Mercury-free restoration backed by 50 years of amalgam expertise.
SDI Addresses the Global Phase-Out of Dental Amalgam: Introducing Stela, the True Alternative
Mercury-free restoration backed by 50 years of amalgam expertise.
In light of the landmark global decision announced at COP 6 of the Minamata Convention to phase out dental amalgam by 2034, SDI (Southern Dental Industries) today underscores its long-standing commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility, and reaffirms its confidence in its recently launched Stela self-cure composite as a practical, high-performance alternative.
A Historic Moment – And A Timely Opportunity For SDI
At COP 6, delegates agreed that from 2034, the manufacture, import, or export of mercury-based dental amalgam will no longer be permitted. The decision includes a clinically important exemption, allowing dentists to use amalgam “when its use is considered necessary … based on the needs of the patient.”
For SDI, this represents an opportunity. As one of the world’s most experienced amalgam manufacturers, the company has already been preparing for this transition – investing its expertise into developing a mercury-free solution that meets the clinical demands of dentists and the health and environmental concerns of the wider community.
Turning Experience Into Innovation
Drawing on over 50 years of amalgam-material knowledge, SDI scientists have developed Stela, a self-cure composite engineered specifically to function as a “true amalgam alternative.”
The contrast between Stela and amalgam is clear. While traditional amalgam contains mercury, requires retentive cavity preparation and often demands a second appointment for finishing, Stela offers a mercury-free restorative with lower technique sensitivity and placement without mechanical retentions.
With unlimited depth of cure and high radiopacity, Stela delivers far superior aesthetics and greater flexibility with capsule or automix syringe dispensing. Crucially, whereas amalgam reaches around 90% of its final strength only after 24 hours, Stela achieves the same strength in just 60 minutes – allowing finishing and polishing within the same appointment. This combination of strength, speed, handling and appearance positions Stela as a genuine and practical alternative to amalgam for modern dentistry.
Key features of Stela include:
• High strength & fast “snap-set” – reaches about 90% of its final strength within 60 minutes, significantly reducing the critical period for early failure.
• Unlimited depth of cure – enabling large restorations without incremental layering.
• Simple, two-step placement (primer + composite), with no light-curing required.
• Low technique sensitivity – no etching, no layering.
• Strong marginal sealing with minimal shrinkage, thanks to a self-initiated polymerisation.
• Universal shade with chameleon effect, to blend with surrounding tooth structure while retaining very good aesthetics.
• Delivered via capsule or automix syringe, giving clinicians flexibility.
• Radiopaque, biocompatible, with added fluoride, calcium, and strontium – and free from BPA and HEMA.
Stela is the result of a multi-year collaboration between SDI and leading Australian universities – University of New South Wales (UNSW), the University of Sydney, and the University of Wollongong – whose combined expertise helped make this breakthrough possible. This research partnership was also supported by grant funding from the Australian Government through the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Programme, reinforcing the scientific and commercial significance of the project.
According to Jeffrey Cheetham, Founder & Chairman, SDI, “Amalgam is so strong and easy to place. No etching, no layering, no light cure. That is the basis of Stela. The world is rapidly moving away from amalgam and that is why we mobilised our 50 years of amalgam knowledge behind developing Stela. Stela truly is the new amalgam alternative.”
A Forward-Looking Transition
SDI recognises that the 2034 phase-out will require a thoughtful, gradual transition. The exemption in the COP 6 decision gives dentists the flexibility to continue using amalgam in specific cases where clinically necessary – a provision that aligns with SDI’s understanding of the need for continuity and consistency of care.
Meanwhile, SDI continues to scale up production of Stela to meet growing global demand. Indeed, SDI, under the direction of CEO Samantha Cheetham, has already signalled its own intention to cease amalgam manufacturing by around 2028, aligning its business strategy with its sustainability goals.
Mike Farrow, European Sales Manager, SDI, comments, “The decision to phase out amalgam globally by 2034 presents a significant shift for dentistry. At SDI, we saw this coming – and we acted. With Stela, we’re offering clinicians a material that maintains the clinical robustness of amalgam but delivers it in a mercury-free, patient- and environment-conscious way. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about better care.”
Clinicians across the UK & Ireland are now trialling Stela in direct amalgam-replacement cases – and early feedback is exceptionally positive.