Tile International 3/2023 by Kairos Media Group (div. ceramics)

www.SurfacesInternational.com

ISSN2039-8301

economy

n e ws interviews trends

INNOVATIONS FOR THE TILE SETTING PROFESSIONAL SINCE 1974 raimondispa.com

quick and easy removal removable when adhesive has hardened protects tile edges does not scratch the tiles

RLS

. S . O . S the

rescue clip

MADE I N I T A LY

BOOTH#C20- ,PAV.N3-P1

EMERGENCY LEVELLING SYSTEM

P A T E N T PENDING

VIDEO VIDEO

with breakable clip to complete the leveling of the tile

in the event a clip of the “main system” breaks

problem

solution

90°

accidental clip breakage of the main leveling system

insert one or more SOS clips into the joint (minimum 1.5 mm) in place of the broken clip

rotate SOS clips 90 degrees with respect to the joint line and tighten them by screwing the cap

remove SOS clips by hitting them parallel to the joint line

Wohnkomfort mit Energiespareffekt Living in comfort while saving energy Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM schafft auf effiziente Weise ein angenehmes und gesundes Wohnklima. Besonders energiesparend ist die dünnschichtige Fußbodenheizung mit einem Oberbelag aus Keramik oder Naturstein, der die Wärme ausgezeichnet speichert und weiterleitet. Die milde Strahlungswärme des Keramik-Klimabodens kommt durch den flachen Aufbau schnell und gleichmäßig an der Oberfläche an. Dank seines patentierten Konstruktionsaufbaus spart das System zudem bis zu vier Wochen Installationszeit ein. Aufgrund der dünnschichtigen Konstruktion benötigt der Keramik-Klimaboden deutlich weniger Estrich – ein nicht zu verachtender Kostenfaktor. Dadurch ist BEKOTEC-THERM optimal für den Betrieb mit regenerativen Energiequellen – beispielsweise mit Wärmepumpen – geeignet. Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM is an efficient way to create a pleasant and healthy living environment. The thin-layer floor heating system is especially energy-efficient because its covering of ceramic tiles or natural stone helps to retain and spread heat. Thanks to the slim structure of the ceramic thermal comfort floor, the gentle radiated heat reaches the surface quickly and evenly. The patented system assembly also saves up to four weeks of construction time. The installation of the thin ceramic thermal comfort floor requires much less screed – a cost factor not to be overlooked. That makes BEKOTEC-THERM an ideal choice for operation with renewable energy sources such as heat pumps.

bekotec-therm.com

ph. Florian Andergassen

Dal 1821 al vostro fianco

Since 1821 by your side

La soddisfazione del cliente è la nostra priorità.

Customer satisfaction is our top priority.

Attraverso le soluzioni innovative dei nostri designer, le sapienti mani dei nostri artigiani, l’utilizzo di materie prime di qualità, attrezzature all’avanguardia e tecnologie sofisticate trasformiamo le idee in realtà.

Through innovative solutions of our designers, skilled hands of our craftsmen, the use of high quality materials, cutting-edge equipment and sophisticated technologies, we turn ideas into reality.

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ABOUT US PUBLISHER: Kairos Media Group S.r.l. Capitale Sociale: Euro 51.400,00 R.E.A. 329775 Periodico bimestrale registrato presso il Tribunale di Modena al n. 22/17 in data 10/08/2017 Iscrizione al ROC n. 9673 OFFICE: Kairos Media Group S.r.l. Via Fossa Buracchione 84 41126 Baggiovara (Modena) - Italy Tel. +39 059 512 103 - Fax +39 059 512 157 info@kairosmediagroup.it - www.surfacesinternational.com EDITOR AND PUBLISHING COORDINATION: GIAN PAOLO CRASTA - g.crasta@kairosmediagroup.it © 1989 Tile Italia

scicoli separati, è assolta dall’Editore ai sensi dell’art 74 primo comma lettera C del DPR 26.10.72 N. 633 e successive modificazioni.

CO-EDITOR: Sabrina Tassini CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Sara Falsetti Paola Giacomini Sabino Menduni Chiara Poggi Sabrina Tassini SECRETARIAT: info@kairosmediagroup.it GRAPHIC LAYOUT: Sara Falsetti EACH COPY: Euro 4 SUBSCRIPTION: https://kairosmediagroup.it/en/shop/ subscription-tile-international • 1 year: Euro 20 • 2 years: Euro 35 L’abbonamento decorre dal mese di distribuzione. Tariffe speciali per gli abbonamenti collettivi sono disponibili su richiesta Conto Corrente Postale 20026415 intestato a Kairos Media Group srl. Spedizione in abbonamento postale presso la Filiale di Modena. L’IVA sugli abbonamenti, nonché sulla vendita dei fa-

ADVERTISING: Kairos Media Group Tel. +39 059 512 103 Fax +39 059 512 157 • Paola Giacomini p.giacomini@kairosmediagroup.it · +39 335 186 4257 • Teresa Contissa t.contissa@kairosmediagroup.it · +39 342 092 8002 • Silvia Lepore s.lepore@kairosmediagroup.it · +39 345 721 8245 • Elisa Verzelloni e.verzelloni@kairosmediagroup.it · +39 338 536 1966 PHOTOLIPHIE: Vaccari Zincografica Srl Via E. Salgari, 61 - 41126 Modena - Italy PRINT: Faenza Printing Industries SpA Via Vittime Civili di Guerra, 35 48018 Faenza (RA) - Italy

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CONTENTS 7

EDITORIAL - A new year is coming!

NEWS

FOCUS ON: WAITING FOR MAISON&OBJET

ECONOMICS World production and consumption of ceramic tiles

Paola Giacomini

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Villeroy & Boch: a new giant in the sanitaryware industry

Paola Giacomini

28 30 36

Gian Paolo Crasta

PROJECTS A sculptural private villa in Budapest The Frankfurt Trade Fair Tower A swimming pool in Beverly Hills

PHOTONEWS CookingRAK for Massimo Bottura

WHAT ’S NEW - Ceramic tiles & laying technologies

52 56

PROJECTS: A “Memphis twist” house in Laurentides 13.10 Boutique Restaurant

NEW MATERIALS FOR ARCHITECTURE

COVER PICTURE: VIVES CERAMICA - WWW.VIVESCERAMICA.COM PHOTO BY GIANCARLO PRADELLI @ CERSAIE 2023

5 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 N / 2 0 2 3

Discover the E-MAGAZINE about NEW MATERIALS for DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE

A new year is coming! Gian Paolo Crasta g.crasta@kairosmediagroup.it

We are leaving behind another year full of projects

front, segment in which ceramic slabs prove to be

and satisfactions to welcome one equally full of

essential factors of innovation.

new motivations, starting with participation in the international Maison&Objet fair which opens 2024

We also present the annual report “World Pro-

with the debut of new trends for the interior sector

duction and Consumption of Ceramic Tiles”, decture of the global situation relating to the cera-

media partner with the collectible mag-book Sur-

mic sector and we interview the Villeroy & Boch

faces International, dedicated to the best archi-

Group to delve deeper into the company’s perfor-

tectural projects featuring the most cutting-ed-

mance and acquisition of Ideal Standard.

ge material applications in different design fields. While waiting for the first events, in this issue we

As usual, we lastly propose a review curated in

highlight some interesting case histories, whi-

collaboration with the web portal www.surface-

ch use installation systems and high-performan-

sinternational.com to tell projects and new solu-

ce surfaces designed for the constructions of to-

tions capable of inspiring material uses in line wi-

day and tomorrow, followed by the most recent

th the next interior decoration trends.

product innovations, also on the kitchen systems

7 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

EDITORIAL

veloped by the MECS study center, to outline a piPrecisely at this first date we will be present as

Florim opened the new Flagship in New York City

NEWS

Present in New York since 2015 with a showroom on Madison Avenue, Florim has moved to Fifth Avenue in the NoMad neighborhood, where the energy of downtoun meets the elegance of the uptown. The glass storefront of the Flagship looks out from the second floor of 277 Fifth Avenue with a dedicated lobby entrance at the first floor, home to the prestigious skyscraper of over 663 feet tall designed by architect Rafael Viñoly, which offers a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline. The showroom is spread over an area of 6,000 SF with an impressive 5,600

SF of glass continuous on two sides – Fifth Ave and 30th St - and spanning two floors. The spaces were designed by Florim in line with the other Flagship Stores and the large porcelain surfaces cover multiple residential and commercial displays showing beauty, functionality and versatility. Floors, walls, bathrooms’ vanities and kitchen countertops, tables, fireplaces, three-dimensional elements, ceiling installation and ventilated facade systems are just some of the application solutions dispayed. The glass storefrant offers a wide view of the showroom also from the outside, Florim slabs are visbile from street level both on 5th Ave and 30th St.

Italcer becomes a Benefit Corporation and invests in small tile sizes Italcer, one of Italy’s leading manufacturers of ceramic floor and wall tiles and bathroom furnishings, announced a new acquisition on 31 October, conducted through its Spanish subsidiary. Equipe Cerámicas has acquired a 20% stake in Opificio Ceramico along with a call option for the majority shareholding. Opificio Ceramico is a young Mode-

na-based company specializing in luxury ceramic surfaces, with a focus on small handcrafted sizes and bespoke products. The company was founded in 2018 by Emanuele Marcato, who embarked on a project centred around sustainable craftsmanship with the aim of delivering truly tailor-made products. This operation marks the ninth acquisition completed in six years by the group helmed by Graziano Verdi (along with major shareholders Mindful Capital Partners, Miura and Capital Dynamics),

8 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

following La Fabbrica-AVA, Elios, Devon&Devon, Rondine, Equipe Ceramicas, Fondovalle and Terratinta Group. “Opificio Ceramico is becoming well established itself in the market thanks to its unique products that align perfectly with our sustainable production philosophy,” said Graziano Verdi. “This deal solidifies our ambition to create an Italian design hub composed of high-end ceramic companies and generating significant synergies both in Italy and abroad.” With projected 2023 revenues close to €400 million, the Italcer Group confirms its position as a leading international player in the ceramic industry with a strong commitment to sustainability. Confirming its focus on ESG, the company recently became a Benefit Corporation. Its goals, enshrined in its articles of incorporation, include reducing the greenhouse gas emissions deriving from its operations, enhancing energy efficiency through the use of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic systems, pursuing ongoing product innovation, increasing the use of recycled materials (already higher than 50%) as part of a circular economy philosophy, and implementing corporate and community welfare policies for its employees. In the last two years, Italcer has invested more than €20 million in sustainable innovation and each year consistently allocates more than 3% of its revenues to research and development.

Cleon Capital acquires stake in ABK Group ABK Group announced that Cleon Capital Advisors has joined the company’s ownership group with a minority shareholding of €45 million, most of it in the form of a capital increase. This partnership with Cleon, an independent investment and consulting company based in Spain, will allow the Italian ceramic group to capitalise on the investments it has made in recent years by accelerating and expanding growth opportunities with speed and flexibility. “Together with Cleon, we share the goals of a new and challenging growth phase that will be overseen by the second generation of leaders who have acquired valuable experience within the company and will be supported by a skilled management team,” commented ABK Group’s founding partners Roberto Fabbri, Michelangelo Fortuna and Andrea Guidorzi. “Cleon has a unique and truly flexible business model that is different from private equity funds and which we consider to be well suited to the business environment typical of many medium-sized companies like ours. In addition to financial resources, Cleon will provide a valuable network of skills and relationships. These assets are crucial for capitalising on the opportunities that the group has been preparing for over the past few years by making significant industrial investments.”

Since 2016, ABK Group has invested more than €100 million in developing cutting-edge production technologies and in strengthening its international presence through the acquisition of French company Desvres and commercial agreements in the United States. Further developments include the exclusive licensing agreement with Versace, the acquisition in 2023 of Target Ceramics and the development of innovative materials including the patented Cooking Surface Prime invisible induction cooktop system, the Auto-Leveling™ system, the large format WIDE slabs and the three-dimensional effect products made using Genesis technology from System Ceramics. The Group, which generated consolidated revenues of €233 million in 2022, includes the companies and brands ABK, ABKStone, Flaviker, Materia, Gardenia Orchidea, Gardenia Slabs, 14oraitaliana, fuoriformato, Desvres Ariana and Hardkoll.

Kajaria Ceramics records double-digit growth The India’s largest tile manufacturer and one of the top ten groups in the world, once again reported very positive results in the fiscal year ending March 2023. Kajaria’s tile production grew 17% yearon-year to 80 million sqm, while sales in volume were up 11% year-on-year to 101 million sqm. Revenues grew by 18% to Rs. 43.82 billion (approximately €500 million). Due to higher production costs and rising gas prices until December 2022, EBITDA margin reported a 300-bps year-on-year decrease, with margin down to 13.5%, despite a strong improvement in the fourth quarter between January and March 2023 (up again to 14.6%). Margins displayed an encouraging reversal in the first quar-

9 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

ter of fiscal 2024 (April-June 2023), driven by the decline in fuel costs across all plant locations. A 7.25% growth in sales volume and a 6% rise in revenue were accomplished as compared to the corresponding period last year. For Kajaria Ceramics, exports have always been negligible compared to overall revenues. “However, while we continue to focus on our domestic market where we are assured higher margins because of our brand, we are also exploring export opportunities”, President Ashok Kajaria tells us. “We have recently opened a large showroom in Dubai as a joint venture with a local partner to increase our footprint in the international market. At the same time, in Nepal, we are launching a greenfield project with a capacity to manufacture 5.1 million sqm of ceramic and glazed vitrified tiles as a joint venture with a local partner. This strategic investment will help us enter a market where we currently have to pay customs duties of 50-55%”. Forecasts for the Indian construction industry show that every segment of the real estate sector – from residential to commercial, retail, hospitality and hospitals should experience good growth over the next 3-5 years. “We find ourselves amidst a growing demand environment, supported by a positive real estate cycle and the Government’s unwavering commitment to infrastructure development”, Mr. Kajaria says.

NEWS

Eczacıbaşı Building ProductsBathroom presents its Sustainability Report EBPB, a global leader in the building products sector operating under brands such as VitrA, Artema, İntema, and burgbad; published its 2022 Integrated Sustainability Report with the motto ‘We are building a healthy future together’. The firm, with twelve production facilities across four countries and activity in 105 international markets, has illustrated significant strides in environmental sustainability. In 2022, EBPB supplied an impressive 93.4% of its electricity from renewable sources, while successfully reducing its total carbon emissions by 38.5% compared to 2021. In line with its commitment to transparency, EBPB released two detailed reports - ‘Story of our Ambition’ and ‘Facts about our Actions’. These provide a comprehensive overview of the company’s sustainability strategy, performance, goals, and progress towards them. CEO Özgen Özkan outlined the substantial achievements in his report, stating, “As an international player in the energy-intensive building products sector, we are aware of our responsibility to respect planetary boundaries and reduce

our environmental footprint. In 2022, we have reduced all of our electricity-related carbon emissions to zero by procuring green electricity and installed our first 4 MW solar power plant on the roof of our Bozüyük plant.” The Company has even more ambitious plans for the future. By 2025, EBPB aims to generate approximately 30% of its annual electricity needs through its inhouse rooftop solar installations. Additionally, they have set a further objective to achieve up to 50% of their electricity consumption from renewable sources, facilitated by the rapid development of off-site renewable energy initiatives. In addition to its progress in energy efficiency, EBPB announced an 87% recycling rate in production waste, underlining its commitment to waste reduction and the circular economy. Coupled with nearly 80 energy efficiency projects, the company achieved energy savings representing 2% of annual energy use for 8,700 MWh, equivalent to one year’s electricity consumption of approximately 2,290 households. EBPB is not solely focusing on environmental sustainability; they’re also driving social sustainability initiatives. The firm proudly reported a notable increase in the share of women in their

10 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

workforce, with 50% of new hires, 38% of employees, and 40% of management being women.

Enrico Barison new managing director of Profilpas Enrico Barison is the new managing director of Profilpas, the company specialising in the production and distribution of profiles for floor and wall coverings, shower channels and installation accessories based in Cadoneghe (Padua, Italy), acquired by the Mapei Group in September 2022. Enrico Barison’s career began at the end of the 1970s in the world of resilient and textile flooring. He consolidated his skills in the multinational Tarkett group, including commercial expertise and the management of the entire sales process with a specific focus on Southern Europe countries. With more than thirty years of work experience, Barison will guide Profilpas in the development of the business in the reference market, in Italy and in the rest of the world, helping the company integrate into the Mapei group.

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MAXI IN EVERYTHING. TUTTO. PP Level DUO MAXI èis lathe nuova supporti regolabili new gamma range ofdiadjustable supports per for pavimenti sopraelevati outdoor raised floors. da esterno. MAXI flessibilità: grazie to al comodo anello Fixed Head Ring, si può flexibility: thanks the practical Fixed Head Ring, you can trasformare la tilting testa basculante, capace di compensare pendenze transform the head, able to compensate for surface slopes di al 5%, in testa fissa, direttamente in fase di posa. upsuperficie to 5%, intofino a fixed head, directly during installation. MAXI tenuta: il nuovo supporto garantisce un’eccellente resistenza strength: the new support guarantees excellent resistance ai carichiand ed weather agli agenti atmosferici. to grandi heavy loads elements.

S/28/39B

M/38/57B

L/56/91B

XL/87/150B

MAXI versatilità: accessori a disposizione per qualsiasi versatility:numerosi numerous accessories are available for any esigenza di posa, dalle prolunghe ai travetti intoalluminio, passando installation requirement, from extensions aluminium joists, per i tappetini in gomma e le clip in acciaio. rubber mats and steel clips. Con LevelDUO DUOMAXI MAXIthelainstallation posa del pavimento With PP Level of the raisedsopraelevato floor will be risulterà veloce e a regola d’arte. easy, fastagevole, and perfect.

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NEWS

Grupo Lamosa penalized by construction slowdown Following two years of sustained growth, Grupo Lamosa’s third quarter 2023 results reflect the normalisation of market demand. Mexico’s largest ceramic group reported an 11% decline in sales revenues in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2022 to MXN 23.82 billion (about €1.3 billion). Domestic sales accounted for 62% of total revenues and saw a smaller contraction, dropping by 5% to MXN 14.66 billion (about €784 million). Foreign sales suffered a more significant decline, dropping by 20% to MXN 9.16 billion (about €496 million), although this was still higher than 2021 levels. Of the two divisions through which Grupo Lamosa operates, the floor and wall tiles segment was hardest hit with a 16% decline in sales to MXN 16.91 billion (about €915.5 million), equivalent to 71% of the group’s total sales. This reduction was caused by weaker demand in both the new home construction and remodelling segments, not just in Mexico but also in foreign markets. By contrast, the Adhesives business made gains, with sales of MXN 6.9 billion (3% higher than in the first nine months of 2022). Overall, EBITDA declined by 19%, with EBITDA margin at 21% of sales. Despite the negative trend, Lamosa continued its investment programme with total investments in the first nine months of the year amounting to MXN 1.99 billion (about €106 million), which went primarily on keeping its production plants and IT platforms up to date. On the subject of investments, shortly before Cersaie 2023 the Mexican group announced the acquisition of the Spanish ceramic company Baldocer (brands Baldocer, Azulejos Benadresa (AB) and ETILE), a deal that was finalised on 31 October. The value of the acquisition was €425 million, with no less than €71

million to be paid as a balance in 2025 according to the company’s results. This acquisition marks an important step forward in Grupo Lamosa’s growth strategy, enabling it to strengthen its presence in the European continent (where it has been operating with Roca Tile since 2021) and increase its share of high-end products worldwide. Baldocer exports its products to more than 120 countries around the world and reported an EBITDA of €67 million in 2022. According to forecasts, the acquisition of Baldocer will increase Grupo Lamosa’s consolidated revenues by approximately 16%. Installed production capacity will increase by 12% to approximately 275 million sqm/year, cementing Lamosa’s position as the world’s second largest ceramic tile producer.

FILA Solutions in top 100 most sustainable Italian companies For the third year running, FILA Solutions has been included in the ranking, conceived by Kon Group and promoted in conjunction with ELITE, the ecosystem launched in 2012 by Borsa Italiana and Azimut Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Umbria. The company was elected one of Italy’s 100 most sustainable companies, with an ESG rating issued by Altis Università Cattolica and RepRisk, and one of the 100 that have taken part in both editions and shown the biggest improvement in their sustainability performance. FILA is a leading international manufacturer of protection products and treatments for all types of surfaces. “Having a competitive ESG rating boosts our credibility among existing and potential customers and suppliers,” explains Fila CEO Francesco Pettenon. “Increasingly, people are choosing products and

12 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

services not only for their cost and quality, but also on the basis of how far their manufacturer pays attention to its environmental impact, and FILA Solutions has made this philosophy one of its cornerstones.” A prime example is the company’s support for the San Martino di Lupari secondary school, the first in Italy’s Veneto region to obtain LEED GOLD certification, thanks in part to FILA’s decision to donate the most suitable products for cleaning the interior surfaces and protecting the exterior coverings of the new facility. Ill-health prevention is another of the company’s priorities, and this has given rise to a collaboration with Fondazione Umberto Veronesi, renamed “Progetto Care4you”, for men and women. The project focuses on breast cancer prevention for women and heart disease prevention for both genders. FILA Solutions has signed up to the Manifesto of Non-Hostile Communication, a project launched in 2016 to stem the rising tide of hate speech and verbal violence, and to prevent behaviour that is detrimental to human dignity. As a member of Green Building Council Italia, FILA obtained ISO 14001 environmental certification in 2014 and is now one of the first Italian companies to sign the Climate Pledge, an initiative promoted by Amazon and Global Optimism, which includes over 100 leading companies in their respective fields, and commits its signatories to achieving zero CO2 emissions by 2040, 10 years ahead of the schedule set by the Paris Agreement. The company also plays a leading role in Green Pea, the world’s first Green Retail Park dedicated to environmental integrity. At Fila’s Padua plant, 100% of the electricity comes from renewable sources, and almost 50% of this is produced by the company’s photovoltaic infrastructure.

T H E “ T EC H E DE N ” OF M AI S ON& OBJE T 2024 In 2024, Maison&Objet (18-22 Jan.) marks 30 years of French-inspired excellence in the home décor, design and lifestyle industry. The show will take visitors on a journey to a re-enchanted future, where technology and nature exist in harmony.

MAISON&OBJET 2024

Challenging the antithesis in its title, TECH EDEN, the theme of this anniversary year will be explored

throughout 2024 at the Paris fair, in the city’s showrooms, and on M.O.M marketplace. It will be embodied in the three areas of expression dear to Maison&Objet: interior architecture, retail, and hospitality. In continuation of last year’s theme “ENJOY!”, TECH EDEN conveys a dream-like optimism through shape and colour, focussing this time on a futuristic biophilia, a new world of well-being.

NEW FUTURES A N D PA R A D I S E R E G A I N E D “TECH EDEN” theme was devised in collaboration with the creative strategy agency Peclers Paris, which sees it as an opportunity to “highlight the profound evolution in the relationship between science and nature, and project it into a sustainable and desirable future.” Seeking to bring substance and poetry to the notion of progress, Peclers offers a progressive concept enriched by scenographic interpretations, at times soothing, at times energising, always inspiring. This narrative, reconciling a futuristic utopia with new realities, will feed into the show’s activities, encompassing all sectors of interior decoration and design, arts and crafts, retail, decor and hospitality. Through immersive experiences, TECH EDEN invites professionals to rethink spatial design and layout, augmented by technological innovation, and employing innovative aesthetic and environmental approaches. Science fiction has entered a new era and adopted a new discourse. It is no longer modelled on the kind of journey through space and time at the mercy of mysterious aliens filmed by Stanley Kubrick in his cult movie 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). While James Cameron’s latest epic Avatar 2 (2022) immerses us in a fantastical natural environment, Thomas Cailley’s Animal Kingdom (2023) explores the idea of mutation in a world of half-human, half-animal hybrids, symbolising profound cultural and societal change, all enhanced by a poetic and emotional narrative. The desire in this new-generation narrative is no longer to reclaim space, but rather an original paradise and a return to a wild existence exalted by scientific progress.

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SOFT TECH AS A DRIVER OF WELL-BEING As societal crises and tensions reinforce our need to feel at ease in our own homes, cutting-edge technologies are responding with new services inspired by nature and offering a sophisticated version of it. Such is the case with Once Upon a Dream, a capsule room designed by Mathieu Lehanneur for the reopening of Hôtel de Marc. To encourage more restorative sleep, the principle of this ideal room is based on artificial and programmable management of natural day/night cycles. Reflecting this quest for well-being at home, indeed in all the places we occupy in our everyday lives - the office, a hotel room, even the spa - Maison&Objet launched its new ‘’Well-Being & Beauty’’ sector in September 2023, featuring a selection which reconciles feel-good rituals and soft technological innovations to create a cocoon-like feeling at home. Advances in digital technology, smartphones and tablets with ever more functions, 3D printing processes, the exponential growth of AI (Artificial Intelligence), and numerous connected and increasingly intuitive objects, are also supporting service design and mobility, reinforcing this quest for well-being.

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TECHNOPHILE EXPLORERS I N SE A RC H OF U TOPIA

MAISON&OBJET 2024

In a hyper-connected, digitised and physical world where reality and fiction meet, virtual tours and 3D augmented reality glasses go hand in hand with aromatherapy and light therapy, stimulating all five human senses in the hospitality venues of tomorrow. Restaurants designed in welcoming “home-like” decor are re-emerging, while the Savoy Palace’s Laurea Spa offers total immersion in greenery, in imitation of Madeira’s legendary forest. Tomorrow’s consumers are seeking more qualitative experiences, but with great development potential and a resolutely eco-responsible dimension, such as the 3Dprinted hotel project, El Cosmico in Texas, designed in collaboration with BIG, ICON, and Liz Lambert.

16 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

T H R E E A R E A S O F E X P L O R AT I O N , T O D I S C O V E R AT M A I S O N & O B J E T PA R I S TECH EDEN will take place in several different locations, giving expression to its futuristic aesthetics and technological advances, as well as its gentle approach and appetite for a return to biophilia. Venues are becoming hybridised, and their uses more diverse. • The retail, seen through 3 trends More than a simple presentation, the “What’s New? In Retail?” space has evolved into a genuine think-tank for the now omni-channel distribution sector, offering a selection of new products, a programme of workshops and conferences, a café, and a wealth of merchandising ideas. François Delclaux will thus present a space for sourcing, inspiration and exchange, in collaboration with the global design agency BETC. • The home as a soothing cocoon In a post-confinement context, the home, behaviours and practices are being transformed by remote working, opensource technology, and e-commerce. The strong emerging trend in interiors continues: the private residence is regarded as a refuge, a soothing cocoon with a friendly, modular design; the living room becomes an office, while the bathroom is a living room dedicated to well-being. At the show, Elisabeth Leriche’s “What’s New? In Decor” trend space will focus on a fresh approach to interior decoration inspired by the theme of the session and translated into patterns, textiles, installations and immersive décor. • The hospitality sector as an escape pod At the heart of the “Hospitality Lab”, Peclers Paris will offer three biophilic, immersive and future-focused escape pods in its Trends Forum: awakening, active and regenerative. Each of these will embody one of the facets of a hospitality sector that is constantly evolving and offering new approaches to the beneficial getaway experience: the cafe blends into a well-being space, luxury spas pop up in hotel rooms and offer multi-sensory experiences, and waiting locations such as airports or train stations mutate into sports halls thanks to the latest immersive technologies.

M AT H I E U L E HA N N E U R : THE M&O DESIGNER OF THE YEAR 2024 Mathieu Lehanneur (pictured) has been named as “Designer of the Year 2024” by Maison&Objet. At each January edition, this award honours a key personality in the international design and decoration landscape. The uniqueness of Mathieu Lehanneur’s universe, together with the globality of his creative approach, makes this French designer a trailblazer for the design and decoration community. During the January show, Mathieu Lehanneur will have carte blanche to create the scenography for his dedicated space, reflecting his research and career path. He has revealed the name, Outonomy, along with a few other clues.

“ E s c a p e , t a k e o ff , b r e a t h e , l i v e … Th e s e a r e a f e w a c t i o n s t h a t e ff e c t i v e l y s u m up the project that I’ ll present at Ma i s o n & O b j e t i n Ja n u a r y 2 0 2 4 . Wi t h o u t saying too much about it for the moment, the project is based on the idea of independence and freedom, far from all t h e n o i s e a n d t h e d e n s i t y. To w a r d s s o m e other place for inventing and reinventing o n e s e l f . Th e p r o j e c t O u t o n o m y i s a n ecosystem of life, both minimal and o p t i m a l . Th e h i s t o r y o f c i v i l i z a t i o n and architecture is punctuated by attempts, solutions, and proposals for an i s ol ated home : the ig l o o, the cabin , t h e h u t , o r t h e y u r t . Th e c h a l l e n g e h e r e is to combine our needs with current technolog ies. Far f rom being nostalg ic or an attempt to return to the past, Outonomy aims to respond to the question: what do I really need? ” Mathieu Lehanneur

17 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

WORLD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CERAMIC TILES Luca Baraldi, MECS / Acimac Research Centre (l.baraldi@mecs.org)

ECONOMICS

The 11th edition of the publication “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles” produced by MECS / Acimac Research Centre was released last October.

Consisting of almost 300 pages of charts, tables and commentary, the study provides detailed analysis of the trends occurring over the ten-year period to 2022 in terms of industry,

1) As widely anticipated, the general slowdown that began in the second half of last year brought an abrupt halt to the 3) recovery in global tile production, consumption and import-export volumes that had characterised 2020-2021. Inflation, the energy crisis and the cooling of demand following the post-pandemic boom impacted the performance of the global ceramic industry and market, which by the end of 2022 had returned to 2019 levels, while import-export flows were back at 2020 levels. 2) In 2022, world ceramic tile production fell to 16,762 million sqm, 9.7% down from the 18,572 million sqm of 2021. This represented a decrease of 1.8 billion sqm, mainly attributable to China. Production in Asia fell by 11.6% from 4) 13.8 to 12.2 billion sqm, equivalent to 73% of global production, with China contributing a 1.55 billion sqm loss to this decline. Most other areas, however, also saw a contraction. Production in the European continent as a whole fell to 1,908 million sqm (11.4% of world production), dropping by 8.4% in the European Union (to 1,267 million sqm) and by 13.5% in non-EU Europe (641 million sqm), largely as a result of the declines in Turkey and Ukraine. Production in the American continent also fell, dropping to 1,624 million sqm. North America maintained the same levels as in 2021 (378 million sqm; +0.3%), while production in Central and South America fell to 1,246 million sqm, a drop of 8.4%. In marked contrast to other continents, Africa saw an 5) increase in production to 1,037 million sqm in 2022 (+13%),

thanks to gains in Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia. At the same time, world tile consumption dropped from 18,378 to 16,377 million sqm in 2022 (-10.9%). As in the case of production, this contraction extended to all areas with the exception of Africa, which saw 5.4% growth to 1,241 million sqm. In Asia, consumption dropped to 11.6 billion sqm (-12.6%), equivalent to 71% of the world total. In Europe, consumption fell both in European Union countries (1,002 million sqm; -6.3%) and in non-EU Europe (635 million sqm; -11.9%). In the Americas, consumption contracted both in Central and South America (1,241 million sqm; -14.3%) and in North America (580 million sqm; -3.8%). In 2022, world exports declined by 8.1%, losing all of the previous year’s gains and returning to 2020 levels of 2,770 million sqm. Once again, the contraction affected all geographical areas with the sole exception of North America, which saw an increase of 5.8% to 48 million sqm. Asia lost 4.3%, dropping from 1,414 to 1,353 million sqm, equivalent to 48.8% of world exports. European Union exports fell from 1,051 to 965 million sqm (-8.2%), and accounted for 35% of the global total. Exports from non-EU European countries also contracted sharply (from 235 to 174 million sqm; -26%). Exports from Central and South America dropped by 10.2% to 164 million sqm and from Africa by 22.7% to 66 million sqm. As for the export propensity of the various continents or macro-regions, the European Union remained the area

WORLD MANUFACTURING AREAS AREAS EUROPEAN UNION (27)

markets, per capita consumption and export flows in geographical macro-regions and in the 76 largest tile producer, consumer, exporter and importer countries.

WORLD CONSUMPTION AREAS

2022 (Sq.mt Mill.)

% on world production

% var. 22/21

AREAS

2022 (Sq.mt Mill.)

% on world consumption

% var. 22/21

1,267

7.6%

-8.4%

EUROPEAN UNION (27)

1,002

6.1%

-6.3%

635

3.9%

-11.9%

OTHER EUROPE (Turkey included)

641

3.8%

-13.5%

OTHER EUROPE (Turkey included)

NORTH AMERICA (Mexico included)

378

2.3%

0.3%

NORTH AMERICA (Mexico included)

580

3.5%

-3.8%

CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA

1,246

7.4%

-8.4%

CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA

1,241

7.6%

-14.3%

ASIA

12,188

72.7%

-11.6%

ASIA

11,626

71.0%

-12.6%

AFRICA

1,037

6.2%

13.0%

AFRICA

1,242

7.6%

5.4%

OCEANIA

0.0%

OCEANIA

0.3%

-5.6%

TOTAL

16,762

100.0%

-9.7%

TOTAL

16,377

100.0%

-10.9%

18 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 2

One of this year’s new features is an in-depth analysis of the breakdown of import and export volumes for each individual country by product type (porcelain stoneware, single and

double-fired tiles, other materials). Once again this year, the study will be accompanied by the publication of the volume entitled “Ceramic Tile Market Forecast Analysis 2023-2027”,

which provides an updated five-year forecast for the global ceramic tile market.

with the highest export share in 2022 at 76.2% of its proof the country’s installed capacity of 12.56 billion sqm in duction. All the other areas lagged well behind: non-EU 2022. As a result, output volumes fell by 17.5%, from 8,863 Europe exported 27% of its output volumes, North Amerto 7,312 million sqm, or 43.6% of global production. Domestic consumption dropped by 18.5%, from 8,268 to 6,737 ica 12.7%, South America 13.2%, Asia 11% and Africa just million sqm (41% of world tile consumption), highlighting 6.4%. The trend in import/export flows confirms the tendency for tiles to be produced close to markets. the enormous overcapacity present in the country, which Although world exports represented 16.5% of producseems to have reached the end of its period of rapid development driven by population growth and urbanisation. tion and 16.7% of global consumption, 63.4% of this volume consisted of exports shipped within the same geoAccording to the national industry association, around 115 graphical region as that of production (for example, 80.2% Chinese ceramic companies (with a total of 275 production of South America’s exports remained in South Amerilines) closed down between 2020 and 2022. Even exports ca, 81.4% of North America’s exports were sold within the failed to soften the impact, falling for the ninth consecutive NAFTA region, and 72.5% of Asian exports were shipped to year to 579 million sqm in 2022 (-3.6% over 2021), equivalent to 8% of national production and 21% of world exports. other Asian countries). The European Union continued to Last year, the only region where Chinese exports grew was be a partial exception with 46.9% of its exports sold in nonAsia (438 million sqm; +2.7%), which accounted for 75.6% of EU markets. This analysis is confirmed by the fact that the the total. Exports to all other areas declined: -31.5% in Africa shares of world production and consumption tend to be (42 million sqm); -14.4% in Latin America (48.6 million sqm); similar in each continent. Asia accounted for 73% of production and 71% of world consumption, Europe (EU + non-6.9% in Oceania (34 million sqm); -7% in North America (9.9 EU) 11.4% and 10% respectively, the Americas 9.7% and million sqm); -15.5% in the European Union (2 million sqm) 11.1%, and Africa 6.2% and 7.6%. and -28% in the rest of Europe (4.2 million sqm). 6) China the world’s largest producer, consumer and export- 7) In 2022, India maintained its position as the world’s second largest tile producer and consumer country. However, er of ceramic tiles, experienced a severe decline in its production and sales volumes in 2022. According to the China the huge difficulties experienced last year, mostly relating Tabella 1 to the energy crisis and high levels of inflation, had serious Building and Sanitary Ceramics Association, the contraction in domestic and export demand has forced Chinese repercussions in terms of both production and domestic companies to scale back their output to no more than 60% consumption. Smaller and less structured companies (of 17,2

82,8

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2022

WORLD EXPORTING AREAS

(on Total World Consumption)

2022 (Sq.mt Mill.)

% on world exports

% var. 22/21

EUROPEAN UNION (27)

965

34.8%

-8.2%

OTHER EUROPE (Turkey included)

174

6.3%

-26.0%

NORTH AMERICA (Mexico included)

1.7%

5.8%

CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA

164

5.9%

-10.2%

ASIA

1,353

48.8%

-4.3%

AFRICA

2.4%

-22.7%

OCEANIA

0.0%

TOTAL

2,770

100.0%

-8.1%

AREAS

EXPORTS 16,7%

DOMESTIC SALES 83,5%

19 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 2

ECONOMICS

and are projected to exceed 500 million sqm for the full which there are more than 800 in the Morbi district in Gujarat year. Exports to the main markets have grown strongly: alone) were particularly hard hit. Overall, India’s production in UAE (+65%), USA (+57%), Iraq (+6%), Israel (+334%), Mexico 2022 returned to 2020 levels of 2,300 million sqm, down 9.8% (+84%), Kuwait (+20%) and Russia (+190%). If this trend confrom 2,550 million sqm in 2021; the fall in consumption was tinues as expected in the second half of the year, India will even more pronounced at around 1,750 million sqm (-15.4%). again climb the rankings of the major exporting countries According to most local experts and the leading Indian producers, the difficulties of 2022 may be overcome as early as and further close the gap with China. the current year, as gas prices gradually return to more ac- 8) Brazil, the world’s third largest producer and consumceptable levels and construction activity rebounds stronger country, experienced a sharp fall in production in 2022 ly, coupled with an extremely rapid recovery in exports. I n from 1,049 to 927 million sqm (-11.6%) in response to an 2022, India too saw a decline in its exports for the first time in 18.4% reduction in domestic demand, from 902 to 736 million sqm. Exports also fell to 113 million sqm (-12%). The its history as an exporting country, with foreign sales volumes USA remained Brazil’s largest export market with sales dropping from 483 to 422 million sqm (-12.7%), although it retained its position as the third largest exporter in the world. of 20 million sqm (-7%). The value of Brazilian exports India’s exports accounted for 15% of the world total and 18% reached €490 million, with an increase in average price of national production. Like all other exporting countries, Infrom €3.2/sqm to €4.3/sqm. The negative trend contindia’s exports increased in total value, reaching €1,759 million ued throughout the first half of 2023. According to Brazilian customs data, exports fell by 30.3% in volume and (+18%) according to Indian customs data. This corresponds to 29.3% in value in the first six months of this year, compared an increase in average selling price from €3.1/sqm to €4.2/ to the same period in 2022, with declines occurring in all sqm, still one of the lowest prices amongst all the major exporting countries. The ranking of India’s largest export markey markets. kets changed dramatically in 2022 compared to the previ- 9) Spain, the largest producer in Europe and the fifth largous year. The USA became the largest export market with est in the world, produced 500 million sqm in 2022, 14.8% an increase of 38.8% (from 20 to 28 million sqm), followed down on 2021. According to data published by the national trade association Ascer, the country’s consumption by Iraq (25.8 million sqm; -1.3%), the United Arab Emirates (25 fell from 182 to 159 million sqm (-12.6%) and was almost million sqm; +8.2%) and Saudi Arabia, where the duties on entirely covered by domestic production. In 2022, Spain Indian tile imports that were first introduced two years ago maintained its second place in the world exporter councaused sales to plummet by a further 46% to 24 million sqm. try rankings despite a 13% decline in exports from 496 to The fifth largest export market was Nepal (23 million sqm; 422 million sqm, equivalent to 86.2% of national produc+12.5%), followed by Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Thailand and Indonesia. Overall, the Asian continent absorbed 55% of Intion. Spanish producers also increased their selling pricdia’s exports (233 million sqm; -15%), Africa 17% (71.8 million es to compensate for higher production costs (the average price rose from €7.4/sqm to €10/sqm), leading sqm; -7.2%), North America (NAFTA) 10.4% (44 million sqm; to a 17.3% increase in export revenues to €4,303 million. -4%), the European Union 7.9% (33 million sqm; -10.4%), nonFrance maintained its position as the largest export marEU Europe 5.3% (22.4 million sqm; -12.8%) and South America 3.7% (15.5 million sqm; -36.6%). As mentioned, this scenarket by volume (50 million sqm; -2.3%) and the second largio is changing dramatically in 2023. According to Indian cusest in value (€482 million; +20.5%); followed by the USA toms data, in the first half of the current year, Indian exports with 40 million sqm (-18.8%) and a value of €519 million grew by 31.1% in volume (+24.8% in value) to 272.6 million sqm (+16%), the UK (24.7 million sqm; +8.6%), Israel (20.9 million TOP MANUFACTURING COUNTRIES

COUNTRY

2018 (Sq.m Mill.)

2019 (Sq.m Mill.)

2020 (Sq.m Mill.)

2021 (Sq.m Mill.)

2022 (Sq.m Mill.)

% on 2022 world production

% var. 22/21

CHINA

9,011

8,225

8,474

8,863

7,312

43.6%

-17.5%

INDIA

2,011

2,223

2,318

2,550

2,300

13.7%

-9.8%

BRAZIL

872

909

840

1,049

927

5.5%

-11.6%

VIETNAM

602

560

559

554

579

3.5%

4.5%

SPAIN

530

510

488

587

500

3.0%

-14.8%

IRAN

383

398

449

458

480

2.9%

4.8%

ITALY

416

401

344

435

431

2.6%

-0.9%

INDONESIA

383

347

304

410

430

2.6%

4.9%

TURKEY

335

296

370

438

385

2.3%

-12.1%

10.

EGYPT

300

285

340

380

2.3%

11.8%

TOTAL

14,843

14,169

14,431

15,684

13,724

81.9%

-12.5%

TOTAL WORLD

17,430

16,806

17,134

18,572

16,762

100.0%

-9.7%

Source / Fonte: Mecs / Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 11th edition 2023

20 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 2

major exporting countries are included, the figure rises to sqm; -11.4%) and Italy (19.3 million sqm; +18.6%). In terms of 85%. Spain and Italy confirmed their leadership position macro-areas, Europe absorbed 47.6% of Spanish exports in terms of export share, respectively 86% and 83% of naby volume, Asia 18%, Africa 14.7%, North America 11.3% and tional production, compared to 50% for the UAE, 53% for South America 7.7%. The Spanish ceramic tile industry also Poland, 40% for Iran, 33% for Turkey, 18% for India, 14% for suffered a severe decline in exports in the first half of 2023 Mexico, 12% for Brazil and just 8% for China. Italy also maincompared to the same period in 2022 (around -30% in quantity and -19.2% in value), as well as double-digit contractions tained its leadership in terms of average selling price at in all the main markets (including -20.4% in the USA). The on16.8 €/sqm compared to the 10 €/sqm of Spain, the 9.2 ly exception was Italy, where sales rose slightly. €/sqm of Poland and the 8 €/sqm of Turkey. 10) Out of all the major tile producers and exporters, Italy is 12) The rankings of the top producer countries also include Vietnam and Indonesia in the Far East and Iran in the Midwithout question the country that was most successful in dle East, all three of which experienced growth in 2022. reacting to the difficulties of 2022. Production remained virtually stable at the peak 2021 levels with 431 million sqm Production in Vietnam reached 579 million sqm (+4.5%), (-0.9%), as did total sales at 449 million sqm (-1.4%), generdriven by a domestic market of about 505 million sqm. Inating revenue of €7.2 billion (up 16.5% from €6.2 billion in donesia showed a similar trend, with production rising to 2021). Domestic sales rose to 92.7 million sqm (+1.7%) with a 430 million sqm (+4.9%) and consumption to 489 million value of €1.2 billion (+25.6%) and an average price of €12.4/ sqm (+2.3%), partly met by imports (77 million sqm). Iran sqm. Factoring in imports (35 million sqm), domestic conrecorded a 4.8% increase in production (480 million sqm) sumption reached 128 million sqm. As the world’s fourth and a 6% increase in exports (194 million sqm). largest exporter, Italy succeeded in limiting the decline in 13) Turkey, the world’s ninth largest producer and consumer and sixth largest exporter country, recorded falls in 2022 in export volumes to just -2%, equivalent to a fall in volumes both production (down to 385 million sqm; -12%) and dofrom 364 to 356 million sqm. By contrast, it raised its average mestic consumption (260 million sqm; -10.7%). After years selling price from 14.3 €/sqm to 16.8 €/sqm and generated of expansion, exports fell by 17.6% to 127 million sqm, genexport revenues of €6 billion (+14.8%). The Italian ceramic tile erating revenues of €1 billion thanks to an increase in avindustry increased its exports to Asia, Africa and Latin America. By contrast, sales in Europe fell from 258 to 248 million erage price from €5.4/sqm to €8/sqm. Turkey’s exports sqm (69.6% of total exports), of which 215 million sqm was were mainly spread out across three macro-areas: 37% to sold in EU countries (-3.6%). Sales in North America also fell the EU (47.6 million sqm; -11.4%), 22.2% to the NAFTA region (28.3 million sqm; -15.4%), and 21.8% to the Middle by 3 million sqm (45.6 million sqm; -6%). The rankings of Italy’s largest export markets remained unchanged: Germany East and Asia (27.7 million sqm; -22%). The USA remained (62 million sqm; -2.6%), France (51.4 million sqm; -4.5%), the the largest overseas market (22 million sqm; -18.5%), followed by Germany (19.3 million sqm; +2.5%), Israel (15 milUSA (35 million sqm; -2.9%), followed by Austria, Belgium, lion sqm; -17%), and the UK (11 million sqm; -24%). AccordSwitzerland and the Netherlands. By contrast, the figures for ing to Turkish customs data, the country’s exports saw a the first half of 2023 are far from reassuring and maintain the further contraction of around 50% in volume and 39% in first quarter trend, with exports down by around 24% in volume and 15% in value compared to the first half of 2022. value in the first half of 2023. 11) The two Asian giants China and India and the two larg- 14) In 2022, the 10 largest importer countries imported a toest European producers Spain and Italy together accounttal of 1,082 million sqm (-6.1% on 2021) and accounted ed for 64.5% of global exports last year. When the other 6 for 39% of global import/export flows. For most of these TOP CONSUMPTION COUNTRIES

COUNTRY

2018 (Sq.m Mill.)

2019 (Sq.m Mill.)

2020 (Sq.m Mill.)

2021 (Sq.m Mill.)

2022 (Sq.m Mill.)

% on 2022 world consumption

% var. 22/21

CHINA

8,163

7,453

7,859

8,268

6,737

41.1%

-18.5%

INDIA

1,742

1,867

1,884

2,069

1,750

10.7%

-15.4%

BRAZIL

775

802

829

902

736

4.5%

-18.4%

VIETNAM

542

467

440

420

505

3.1%

20.2%

INDONESIA

450

413

357

478

489

3.0%

2.3%

EGYPT

236

239

237

308

368

2.2%

19.5%

USA

289

273

264

289

285

1.7%

-1.4%

SAUDI ARABIA

206

223

284

252

271

1.7%

7.5%

TURKEY

236

185

241

291

260

1.6%

-10.7%

10.

MEXICO

236

238

242

276

257

1.6%

-6.9%

TOTAL

12,875

12,160

12,637

13,553

11,658

71.2%

-14.0%

TOTAL WORLD

17,313

16,642

17,098

18,378

16,377

100.0%

-10.9%

Source / Fonte: Mecs / Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 11th edition 2023

21 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 2

(285 million sqm; -1.4%). A total of 89.4% of US imports originated from the 6 largest supplier countries: Spain (40 million sqm; -18.8%), Italy (35 million sqm; -2.9%), Mexico (33.7 million sqm; +1%), India (28 million sqm; +38.8%), Turkey (22 million sqm; -18.5%) and Brazil (20 million sqm; -7%). Figures provided by the TCNA for the first half of 2023 reveal a continued slowdown: between January and June, tile consumption dropped by 4.7% compared to the first half of 2022 (133.8 million sqm) and imports fell by 6.1% to 92.5 million sqm. In addition, India has now established itself as the largest supplier country to the USA (18.2 million sqm; +57%), followed by Mexico (16.9 million sqm; +5.8%), Spain (16 million sqm; -20.4%), Italy (13.3 ✕ million sqm; -21.9%) and Brazil (8.8 million sqm; -14.5%).

countries, imports met more than 70% of domestic demand, with peaks of 98% in Iraq and 94% in France and Germany. Besides Indonesia and Thailand, another exception was Saudi Arabia, where imports continued to decline (74 million sqm; -29%) in parallel with the sharp growth in local production, which reached 200 million sqm in 2022 (+33%) in response to a 7.5% increase in domestic consumption to 271 million sqm. The biggest exporters to Saudi Arabia in 2022 were the United Arab Emirates (25.6 million sqm), India (24.3 million sqm) and Spain (13.5 million sqm). 15) The USA retained its position firmly at the top of the global tile importer rankings in 2022 despite a 4.8% decline in imports to 205 million sqm, which covered 72% of domestic consumption

COUNTRY

2018 (Sq.m Mill.)

2019 (Sq.m Mill.)

2020 (Sq.m Mill.)

2021 (Sq.m Mill.)

2022 (Sq.m Mill.)

% on 2022 national production

% on 2022 world exports

% var 22/21

value 2022 (million €)

average export price (€/sq.m)

CHINA

854

779

622

601

579

7.9%

20.9%

-3.6%

n.a.

SPAIN

414

415

422

496

431

86.2%

15.6%

-13.1%

4,303

10.0

INDIA

274

359

437

483

422

18.3%

15.2%

-12.7%

1,759

4.2

ITALY

328

323

318

364

356

82.6%

12.9%

-2.1%

5,971

16.8

IRAN

150

162

179

182

194

40.4%

7.0%

6.4%

n.a.

TURKEY

112

132

154

127

33.0%

4.6%

-17.6%

1,015

8.0

BRAZIL

106

101

128

113

12.2%

4.1%

-11.9%

490

4.3

POLAND

52.6%

1.8%

-19.4%

462

9.2

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

50.0%

1.6%

-9.8%

204

4.7

10.

MEXICO

14.5%

1.5%

3.5%

267

6.4

TOTAL

2,356

2,387

2,352

2,558

2,357

18.4%

85.1%

-7.9%

TOTAL WORLD

2,815

2,831

2,771

3,013

2,770

16.5%

100.0%

-8.1%

Source / Fonte: Mecs / Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 11th edition 2023

% on 2022 world imports

TOP IMPORTING COUNTRIES % on 2022 national consumption

ECONOMICS

TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES

% var. 22/21

USA

210

204

197

215

205

71.9%

7.4%

-4.8%

IRAQ

125

138

161

168

173

98.3%

6.2%

3.2%

FRANCE

111

113

114

134

129

94.2%

4.7%

-3.4%

GERMANY

107

111

123

126

94.7%

4.5%

-0.2%

PHILIPPINES

116

107

72.8%

3.9%

-7.4%

INDONESIA

15.7%

2.8%

-9.8%

SAUDI ARABIA

116

126

167

105

27.3%

2.7%

-29.2%

SOUTH KOREA

71.6%

2.5%

-10.3%

THAILAND

33.7%

2.3%

1.6%

10.

GREAT BRITAIN

88.2%

2.2%

-9.4%

TOTAL

1,021

1,036

1,096

1,152

1,082

54.4%

39.1%

-6.1%

TOTAL WORLD

2,815

2,831

2,771

3,013

2,770

16.9%

100.0%

-8.1%

COUNTRY

2018 (Sq.m Mill.)

2019 (Sq.m Mill.)

2020 (Sq.m Mill.)

2021 (Sq.m Mill.)

2022 (Sq.m Mill.)

Source / Fonte: Mecs / Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 11 edition 2023 th

22 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 2

VILLEROY & BO CH: A NEW GIANT IN THE SANITARY WARE INDUSTRY

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

On 18 September, Villeroy & Boch signed an agreement to acquire the operating companies in the Ideal Standard Group. The approximately €600 million deal is expected to be

completed in early 2024. As a result of the acquisition, the Mettlach-based multinational will incorporate a €737 million group (2022 figure) with eight factories.

In the Bathroom & Wellness Division alone, the German multinational will double its revenues from €662 million in 2022 to approximately €1.4 billion. Including the Dining & Lifestyle business, the group’s total turnover will exceed €1.7 billion, compared to €994.5 million in 2022. “This merger means that we will now become a stronger global player in the bathroom sector in terms of turnover and combined expertise,” explains Georg Lörz, CEO Bathroom & Wellness of Villeroy & Boch. “Our complementary strengths also make us more competitive and significantly improve our starting position for achieving additional growth.” Villeroy & Boch is financing the transaction from its own liquid funds and with borrowing of €250 million.

Four of these are located in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, the UK and Egypt and are devoted to ceramic sanitaryware production with an annual output of around 6.5 million

Ideal Standard’s existing loans and financial liabilities are not part of the transaction scope. We met Georg Lörz to find out more about the transaction and the market prospects.

Tile International: You mentioned the complementary strengths of Villeroy & Boch and Ideal Standard. Could you tell us more about them? Georg Lörz: The merger will create a powerful combination of complementary established brand and sales strategies. Villeroy & Boch has a strong geographical basis in Central and Northern Europe as well as in Asia, while Ideal Standard enjoys an excellent reputation with its brand portfolio in the UK, Italy and the Middle East / North Africa region in particular. Diver-

24 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

pieces, while the other four specialise in the production of taps and fittings, shower trays and bathtubs. These eight plants will join the 13 already owned by Villeroy & Boch, five in the sanitaryware

sector (in Germany, France, Hungary, Romania and Thailand) and the others in the bathroom furnishings and tableware sectors. Given the size of the two groups, the acquisition will redraw

sity in terms of market segments is just as important. While Villeroy & Boch’s sales strategy focuses primarily on a high-end private customer base, Ideal Standard possesses special expertise in the project business, including for the public sector, the healthcare sector and for developers of large residential, hotel and commercial properties. In addition, alongside a broad range of ceramic bathroom ware and other products, Ideal Standard comes with an established fittings business, which generated more than a third of its revenue in 2022. Tile International: In announcing the deal, you also mentioned the similarities between the two groups in terms of corporate culture. What were you referring to exactly? G. Lörz: Villeroy & Boch and Ideal Standard are both strong brands steeped in tradition and share similar values. These include a pronounced service orientation, a flair for good design and a constant striving for innovation. Tile International: Are you already considering how to develop specific synergies between the two groups and what technological investments to make at Ideal Standard’s facilities? G. Lörz: We have not yet made any decisions. After the final closing, which is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2024, we will begin the integration phase during which we will clearly outline the plan of action. Tile International: Let’s turn to the market and the current slowdown in demand. What were Villeroy & Boch’s results for the first 9 months of 2023? G. Lörz: The challenging economic environment also affected our results. The group’s consolidated revenue dropped to €650.6 million, a decrease of €77.7 million or 10.7% year-on-year. Adjusting for currency effects, the contraction stood at 8.8%. The negative repercussions also affected our earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), which fell by 11.7% to €56.8 million. This downturn in earnings was primarily due to the re-

the map of the major players in the sanitaryware and bathroom fittings industry and establish the Villeroy & Boch Group as one of the world leaders in the sector.

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

Georg Lörz

duced revenue, although we did manage to partially offset this through cost savings and income from currency hedges.

Tile International: How did you perform in the various geographical areas you operate in?

G. Lörz: Revenue in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa) declined by 13% or €76.4 million. This was largely due to the weak performance in Central Europe, where revenue fell by 13.5% or €32.9 million. By contrast, revenue in Southern Europe increased by 9.6% or €3.1 million. Overseas, revenue in China increased by 13.1% or €8.9 million, thanks chiefly to good project business. This limited the revenue decline in non-EMEA markets to 0.9% or €1.3 million. Tile International: What impact has the construction slowdown in Europe had on your Bathroom & Wellness division? G. Lörz: In the first nine months of this year, the divi-

25 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Tile International: The impact on the Dining & Life-

sion’s nominal revenue stood at €435.8 million, a decline of 13.9% (or 11.5% on a constant currency basis) compared to the strong performance in the same period in 2022. The downturn in revenue was observed in all business areas, but was particularly pronounced in the ceramic sanitaryware business due to the slowdown in Europe’s construction industry and in the wellness business. By contrast, new products such as toilets with new TwistFlush technology met with a positive market response. Outside Europe, as I was saying, we achieved substantial revenue growth in Asia with market-specific products including our ViClean shower toilets in particular. In terms of operating results, the division closed the first nine months of 2023 with an EBIT of €45.7 million, compared to €53.9 million in the previous year. Falling energy prices were only partially able to offset the downturn in earnings.

style division was less severe. Why was this?

G. Lörz: In the first nine months of 2023, the Dining & Lifestyle Division experienced only a modest downturn in revenue, dropping from €219.5 million to €212.3 million, a decline of 3.3% (or 2.7% on a constant currency basis). Our project business, particularly with hotel and restaurant customers, saw a notable growth of €1.6 million. This was a result of our strategic focus on the high-end segment, which has been less affected by the economic slowdown. Additionally, our revenue in retail stores was slightly higher than the previous year, totalling €61.8 million. On the other hand, our e-commerce business faced challenges, aligning with the general trend in online retail, with a downturn in revenue of €8 million. Overall, the Dining & Lifestyle Division ended the first nine months with a satisfactory operating result (EBIT)

26 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

of €12.1 million, similar to that of 2022. Tile International: Could you tell us about your latest investments? G. Lörz: Across the group we invested €24.6 million in the first nine months of 2023, with the Bathroom & Wellness Division accounting for €16.9 million. For example, we installed new pressure casting machines and a photovoltaic system in Hungary, a washbasin pressure casting system in Romania, a new vertical moulding machine in Belgium and new moulds for the wellness plant in the Netherlands. Investment in the Dining & Lifestyle Division mainly related to the modernisation and acquisition of new production facilities and pressing tools in the Merzig and Torgau facilities as well as the modernisation of our own retail stores. For the whole year 2023, our investment forecasts remain unchanged at an expected €50 million. Tile International: How do you expect to close the year 2023? G. Lörz: The market environment continues to be characterised by an unusually high degree of uncertainty due to the continued construction industry crisis and the further rise in interest rates. Adverse effects may also derive from a renewed escalation of trade disputes and political conflict between the US and China. Given the further deterioration of conditions in the European construction industry in the third quarter of 2023 and negative currency effects, we expect to close the year with a reduction in sales of between 3% and 6% and a decrease in EBIT of between 5% and 10%. Based on the revised targets, the return on net operating assets is expected to range between 23% and 25%. Tile International: What are your expectations regarding the future recovery of the sanitaryware industry? G. Lörz: We see the sanitaryware industry as a

global growth market. Structurally, there is still a high demand for living space that needs to be met with production capacities and a corresponding product range in the long term. While we still see challenges at present, we expect the industry to recover from the current situation in the medium term. The bathroom sector is a market in which scale effects will play an increasingly important role in remaining competitive and attracting future investment. For this reason alone, the acquisition of Ideal Standard represents the right strategic step for Villeroy & Boch. Tile International: Besides the integration of Ideal Standard, what other projects will you be focusing on in 2024? G. Lörz: We are focusing above all on our sustainability goals, which include the transition to renewable energy. For example, an existing chamber kiln at the company’s headquarters in Mettlach has been completely converted and can now run on hydrogen. The test phase for this pioneering solution began in November and initially aims to evaluate the effects of hydrogen operation on the colour, quality, and glaze of the sanitaryware. The test results will then form the basis for a possible conversion of other production facilities, including the tunnel kilns for large-scale production. At the same time we are working to electrify the kilns at other sites where a hydrogen connection is not feasible. In the long term, this diversified strategy will result in a sustainable and resilient production network. From a sales and marketing perspective, we launched a program in 2023 that will enable us to follow customers even more closely throughout their purchasing experience and to provide them with the best possible offer. This strong focus on the needs of consumers will continue to be essential after the integration of Ideal Standard. ✕

27 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

PROJECTS

A S C U L P T U R A L P R I VAT E V I L L A I N B U DA P E S T A spectacular, ultra-modern villa, arranged over two floors and surrounded by greenery, stands out for its intense colour contrasts and rigorous geome-

tries, which are the hallmark of both the exterior and the interior, from the bathrooms, to the porticos and the swimming pool

The villa’s ventilated façade, made from Lea Ceramiche tiles from the Absolute collection, gives the exterior a totally balanced colour scheme thanks to the total black solution and the use of Grey Flow from the Waterfall collection, for high visual impact. Inside, the staircase leading to the second floor was made using Waterfall, a collection that draws inspiration from slate, in the colour Dark Flow. The two master bathrooms, meanwhile, showcase the Nest and Delight collections: the former features a series of triangles and hexagons that enabled the designer to invent new aesthetic paradigms, while the latter, thanks to its incredibly realistic marble effect, gives the environment a luxuriously seductive allure, by juxtaposing the white simplicity of Venato Bianco with the depth of Marquina Nero.

Coverings by Cotto d’Este were chosen for three very different environments. The secondary bathroom is adorned with Wonderwall, the exclusive Cotto d’Este project that uses large-format Kerlite panels to reinterpret the decorative effects of wallpaper, in the pattern Color Ballet, whose protagonist is an elegant ballet dancer. The living-room and terrace, meanwhile, provide continuity between the indoor and outdoor environments by means of the X Beton collection in the 14mm-thick version. The collection draws inspiration from rolled concrete, and for this project the designers opted for the colour DOT 50, an elegant light grey that pairs harmoniously with the setting, for an exercise in stylistic understatement that nonetheless retains a personal touch and a character all of its . ✕

28 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

29 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

T H E FR ANK FURT T R A D E FA I R T O W E R In addition to modernising the building infrastructure, planners took into account important aspects of energy efficiency, such as the air conditioning of the 17-meter-high lobby

PROJECTS

The second tallest building in the city of Frankfurt, originally designed by star architect Helmut Jahn, has been extensively renovated 30 years after opening.

At the time it was built, the Trade Fair Tower in the German finance and economy metropolis Frankfurt was the tallest building in Europe with a height of 256 metres. Built in 1988-1990, the tower was originally designed for the Frankfurt Trade Fair. It was intended to meet the increasing demand for office space and serve as an architectural landmark and symbol of the cityscape for the expanding Frankfurt skyline.

2021, succeeded in designing a striking, post-modern skyscraper. Jahn’s expressive concept has a futuristic appearance and is characterised by its clear design language and dynamic lines. The architect was an early adopter of modular design for office spaces and energy-efficient technologies who favoured intelligent building automation systems and modern communication infrastructure. Three decades later, vacant office space and declining public regard of the tower compelled the owners to initiate a “reload” concept.

The iconic architect Helmut Jahn, who died in May

30 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

Matteo Thun included the installation of the surface heating and cooling system BEKOTEC-THERM from Schlüter-Systems.

that extends over an area of more than 1,000 square metres. The remodelling of this area under the direction of the Italian architect and designer

This involved a unique cooperation between the original architect Jahn and the interior designer Matteo Thun. The two men collaborated to develop an architectural and interior concept that would restore the attraction of the Trade Fair Tower, culminating in the redesign of the lobby.

feature welcoming, spacious and open lobbies with areas that are also accessible to the public. Since the Chiara Bruzzichelli thirty-year-old Trade Fair Tower had some catching c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it up to do in this regard, the lobby design became the core of the concept. Another key requirement for the remodelling project, which was implemented in 2022, was to update the infrastructure technology and to achieve a sustainable increase in energy efficiency. This involved expanding the lobby by 600 square metres by moving the lateral tower walls out by four metres. The newly created space with curved 17.5-metre

Tower lobby the core of the remodelling concept Modern office buildings in business cities nowadays

31 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

PROJECTS

special glass panes weighing six tons each turned into an impressive showcase into the interior of the tower. At the same time, this new “openness” offers an equally impressive view of Frankfurt’s skyline and the Trade Fair building, which is more than 100 years old.

there was not much space available to install the heating system, screed and the desired ceramic tiles”. Since the floor had to be renovated during ongoing operation, the lobby was divided into four sections (of about 275 square metres each), which were processed successively. HG skilfully orchestrated the work to ensure that the installation of dry flooring, the BEKOTEC-THERM floor heating system (incl. supply lines) as well as the 25mm screed cover only took two days. This enabled the next contractor, Kaiser & Co. Naturstein from Mühlheim/Main, to begin the floor covering work on the third day. “We started by adhering the Schlüter-DITRA mat over the screed to create a consistent surface without expansion joints”, explains Marcus Kaiser, Managing Director of Kaiser & Co. Naturstein GmbH. The material is ideally suited for uncoupling, waterproofing, load distribution and for creating a perfect bonded assembly, especially when laying large natural stone pavers. Schlüter-DITRA is a polypropylene membrane with integrated gridlines as well as square, dovetailed recesses and an absorbent anchoring ﬂeece laminated to the underside. DITRA is an integral part of the BEKOTEC-THERM assembly if ceramic tiles or natural stone slabs are to be installed.

Implementation construction during ongoing operation The expansion of the lobby involved levelling different floor sections that originally had a height discrepancy of approx. 400 mm. This was made possible by a dry hollow floor system installed by HG-Fussbodensysteme from Heinrichsthal, Germany. At the same time, the entire lobby was to be equipped with a modern, energy-efficient water-based floor heating and cooling system. The new installation was to replace the conventional heating system, which had previously occupied an entire storey with its fittings. “We have been working with the Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM system for several years and have had excellent experiences with the system, especially in renovation projects,” explains Steffen Hein, Managing Director of HG-Fussbodensysteme. “The low assembly height of the product was particularly important since

32 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

Thanks to this efficient preparatory work, the installation of the limestone (white pearl, polished) selected by Matteo Thun and the cream-coloured oak parquet (Bauwerk) in the lounge areas proceeded quickly enough to minimise the impact on the tower business operations. Since the installation also included the interior floor of the elevator hall, the project involved over 1,000 square metres of natural stone.

BEKOTEC-THERM – less is more The review and planning of technical details in ambitious architectural designs is a challenging task in such projects that happens behind the scenes. As the global market leader for tried and tested system solutions for installing tiles and natural stone, Schlüter-Systems was pleased to take on this re-

33 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

sponsibility. “We worked with the project developers for months advise on the feasibility of the desired design and to come up with the final solution that our partners HG and Kaiser have now carried out with such skill”, recounts Burkhard Voß, who oversaw the technical implementation of the project. He has been responsible for the BEKOTEC and BEKOTEC-THERM technology at Schlüter-Systems for 20 years. As a crowning achievement, the floor assembly between the new hollow floor and the existing concrete slab was levelled in such a way that no expansion joints were needed. This was further complicated by the fact that the physical properties of the natural stone and parquet also had to be taken into account in

PROJECTS

planning and calculation. “BEKOTEC is short for “covering assembly technology” and that’s the key, both in residential construction and in projects such as the Frankfurt Trade Fair Tower”, says Voß. “We always analyse projects in every detail, from the perspectives of all trades. This is the best way to come up with valid solutions, as we did here.” The building owners were not just impressed with the technical implementation, but also appreciated the substantial energy efficiency of the new heating system. Operators can expect energy savings of about 10% compared to conventional floor heating systems in the future. These savings are associated with the considerably smaller amount of screed to be heated,

34 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

which also contributes to the dynamic responsiveness of the system. The renovation has therefore not just made the Trade Fair Tower more cosmopolitan, glamorous and postmodern – it is also more sustainable. In addition to the lobby, the BEKOTEC-THERM system was installed in other areas such as the Asian-European business restaurant “M.Tower” located on the ground floor. People in Frankfurt are excited to see their iconic tower upgraded and ready for the future. With renewed interest in tenancy, the tower is truly making a comeback more than 30 years after its opening. ✕

35 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

A SWIMMING PO OL I N B E V E R LY H I L L S Southern California, with its iconically picturesque Pacific coastline, plays host to a string of high-end, custom-designed houses, which combine luxury

aesthetics with high-performance technologies, to offer outstanding levels of comfort and well-being, both indoors and out.

The star of the show here is a glass-mosaic infinity pool on the rear terrace, built with technical prowess and precision by Rock Solid Tile, Inc., which chose LATICRETE® products to achieve an impeccable result. Thanks to the excellent quality, speed of application and final effect of the materials supplied by the American multinational, the team of highly qualified installers achieved all its aims, while delivering a master-class in the delicate art of installing a glass tile covering in a large swimming pool.

erly Hills, the construction team had a series of hurdles to overcome before they could give the owner exactly what they wanted. First of all, it became clear that a previous renovation of the existing pool had been poorly executed, giving rise to serious problems of water infiltration linked with the perimeter overflow system. The design scheme needed to be modified because it was simply incompatible with the architecture of the property, but the major issue of water intrusion added an extra layer of difficulty to this process. The circular steps and radius coves of the previous design were a mismatch for the hard-angled, rectangular geometry of the house. The steps were re-de-

Technical challenges and innovative materials

PROJECTS

When it came to remodelling the Cahn pool in Bev-

36 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

More and more often, the outdoor areas are the real distinguishing feature of this latest generation of cutting-edge residences.

A good example can be found in the extensive grounds surrounding a private villa with panoramic views over the undulating scenery of Beverly Hills.

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

signed to look like a stack of cubes and the pattern was repeated with rectangular tiles for the pool surround and brick-patterned glass mosaic tiles to create a harmonious whole. Once the rear terrace had been dismantled and was ready to take on its new look, Rock Solid Tile used various innovative products from LATICRETE to install 278m2 of porcelain tile for the pool surround and an-

other 176m2 of glass mosaics for the inside of the pool and the four rectangular support columns. One of the materials that made the biggest contribution to the success of the project was LATICRETE® HYDRO BAN®, which is ideal for waterproofing surfaces and protecting them against fracture. It is the first product of its kind not to require the use of reinforcing fabric in the field, coves or corners, thus saving considerable amounts of PHOTOS BY DANNY FULGENCIO

37 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

PROJECTS

time and labour for tile and stone contractors. This feature alone was an incredible breakthrough for the industry, but LATICRETE HYDRO BAN® also bonds directly to PVC and metal plumbing fixtures, eliminating the time-consuming task of tying out traditional waterproofing membranes to each drain and pipe inlet in the project. What’s more, it can be flood-tested in just two hours at 70°F (20°C) and higher, which is an outstandingly short time-frame that can cut entire days off the project schedule. Thanks to these attributes, LATICRETE HYDRO BAN® enables contractors to submit far more competitive bids, not just for glass mosaic pools, but for any kind of building project. The product is ideal for any installation of tile and stone that requires a waterproofing membrane.

then sealed all the drains and pipe inlets with LATAPOXY® WATERPROOFING FLASHING MORTAR, a three-component epoxy mortar that can be worked like a cement mortar, to ensure total water-tightness at these critical points. Next, they used rollers – and brushes in certain areas – to apply two coats of LATICRETE HYDRO BAN® over the entire pool shell, to ensure waterproofing and protection against fractures. To set the 2”x4” quartz-coloured mosaics, by Mirage Spectra, on the inside of the pool, the contractors opted for white LATICRETE 254 PLATINUM, which offers high strength and first-class workability, making it ideal for thin-set installation of glass tiles in swimming pools. They then finished off the job with LATICRETE SPECTRALOCK® PRO PREMIUM GROUT. Thanks to its unmatched colour uniformity, durability, stain-resistance and unrivalled ease of use for an epoxy product, LATICRETE SPECTRALOCK® PRO PREMIUM GROUT, in the colour Latte, was the ideal pairing for the delicately quartz-coloured mosaics of the Cahn Pool installation.

Products and processes The Rock Solid Tile team first pressure-washed the shell to remove any debris. Before proceeding, they

38 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

LATICRETE SPECTRALOCK® PRO PREMIUM GROUT is tough, durable, stain-resistant and crack-resistant, and has a long open-time, of up to 80 minutes at 70°F (20°C)

LATICRETE 254 PLATINUM thin-set, which far exceeds ANSI A118.4 and A118.11 requirements. Lastly, thanks to the range of 52 colours offered by patented LATICRETE SPECTRALOCK® PRO PREMIUM GROUT, the installation team found the right colour-match for the pool-side porcelain tile: colour 35, Moka. LATICRETE SPECTRALOCK® PRO PREMIUM GROUT inhibits the growth of stain-causing mould and mildew in the grout joints, thanks to Microban® anti-microbial product protection. This epoxy-based grout outperforms similar cement-based products and is quicker and easier to clean, especially if exposed to direct sunlight in outdoor installations with glass mosaic coverings. ✕

Once they had completed the pool itself, the Rock Solid Tile team finished off the project by installing 12”x24” (30.5cm x 61cm) Tecno porcelain tiles on the pool surround, in a staggered, rectangular pattern better suited to the design of the property. Using the same installation methods and materials from LATICRETE®, they then used rollers to apply two coats of LATICRETE HYDRO BAN® for waterproofing and anti-fracture protection up to the industry standard of 1/8” (3mm). Next, they set the tiles, in the colour Torta, using

39 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

PHOTONEWS

40 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 3 / 2 0 2 3

COOKINGRAK FOR MASSIMO BOTTURA To make cooking an intuitive, safe and enjoyable experience, RAK Ceramics presents CookingRAK, a unique invisible induction cooktop designed to create a multifunctional kitchen space, perfect for everyday use. CookingRAK is food-safe and easy to clean. It was developed for exclusive use with 14.5 mm thick 135.5x305 cm Maximus porcelain stoneware slabs that are heat and scratch resistant and are made of non-porous material that will not host mould and bacteria. Pioneering the use of the new system is the 3 Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura, who has chosen it for his new adventure in the Emilia-Romagna countryside (Italy) “Al Gatto Verde”, the restaurant located in the recently restored courtyard of Acetaia Maria Luigia, which now houses 1400 barrels of traditional balsamic vinegar dating back to the years from 1910 to 1980 alongside contemporary artworks. In the kitchen of restaurant of Casa Maria Luigia the countertops with invisible induction burners consist of high-performance Maximus slabs, which, thanks to an innovative system, make it possible to prepare food, and cook and dine in the same space, under the banner of conviviality with persons of different outlooks and cultures.

Worktop surfaces: Maximus Collection This new innovative system makes use of the Maximus Countertop collection by RAK Ceramics, which represents a new generation of large-format, versatile and highly technical tiles, ideal for kitchen worktops in residential and commercial environments. The collection of slabs, in sizes of cm 144x310 in 14.5mm and cm 120x280 in 6mm, presents numerous variations, finishes and colors - from elegant white, black and blue shades, to warm natural colors - to satisfy any stylistic need and furnish environments, both minimal and moder«n and sophisticated and exotic, with graphics that draw inspiration from the veins of marble, the colors of natural stones, the materiality of concrete and the transparencies of quartz and other visual suggestions. No detail is left to chance and it is also possible to customize the edge of each slab, an element that is anything but secondary, capable of completing and defining the style of each shelf. What differentiates Maximus sheets on the market is their high resistance to heat, frost, temperature changes, scratches and breaking load. Furthermore, these are non-porous surfaces, which prevent the deposit of dust or residues, and are therefore extremely hygienic and easy to clean, a peculiarity which is also the basis of the CookingRAK hidden induction hob.

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D E C O R AT O R I B A S S A N E S I

W H AT ’ S N E W ?

The endless blowing of the wind, and the ripples, trails and swirls it leaves behind when it passes over water, rice fields and grasslands, are the inspiration for Windy, a collection spawned by a synergy between the creativity of Oki Sato, the founder and Chief Designer of Nendo, a renowned design firm, and the ceramic production technique of Bassano del Grappa, where Decoratori Bassanesi was established in 1988. Unlike other ceramic techniques, which add colours and motifs to a pre-made base using glazes, this method blends the colours directly into the clay and decorates its surface with three-dimensional relief patterns. Windy was made according to this method, using chisels, drills and bits of different shapes and sizes to cut grooves into the smooth surface and explore how subtle differences in the cross-section and depth of the grooves change the perception of light and shade. The collection was made with 2.6mm grooves, with sharp edges that soften into elegant, flowing curves. An additional sense of depth was achieved by combining two different groove depths – 0.25mm and 0.6mm – and then applying them in four patterns that pan out into straight and curved borders. The collection consists of four different graphic designs that can be combined with each other, and is available in four different colours, with a neutral, minimalist feel.

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RAIMONDI “RLS S.O.S” is the first snap-off levelling system designed to enable you to complete the tile levelling process in the event of accidental breakage of one of the clips in the “main system”. When using any levelling system, whether wedge-type or screw-type, you may find that one of the clips breaks while you are tightening the wedge or cap, depending on what type of system you are using. It is normal practice to use at least two clips, but often three or more, on the same tile. So if, for example, the last clip you put in breaks, there are only two things you can do: you can either give up trying to level the tile at that point (but this is going to be a serious problem if you are working with a 100x300cm large-format panel, for example) or you can remove all the clips that you have already put in and tightened. “RLS S.O.S.” solves this problem and enables you to finish levelling the tile without having to remove the clips you have already fitted. You insert the S.O.S. clip into the joint (minimum 1.5 mm), you turn it and tighten the cap to complete the levelling process. Once the adhesive is fully set, you remove the clip by simply snapping it off like the clip of any ordinary levelling system. This gives the “RLS S.O.S.” system countless advantages over other potential solutions: it is quick and simple to use, it can be removed even when the adhesive has fully set, and there is no risk of chipping the tiles. But that is not all: “RLS S.O.S” also ensures that you will never damage the surface of even the most delicate tiles. This is because it comes supplied with the exclusive patented Raimondi two-component protection ring, which prevents any rubbing on the tile, without compromising ease of use or ergonomics. “RLS S.O.S.” is supplied in kits containing 100 clips, 30 caps and 30 protection rings or in a refill version with a blister-pack of 130 clips. “RLS S.O.S.” can also be used if you want to add an extra clip later on (but before the adhesive sets, of course) to perfect the levelling of the tile.

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FUSTECMA FUSTECMA with the support of the Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial (Ivace) and Feder Funds presents a large-capacity display system developed by its outstanding technical department. This system completely redefines the presentation of ceramic collections, by introducing large format panels with motorized automation, offers an experience of visualization of all the pieces in the series, and awakens creativity.

W H AT ’ S N E W ?

The jewel in the crown of TEHNIK I-MAX is its size and large volume, being able to move weights above the standard, and the ability to automate the presentation of the ceramic pieces by means of motorized panels. With a simple push of a button or the use of a remote control, the panels can be removed and hidden, revealing the selected product in all its magnificence. There is no longer any need for great manual effort and awkward movements to present the pieces, as this elegant and efficient system takes care of the heavy lifting. The FUSTECMA display system goes further. To maximize adaptability, the size of the display is customized according to the space available, taking into account certain height restrictions that guarantee safety and aesthetics. This feature ensures that the ceramic pieces are optimally presented in various environments, showrooms, retail shops, etc... Furthermore, FUSTECMA has incorporated an interactive touch screen. Thanks to customized software, this screen allows viewers to explore the technical features of the product and visualize the different environments. This integration adds significant added value to the experience, allowing customers to immerse themselves in the history and functionality of each product. What sets this display system apart from others is its ability to gather valuable information about customer usability. Through detailed statistics and customized reporting, FUSTECMA provides key information that can influence future design and presentation decisions.

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ISVEA

“Fluido” series, the brand new product of ISVEA x Artisan Collection, brings a neo-classical elegance to modern bathrooms, providing a perfect balance between the intricacies of classical period Italian design and calmness of nature. Designed by our newest design partner, Milan-based design studio JDDS (Jean David Damonte Design Studio), Fluido focuses on creating a natural balance in the bathroom, inspired by the simple and fluid lines of nature that avoid sharp lines. While the Fluido sanitary ware family offers flexibility in terms of space usage and aesthetics with its countertop basin options of 47 and 60 cm in two different sizes, it offers superior hygiene and ease of cleaning with the wall-mounted toilet, fitted with Ultimate Flush technology, which completes the series. ISVEA x tech @2023 Ultimate Flush technology offers an im-

pressive cleaning experience similar to “waterfall” through flow of water in a special form. In Ultimate Flush Technology, which allows water to pour slowly from a larger area, water scans the walls of the toilet in a circular motion using a special design and flow control, leaving no area unreached. Owing to its special flow control, it offers a quieter and more comfortable bathroom experience. Fludio Series, coming with color alternatives from Colorisvea Color Palette such as Matte white, Ivory, Mink and Matte Black provides the user with liberty of choice for one’s dream bathroom. Fluido, bringing together calmness of nature and neo-classical elegance, combines quest for style and comfort. Fluido, where Italian gusto comes together with the natural flow of nature, makes the moments spent in the bathroom special.

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W H AT ’ S N E W ?

MARAZZI

The Luz collection of small-format indoor wall tiles, made of porcelain stoneware finished with a high-gloss glaze, reprises the aesthetics of hand-glazed tile. As with all the products in the Crogiolo range, the artisanal appearance of the original tile is replicated by means of an industrial production process. The collection stands out for its semi-contoured edges – a recent innovation that gives the surface of each piece a slight irregularity – while the bottom edges remain straight, so that the tiles have a hand-crafted but nonetheless perfect look once installed.

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PROGRESS PROFILES Driven by the constant search for innovation to anticipate the needs of installers and users, Progress Profiles has developed a new version of the PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 5 SYSTEM, the electrical heating system that combines functionality and design, with improved membrane geometry and performance. The company has patented this electrical heating system, which is available in two thicknesses and is ideal for both floors and coverings. Placed only where it is needed, it eliminates the need for radiators, providing immediate comfort in selected areas and guaranteeing significant energy savings over time. PRODESO® HEAT GRIP SYSTEM can also be powered by renewable energy sources, meeting the demands of consumers who are increasingly aware of the responsible use of resources. The PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 5 SYSTEM consists of PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 5 MEMBRANE, PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 5 CABLE, and PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 5 THERMOSTAT KIT. The membrane has been completely renovated in its geometry to improve its performance with respect to the previous version: extremely thin, it combines a thickness of only 5.5 mm with uncoupling and waterproofing properties, allowing it to be installed on cracked supports or still in the hygrometric withdrawal phase. Easy and quick to install, it also has the advantage of reducing construction times, making it easier to carry out even the most complex renovations. The system is available in the PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 5 STICK self-adhesive version for perfect results on existing floors, plywood or metal. The same elements are found in the PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 8 SYSTEM. The polyethylene membrane, 8.5 mm thick, has a thermowelded polypropylene non-woven fabric on the back side to ensure that it is fixed to the support. Its geometry guarantees perfect anchoring of the heating cable and very high resistance to floor tearing, while the latest generation cables are made up of resistances in parallel circuit, 60 cm long, that, if damaged, do not interrupt the entire system’s heat transmission. The PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 8 SYSTEM is suitable for large spaces such as saunas and swimming pools thanks to its 157.80 metre long cables. Finally, the high-tech digital thermostat connects directly to Android or Apple devices via WiFi, allowing the system to be switched on, off and adjusted remotely from a smartphone or tablet.

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W H AT ’ S N E W ?

THEIA

This hand-made line of Portuguese tiles offers endless possibilities for the tiling of contemporary interiors. Made of terracotta – a simple, environmentally-friendly material – each piece is pressed, fired and painted using time-honoured techniques, to create an authentic, highly decorative product. Designed by Studiopepe for Theia, the Mar Di collection draws inspiration from the movement of the sea and its waves, while taking a wider view, encompassing the theme of travel and exploration more broadly. The study of form culminates in four models, whose surfaces interact differently with the light as it strikes them.

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SCH LÜTE R SYSTE M S The company presents intelligent system solutions for sustainable and energy-efficient heating as well as new interior and exterior design options. Schlüter-BARA profiles in the new colour choice anthracite grey and additional profiles that can now be ordered in brilliant white and black brown give professional tile installers further finishing profile options for balconies and terraces. Customers can also specify the colour of various BARA profiles with the MyDesign by Schlüter-Systems programme. The product range offers the right assembly type for all outdoor spaces to give designers, installers and home owners maximum choice. Moreover, the floor and wall heating systems from Schlüter-Systems create new opportunities for tile installers – especially in conjunction with renewable energy sources like heat pumps. There are various assemblies of the thin-layer floor heating system Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM along with the electric floor and wall heating system Schlüter-DITRAHEAT-E. Both generate pleasant warmth in little time due to their thin assembly and intelligent, low-energy design. In addition, Schlüter-Systems introduces a new heating cable for the floor and wall heating assembly that enables the electrical system to unfold its full potential, especially in energy-efficient buildings. Another novelty presented by the company concerns the implementation of the MyDesign programme with a further attractive component: custom-made digitally printed profiles. This option enables customers to match edge protection profiles to a tile pattern or to set intentional accents in a skirting or border, for example with designs or logos. The Iserlohn-based company presents also the Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD-W, an innovative solution for creating custom vanities according to individual specifications. The component can be cut to size as needed and can be installed, e.g., in niches or with optionally available wall fixed units for a floating installation below wall fittings.

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W H AT ’ S N E W ?

TOP CER

To the large TopCer collection of Victorian Designs and Borders ceramic tiles, supplied in modular sheets back mesh mounted, has recently been added the following new patterns: Cambridge, Cardiff, Sevenoaks, Orpington, Brisbane and Warsaw. Attractive patterns, textures and finishing pieces allow them for

endless use in all types of walls and floors, especially very demanding ones where the requirements have very high standards such as: high resistance to breakage, wear, anti-slip properties, resistance to acids and frost.

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A “MEMPHIS TWIST ” H O U S E I N L AU R E N T I D E S Attracted by the disruptive design approach of Studio Jean Verville Architectes, two eccentric clients with a passion for 1980s Italian art and design invited the team of architects to design and shape a forest

refuge for them: a home-studio capable of embracing everyday life with extravagant energy. The challenge was a perfect match for the philosophy of the Canadian firm.

The futuristic design has spawned a bespoke alternative universe tailored to the tastes of the home-owners. Conceived in a spirit of playfulness, it was developed with mathematical and architectural rigour. Going by the name “MEV”, the house draws upon juxtapositions of geometries and colours under the rebellious influence of Italy’s Memphis design movement, which was the antithesis of the monotony and monochromatic design of its time. Studded with allusions to that vibrant historical period, the concept celebrates originality with a system of contrasting expressive relationships, which none-

theless reflect the personality of the clients. The stark contrast between the black cladding of the façade and the use of bright, playful tones inside is a good example of this. But the real extravagance appears indoors, where volumes and materials develop and alternate with each other in a sparkling succession of colours. Organic style An important eco-region lying between Canada and the United States and a quintessential escape from civilisation, the Laurentian Forest plays host to this

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Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

*Materials used Ceramic tiles: Margherita tiles by Nathalie du Pasquier, Mutina Exterior wood cladding: Maibec

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home-studio on a strip of land that has remained out of reach and hence unspoilt. To help it blend into its natural setting as inconspicuously as possible, the building has an organic, curvilinear shape and a roughhewn appearance, clad in dark-coloured, high-performance wood laths that make it look like part of the surrounding woodland. The relationship between the interior and the forest scenery is uninterrupted: on the south frontage, for example, the linear layout of the rooms provides a constant view of the landscape and the adjacent watercourse. On the north side, two Chiara Bruzzichelli separate volumes, connectedc.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it by a fully glazed entrance, have the appearance of a long façade joined by a uniform cladding. While a strict logic of maximum functionality and simplicity, as in a Boolean diagram, prompted the architects to dispense with the traditional concept of a roof, the view from above is defined by a shift in the axis of the ridge, which animates the silhouette of the roof and the entire building. This introduces a captivating new complexity to the architecture, which plays with visual perceptions, textures, colours and materials, while also making use of natural light to create kaleidoscopic reflections. ✕

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13.10 B O U T I Q U E R E S TAU R A N T The italian designer Serena Confalonieri signs the interior project of a 25-seat boutique restaurant close to Milan. The concept behind “13.10 Ristorante” combines the

designer’s ironic and colorful stylistic approach with chef Marcello Passoni’s gastronomic philosophy that includes Km0 ingredients and cultural influences from all over the world.

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The project aims to convey a domestic feeling, to give customers the idea of eating out but feeling a little at home, and to put them at ease. The restaurant is located inside a courtyard, and welcomes the guests

in an intimate space, thanks to a rational but Chiara Bruzzichelli informal division of spaces. Thec.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it warm and convivial interior settings are characterized by vivid and, at the same time, natural shades that recall the kitchen’s ingredients,

Photo credit: Matteo Imbriani

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Serena Confalonieri

eclectic and lively patterns, bright and romantic colors, refined furnitures and bespoke pieces. The designer decided to involve some prestigious companies in the furniture sector, that decided to be part of the project with their products and some customized elements. Among the main partners, HD Surfaces took care of the walls and ceiling finishings, while Ceramiche Cielo supplied the bathroom furnishings. A series of products designed by Serena Confalonieri herself are also present: Carnival wallpaper designed for Wall & Decò that has been chosen for the bathroom, Stilla mirror

designed for Potocco, Kyma tableware collection designed for Sambonet, the custom rug by Besana Carpet Lab designed specifically for 13.10 Ristorante. As partners Serena worked with Florim that supplied the ceramic coverings, Servomuto and MM Lampadari, respectively for suspension lamps and appliques, Fratelli Levaggi producers of the typical handcrafted Chiavarine chairs. The designer also chose to include in the project some of her products, such as Scott jacquard fabric designed for L’Opificio and Archie table designed for Medulum. ✕

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Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

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M AT E R I A L S F O R ARCHITECTURE A B E T L A M I N AT I | M A R E N O S T R U M The “Mare Nostrum” collection of coverings designed by Matteo Ragni for Abet, a leading manufacturer of decorative laminates, features six digitally printed patterns, each in four colours inspired by the alluring tones of earth and ocean. Papersail is an iconic depiction of a sailing boat, dedicated to the freedom of a life spent at sea, cradled by the waves. Islands features equidistant concentric figures, evoking nautical charts and their references to seabed depths. Fetch represents the stretch of sea over which the wind blows unobstructed and whose length determines the size of the waves. Net is an imaginative grid drawn on the surface of a plane, which connects points and thoughts like the squares on a sheet of paper. Octopus draws inspiration from the suckers on the tentacles of an octopus, to create an irregular decorative motif and a three-dimensional chromatic gradient. Shark interprets the unique structure of shark-skin to generate intriguing three-dimensional effects. The distinctive features of this texture-oriented line celebrating the beauty of natural elements, however, amount to more than just eye-catching, on-trend design; they also embody strong green credentials. Mare Nostrum uses “Re-Abet”, a laminate made entirely of recycled Kraft paper, which the company developed as the culmination of a pathway aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its products. Abet’s constant commitment to the research and development of materials that transcend their conventional counterparts gives rise to durable, high-quality architectural surfaces that maintain their characteristics over time.

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DE CASTELLI | LOSANGA When used as a covering material, metal gives architecture a second skin in a rich palette of iridescent tones, oxidised effects and deep colours. It’s a skin with a uniquely artistic connotation, emphasised by the geometric elegance of rigorous patterns and animated by continuous variations in shape and thickness. De Castelli coverings introduce a decorative dimension that shuns artifice and showcases the material. Designed by Nikita Bettoni, “Losanga” butt-joint mosaic is the essence of contemporary elegance, with its signature rhomboid design. Its two- or three-piece configuration gives rise to complex patterns, embellished by the nuances of the DeLabré finish, which creates an optical illusion of three-dimensionality. The brass, copper and stainless steel mosaic pieces are pre-assembled on fibreglass mesh to form tiles, which are suitable for both wall and floor installation.

ORGANOID® | ALMWIESN LIGHT Organoid® surfaces are the result of painstaking research into natural raw materials, mainly hay and flowers, in the Austrian region of Tyrol. Distributed on the Italian market exclusively by Piva Wood, this partly “experiential” covering material takes a multi-sensory approach, based on its outstanding visual, tactile and olfactory qualities. A prime example is Almwiesn Light, a wallpaper made of natural Alpine hay and colourful, fragrant petals from a range of flowers including heather, sunflowers, lavender and roses. Its biophilic composition is designed to enhance indoor well-being and reduce CO2 levels in the room where it is used. The linen backing, made from natural components certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, has properties that enable it to regulate temperature and humidity, while also reducing noise levels. Flexible and environmentally-friendly, this material is light-permeable and suitable for a wide variety of interior design applications.

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I N K I OSTRO B IAN CO | FLOW LATOxLATO, the design workshop of Francesco Breganze de Capnist and Virginia Valentini, has collaborated with Inkiostro Bianco, the specialist in artistic decorative coverings, to create an evocative wallpaper with a metaphysical character. The protagonists of Flow are urban visions that envelop interiors in a rarefied, dreamlike atmosphere with a strong sense of motion. Fluid, rhythmic shapes and colours are the hallmark of this original interpretation of wallpaper. The common thread joining the four subjects is their reflection on the relationship between interior and exterior in architecture. The graphics of Archscape and Metropolis evoke the city from the perspective of those who prefer to view it from afar, from within their own homes, without venturing too close. It features volumes, staircases, windows, lights and shadows projected onto the walls of buildings, in a frenetic and yet almost mystical, dream-state metropolis. Bossage and Coffer Mania, meanwhile, invite the viewer to draw closer. The experience is like strolling through city streets, spotting a lamp glowing in an upstairs room and giving free rein to fantastical, intangible imaginings of what the interior looks like and the lives of the people who live there.

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B E R R YA L L O C | O C E A N + Ocean+ laminate floorboards by the Belgian brand are tested to ensure long life and water resistance. As well as withstanding impacts, scratches and heavy loads, the boards are completely stable, do not fade as a result of exposure to sunlight, are fully stain-resistant and have a wear-resistance rating of up to 33/AC5, making them suitable even for high-traffic commercial environments. Furthermore, a special water-repellent coating is applied to every side of each individual floorboard, in order to repel liquids not only from the surface, but also at the joints and fastenings. This technology, known as Hydro+, makes the laminate completely water-resistant and much more durable over time, because water, moisture, and any other type of liquid is locked out and cannot penetrate the floorboards in any way. A selection of Hydro+ accessories is also available to protect the flooring where it meets walls and thresholds. These enable the floorboards to expand regularly while retaining their water-repellence. Ocean+ laminates are available in 50 different decorative patterns. In addition to the many wood-effect products, the collection also includes a surface that replicates the look and feel of natural stone.

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Brazilian exhibition of coverings, sanitary ware, faucets and finishing materials

IMAGINE YOUR SPACE

Imagine a space where your inspiration can run free. A world that tells your own story, every single day.

At RAK Ceramics we help create the perfect living space, for you and your loved ones.

Imagine your space. RAKCERAMICS.COM

www.progressprofiles.com

A New evolution with the goal of flexibility, innovation and energy efficiency. PATE N

TED

DIGITAL WI-FI

PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 5 & 8 SYSTEM PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 5 and PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 8 are floor and wall heating systems with electric heating cables. Both systems are composed of a polyethylene membrane, electric cables of various lengths, a touch screen and wi-fi thermostat. The membranes, uncoupling, waterproofing and

UNCOUPLING

WATERPROOFING

VAPOR MANAGEMENT

LOAD DISTRIBUTION

vapour management with thickness 8.5 and 5.5 mm, guarantee a correct anchoring of the heating cable. The latest generation thermostat, touch screen and wi-fi, allows personalized programming even remotely. The 5.5 mm membrane is also available in the adhesive version “PRODESO® HEAT GRIP 5 STICK”.

Progress Profiles SpA

Certified Company UNI EN ISO 9001:2015