brite pad. Hi-Macs cost $1,800 less than the Corian Private alternative.»
«For mid-budget HoReCa projects, Hi-Macs is the sweet spot. Quality matches Corian, price is lower. Concrete decors look convincing in craft spaces. Downside: the brand is less recognized by clients — I often explain it's 'like Corian, from LG.' The LX Hausys name doesn't help the marketing either.»
Frequently Asked Questions
Technologically they are nearly identical: both acrylic solid surface, seamless bonding, thermoforming, similar hardness (~2.5 Mohs). Differences: Corian is the DuPont brand since 1967 — wider dealer network, 170+ colors. Hi-Macs from LX Hausys (Korea) — 10–25% lower price, unique Lucia line (70% translucency), broader thickness range (from 3 mm). For budget-conscious projects — Hi-Macs is more economical. When a spec calls for 'Corian only' — use Corian.
Installed countertop: from $180/sq ft for the Solid collection (Alpine White, core tones) to $900/sq ft for Lucia with backlighting. A typical 25 sq ft kitchen with an integrated sink runs $4,500–$15,000. For comparison: the same scope in Corian runs $5,400–$18,000. Hi-Macs savings: 15–25%. Prices as of Q1 2026.
Lucia is Hi-Macs' unique translucent product line. Light transmission reaches 70% at 3 mm thickness. Used for backlit bar counters, ceiling light panels, decorative partitions, and luminaires. The closest alternative is Corian Private Collection, but Lucia transmits more light at a lower price. Decors: Ice Queen (white), Lucent White (warm white), Daylight (neutral).
Yes — triple certified: NSF/ANSI 51 (food contact), ISO 846 (fungal resistance), Greenguard Gold (VOC emissions). Seamless integrated sinks eliminate crevices where biocontamination collects. Hi-Macs is installed at 'Mother and Child' hospital clinics, dental offices, and laboratories.
Heat to 150–160°C in a thermoforming oven (lower than Corian at 160–170°C). At 6 mm the minimum bend radius is 25 mm; at 12 mm it's 75 mm. Forming window: 30–45 seconds after removal from the oven, then clamp in a jig until fully cooled (15–20 minutes). Requires skill: underheat → crack; overheat → bubbles. Not all fabricators are trained in thermoforming — verify before selecting a contractor.
Fundamentally different materials. Hi-Macs (acrylic solid surface): seamless, thermoformable, repairable, but soft (2.5 Mohs). Quartz agglomerate (Caesarstone, Silestone): hard (7 Mohs), heat- and acid-resistant, but has seams, cannot be bent, and cannot be sanded to repair. For 3D shapes and seamless objects — Hi-Macs/Corian. For heavy-use kitchens with intense cooking — quartz.
The official distributor is LX Hausys, with regional authorized dealers and fabricators. In the US: check lxhausys.com for the dealer locator. In Europe: LX Hausys Europe (Frankfurt). In Russia: LuxStone, Academy of Stone, Empire of Stone (Moscow); GranIT, StoneLab (Saint Petersburg). Lead times: standard decors 2–4 weeks; specialty lines (Lucia, Marmo) 4–8 weeks from South Korea.
Yes — NSF/ANSI 51 certified for direct food contact. The nonporous surface does not absorb odors and does not support bacterial growth. ISO 846 antifungal certification provides additional hygiene assurance. Hi-Macs is used in restaurant kitchens, school cafeterias, and food-processing facilities.
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