14 minute read
Across The Continent
Welcome
Is this your own issue? Subscribe online at www.asianceramics.com
Advertisement
AC22-6 www.asianceramics.com
Ceramic production in Turkey stretches back thousands of years, from prehistoric Anatolia's primitive sculpture to the Hitite crockery and Iznik's intricate handpainted Tiles Of Turkey tiles. Turkish ceramic producers-built factories to manufacture ceramics on a large industrial scale in the middle of the 20th Century, ushering in the era of mass-production. Turkey has continued to produce ceramics in increasing quantities and of high quality since then. It is no coincidence that Turkey is considered to be the 'land of ceramics' due to its rich history in ceramic production. In the Anatolian region, many different civilizations have evolved and shaped these traditions. Aside from cultural history, geography has played a significant role as well. There is an abundance of natural resources in the country which ensures high quality ceramic products, as well as raw materials that are exported for ceramic production outside of Turkey. There is no doubt that Turkey is also a land for ceramics, with much to offer to the rest of the world.
In Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, traditional brick manufacturing kilns have been operating for centuries, making bricks that can be used for the construction of houses, buildings, and other infrastructure. In recent years, however, automated kilns and brick making machines have radically changed brick production traditions. Bangladesh and Vietnam, according to Jahir Ahmed, have shown the way.
Michael Hölzgen, global director ceramic auxiliaries division, Zschimmer & Schwarz is in conversation with us in Talking Shop. He discusses how his company has maintained its success during a challenging year for the ceramics industry as a whole. In addition, he points out how pleased he is with the company's successful outings at ceramitec 2022 and Cersaie 2022, where they were able to show off their wide range of products and services to a highly enthusiastic audience. He also discusses what the future holds for the company, which he believes will continue to deliver high quality products and services. Throughout the interview, we gain a great deal of insight into the Zschimmer & Schwarz 's history, present, and future.
As the year comes to an end, we would like to extend our gratitude to all of our readers as well as to all our advertisers, contributors, and well-wishers. We could not have done it without you.
Here’s to a wonderful 2023. CICA in focus YOUR 2023 YEARPLANNER! FREE INSIDE Plus news, views, analysis and much more! Brick automation in the Far East TECH FOCUS: Inkjet printing developments Interview with Michael Hölzgen, global director ceramic auxiliaries division, Zschimmer & Schwarz AC COVERS.indd 2 07/12/2022 13:28
Isaac Hamza Editor
CONTACT DETAILS
EDITOR
Editor Isaac Hamza Email: ihamza@asianceramics.com Direct line: + 44 (0) 208 123 1540
ADVERTISING AND DESIGN
Advertising Sales Paul Russell Email: prussell@asianceramics.com Direct line: + 44 (0) 208 638 0619 Valerie Adamson Email: vadamson@asianceramics.com Direct line: + 44 (0) 208 133 5273 Production and design Tim Mitchell www.piernine.co
OVERSEAS OFFICES
Bangladesh Jahir Ahmed jahir@asianceramics.com India Yogender Singh Malik yogender@asianceramics.com Sri Lanka Rohan Gunasekera rohan@asianceramics.com
Special Correspondent - China Matthew Grandage
RESEARCH
Research Manager Andy Skillen Email: andy@bowheadmedia.com
HEAD OFFICE
27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX, UK.
Directors: Valerie Adamson & Paul Russell.
Asian Ceramics (ISSN: 1476-1467), is published by Adamson-Russell Communications Ltd, registered in the UK No. 13652192.
Imerys inaugurates calcium aluminate plant in Vizag, India • TRA launches review of ceramic tiles from China • Monno Ceramic adds Riedhammer kiln to Dhaka facility • RAK Ceramics wins top honours at Middle East Awards • Gural Seramik's new 6M M2/year plant is now operational • Bangladesh ceramic market registers growth • Indian ceramic tile industry shifting to LPG • Somany Ceramics increases installed capacity • President opens Corobrik's Kwastina Factory • Vijay Aggarwal appointed new chair at ICCTAS • Al Anwar receives new grinding plant from LB • Christopher du Trevou appointed new ClayBrick Association president ...
Imerys India held a formal
inauguration of its calcium aluminate plant in Vizag on 12 October to celebrate its commitment to the Indian market and the company's growth in the country. Dedicated to the refractory and infrastructure markets, it is Imerys' largest investment and site in the refractory, abrasives, and construction business sector. The celebration was attended by key political, business, customer, employee, and community stakeholders. Among the high-profile participants in this meeting were Emmanuel Lenain, the Ambassador of France to India, and Parmod Sagar, the President of the World Refractory Association. The event began with a plant tour of Vizag led by Emmanuel Lenain, who also delivered the inaugural address. Segi Idicula, director of Imerys Vizag, delivered a welcome address following the lamp lighting ceremony and plaque unveiling. Idicula said: “We had been looking forward to this celebration for a long time, so it was a great feeling to finally bring everyone together to celebrate and announce in a big way to our customers and stakeholders that we are in the country.” “The Indian government has been promoting manufacturing in India, so the commissioning of our plant has been welcome. With India’s economy growing at such a fast rate, we are securing our position at the right time, and we feel very happy to be here.” Phillipe Bourg, Imerys senior vice-president for refractory, abrasives and construction, provided an overview of Imerys' position in India, while Sagar spoke about the importance of the refractory industry in India and around the world. The opening of the plant was a significant achievement for a number of reasons. One of the features of the plant is that it was commissioned via remote technology during COVID-19. The Imerys Indian team was virtually supported by colleagues in the Imerys Technical Centre in Lyon, France. Engineers in India wore helmet-mounted cameras, allowing colleagues in Lyon to view what they were seeing in real time, allowing rapid and accurate responses to problems. A team from India, France, and the UK worked virtually over the past year to complete the project and deliver it on time, providing an example of Industry 4.0 technology in action. Additionally, the plant specialises in the production of SECAR calcium aluminate binders and additives, which are widely used by Imerys' customers worldwide. Prior to the Vizag plant becoming operational, Indian customers had to import products. SECAR is now produced locally, easing logistics concerns, reducing lead times to less than one week, and eliminating costs associated with customs duties.
Imerys inaugurates calcium aluminate plant in Vizag, India. Below: Philippe Bourg (on the right), senior vice-president for refractory, abrasives and construction (RAC) and Chris Parr (on the left), S&T vice-president for RAC)
The UK’s Trade Remedies
Authority (TRA) launched a transition review into antidumping measures on ceramic tiles from China on 22 September. These measures are among those inherited from the EU system and have been in place for 11 years. The TRA is reviewing them to establish whether they are still suitable for the UK’s needs. The products in scope of this anti-dumping transition review include glazed and unglazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles, as well as glazed and unglazed ceramic mosaic cubes – all commodity codes in scope are listed in the case’s public file. Dumping occurs when goods are imported into a country and sold at a price that is below their normal value in their country of export. The UK imported over £382 million worth of these tiles in 2021, with 1.5% of these imports coming from China. Chinese imports of tiles to the UK currently face duty rates ranging from 14% to 70%. The period of investigation for this transition review will be 1 July 2021 until 30 June 2022 and the injury period will be 1 July 2018 until 30 June 2022. The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports. Trade remedy investigations were carried out by the EU Commission on the UK’s behalf until the UK left the EU. 44 EU trade remedy measures of interest to UK producers were carried across into UK law when the UK left the EU and the TRA is currently reviewing each one to establish whether it is suitable for UK needs.
News, views and analysis
www.asianceramics.com
Imerys inaugurates calcium aluminate plant in Vizag, India • TRA launches review of ceramic tiles from China • Monno Ceramic adds Riedhammer kiln to Dhaka facility • RAK Ceramics wins top honours at Middle East Awards • Gural Seramik's new 6M M2/year plant is now operational • Bangladesh ceramic market registers growth • Indian ceramic tile industry shifting to LPG • Somany Ceramics increases installed capacity • President opens Corobrik's Kwastina Factory • Vijay Aggarwal appointed new chair at ICCTAS • Al Anwar receives new grinding plant from LB • Christopher du Trevou appointed new ClayBrick Association president ...
Founded in 1984 by
industrialist and philanthropist Harunar Rashid Khan Monno, Monno Ceramic Industries designs, develops and markets porcelain and bone china tableware. Exports account for a significant portion of production. Consequently, Dhaka has adopted state-ofthe-art technology, especially in regard to firing, a crucial factor in achieving high quality tableware items with great aesthetic value. In light of this, Monno recently purchased a new kiln, which has been supplied by Riedhammer, a SACMI Group company, for glost firing porcelain products under reducing conditions. It was successfully delivered and installed at the Dhaka facility and is said to offer all of the advantages of Riedhammer's latest generation of equipment. For example, it is equipped with advanced controls for all firing parameters (air-gas mixtures) as well as equipment for limiting and optimising the consumption of energy. As soon as the new kiln is fully operational, Monno Ceramic will be able to fire 5,600 tons of porcelain tableware each year. The new kiln measures 56 meters long, with an effective width of 2.1 meters and 0.6 meters high. The kiln is characterised by excellent product quality, stability and repeatability, as well as flexibility to handle changes in load conditions. Monno Ceramic Industries purchased the kiln as part of a wider modernisation programme which, in this instance, aims to replace some older tunnel kilns. Aside from the improved kiln efficiency and the integrated heat recovery system, this investment decision was also driven by a desire to achieve environmental sustainability. For the customer - who, in addition to the Dhaka facility, has a prestigious design studio in the heart of London - this purchase strengthens its market credentials by reinforcing its mission: to develop collections that integrate cutting-edge aesthetics, quality products and sustainability into their designs.
RAK Ceramics, one of the
world's largest ceramics brands, announced it was awarded Ceramics & Tiles Brand of the Year at the 2022 Design Middle East Awards. The Design Middle East Awards celebrates the best and foremost people, projects and products in the region's design and architecture industry. This year's awards honoured top architects, designers, projects, and firms. The Design Middle East 2022 ceremony was held on Friday, 11th November in Dubai. Commenting on the occasion Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO of RAK Ceramics said: "Since our foundation, we have made it a priority to invest in cutting-edge machinery and technology at RAK Ceramics, and this has enabled us to create some truly remarkable products. “We are humbled to receive this recognition for the hard work we have put into our research and development initiatives, which form the backbone of our product development strategy. I'd like to thank the Design Middle Awards, everyone here at RAK Ceramics is incredibly grateful for this recognition.” RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics brands in the world. Specialising in ceramic and gres porcelain wall and floor tiles, tableware, sanitaryware and faucets, the company has the capacity to produce 118 million square metres of tiles, 5 million pieces of sanitaryware, 24 million pieces of porcelain tableware and 1 million pieces of faucets per year at its 24 state-of-the-art plants across the UAE, India and Bangladesh, Germany, Austria and Hungary. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, RAK Ceramics serves clients in more than 150 countries through its network of operational hubs in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Asia, North and South America and Australia. RAK Ceramics is a publicly listed company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in the United Arab Emirates and, as a group, has an annual turnover of approximately US$1 billion.
Turkish ceramic manufacturer
Gural Seramik has begun operating its new production line at its Kutahya site in the same-named region of the country. This latest project highlights the tile market ambitions of this leading Turkish and international ceramic player, which has been a key manufacturer of sanitaryware and tableware for decades. A state-of-the-art, fully automated production line for glazed and monoporosa porcelain stoneware has been created with SACMI's state-ofthe-art technology. SACMI has provided systems to this Turkish customer for all of its departments, including body formulation and sorting. A MM138 modular mill and two ATM 90 spray dryers have been delivered to the company as part of its body preparation efforts. There are two PH8200 presses used for the manufacture of the floor tiles. These presses are ideal for producing the most standard sizes available in the market (such as 60 x 60, 60 x 120, and 120 x 120cm). For the manufacture of the wall tiles, two PH5000XXL presses are used. The plant also features two 150-meter SACMI FMA295 kilns. This project is completed with Ekosort-Ekowrap sorters and a BMR-supplied finishing line. It is anticipated that this latest plant will produce approximately six million square meters of tiles per year as a result of a diverse product mix. Featuring full automation and outstanding flexibility, the new line demonstrates the business ambitions behind the investment. For SACMI, this project represents another important achievement on the Turkish market.
The ceramic industry in
Bangladesh has grown by 200% and has experienced a 20% increase in investment in the last ten years, said Md Sirajul Islam Mollah, President of the Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA), on 19 November. As reported by the Bangladesh Post, he was speaking at a press conference organised by BCMEA ahead of the "Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022". Over 90 exhibitors and 200 brands from over 15 countries, including host Bangladesh, participated in the three-day ceramic exposition held in the capital from 24 November. The organisation's general secretary, Irfan Uddin, and senior office bearers were also present. BCMEA organised the event at the International Convention City Bashundhara, ICCB, for the third time since 2017. The fair was organised to provide ceramic manufacturers and exporters with global exposure in order to increase their market share with their international standard products. “Ceramic industry of Bangladesh is a booming sector and its growth potential in both domestic and international markets indicate it may become one of the biggest foreign exchange earners for the country,” Mollah said. The BCMEA president stated in the pre-event meeting that the exhibition would cover 15,000 square meters of space at ICCB and would attract over 300 delegates from different countries, thus making it the largest ceramic show in South Asia. Five seminars were held in conjunction with the fair, as well as B2B and B2C meetings and a job fair.
Indian ceramic tile producers
are increasingly shifting to LPG instead of natural gas to decrease their production costs. Though, natural gas prices have started showing some sign of softness in Q3FY23 (currently at about 60-62/SCM) after a drastic increase in gas prices over the past few quarters around 65/SCM during Q2FY23). This has prompted some of the leading ceramic tile producers to offset the increase in gas price by switching to alternatives such as LPG, which is priced around INR 50-52. According to Abhishek Somany, managing director of Somany Ceramics said: “Today, the gas price is approximately standard INR 65 a standard cubic meter, and if I adjust the kilo calorific value between natural gas and LPG, which is what we're using, that comes to approximately INR 50, INR 52 a standard cubic meter. It's a good INR 10 cheaper than natural gas. And it does not move in the same direction as natural gas in does not follow it. It's independent of that.”
India’s second largest
ceramic tile producer, Somany Ceramics has increased its installed capacity by 11 million square meters per annum with the addition of three regional plants. The company has successfully commissioned its three new plants in north, west and southern region of the country. Somany Ceramics has also announced setting up of greenfield manufacturing facility of large format tiles with an installed capacity of 4.5 million square meters per annum in Gujarat with an outlay of INR 1.7 billion ( to be funded mainly via internal accruals of the company). This plant has a revenue potential of INR 2.5 billion. The company has placed the order for the machineries for this plant and expects the production to commence in the second quarter of 2023. These capacity additions will take Somany Ceramics installed capacity to more than 70 million square meters per annum.
