Tile International 2/2022

The perfect system for waterproofing and draining your terraces

PRODESO DRAIN SYSTEM PROTERRACE DOUBLE DRIP SYSTEM

PRODESO® DRAIN SYSTEM & PROTERRACE DOUBLE DRIP SYSTEM

Thanks to PRODESO® DRAIN MEMBRANE and PROTERRACE DOUBLE DRIP, PROGRESS PROFILES has patented a new system capable of combining a correct uncoupling, a safe waterproofing and drainage with a right runoff of rainwater. PRODESO® DRAIN is a draining, uncoupling and waterproofing membrane that helps the drying of the undertile adhesive and inhibits the formation of efflorescence and triacetate ascents. It also guarantees long life for flooring. PROTERRACE DOUBLE DRIP is a drip profile that protects the edges of the tiles, prevents water filtration inside the screed and ensures proper outflow of rainwater. Two systems of excellence that combined enhance and protect quality exteriors and restore full livability, in ideal continuity with the internal environments.

Schlüter ®-KERDI-LINE-VARIO

Flexibel. Clever. Schön.

Flexible. Intelligent. Elegant.

Entdecken Sie die nächste Generation der Linienentwässerung: Mit Schlüter-KERDI-LINE-VARIO kombinieren wir leistungsstarke KERDI-Entwässerungstechnik mit eleganten Profilen im Schlüter-Design. Das neu gedachte System besteht aus der Entwässerungseinheit KERDI-LINE-VARIO-H, einem Ablaufadapter mit integrierter Dichtmanschette und einem um 360° drehbaren, wellenförmigen Ablauf inklusive Geruchsverschluss.

Kombiniert wird dieses variable Entwässerungssystem mit unseren minimalistisch edlen Design-Profilen in den zwei Ausführungen COVE und WAVE.

Discover the next generation of linear drainage: SchlüterKERDI-LINE-VARIO combines the efficiency of KERDI drainage technology with elegant profiles in Schlüter designs.

The innovative system comprises the drainage unit KERDI-LINE-VARIO-H, an adapter with integrated waterproofing collar and a wave shaped drain with built-in odour trap that can be rotated by 360 degrees.

The versatile drainage system is combined with our elegant minimalist design profiles in the design options COVE and WAVE.

Schlüter ®-DECO-SGC

Dekorative Profile zur Glasaufnahme

Decorative profiles for accommodating glass elements

Schlüter-DECO-SG-Profil ist ein bewährtes Profil für die Aufnahme von Glastrennwänden im Boden- und Wandbereich bodenebener Duschen. In der 12 bzw. 15 mm breiten Schattenfuge des Profils können diese Elemente sicher fixiert werden.

Mit DECO-SGC stellt Schlüter-Systems auf der Cersaie eine clevere Lösung vor, die speziell für die Verwendung an Ecken mit angrenzenden Putzwänden entwickelt wurde. In vier Höhen und ebenfalls mit einer Schattenfuge von 12 oder 15 mm erhältlich wird DECOSGC vertikal installiert und nimmt auf diese Weise das Glaselement sicher auf.

The Schlüter-DECO-SG profile is a proven solution for accommodating glass partitions in floor and wall areas of floor-level showers. The elements are securely fixed in the 12 or 15 mm wide shadow gap. The new Schlüter-DECO-SGC is a clever addition to this and was specifically developed for use on corners with adjoining plastered walls.

Available in four heights and also with a shadow gap of 12 or 15 mm, DECO-SGC is installed vertically and in this way securely accommodates the glass element.

ABOUT US

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EDITOR AND PUBLISHING COORDINATION: GIAN PAOLO CRASTA - g.crasta@tiledizioni.it

© 1989 Tile Italia

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Sabrina Tassini

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Paola Giacomini

Sabino Menduni

Chiara Poggi

Sabrina Tassini

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Porcelain piece by extrusion

Sabrina

Chiara

Full steam ahead or stuck in the mud?

This is the question that analysts and industrialists are all pondering over at this time of extreme macro-economic uncertainty.

On the one hand, the surge in energy prices, exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, is bringing Europe’s manufacturing industry to its knees, while at the same time highlighting the need to diversify its energy sources more quickly and hence develop technologies that can power production lines with greener, alternative fuel. This is compounded by the difficulty of sourcing raw materials and equipment, which is crippling the construction industry, driving its costs up and putting its building sites on hold.

On the other hand, a sharp upturn in demand, until a few weeks ago at least, has brought the global manufacturing industry to full capacity, with months of guaranteed production ahead, and triggered a spate of activity in product design and creativity.

Research centres everywhere are revising their forecasts for the years ahead on an almost daily basis, making it even more difficult to navigate this changeable scenario.

In the pages that follow, we publish a copy of Euroconstruct’s annual report, which was presented at the organisation’s 93rd conference, held in Warsaw on 9 and 10 June.

The report forecasts that Europe’s construction industry will achieve cumulative growth of 6.1% by the end of 2024, with annual increases of 2% to 3%.

Investments in infrastructure and major public works (+2.7% over the three-year period) are expected to be the biggest drivers of growth, thanks mainly to government projects.

Residential building is expected to see more modest growth (+1.3% over the three-year period) due to stagnation in both the new-build and renovation markets.

While forecasts for the coming months are increasingly cautious and point to a sudden new economic crisis, industrial operators are striving to keep the momentum going and making the most of every opportunity to meet and do business, first and foremost at trade shows.

We are all now back from the major shows that were held before the summer, and we are looking forward to the next round of events, starting with Cersaie, the ceramics and bathroom furniture show, due to open shortly in Bologna.

It will be the ideal opportunity to take the industry’s temperature, in the hope that it will be higher than the price of gas! ✕

Gian Paolo Crasta

Italcer Group publishes its first Sustainability Report

Italcer, one of Italy’s top ceramic tile producers, has taken a further step along its sustainable growth path. After receiving the Sustainability Award promoted by Team Credit Suisse and Kon Group in October 2021 and being listed by Forbes amongst the top 100 sustainable Italian companies (all with ESG rating issued by Altis Università Cattolica and Reprisk), in March this year the group led by CEO Graziano Verdi became a member of the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions (an NGO which promotes green energy and sustainable technologies globally) and has now published its first Sustainability Report 2021

The report lists the main initiatives adopted by the group last year and the formal obligations it has undertaken for the future, including its goals for 2023 based on 6 pillars (governance, environment, people, product, value chain and society) and achievable through 33 concrete actions.

The group has backed up its commitment to minimise the environmental impact of its production processes with a €4.2 million investment aimed at ensuring efficient use of materials, greater energy savings, reduced pollutant emissions and more responsible water and waste management. It uses upward of 50% recycled raw materials

and is able to recover more than 99% of the production waste generated at its facilities. It utilises chemicals with the lowest possible environmental impact and adopts low-energy technologies such as the press launched last year. Italcer’s flagship product is its ADVANCE® technology which is capable of eliminating viruses, bacteria and harmful microorganisms from porcelain tile surfaces while also having anti-pollution properties that improve air quality.

Two years since its launch, the ADVANCE® range also recently obtained MOCA food contact certification opening up new potential for the use of this patented technology on the kitchen countertops and furniture surfaces offered by the Rondine, La Fabbrica and Elios brands.

Italcer Group has seven brands – La Fabbrica, Elios, Rondine, Cedir, Bottega, Devon&Devon (bathroom furniture) and Equipe Cerámicas in Spain – and 919 employees and in 2021 posted consolidated revenues of more than €260 million and pro-forma EBITDA of €65 million.

Cerrad Group makes major new investments

Cerrad is one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing ceramic tile producers in Europe with a well-established presence in both the Polish domestic market and the largest international markets.

The group’s growth in competitiveness is down to a range of factors, including a comprehensive product portfolio (from clinker to porcelain stoneware for use on floors, façades and terraces as well as special stair tread pieces) and a wide range of finishes (matt, polished, lapped and satin) and sizes (including 162x324 cm and 120x280 cm slabs). Full-body coloured porcelain tiles for

the discerning investment sales sector are amongst its premium products manufactured using cutting-edge technology. The latest investments made in 2022 have made a vital contribution to the company’s growth.

“At the beginning of February we launched a pilot production line with a capacity of approximately 5 million sqm of tiles per year, which allowed us to develop and bring to market unique products with very deep structures,” explains Cerrad Group’s CCO Filip Cegłowski. “This technology also allows us to recycle and reuse soft scraps, reducing our demand for raw materials, water and energy and in turn lowering our impact on the natural environment.

In June this year we started up a second production line, which was modified to increase our production capacity by approximately 3 million sqm of tiles per year. This added 8 million sqm of tiles is the largest increase in production capacity our Group has ever made in a year,” notes Cegłowski

With these latest investments, the Cerrad Group’s total production capacity (including that of the subsidiaries Ceramika Nowa Gala and Ceramika Gres) has reached approximately 28 million sqm/year of tiles, which it exports to more than 50 countries worldwide. These volumes are set to increase further in 2023. “We’re planning to begin construction

work later this year on an additional 5 million sqm/year line, which is expected to commence operation in the fourth quarter of 2023,” adds Cegłowski Cerrad’s increase in production is driven by the group’s strong sales performance in the strategic Western European and US markets.

“In 2021 we reported revenues of almost PLN 645 million (approx. €140 million, Ed.), up around 35% on 2020, and a net profit of PLN 77 million (approx. €16.7 million, Ed.),” Cegłowski adds.

Cerrad group currently employs more than 1300 people. Following a well thought-out long-term development strategy, the group has succeeded in entering new market segments both in Poland and abroad.

Italgraniti Group goes green

Italgraniti Group, among the large Italian ceramic companies, completed the installation of a modern high-efficiency cogeneration plant with a nominal power of 4,424 kWh at San Martino in Rio (Reggio Emilia, Italy). Starting with natural gas as the sole energy source, the plant enables the combined production of electricity and heat energy, greatly increasing the efficiency of the source fuel and cutting - compared to the separate production of electricity and heat - energy costs and CO₂ emissions.

The plant is able to supply electricity 24/7, thus ensuring the self-sufficiency of the entire factory. Should energy production exceed internal demand, the surplus will be fed into the national mains. This also allows the company to recover a thermal power of more than 11,000 kWh, eliminating the purchase of mains gas, which until last April was used for the spray drying process. Moreover, Italgraniti Group has inaugurated an innovative thermal regenerative after-burner that further enhanced the already efficient odour abatement system. In operation since a few months, the plant will ensure the containment of volatile organic compounds (so-called VOCs) and aldehydes, substances that are released during the production process.

Inside it, temperatures reach 850°C, enough to completely oxidise VOCs and aldehydes. Equipped with three combustion chambers with high thermal efficiency, the after-burner collects the fumes to be treated in the first and the purified fumes in the second, while reserving the third chamber for the elimination of any residues from the post-combustion process itself. These investments testify to the attention and care that Italgraniti Group dedicates to the environment and the people.

Even before the onset of the energy crisis, which is affecting all industrial sectors on a global scale, Italgraniti Group set sustainable development as one of its strategic objectives, in respect of which energy self-sufficiency is crucial.

“The evolutionary path that we have been on for some time now,” comments Francesco Maturo, CEO of the Group, “goes in the direction of regenerative change, which is only possible by redirecting all our economic, technological and professional resources towards a business model capable of creating social and environmental benefits in addition to economic value”.

Mohawk Industries acquires Vitromex and expands in Mexico

Mohawk Industries has announced the acquisition of Vitromex, Mexico’s third largest tile producer, from Grupo Industrial Saltillo for approximately $293 million in cash.

Vitromex was founded in 1967 and includes four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout Mexico, a wide product offering and a nationwide distribution network.

The company has built a leading position in the Mexican ceramic tile market and posted revenues of approximately $204 million in 2021.

Mohawk Industries is the global flooring leader and biggest producer in the tile segment. Following the agreement signed on 3 June (the transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022 and is subject to the approval of GIS’s shareholders), it will considerably expand its footprint in the Mexican market in terms of customer base, manufacturing efficiencies and logistical capabilities. This market presence has expanded significantly in the past decade thanks to the construction of a state-of-the-art facility in Salamanca and the development of a world-class organisation.

Mexico is a strategic and growing market, with total tile consumption in 2021 close to 270 million square metres and a value of $1.7 billion.

“Ceramic tile is the primary flooring utilized in Mexico, and the market has grown approximately eleven percent in pesos per year over the past five years,” said Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Mohawk’s chairman and CEO. “Combined

with Vitromex, we will offer our customers a complete array of residential and commercial products at all price points with enhanced service capabilities. Vitromex is one of the most highly regarded brands in the Mexican market and is recognized as a leader in innovation and design. We are pleased to welcome their talented team into the Mohawk global ceramic business.”

Iris Ceramica Group obtains Cradle to Cradle certification

Iris Ceramica Group’s ceramics have been awarded Cradle to Cradle Certified® Silver certification by “The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute”, which promotes the creation of innovative products and materials that serve the circular economy.

Cradle to Cradle Certified® is the most advanced, scientific-based global standard for the design and production of safe, circular, responsible products for a healthy, equitable and sustainable future.

The assessment is based on five categories of sustainability performance:

• Material Health: ensuring that materials are safe for humans and the environment;

• Product Circularity: enabling a circular economy by means of regenerative products and process design;

• Clean Air and Climate Protection: promoting renewable energy and reducing emissions;

• Water and Soil Stewardship: safeguarding water and soil;

• Social Fairness: respecting human rights and contributing to a fair and equitable society.

The certification scheme not only covers the product life cycle, but also the manufacturer’s and supply chain’s respect for human rights. That is another reason why it is seen as one of the most innovative, multi-faceted and coveted environmental labels.

This latest certification achieved by Iris Ceramica Group bears further witness to the company’s long-standing innovation and marks another milestone on its journey towards a more sustainable future.

UNICERA 2022 will set a new record

UNICERA- International Ceramic Bathroom Kitchen Fair, organized by TG Expo International Fairs in collaboration with the Turkish Ceramics Federation (TSF), and Plumbing and Building Materials Suppliers Association (TİMDER), and supported by KOSGEB, will open its doors to its visitors at the Istanbul Expo Center between 7-11 November 2022

The fair will host more than 100.000 industry professionals from 130 countries as well as more than 300 exhibitors and more than 1.200 international brands. Turkey, the 2nd largest supplier of the 60 billion dollar global ceramics market, will set sail to new markets with the support of UNICERA. It will showcase the industry’s most innovative products, designs, materials and technologies. Besides the Turkish ones, the fair will be attended by international brands that shape the ceramics industry and is expected to break new records this year in number of exhibitors and visitors, and the high trading volume. The fair, which attracts domestic and foreign professionals, is getting ready to host over 100.000 visitors from 130 countries in an area of 100.000 square me-

ters. The most important global designers will determine the 2023 trends at the fair, where bathroom products, floor-wall coverings, kitchen products, ceramics manufacturing technologies, decoration products, packaging, and storage will be showcased.

Farewell to Luciano Cottafavi

Litokol’s chairman Luciano Cottafavi died on 1 July at the age of 80. One of the Italian ceramic tile industry’s most visionary entrepreneurs, he made a major contribution to the sector’s development over a period of more than 50 years.

Cottafavi began his career in the 1960s, working for several different companies in the ceramic sector. In 1977, he acquired the entire share capital of Litokol, a company founded in Rubiera (Reggio Emilia) in 1968 that specialises in the production of adhesives, sealants and materials for building and interior decoration.

Under his leadership, Litokol grew steadily and established a presence in 100 different countries, with sales companies or production facilities in strategic markets such as Russia, Armenia, Ukraine, China, India and most recently Greece. In 2016, Litokol acquired a shareholding in Estima,

Russia’s largest porcelain tile producer. Luciano Cottafavi succeeded in fulfilling his dream at the helm of Litokol, and those who knew him mourn the loss of a business leader who combined professional with deeply human qualities. He considered the company his home and forged a special bond with his employees, donating a 20% shareholding to his management team to guarantee the company’s continuity over time.

During Litokol’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018, he stressed that the milestone was above all an opportunity to “celebrate the people who work hard every day to contribute something unique to their company’s development. It is not just about promoting growth or economic performance, but about passing on values of excellence. All this represents our company’s soul and vision of the future.”

Bauwerk acquires Somerset Hardwood Flooring

Bauwerk Group, the first European parquet manufacturer with the brands Bauwerk and Boen, has acquired the American Somerset Hardwood Flooring The operation is aimed at strengthening its presence in the growing markets of the USA and Canada, exploiting new operational synergies with the Somerset (Kentucky) company, which can boast a consolidated presence on various sales channels in the wood flooring sector (for 60% solid and the remaining

40% plywood). Thanks to this acquisition, the Bauwerk Group will thus see its leadership consolidated in the production of wooden floors, with over 11.5 million square meters produced each year and a turnover of more than 390 million euros. “Somerset Hardwood Flooring is the ideal partner for the expansion of the Bauwerk Group,” explained Patrick Hardy, CEO and President of the Bauwerk Group. “In addition to the excellent positioning on the market and the high quality range, we have evaluated the production capacity and work organization of an excellent, close-knit and very professional team. These values are in line with those expressed by our companies and this is why we are happy to take over from founder Steve Merrick “.

The leadership of Somerset Hardwood Flooring will go to Paul Stringer, former Vice President of Sales & Marketing, who assumes the new position of CEO and President. Each brand will therefore maintain its specific identity and commercial focus within the respective regions of competence.

Tile industry pioneer Werner Schlüter celebrates milestone birthday

Werner Schlüter, founder of the leading company Schlüter-Systems, as well as inventor of Schlüter-SCHIENE and numerous other products that have profoundly changed the industry, celebrated his 80th birthday. When Werner Schlüter started his apprenticeship as a tile installer in the German town of Saerbeck at the age of 14, he had no way of knowing that his name would one day be synonymous with globally successful products for all aspects of tile and natural stone installation. As a young tile installer, he established his first contacts in the nearby Sauerland region and gained recognition in Iserlohn, his place of residence and business to this day, for his work on the facade of a lo-

cal department store. After earning his master’s certificate in 1966, Schlüter established his own tile installation company, known as Fliesen Schlüter. Werner and his wife Bärbel Schlüter jointly managed the fledgling company from the beginning and moved to Iserlohn in 1968. During the years, based on his extensive knowledge of tile assemblies, Werner Schlüter has consistently met the needs of a rapidly evolving industry by developing practical solutions to tile installation challenges. What began as a modest idea has since evolved into a company with over 40 product lines that are promoted in countries around the world. Schluter®-Systems has now four locations in North America: Plattsburgh, New York, Montreal, Quebec, and Reno, Nevada, as well as six European offices, including its main headquarters in Germany. With over 900 employees across the globe, Schluter®-Systems is dedicated to creating innovative solutions for the tile industry, and working closely with its network of distributors, dealers, tile contractors, architects, specifiers and other members of the building and construction industry.

Laminam acquires Polish distributor Interstone

On 30 August, Laminam finalised the acquisition of its Polish distributor, Interstone, in which it already held a 30% stake. The agreement will help leverage the strategic positioning of the wellknown ceramic brand, which, despite

the constraints imposed by the economic outlook, remains determined to optimise its value chain by focusing on targeted, highly strategic acquisitions. The operation, which comes on the heels of Laminam’s acquisition of the Spanish company Best surface in February, forms part of Laminam’s international growth and development process. The group thus adds Poland to its established portfolio of European subsidiaries in Spain, Germany, France, Benelux and the UK, and their

non-European counterparts in the United States, Canada, Israel, China, Japan, Russia and Australia.

The collaboration between the two companies, which started in 2012, will consolidate their sales and distribution network, and provide nationwide coverage through six logistics centres.

A new ITA-ITILES at Cersaie 2022

The new Italian ceramic player with production facility in Fiorano Modenese will attend the Bologna international event (Hall 25 Booth A242) with a brand new exhibition space, a deep rebranding in full implementation and many new products that touch all the main textural effects of the sector, from the marble effect, the stone and wood or the cement, passing through

an exotic foliage wallpaper and much more. Andrea Spagni, President and leading shareholder of the company faces with great determination a complex and challenging period: “We present ourselves at this edition of Cersaie in a year that has seen us committed to completely renew our production facilities and equip ourselves with the best technologies available on the market, but this was not enough, we invested in marketing, communications and product development for a deep requalification of our offer that allows us to face the main national and international markets with the conviction of being on the right trajectory to obtain important satisfactions. We arrive at the fair in Bologna with a completely new look, with a new exhibition space, a complete range of eight new series and with a great desire to do well to continue to grow together. We believe in the strength and professionalism of our team, in our determination to constantly improve, despite the tough international situation, and we are really proud of the growing trust and appreciation we are receiving from our increasingly numerous business partners. The new series presented at the fair are the result of our commitment to guarantee to all customers a complete range of modern ceramic surfaces 100% Made in Italy from the idea to the final product, technically excellent and aesthetically always in step with the times”.

Poetry

Sabrina Tassini

EUROBAUSTOFF BEHIND THE SCENE

OF A LEADING DISTRIBUTOR

EUROBAUSTOFF is the cooperative centre and service campus for currently 451 medium-sized specialist dealers for building materials, wood and tiles. With around 1,604 locations in

Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland, EUROBAUSTOFF is Europe’s highestturnover cooperative of medium-sized

building trade dealers. We talked with Klaus Kühn, EUROBAUSTOFF’s tile division manager, to deepen the activity of the company and the current state of the European market.

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

Tile International: What are the strengths of your cooperative?

Klaus Kühn: With its service campus, our cooperative centre based in Bad Nauheim and Karlsruhe supports partner companies with everything they have to do in specialist trading beyond the day-to-day work. This is the basis of what we do, and we offer our partners a comprehensive portfolio of services that can be customised at any time.

The core of our service offering is networked procurement management, which combines global, national, regional and local purchasing, depending on requirements. In order to meet the specific requirements of professional customers from the crafts in individual trades, the leading product range specialists within the cooperative work hard together in specialist groups, such as the Tiling specialist group, where roles are clearly defined, and this enables them to create unique, cutting-edge product ranges. For example, the Tiling specialist group officially supports the initiatives

Chiara Bruzzichelli

of “Healthy Living with Ceramics” as well as “Saving Energy with Ceramics” and “Designing with Ceramics”.

Tile International: Can you give specific examples of how you support your partners?

Klaus Kühn: If we focus on tiles, the first thing to mention here is the modern and spacious showrooms that show off our diverse and high-quality tile assortments in the best way we can, which helps to lay the groundwork for a successful sales process. We also use our “Digital Exhibition”

concept. This is what we use to describe our new, digital form of product presentation in retail, which provides our partners with a state-of-the-art tool to allow them to give customers the advice they need. In terms of the wider picture, this is also demonstrated by the ever-increasing interest in the digital space experience.

Tile International: What is your strategy for continuing to grow?

Klaus Kühn: First and foremost is our cooperative’s own

service campus, where our comprehensive range of services – in addition to the strong bond of a community with a number of small and medium-sized businesses – is definitely an argument in favour of choosing EUROBAUSTOFF as a building trade dealer. In the tiling sector, for example, we support our 26 specialist group members, who operate a total of more than 300 locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with special assortments and exclusive own brands such as “Cerabella”, “Piacera” and “Ceratec”. This allows us to create unique selling points that only the spe-

cialists in the EUROBAUTOFF Tiling specialist group have, and at the same time ensure that the Tiling specialist group is extremely attractive, which is reflected on the balance sheet. This is another way for us to generate growth.

Tile International: What are the benefits of being “connected” to your group? Tell us about the most important services you offer your partners...

Klaus Kühn: In addition to the procurement management that I mentioned above, EUROBAUSTOFF provides our partner businesses with specialisation packages for building materials, roof & façade, tile, wood, drywall, civil engineering and landscaping, and plaster/WDVS, and offers site planning support. Further comprehensive EUROBAUSTOFF support services are available with digitalisation, logistics, marketing, academy, financial and insurance, as well as IT.

Another important benefit from our point of view is our strong community network where business owners can share their experiences, such as with working groups, regional meetings, etc. You can do a lot on your own, but we believe we’re stronger together.

Tile International: In your view, which styles and sizes for private and commercial applications are in fashion at the moment, and in particular demand?

Klaus Kühn: The stylistic boundaries between private and

commercial use are becoming more and more blurred. At the same time, the essential styles and designs have undergone evolutionary changes in recent years, rather than being anything particularly revolutionary. These primarily include wood and concrete looks as well as all variants of natural stone floor solutions. On the wall, however, the white tile is still the dominant feature. If we look at the sizes, there is a clear trend towards the larger ones. Square in 80x80cm to 120x120 cm or the rectangle in 60x120 cm.

All in all, from my point of view, it’s just great to see the variety and choice that customers are offered in the ceramic tile sector today. I started in the industry when people were talking about “split tiles”, so I was delighted when the 30x30 cm size was introduced as a milestone in terms of tile development.

And let’s not forget when they developed 20- or 30mm tiles for outdoor use. As a result, the tile industry has succeeded in regaining ground or square metres and winning back this segment for ceramics.

Tile International: Based on your experience, how do you assess the development of the construction and real estate market in your sector? Is the building renovation industry a catalyst for selling finishing materials?

Klaus Kühn: After many years of low interest rates and stable growth, we are experiencing war, supply shortages and high energy costs in Europe again. This leads to uncertainties in the market, which are currently difficult to assess in terms of the demand for new builds. With regard to the refurbishment market, we assume that this will bounce back strongly once again, promoted by specific policies focused on “energy refurbishment”.

This development, along with saving energy, is becoming more and more important for private building owners who want to renovate to keep costs down. There’s a great opportunity for ceramic tiling here because, in our view, there’s nothing more energy efficient than underfloor heating with ceramic tiles.

Tile International: Are you experiencing difficulties in your day-to-day business due to the recent pandemic, and the current global situation?

Klaus Kühn: Goods are still available in the tiling sector by and large, and stocks in the building trade are above average. Likewise, professional customers from skilled trades continue to have a good order backlog.

As a result, tiles have continued to enjoy positive sales due to price increases and increased stockpiling. In particular, the large number of short-term price changes and surcharges since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict are currently a major issue as they are so significant. Even though they may understand the reasons and complex issues behind it all, many suppliers seem to have forgotten that our building trade dealers also have obligations towards their customers and are bound by their offers and price promises. This is why we need to return to a value-based system where we value fairness, transparency and a willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue, as these have been the guiding principles of the three-tier distribution model in Germany to date, and at EUROBAUSTOFF, we see ourselves as the crucial link between the various parties.

So in other words, yes the whole situation continues to keep us up at night.

Tile International: What do you expect to see in the future and what goals have you set for yourself?

Klaus Kühn: We can only make conservative forecasts at the moment due to the current strains on the construction industry. At EUROBAUSTOFF, we are confident that our medium-sized partner structure will continue to be seen as a strong community – especially in difficult times. Our cooperative service offering and associated portfolio of services means that we believe we’re very well positioned to create significant added value for our partners, giving them the tools to face ongoing challenges and helping them to improve their operational resilience. You could definitely say that difficult times are the best times to work together! ✕

HALL 32

BOOTH A22-B23

HANDLING

SCORE CUTTING

VIBRATION (AIR REMOVAL)

WEDGE/CLIP LEVELING SYSTEM

CIRCULAR CUTS

SINCE 1974 INNOVATIONS FOR THE TILE SETTING PROFESSIONAL

WET AND DRY 45° BEVEL CUT

WET AND DRY 90° AND 45° BEVEL CUT

THE EUROPEAN CONSTRUCTION MARKET TO 2024

Following an unexpected decline in output in 2020 (-4.4%), the construction

industry in the 19 Euroconstruct countries staged a recovery in 2021 with a 5.6% increase in

construction output to €1.856 billion , largely closing the gap with respect to 2019.

Out of the 15 Western countries (EC15), ten reported a higher total construction volume in 2021 than in the pre-pandemic year 2019. Of the BIG5 countries, only Italy significantly surpassed its pre-crisis level in 2021 (+13.0%, after a decline of 4.5% in 2020). In Germany, construction output in 2021 was close to the level of 2019 (+0.1%), while production was 5.7% lower in France, 3.2% lower in Spain and 2.9% lower in the United Kingdom. All Nordic countries achieved a higher total construction volume in 2021 compared to the pre-pandemic year 2019, with Denmark showing the highest growth (+17.8%).

Out of the four Central and Eastern European countries (EC-4), only Poland achieved a higher total construction volume in 2021 compared to 2019 (+1.5%), while the construction industry in Slovakia experienced a deep recession with a decline of 16.8%.

According to forecasts, total construction growth in

the 19 Euroconstruct countries will slow to 2.3% in 2022, with a similar rate forecast for 2023. This is due to market instability exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and the high levels of inflation, which are dampening economies’ propensity to invest in new construction projects.

The data were released during the 93rd Euroconstruct Conference held in Warsaw on 9 and 10 June 2022, which also provided forecasts for the European construction market to 2024.

OUTLOOK 2022-2024: COUNTRIES AND MARKET SEGMENTS

A cumulative increase in construction output is predicted in the Euroconstruct area over the forecast period 2022-2024. In the EC-15 countries, cumulative growth will amount to 6.1%, which is slightly lower than for the EC-4 countries where a rate of 6.4% is forecast.

93rd EUROCONSTRUCT Conference

FIG. 1 - CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT BY SECTOR (EC19)

The strongest cumulative growth is expected in Ireland (+15.1%), followed by Spain (+14.3%) and Slovakia (+13.5%). Stagnant tendencies are forecast in the largest European construction markets. Germany’s output declined in 2021 (-1.2%) after minor expansion in 2020 (+1.3%) and an increase of less than 1.5% is expected for the whole period 2022-2024. The expectations for the Scandinavian countries vary. The outlook for Finland and Sweden is considerably more negative, while Norway and Denmark are expected to see a total increase of 3-4% over the forecasting period.

All three main market segments (building construction, civil engineering and renovation) will see rather moderate growth with expected annual growth rates

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

of between 2% and 3% due to the continued high level of economic uncertainty. The continuation of the war in Ukraine and the possible resurgence of the pandemic in autumn increase the uncertainty about the future and may lead to a recession in the construction industry in some countries. In this scenario, the current projections made by Euroconstruct forecast a significant slowdown in the growth rate of residential construction to 1.3% in 2024. This is the combined result of stagnation trends in both new residential construction and renovation (1.5% and 1.2%, respectively).

Following the sharp decline in total non-residential construction in 2020, production is forecast to recover in 2022-2024. However, non-residential construction is not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels in sev-

Chiara Bruzzichelli

FIG. 2 - GDP VS CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT

Source: Euroconstruct, June 2022

eral EC-15 countries (France, Germany, the UK, Finland and Ireland) or in two EC-4 countries (Slovakia and the Czech Republic).

Civil engineering, the segment that was least affected by the pandemic (output decreased by just 0.4% in

2020) due to the implementation of numerous large infrastructure projects, is expected to grow by 2.7% per annum on average between 2022 and 2024. After accelerating to 3.9% in 2023, the annual growth rate will drop significantly to 1.7% in 2024. ✕

EUROPE’S WOOD FLOORING MARKET IN 2021

REACHED LEVELS UNSEEN IN THE PAST 10 YEARS

Growth in sales of wood flooring in 2021 was expected, but the

increase was bigger than forecast, outstripped the results for 2019 and

In the wake of modest growth in 2020 (+1.3%), sales of wood flooring in Europe increased by 6.2% in 2021 , generating growth in almost all European markets, especially in the first half of the year. Demand persisted in the second half of the year, but at a slower pace, as consumers started channelling their spending back into other activities, such as leisure and travel. Nevertheless, renovation work and the adaptation of homes to post-Covid life remain the driving force behind growth in sales of wood flooring.

As usual, the results vary from one country to the next. Countries such as Italy and France , which

reached a level that had not been seen for 10 years.

65.842 2.23%  14.600 80.442 3.25%

(*) As from 2016, data from Croatia, Estonia and Portugal has also been added, so the data covers all the European countries that are FEP members. (**) Best estimates based on information received from associations affiliated with the FEP

AT 10.00% 2.99%  BE 3.93% 5.00%  CH 9.00% 12.16%

CZ -21.98%  3.96%

DE -4.66% 0.09%

EE 47.41% 6.00%

ES 3.34% 2.97%

FR 17.57% 10.59%

HR 10.39% 17.41%

HU 5.33% 8.93%

IT 24.79% 20.80%

NL 4.55% 5.20%

PL 6.91% 1.00%

PT 22.22%  -10.38%

RO 1.12% 15.01%

SK 2.51% 4.13%

DK/FIN/NO 5.00% 2.77%

SE 2.09% 5.08%

FEP 6.92% 6.18%

were unable to recover the losses they sustained during the first lockdown in spring 2020, reported a sharp increase in sales of wood flooring compared to the previous year. Croatia, Romania and Switzerland also reported significant growth, whereas Portugal focused mainly on exports.

In general, the countries that managed to fully or partially compensate for their bad performance in March and April 2020 with good performance in the second half of that year typically had lower but nonetheless sustained growth rates. Scandinavia, Austria and Spain all fall into this category, whereas the German market remained stable.

WOOD FLOORING PRODUCTION IN EUROPE UP 7%

Production in the FEP area increased by almost 7% in 2021, exceeding the threshold of 82 million square meters – a level that had not been seen since the financial crisis. European production in countries not belonging to the FEP was estimated at 15.3 million square meters, comprising 9.7 million square metres produced in EU countries and 5.6 million square metres in European countries that are not EU member states.

Total wood flooring production by type in 2021 remained in line with the picture that has developed since 2010, in which multi-layer accounts for the lion’s share with 83% (compared to 82% in 2020), fol-

lowed by solid wood flooring (including lamparquet) with 15% (compared to 16% in 2020) and mosaic, which remained stable with 2% of the total.

In absolute terms of production by country, Poland kept its place at the top of the league table with 16.06%. Sweden took second place with 14.94%, followed by Austria with 13.00% and Germany in fourth place with 9.94%.

SALES OF WOOD FLOORING ARE UP IN THE FEP AREA

Sales of wood flooring also rose in the FEP area (+6.18%) in 2021, to 88.2 million sq.m, compared with over 83 million the previous year.

As far as sales by individual country are concerned, Germany is still in top spot with 20.45%, followed by Italy with 10.49%, France with 10.19% and Sweden with 9.88%. Austria remains in fifth place with 7.73%, followed by Switzerland (7.45%), the Nordic countries (6.81%) and Spain (6.49%).

In terms of sales per head of population, Sweden still leads the field (0.86 m²), followed by Estonia (0.77 m²), Austria (0.76 m²) and Switzerland (0.75 m²). Across the FEP area as a whole, average sales per head increased slightly to 0.21 m² in 2020 and 2021.

TYPES OF WOOD

As for the preferred species of wood in 2021, oak’s

FIGURE 1 - TOTAL FEP PRODUCTION PERCENTAGES FOR 2021

share remained stable on 81.9 % (compared to 81.8 % in 2020). Tropical species account for 2.1% of wood consumption, while ash and beech remain the market’s other two favourite species, with shares of 5.3% and 2.8% respectively.

FORECASTS FOR 2022 AND 2023

The European wood flooring markets reported different performance in the first quarter of 2022 compared with the same period of the previous year. While Italy, Scandinavia and Spain reported a significant increase in demand, performance remained flat in France, Switzerland and Benelux Austria and Germany are already reporting a downturn as a result of difficulties in fulfilling orders, an issue that is likely to spread to all markets in the coming months, as most FEP countries are having problems in sourcing timber.

Issues connected with the cost and availability of timber and wood products started putting the brakes on growth in the wood flooring industry as from the beginning of the pandemic, due to high demand and supply chain disruptions, which are now even more serious as a result of the geopolitical crisis.

A significant share of the raw materials and semi-finished wood products used by Europe -

an wood flooring manufacturers comes from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus

In view of the already tense situation on timber markets and the need to adopt eco-sustainable policies, the European wood flooring industry is calling upon EU authorities to take temporary measures to safeguard and support the sector, for example by keeping quotas of timber in Europe, while at the same time adopting sustainable forestry management policies.

FIGURE 2 - TOTAL FEP CONSUMPTION PERCENTAGES FOR 2021

2021 REVENUES OF ITALY’S CERAMIC MANUFACTURERS

In keeping with its annual tradition, TILE INTERNATIONAL has drawn up a table of the 2021 revenues of Italy’s largest manufacturers of

ceramic tiles in order to publish a preview of them here.

The league table only includes companies that agreed to send us

their data and therefore excludes those that did respond to our request.

Just two clarifications: although

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, Inc

These revenues were generated by the following companies and/or brands:

• MARAZZI (All markets)

• AMERICAN OLEAN (North America)

• KAI GROUP (Bulgaria and Romania)

• RAGNO (All markets)

• DAL-TILE (North America)

• ELIANE (Brazil)

• EMILGROUP (All markets)

• KERAMA MARAZZI (Russia)

PRODUCTION: 240/260 MIL. SQ.M (Mohawk Ind. production capacity, Tile International 2021 estimate)

INTERNATIONALISATION: NORTH/SOUTH AMERICA, EUROPE, RUSSIA, ASIA

EMPLOYEES: 43,000

These revenues were generated by the following companies and/or brands:

• IRIS CERAMICA

• FIANDRE Architectural Surfaces • ARIOSTEA

• FMG, Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti• PORCELAINGRES (Germany)

• STONEPEAK CERAMICS (USA)

• TECHNORIUNITE

• LA CERAMICA

NOTES: In 2021, Iris Ceramica Group and Snam signed a memorandum of understanding for an industrial project involving the design and development of the world’s first green-hydrogen-powered ceramic factory. This new Iris Ceramica Group facility will be built in Castellarano, in the Italian province of Reggio Emilia, and will be equipped with native technologies that will enable it to use green hydrogen. In 2022, Iris Ceramica Group products were awarded Cradle to Cradle Certified® Silver certification by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Iris Ceramica Group also forged a partnership with MIT Technology Review for The Green Future Index 2022. The study ranks 76 countries and territories on the basis of the progress and commitments they have made to a green future, by examining how these countries reduce their carbon emissions and develop clean energy green innovations. Lastly, Iris Ceramica Group took first place in the ranking of companies at which women are happiest to work, drawn up in the wake of a survey entitled “Italy’s Best Employers for Women 2022” conducted by Istituto Tedesco Qualità Finanza (ITQF), in partnership with La Repubblica - Affari & Finanza. 2022 will also see the launch of a new facility for the production of through-body porcelain tile in Fiorano Modenese, the launch of a new production line for through-body large-format panels, and the launch of the Bottega d’Arte Ceramica brand, which reintroduces the traditional art of red-body ceramic manufacturing. Copyright

• EIFFELGRES

• TECHNOMIX

• SEVENTYONEPERCENT

• SAPIENSTONE

• GRANITECH

• MATIMEX

• ACTIVE SURFACES

INTERNATIONALISATION: 2 FACILITIES: PORCELAINGRES (GERMANY), STONEPEAK CERAMICS (USA) EXPORTS: 83%

EMPLOYEES: 1,515

we are not publishing their data, it is important to remember that Concorde Group and Panariagroup undoubtedly still occupy significant

positions; furthermore, we have provided the results of Mohawk Industries, the world’s largest manufacturer of ceramic tiles,

Copyright Tile Edizioni - All values are expressed in mil/€

which has owned Marazzi Group since 2013 and Emilceramica since 2017, in an opening section that is separate from the league table.

These revenues were generated by the following companies and/or brands:

• FLORIM CERAMICHE SPA SB Florim, CEDIT - Ceramiche d'Italia, FLORIM stone

• FLORIM USA INC. Milestone

PRODUCTION: 28 MIL. SQ.M

INTERNATIONALISATION: 1 PRODUCTION FACILITY AND LOGISTICS CENTER IN TENNESSEE (USA). FLAGSHIP STORES IN MILAN, MOSCOW, NYC, SINGAPORE, FRANKFURT, LONDON, ABU DHABI, PARIS, ROME, LOS ANGELES.

EXPORTS: 76% (Calculated on the value of direct

These revenues were generated

• LA FABBRICA • DEVON&DEVON • BOTTEGA

• ITALCER SPA

EMPLOYEES:

CERAMICA

EXPORTS: 75%

EMPLOYEES: 619

NOTES: ABK acquired DESVRES, a French ceramic manufacturer.

These revenues were generated by the following companies and/or brands:

• LAMINAM

EXPORTS: 78% (ON TURNOVER)

EMPLOYEES: 688

NOTES: In 2021, the company launched a sustainable innovation investment plan worth 50 million euros. It also doubled the size of its Borgo Val di Taro facility and acquired Best Surface, whose production plant is in Castellon (Spain), finalising the transaction in early 2022. Lastly, the company opened Laminam Australia, a subsidiary based in Sydney, and various showrooms and logistics centres around the world.

These revenues (net of intercompany transactions) were generated by the following companies and/or brands: • CERAMICA DEL CONCA

FAETANO (Rep. San Marino) • DEL CONCA USA

INTERNATIONALISATION: TENNESSEE, USA (DEL CONCA USA, INC.), SAN MARINO (CERAMICA FAETANO SPA)

EXPORTS: 81%

EMPLOYEES: 547

These revenues were generated by the following companies and/or brands: • ASCOT

CAPRI

COLLI

DOM

EXPORTS: 80%

EMPLOYEES: 472

NOTES:

The revenues shown are as at 31/3/2022 (Victoria’s tax year ran from 1/1/2021 to 31/3/2022).

In 2021, Victoria PLC Ceramics Italy acquired the companies Colli and Santa Maria, with their brands Colli, Casabella and Capri. Ascot Gruppo Ceramiche srl also acquired the historic brand Vallelunga & Co.

revenues were generated by the following companies and/or brands:

NOTES: In September 2021, the company acquired 100% of Ceramica Verde - Campogalliano Ceramiche. This was a strategic operation based on an increasingly ambitious and optimistic vision of the future, and forms part of a broader growth plan, with particular emphasis on exports and expanding the product range with lines that complement the offering of its existing brands.

EMPLOYEES:

NOTES: The new production line for Extreme Energieker large-format panels and the extensive logistics area in Pavullo are due for commissioning in June 2022.

Italgraniti has brought

NOTES:

The company has invested approximately 15 million euros in the full technological renovation and reconfiguration of its Fiorano Modenese production plant, resulting in a major upgrade of its product offering and an increase in its production capacity to 11.5 million square metres per year. Further developments are also in progress in Sales and Marketing, aimed at strengthening the sales network and establishing a new brand identity.

PAMESA CONTINUES ITS UNSTOPPABLE GROWTH

Grupo Pamesa, Europe’s largest ceramic tile producer with operations extending to raw material and spray-dried clay production

and the commercialisation of energy, has reported record figures for 2021.

The Spanish group’s year-end

Following the acquisition of Azuliber in September 2021, the group had predicted revenues of €1,100 million by the end of the year but this forecast was amply exceeded with consolidated revenues reaching €1,220.6 million, up 56% from €782.7 million in 2020, and pre-tax profits €97 million (+47%) . In the ceramic segment alone, sales increased by 43% from €616 million to €881.7 million (72% of consolidated revenues), while total volumes rose from 92 million sqm to more than 125 million sqm

The raw materials division also performed well (+47%), while the energy sector delivered the anticipated surge in revenues (+233%).

results, announced by Chairman Fernando Roig at the annual press conference held on 16 June, surpassed all expectations.

Commenting on the ceramic division’s performance, Fernando Roig explained that the soaring energy and raw materials costs in the second half of the year had placed a severe strain on the group’s ability to maintain its profitability. The division’s gas bill climbed from €7.4 million in March 2021 to almost €33 million in November, an increase in terms of percentage of monthly revenue from 8% to 33%. Moreover, the average price of gas quadrupled between May 2021 and the final quarter of the year (from 20 to 79 €/MWh) and then peaked in April 2022 (the average price in the first four months was 101 €/MWh) before falling again in May and June.

The hydrogen challenge

Paola

“Gas costs have increased this year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, so since last May we have been forced to apply an energy tax to all our sales, adjusted monthly according to European gas prices,” said Roig In the meantime, Grupo Pamesa has embraced the energy transition with a commitment to a hydrogen-powered future. In April, it invested in the US hy-

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

drogen-based fuel supplier eCombustible, while at the same time signing a ten-year contract for the supply of customisable hydrogen-based fuel with the aim of replacing the use of natural gas in its production processes and achieving zero CO2 emissions. The pilot plant in Onda is expected to be operational by the end of the year

Chiara Bruzzichelli

Fernando Roig

Self-sufficiency in clay

As Fernando Roig notes, the interruption in Ukrainian clay exports is not a major concern for the group as it has been working over the past four years to meet its raw material needs from Spanish quarries and reduce its dependency on foreign supplies. Along with the Galve clay deposit in Teruel, owned by Grupo Pamesa since 2018, the acquisition of Azuliber included Mina Pilón, a white clay quarry also located in Teruel. This was followed at the beginning of 2022 by the approval of quarrying operations at Mina Elena, which will yield an estimated 60,000 tonnes of white clay per month. These deposits, together with the one in Valdecastillo (Teruel) which was acquired in 2020, will supply Pamesa with a minimum of 115,000 tonnes of white clay per month, ensuring sufficient stocks for the coming years.

In May, a DIA (Declaration of Environmental Impact) was issued for the Mina Mancilla red clay deposit in Alcora.

Further investments of €95 million

Following the 2021 investments focusing on the acquisition of Azuliber, the construction of the new headquarters in Vila-real and the renovation of the other companies’ offices and showrooms, Fernando Roig has confirmed that a further €95 million will be invested in 2022. In addition to the equity investment in eCombustible and the acquisition of Mina Elena, the group also plans to install new kilns, high-capacity presses, glazing lines, grinding plants and sorting lines and to adopt other measures for improving the flexibility of production facilities. The group plans to install new spray dryers in the Amizalsa, Atommed and Azuliber factories to boost its spray-drying operations, while its R&D investments include the above-mentioned customisable hydrogen-based fuel pilot plant as well as the development of new technologies for digital tile decoration and expansion of the product range with the launch of XTRA, a new type of thin material

Social, economic and environmental responsibility

In keeping with its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, Grupo Pamesa is maintaining its commit-

ment to people and the environment. Its workforce has expanded steadily to 3,192 (1,039 more than in February 2020) and it adopts an incentive policy based on company performance. For example, in 2021 it distributed €7.8 million among all employees with at least six months’ service.

The investments made by Pamesa in recent years have enabled the group to attain a high level of environmental sustainability in its production processes. It has adopted systems for recovering heat from the kilns, 100% recycling of sludge and solid residues, as well as a photovoltaic roof (almost 113,000 square metres, the largest in Europe for self-consumption) that meets most of the electricity needs of the factories and avoids the emission of 11,768 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.

In addition, the first results of the gradual conversion to hydrogen-based fuel are expected to be seen next year. ✕

Grupo Empresarial Pamesa

In the ceramic sector, Grupo Pamesa has 8 factories, 64 kilns (including its own and those of strategic partners), 11 logistics centres and 7 spray drying centres (Azuliber, Amizalsa, Atommed, Arcillas Atomizadas, Compacglass, Tau and Pamesa Porcelanico), all located in the Castellón ceramic district. The group owns the six brands Pamesa, Tau, Navarti, Prissmacer, Ecoceramic and Geotiles.

It was founded in 1972 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Group turnover of Grupo Empresarial Pamesa

visit us at CERSAIE HALL 29 Stand A22-B21 + A18-B17 from 26-09 to 30-09

RAK CERAMICS

ON THE CREST OF THE WAVE

Having made strategic acquisitions to strengthen its brand in new market segments, opened its first international showroom and sponsored major global initiatives and projects, the Ras Al-Khaimah Ceramic Group is on track with its growth and consolidation campaign, and was already reporting a double-digit increase in revenues as early as the second quarter of 2022. This paves the way for an equally positive end to the

year, driven by further innovations and a policy of eco-sustainability geared towards the circular economy. We discussed all this and more with Leonardo de Muro, the company’s Vice-President.

Tile International: In May, you opened the company’s first Design Hub in the heart of London. Why did you choose the British capital? And do you have plans to open any other international sites?

Leonardo de Muro: At the end of May, we opened our first Design Hub in Clerkenwell, London’s design district, with a view to offering a global specification showroom for architects and interior designers. It includes functional design installations and micro display installations that showcase the full real-world potential of RAK Ceramics products.

It also houses a 700 square meter materials library, entirely at the disposal of designers and intended to meet all their needs. A large number of exclusive products are on display there, including the new collection of furnishing complements by ELIE SAAB, together with bathroom collections by the designers Patrick Nourget, Giuseppe Maurizio Scutellà and the Debiasi Sandri duo. We will also be opening a new site in Dubai very soon, where it is entirely natural for RAK Ceramics to have a Design Hub because – especially in view of the countless activities and projects we deal with every year –Dubai is RAK’s home turf. Thereafter, we are considering opening a bricks-and-mortar site in another international capital of design and architecture.

Sabrina Tassini

Tile International: The launch of the Metamorfosi collection appears to mark a major turning point in the company’s creative pathway. In other words it’s a “Metamorfosi” by name and a metamorphosis by nature…

Leonardo de Muro: With Metamorfosi, RAK Ceramics has invented a trend and introduced a new way of using large-format ceramic panels as a furnishing complement. This collection of ceramic coverings marks a new era in the company’s creative development, because it combines the performance and textures of resin-effect brushed porcelain tile with vibrant colours and bold decorative patterns. This valuable, long-lasting material pays homage to the majestic forms and visual effects of nature and creates a tile that is a per-

fect match for contract and commercial projects, but is equally at home in residential settings. The style can be classic, minimalist or modern and is ideally suited to living areas, front-desk areas, lobbies and bathrooms. Starting from the vibrant tones of sky, ivory and rose as its base colours, the collection develops geometric and floral motifs and decorations based on luxuriant tropical foliage, with stylised or extremely realistic features that enable interior designers to characterise the host environment according to the taste and style of the furnishings and architecture. The dynamic surface effects are transferred to the ceramic as though they were brushed on by hand, in a versatile and contemporary reinterpretation of the “wallpaper” effect.

Metamorfosi large-format panels are very strong: they are anti-bacterial, their colouring remains unchanged over time and they offer high abrasion- and wear-resistance. The range is available in nine colours and 11 patterns and is produced in sizes 120×260cm by 6mm thick and 120×120cm by 9mm thick, and forms part of the Signature Collection, the company’s most up-todate and sophisticated product selection, designed to provide endless solutions for every design need.

Tile International: You sponsored the Italy Pavilion at Expo Dubai and you have become official suppliers and sponsors of the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. What do these initiatives represent in terms of your business strategy?

Leonardo de Muro: RAK Ceramics Italia was one of

the first companies to get involved in Expo 2020, in particular in the construction of the Italy Pavilion, which is a first-class model of circular economy and a monument to Italian beauty in all its forms: landscape, architecture, art, science and manufacturing. It is the ideal place to showcase RAK Ceramics’ DNA and its unique expertise in the field of plumbing and heating, and to give over 20 million visitors from all over the world a first-hand experience of the quality of our guaranteed, sustainable collections.

As for the Embassy project, we were obviously selected from a field of other leading Italian brands taking part in the tender procedure, because of the quality, sustainability and design of our products. Both initiatives form part of a strategy that RAK Ceramics adopted five years ago, based on repositioning our brand and creating top-end and mid-to-high-segment products, with the vital contribution of the team I work with on a daily basis and a number of outstandingly talented designers.

Tile International: During Milano Design Week, your brand’s work was on display in two exhibition spaces, one within the Salone del Mobile itself and the other outside it, in the Brera Design District: was this dual presence also part of your business strategy? And what other projects do you have in the pipeline?

Leonardo de Muro: Of course. We are one of the larg-

est companies in the world in the bathroom furnishing and interior ceramics sector and Milan Design Week 2022 gave us a chance to engage with over 30,000 visitors at the Black Ink event – our immersive sensory installation in Brera – and our exhibition space measuring over 200 sq.m at the Salone del Mobile in the Rho trade show complex.

The event at the Fuorisalone, in particular, was a huge success for us, based on an immersive journey into ceramics, involving items of porcelain stoneware that really shine with originality and that transported countless visitors into a new dimension made up of matter, texture and true design.

We have other projects in the pipeline, which revolve around matter, creativity, space, light and RAK Ceramics interior design. They give tangible expression to the values of our constantly evolving organisation, while stimulating cross-fertilisation and offering experiences, atmospheres and objects that transmit a truly contagious energy.

Tile International: How is the licensing agreement with Elie Saab Maison going? Are you thinking of forging new partnerships with other fashion and lifestyle companies in the future?

Leonardo de Muro: The relationship between ELIE SAAB and Rak Ceramics is based on an elective affinity that has its roots in a common history of values, culture,

taste and inspiration. It involves a sense of harmony that prompts us to share our common intent of bringing out the best in materials by means of intricate, elaborate details that help generate a complex, modern and international creative experience. Art and manufacturing go hand in hand with technology and innovation to form a close relationship between thought, design and execution. Elegant and enchanting, it takes shape through five different creative pathways that mould the character of each interior design project, whether residential or hospitality, like the weave of a precious fabric. The agreement entails a multi-year licensing agreement with the launch of several ELIE SAAB Maison Surfaces and Bathroom Collections, some of which made their European debut at the last edition of the Salone del Mobile.

We are not ruling out the possibility of future collaborations in the fashion world; in fact, we are considering various new cross-cutting projects that could even involve product sectors that look very remote from our own.

Tile International: In terms of sustainability, what does the green policy that your company has implemented actually consist of?

Leonardo de Muro: We have decided to build our company policy on clearly eco-friendly foundations. The company is committed to protecting the environ-

ment throughout the production chain – from product design to efficient operating processes – and plays an active role in building a better community by enriching the surrounding environment. This commitment involves every aspect of management and production, in the knowledge that our efforts generate considerable ethical value. Every year, we invest in machinery for recycling raw materials and recovering energy at all stages of production, in order to provide ever more environmentally friendly solutions, while at the same time gradually reducing the impact of our production cycle on the local area, thereby boosting our efforts against a backdrop of responsible, well-informed global activity.

In practice, all this prompts us to make totally sound business decisions, for example by reducing our electricity consumption and use of natural resources, cutting our CO2 emissions and increasing our energy efficiency. In particular, we have opted to start using various raw materials derived from recycling and we recover our solid processing waste. We have an effective system that reuses all industrial water during the production of ceramic body, and we optimise our energy consumption by recovering heat from the sanitaryware firing kilns and using it for drying during the processing cycle.

RAK Ceramics was the first company in the United Arab Emirates to be awarded international ISO 9001 certi-

fication and the British Ceramic Research Institute Certification Scheme (CICS) certification for ceramic and sanitaryware production. Bureau Veritas recently verified the implementation of the quality system on the basis of ISO 9001:2015 requirements, which include the design, development, production and supply of ceramic floor and wall tiles, large-format porcelain panels and sanitaryware (acrylic bathtubs, shower trays and toilet seats). Bureau Veritas also awarded RAK Ceramics ISO 14001:2015 environmental impact certification. RAK Ceramics’ tile production complies with the latest version of ISO 13600 and EN 1441 (equivalent to American ANSI A137.1 standards).

Tile International: With the acquisition of the Kludi Group, which specialises in taps, you have extended your offering in the bathroom segment. Which other areas would you like to enter in the near future?

Leonardo de Muro: Our acquisition of the Kludi Group, a leading German brand, is strategic. In the past, we signed a joint venture agreement aimed at manufacturing a combined product in the United Arab Emirates and breaking into the market more effectively. We chose Kludi for its 100-year history, its technology and its innovation in kitchen and bathroom taps. This recent acquisition has only strengthened the image and presence of RAK Ceramics in Europe and enhanced our Group’s quality, by putting more emphasis on our positioning as a Lifestyle solution provider that develops floor and wall tile collections, large-format panels, sanitary equipment and bathroom complements that are all perfectly integrated with each other. The areas we plan to enter in the future? That’s confidential for the moment, but we will let you know as soon as possible.

Tile International: Having achieved double-digit growth on all fronts in 2021, what are your forecasts for the end of 2022? Do you think the current global situation and the problems affecting industrial production might compromise your performance?

Leonardo de Muro: We are very pleased with the results we are achieving. We are lucky enough to have the necessary raw materials on our home soil, because they are abundant in the UAE, so we only have to manage the transport situation. Our comprehensive offering enables us to fulfil all types of order, with very short turnaround times.

We specialise in the production of ceramic and porcelain floor and wall tiles, tableware, sanitaryware and taps. We have the capacity to produce 118 million square metres of tile, 5 million pieces of sanitaryware, 24 million pieces of porcelain tableware and 2.5 million taps per year in our 24 state-of-the-art facilities in the United Arab Emirates, India, Bangladesh and Europe. Established in 1989 and based in the United Arab Emirates, RAK Ceramics serves customers in over 150 countries through its network of operational hubs across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, North and South America and Australia.

On 30 June, the company announced that it had achieved some truly impressive results, with total turnover of USD 252 million in Q2. This equates to a yearon-year increase of 32.3%, with net profit of USD 28 million, representing a rise of 7.7% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the second quarter of 2021.

We remain focused on our goals, with a view to achieving continuous, sustainable growth in terms of both scale and profitability. In the second quarter of 2022, we enhanced our brand perception and customer experience, stepped up the scale and visibility of our retail network, boosted our production efficiency and improved our capacity utilisation. We have kept a careful eye on optimising our logistics operations with better supply chain management and inventory control, in order to mitigate the growing challenges we are all facing. We have also managed to maintain adequate cash flow for the second quarter of 2022, despite our consolidation and the adverse conditions, enabling us to meet our payment commitments comfortably.

Tile International: What new developments will you be unveiling at Cersaie?

Leonardo de Muro: This year we are focusing on the ceramic side. We have a wealth of new products in store for architects, designers, contractors and dealers, all of whom will be able to discover new trends, build new business relationships and keep up to date in partnership with us, in a uniquely stimulating environment. All this comes in the form of five innovative collections with an ever closer focus on redefining spaces through architecture. ✕

New Collection

EVERYTILE YOU DREAM

New Collection

DEEP WOOD - Walnut

TAHITI - Canneto Tiki

IMPERTEK: “BOOSTING PRODUCTIVITY IS OUR FIRST GOAL”

Established in 1985 as a specialist installer of PVC membranes and materials, IMPERTEK is now one of the best-known manufacturers and suppliers of waterproofing and building

components, both in Italy and abroad. The company’s headquarters occupies a 27,000 sq.m site between the lively Jesolo coast and the hills of Conegliano, and just a stone’s throw from the

splendours of Venice. For some years, Impertek has been pushing forward with a major growth drive aimed at developing all business areas, with a particular focus on innovation,

Chiara Poggi

The Castel Thun project in Val di Non (Trentino Alto Adige, Italy) involved the construction of an indoor floating floor with Pedestal Line supports.

internationalisation, sustainability and internal training. The activities that form part of this growth strategy include the recent upgrade of the production area, aimed at meeting

constantly rising demand and improving time-to-market.

We discussed these and other topics with Luca Giacomini, Impertek’s Marketing Manager.

Tile International: You have just brought your updated production area on-stream.

What investments have gone into the upgrade?

Luca Giacomini: One of Impertek’s aims is to continuously improve production, with a close focus on finding innovative technologies and new resources with which to enhance and automate our production processes. The work we have done on the pro-

duction area involved the implementation of new technologies and machinery to boost production capacity, while at the same time cutting energy consumption and improving energy efficiency. We will now be turning our attention to the development of Industry 4.0, with a view to stepping up our digitalisation of production processes.

Tile International: How are your products conceived and what developments have taken place in terms of R&D?

Luca Giacomini

Luca Giacomini: Some of our designs are conceived on the basis of direct input from customers, who are always getting in touch with us to solve problems they have on construction sites, or who are looking for higher-performance materials that are also sustainable, if possible. Every year we invest a substantial share of our revenues in Research & Development with a view to continuously

improving our materials and making them fully recyclable and environmentally friendly, without compromising their performance and durability.

Tile International: How much importance do you attribute to the circular economy and how do your customers perceive environmental issues?

The Castel Thun project in Val di Non (Trentino Alto Adige, Italy) involved the construction of an indoor floating floor with Pedestal Line supports.

Luca Giacomini: Our business model places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. We believe that a sustainable future is the best legacy we can leave our children, and customers have become very sensitive to this too. In line with our circular economy model, aimed at extending the product life cycle and thus helping to minimise waste, our products are made

from recycled plastics that can then be recycled again. All production waste is channelled back into the production process, making it re-usable as part of a finished product.

Tile International: What new developments has Impertek introduced to the market for coverings installation systems?

Luca Giacomini: We’ll be unveiling a significant new system called “Skipper”, the first and only universal wind-resistant system for raised outdoor flooring. This new, patented system is set to become a benchmark in the industry because it can withstand hurricane-force winds, thus making outdoor flooring stable, safe and immovable, even in the face of extreme weather events, which unfortunately are becoming more and more frequent.

“Skipper” is also completely independent of the type of support used and the choice of self-bearing plate, and can even be installed on finished or pre-existing flooring. Impertek will surprise visitors with more innovations previewed during the days of Cersaie and will also exhibit the entire range of Pedestal Line, both fixed and self-levelling supports: from the historic Jack supports to the most versatile support on the market, Balance Pro.

Tile International: What are the main applications for your pedestals?

Luca Giacomini: The entire “Pedestal Line” range can be used for creating raised flooring on terraces, pool surrounds, garden walkways, public squares and urban spaces. The pedestals can be installed on new coverings or existing flooring, thus avoiding the need for demolition. The adjustable pedestals have heights ranging from 10 mm to 1020 mm, while the height of the fixed pedestals is from 3 mm to 15 mm, but the entire range of products and accessories can be combined into multiple solutions and used on stone and ceramic flooring and wood decking, with floorboards and a mixed surface finish.

Pedestal Line supports are made from recycled plastics that can be recycled again.

The redevelopment of the former Manifattura Tabacchi involved the use of 16,960 MegaMart S pedestals (from 121 a 211 mm), 5,080 MegaMart S extensions, 10,940 MegaMart MM3 pedestals (from 75 to 120 mm), 360 MegaMart MM1 pedestals (from 35 to 50 mm) and 23,500 Top Rail AS heads.

Tile International: How much coverage of international markets do you have?

Luca Giacomini: We are very focused on internationalisation and we have significantly expanded the portfolio of countries we export to in recent years, either directly or through local distributors. Exports now account for almost 60% of Impertek’s sales: from Europe to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the United States and Canada. This prestigious achievement testifies to the outstanding efforts of all our staff and partners.

Tile International: Are there any stand-out projects that you are particularly proud of?

Luca Giacomini: Lots of prestigious projects have made use of our products: the redevelopment of the Manifattura Tabacchi, a former tobacco factory in Rovereto, where the raised floor comprising large stone tiles and long wooden floorboards is supported by our “Rail System”, consisting of height-adjustable pedestals that support “Rail” aluminium joists; work on hotel and hospitality facilities such as the “Summer Houses” (Falkesteiner Group) in Jesolo (in the Italian province of Ven -

ice) by US architect Richard Meyer; the extra-luxury hotel “Il Sereno” on Lake Como, remodelled by the famous designer Patricia Urquiola… not to mention Castel Thun in the Val di Non (Trentino Alto Adige) where our pedestals were used for the construction of an indoor floating floor to allow ventilation and the routing of wiring, in order to solve the problem of high humidity in the building. These are some of our showpieces, but let’s not forget that our products have also delivered brilliant solutions for smaller projects, such private homes and terraces, especially for renovation work.

THE CONVERSION OF MAGAZZINO DEI VINI, TRIESTE

“Every architect’s dream is to defy the impossible and one of those dreams is to build a ‘hole in the water’, which, as we know, is completely unachievable.

But in a way, in Trieste, we’ve done it because we really are almost inside the sea”.

This highly complex and ambitious architectural redevelopment project has given the city a building that triggers an interaction between the value of history and a totally transformed space, of indisputably dramatic impact, thereby opening the doors to a series of exclusive, original and innovative solutions.

Dramatic architecture

The structure, which reintegrates the existing perimeter walls, houses a transparent glass shell, which consti-

With these words, Marco Casamonti, one of the founders of the Florence-based firm Archea Associati , introduced the architectural plans for the regeneration of the Old Wine Warehouse at the Old Port of Trieste , a historic waterfront building now converted into Eataly’s Trieste site

tutes the real commercial and living space. The space between the masonry walls and the glass structure plays host to ornamental pools and suspended walkways. During the building work, the outer perimeter wall was divided into panels, dismantled, cleaned, refitted and then clad entirely with glass panels and extra-large mosaic tiles, all under the supervision of the cultural heritage authorities. This background multiplies the dramatic effect as a whole and its construction involved a series of unique and complex application solutions.

Photo: Pietro Savorelli

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

Coverings to the highest professional standards

Trend, which is a leading manufacturer of coloured glass, Venetian enamel, gold leaf tiles and agglomerates of glass, quartz and granite, also took care of the construction of the interior coverings of the perimeter wall, consisting of specially designed and manufactured glass panels.

Trend chose LATICRETE® as its technical partner for this delicate and demanding project, because of its expertise and its ability to supply a complete package of products capable of meeting a stringent set of unusual construction requirements, with the necessary guarantee of a stable, dependable and high-performance result.

LATICRETE® has been operating worldwide for over 65 years as a manufacturer of systems for the installation of ceramic tiles, marble and mosaic in residential, commercial and industrial settings.

The work involved several critical aspects:

• Installing slim-gauge glass panels in three different XL sizes

• Ensuring the perfect adhesion and, at the same time, the elasticity of the support for the glass panels in order to totally prevent the transmission of vibrations or settling movements

• Ensuring the long-term integrity of the high-value covering.

The degree of difficulty increased exponentially as a result of the architectural structure on which the work was performed:

• The structure is built on water and its first two storeys are actually below sea level

• The perimeter walls of the existing historic structure were divided into panels, dismantled, refitted and joined, using special joints, like pieces of Lego, giving rise to potential

settling movement or thermal expansion, resulting in instability of the support and the many joints.

Despite these conditions, the glass covering had to remain stable and unaffected by any settling movement of the structure, caused in part by interior features such as staircases and walkways attached to the structure.

LATICRETE® sent its technicians to carry out a series of on-site inspections to assess the support and draw up an appropriate technical procedure. It then put together a complete set of products and treatments for the construction of the interior facings of the brick-built perimeter. This was a guaranteed package specifically tailored to the needs of the project.

To ensure the success of the work, as well as supplying Trend with the necessary installation products through a dedicated team of technical staff, LATICRETE® oversaw every step of the construction process, across all five phases.

The use of LATICRETE® products made it possible to take targeted action at every stage:

• Bonding the STRATA_MAT fracture-resistant membrane to the entire inner concrete wall, which adhered perfectly thanks to the adhesive mixture made with LATEX ADDITIVE 4237 mixed with 211 POWDER. Because of their elasticity and special properties, this combination of products eliminates any risks associated with expansion or settling, and protects the panels against possible deformation, unsightly marks and detachment.

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

• The structure of the STRATA_MAT membrane was then levelled. This levelling operation filled the voids with a highstrength, high-performance skim coat made up of 8510 ADMIX BONDING latex, mixed with 211 POWDER.

• Having obtained a smooth, flat, fracture-resistant surface, the panels were installed using 254 PLATINUM, a single-component adhesive conforming to EN 12004 and classified as C2 TE S1, enhanced with special polymers. This product is specific for concrete, glass and low- absorbency surfaces in general, and is excellent for facades and submersed applications.

• Treatments were then carried out with silicone sealants, such as LATASIL, to create elastic seals at the expansion joints, corners between walls, joining panels between mosaics and internal steel structures.

• These last operations included grouting all the joints between panels across the whole glass facade, measuring several thousand square meters, with SPECTRALOCK® PRO PREMIUM GROUT, a three-component epoxy grouting compound in the same colour as the panels, which is ideal for glass mosaic installations.

The products supplied thus eliminated the risk of cracking and fractures caused by thermal expansion or settling, and ensured perfect adhesion and sealing of the glass mosaics. Furthermore, this was all backed up by a high degree of technical support during installation. ✕

Chiara Bruzzichelli

A BUILDING LIKE A DYKE IN EDAM-VOLENDAM

The Sportcampus ETB Sombroek sports complex, located in the Dutch municipality of Edam-Volendam, is both an architectural highlight for regional sports and a future-oriented building thanks to its CO2 neutrality

Kuiper Steur Architecten from Assendelft in the Netherlands won the tender for the Sportcampus ETB Sombroek sports complex in September 201 7, and the foundation stone was laid in November 2020 after project planning, approval and the awarding of the construction contract.

The pile-founded sports campus is located barely 200 metres from Markermeer lake near Volendam. In addition to a gymnasium, the multifunctional facility houses a gymnastics and fitness room, two dance halls, and rooms for yoga and martial arts.

and regenerative energy use. Tile manufacturer RAKO supplied high-quality tiles from the Color One, Block (in black) and Kaamos series for indoor and outdoor use for the regional flagship project.

The municipality of Edam-Volendam has invested in this exceptional new building in order to offer its local clubs and athletes - both amateur athletes and top national athletes train here - even better training conditions.

From an urban planning point of view, the recently inaugurated striking building is an important addition and enhancement for the entire town. The architecture is inspired by its exposed location to the sea, wind, weather and by the surrounding countryside. In this context, also noteworthy is the sophisti -

Photo credit: Hans Morren, Ermelo

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

Chiara Bruzzichelli

cated energy and ecological concept that was developed in close cooperation between the architects and the specialist planners.

The sports c omplex is designed to be CO2-neutral and is equipped with a heat pump, PV panels, vegetation roof (water buffer), and reusable, maintenance-free, environmentally friendly systems and c onstruction products that can also be dismantled after use.

Throughout the building, Kuiper Steur Architecten have opted for RAKO tiles from LASSELSBERGER

The Color One series is used to accentuate the wall areas in the colours green/red and orange/blue. Underlying this is a carefully thought-out colour concept that represents the coat-of-arms colours of the municipal districts of Edam (green and red), Volendam (orange) and Zeevang (blue). In the shower areas, unglazed floor tiles from the Block series have been laid in black, with a restrained granite look as well as the necessary R10B slip resistance class

The architectural concept provides for a close relationship between the interior and exterior spaces, with the green roof that vaults over the sports building literally allowing nature and architecture to merge.

The systematic combination of natural space and building architecture is continued in the generously glazed entrance area. Architects Kuiper Steur have designed the floors throughout in the lightest colour (ivory) of the RAKO outdoor-tile Kaamos series in the 60 x 60 cm f ormat and with slip resistance

Why did you choose RAKO wall and floor tiles for the Sportcampus Sombroek?

Jack Steur (partner and architect at Kuiper Steur Architecten): We were looking for a product with the right price and quality. That’s what brought us to RAKO wall and floor tiles. We were also looking for a producer we could rely on to deliver “in time”, despite the hectic times we’re living in.

How have RAKO tiles supported the architectural and interior concept and enabled it to be realised in the project?

Jack Steur: With the colour concept for the wall tiles, we wanted to bring our community colours closer to the national and international guests and athletes who visit us here. The coloured tiles are therefore used on the walls of the changing rooms, shower and toilet areas. For indoor floors, it’s important to have the correct slip resistance, so that it’s possible to safely walk on the floor both with shoes and barefoot. In addition, the floors need to be easy to maintain. Thanks to RAKO, we have been able to use the exact same 2-cm-thick tile with a higher slip resistance outside and inside in the entrance zone.

What are the special qualities of the project?

Jack Steur: We have created a dyke-shaped body. Our dyke-shaped body is covered with grass - just like the dykes in Holland. We have integrated the materials used in dykes into our concept in the basalt rock on the side of the building. We wanted to give the new building a special “sharpness” and play with the edges and lines, with the eaves slowly merging into the walkway in front of the entrance area and the path rising up again in the gable roof.

class R11B. The unglazed porcelain stoneware tiles with the slightly structured, pleasant surface feel are used both indoors and outdoors. The two areas thus merge visually into one large, continuous area and seamlessly into one another - a design trick that further enhances the extraordinarily flowing spatial impression between the forecourt and hall foyer of the sports campus. www.rako.eu

STETRA

Because

Desolidarizing and waterproofing membrane that neutralizes stresses between substrate and coating, preventing the formation of superficial cracks. Highly waterproof, insulates against rising damp.

A SEA-VIEW TERRACE ON THE AMALFI COAST

With its priceless heritage and small, sun-soaked towns perched above the sea, the Amalfi Coast offers a uniquely beautiful landscape marked by high cliffs, enchanting coves, small bays and terraced vineyards,

olive groves and citrus orchards. As such, it provides an evocative setting for a building project in which technical content dovetails with aesthetics to yield an impeccable result.

To optimise the view from their modern home in Atra ni, the owners built a terrace directly overlooking the sea. The initiative saw the involvement of an Italian company specialising in architectural and con struction systems, whose contribution to the devel opment of building solutions is not confined to ma jor works, but also extends to smaller projects and renovations.

This project involved the use of the company’s Pedestal Prime® supports to create the struc ture for the raised flooring of the 60m terrace.

The sub-structure was built using PR1, PR2 and PR3 pedestals installed at various heights, ranging from 50 to 350 mm. This was then tiled with wood-effect porcelain tiles meas uring 60x60 cm with a thickness of 2 cm.

The new pedestals for raised flooring create attractive, practical structures that enhance the beauty of their host environments while offering all the benefits of floating floors. ✕

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

Chiara Bruzzichelli

PEDESTAL PRIME®

The Pedestal PRIME supports chosen by the client for the construction of the terrace on the Amalfi Coast are one of the latest innovations from Eterno Ivica. They incorporate a complex engineering system developed on the basis of our team’s expertise, which facilitates the task of installers and enhances their results. Unlike standard Pedestal supports, Pedestal PRIME® supports are made with an extension already integrated into them, which makes it possible to reach a wide range of measurements.

They are compatible with all the heads from the Pedestal and Woodeck line: Ø 110 mm heads, Ø 150 mm XL heads, heads for aluminium joists, cross heads for aluminium joists and universal heads for wooden joists.

A single product can therefore be either self-levelling or fixed, depending on construction site requirements, by simply inserting a head-fastener.

The PRIME® line consists of three different products, which adapt perfectly to the three bases. Available in three different sizes, they cover a comprehensive range of heights from 30 mm to 420 mm:

• PR1 covers heights from 30 mm to 65 mm.

• PR2 covers heights from 65 mm to 155 mm.

• PR3 covers heights from 155 mm to 420 mm.

This new technology facilitates the work of installers, because its ergonomic shape makes it really easy to adjust the measurement without having to add extensions, pipes or other accessories. It also offers higher resistance to exceptional loads, which exceeds the thresholds required for certification.

CERSAIE 2022

From 26 to 30 September, Cersaie returns to populate the Bologna Fair. The great attractiveness of the show is confirmed for operators in the world of construction, architecture, interior design and contract, who find the most important moment of their commercial relationship precisely in meeting with the exhibitors present at the fair. An event whose international relevance is confirmed by the fact that also for this edition the entire available area, equal to 150 thousand square meters, is totally occupied by over 620 exhibitors.

Information and training

The program of the 39th edition of Cersaie includes a rich calendar of events, in the name of internationality and quality, of information and training. The conferences and institutional press conferences, the architecture and interior design events of “Costruire Abitare Pensare” (“Building, living, thinking”), “La Città della Posa” (The city of laying), the Cafés of the Press created by the sector publications, are some of the events that will characterize the fair. All accompanied by an incoming campaign for foreign operators and inter-

national promotion activities, carried out thanks to the support of the Ice Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The “Cersaie Business” project sees 110 guests this year, with an increase of 40% compared to the participants in 2021. A particular focus is on real estate development projects in Saudi Arabia, from which a qualified delegation of Saudi architects and developers will be the protagonists of a round table together with the exhibiting companies, coordinated by the architect Massimo Iosa Ghini. Also noteworthy is Cersaie Digital, which will be online

for three weeks (from 19 September to 7 October) with the aim of improving and expanding relations between exhibitors and visitors, in order to consolidate participation in the physical fair.

Awards for quality

ADI, the association that brings together Italian design professionals and companies, will deliver two quality-related prizes (appointment 28th, at 2.30 pm). The first, the ADI Ceramics and Bathroom Design Award, will be awarded to the most innovative Italian products in the ceramic and bathroom furnishing sectors; the second, the ADI Booth Design Award, aims to enhance the exhibition stands that best promote the product and brand of the exhibiting companies within the fair.

Space for the archistars and great guests

The German architect Manuel Herz, very active in the design of furniture and exhibitions, as well as in urban planning and urban research, will be among the protagonists of the cultural program “Costruire Abitare Pensare” (“Building, living, thinking”) with a conference to be held on the afternoon of Thursday 29. Manuel Herz’s research focuses on the architecture and urban planning of migration. His book “From the field to the city: Refugee Camps of the Western Sahara” documents how refugee camps can be places of social emancipation.

Big guests at Cersaie will be also Michaela Wolf and Gerd Bergmeister, founders of the Bergmeisterwolf studio based in Bressanone and Rosenheim. Winner of numerous awards and nominations, in 2019 the Bergmeisterwolf studio won the Italian Architect Award 2019, promoted by the CNAPPC, for its approach to architecture that “responds to the context with attention to materials and with a bold formal solution”.

Moreover, at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday 28 September, architect Mario Botta will speak at a conference entitled “Building Peace” with the participation of Fulvio Irace. The conference will give participants an opportunity to discover how one of the many sustainable development goals can be pursued through architecture. As well as describing

the Lviv church project, he will also discuss his belief that architecture has an ethical purpose and remains a form of resistance to immaterial society.

The 10th Tiling Town

Tiling Town, the meeting place for the world of Italian and international tile installers which is celebrating its 10th edition this year, will be located in a more than 400 square metre space in Hall 32, close to the Piazza Costituzione entrance to the Bologna Exhibition Centre. On each of the five days of the 39th Cersaie, visitors to Tiling Town will have the chance to attend slab installation showcases given by expert tile layers.

The technical seminars on slab laying aimed at architects and designers will be held in a permanent conference area and will consist of two hours of classroom sessions and two hours of practical experience in the installation workshop. They will be held in the afternoons from Monday 26 to Thursday 29 September (and on the morning of Friday 30 September) and will earn professional training credits for participating architects, engineers and surveyors.

Another interesting initiative is the Tiling Town Matinées, a series of tile installation events organised by Assoposa’s technical partners (Fila, Mapei and Raimondi) to be held at 10.00 a.m. daily from Monday to Friday.

A large space in “Tiling Town” will be occupied by the Italian ceramic tile layers’ association Assoposa, which communicates constantly with tile installation professionals and acts as an info point for visitors, as well as promoting Tile Layer Certification in accordance with Standard UNI 11493-2 in cooperation with certification body Certi.S.

Assoposa will also be organising three specific spaces. The first is the Academy devoted to extra-large slab layers and an exhibition of washbasins made from large slabs, as well as a work in progress illustrating the cladding of a complex volume with ceramic mosaic tiles. A second area will be devoted to outdoor spaces with demonstrations of raised and exterior floor installation. Assoposa in Rosa is a third area devoted to women working in the world of construction, especially in retail outlets. ✕

ABK

Poetry Stone is an integral part of the POETRY HOUSE project, the creative material and surface design concept developed as a collaboration between ABK and Studio OTTO - Paola Navone

A kind of “stone box” created specially for use in architecture and interior design, Poetry Stone combines ABK’s technological expertise with the aesthetics of the renowned Milanese design firm.

Exploiting the unlimited potential offered by the world of stone, three visually appealing varieties with different textures and colours were selected for the Poetry Stone collection, all of which are open to experimentation in keeping with ABK’s stylistic vision. Piase is inspired by veined stone, Pirenei stands out for the presence of small pebbles and Trani recreates the calcareous inclusions of limestone. The collection comes in a total of seven colours in a palette dominated by neutral, contemporary tones.

Studio OTTO - Paola Navone used the stone effect to create handmade decorations with a slightly imperfect look featuring white brushstrokes or raku-style metallic designs. The vaguely tribal look of Traces, the sinuous and romantic appeal of Stamp and the artistic dripping effect of Lines – all in a 60x120 cm size – are complemented by the 60x60 cm and 120x120 cm Carpet decorations inspired by the iconic whitewashed surfaces typical of Paola Navone’s most famous designs. The decorative proposals also include Carving surfaces made with 3Dtech technology, which offer a minimalist interpretation of engraved stone.

In the Poetry Stone collection, ABK combines design with innovation thanks to Fullbody3D technology, an advanced raw material mixing technique that recreates the natural look of stone across the entire thickness of the tile.

VERSACE CERAMICS

The new ICONS collection from Versace Ceramics recreates the style and identity of one of Italy’s most prestigious fashion brands along with the distinctive designs for which it is renowned.

The first Versace Ceramics porcelain wall tile collection with a wallpaper effect, ICONS is exclusive and easy to install and ideal for use in bathrooms, kitchens and even swimming pools. The decorative themes include some of the brand’s most famous historical motifs while others are the fruit of its latest stylistic research. They all come in a 60x120 cm size and symbolise modern, accessible luxury.

LaGreca is one of the highlights of the latest Versace collections, available in various col-

our and size combinations and featuring the brand’s new signature monogram. The Medusa motif transfers the glint of gold from luxury fabrics to ceramic surfaces. The Logo with its all-over lettering offers timeless appeal, while the distinctive Barocco decoration is one of the most classic designs in the world of Versace, also available in the more nature-inspired Barocco Garden version. Tresor de la mer is a celebration of summer colour, while Palm is a tropical theme already famous on the catwalk and represents the jungle trend popular amongst home decoration professionals.

The collection stands out for the powerful tactile appeal of its surfaces, which reproduce the various designs with sophisticated relief effects and in some cases use glossy glazes and high-thickness grits. Three-dimensional coordinated finishes (skirting board and terminal) and decorative strips with precious metal inserts are available to ensure perfect installation, while an innovative bespoke service allows users to customise tiles with their initials in the original Versace alphabet.

PROGRESS PROFILES

Combining functionality and design, the walk-in shower is one of the most attractive ways of completing a bathroom. Avoiding leaks, creating the right gradient to ensure effective drainage, and achieving impeccable, long-lasting installation resul ts, however, can be a long and complex task.

As an ideal solution for making your shower a place of absolute comfort, Progress Profiles offers the patented PROSHOWER SYSTEM , which is available in two versions – LINEAR or CENTRAL – and consists of various elements.

The latest development, on display at Cersaie in Area/Hall 31 Stand A15, is the PROSHOWER BASE L PRO drainage channel with easy-toinspect, 360° swivelling siphon.

The new stainless steel channel is extremely versatile: available in a range of lengths, it is complemented by three different stainless steel grids to suit every need. The dual internal gradient (which runs both lengthways and widthways) ensures correct drainage and, in conjunction with the optional hair filter , a clean, hygienic shower environment.

There are two support bases of different heights inside the channel unit (the lower ones are 6 mm below the higher ones): this means that by simply turning the grids through 180°, you can increase the height by 6 mm. The kit also contains winged feet with overall heights of 17.5 and 27.5 mm, thus enabling you to raise the grid to a maximum height of 25 mm.

This makes installation quick and simple, thanks in part to the PROFOIL PRO waterproofing membrane made of elasticised polythene, which ensures excellent adhesion to the tiles, the low-thickness grid and the template for installers, which ensures that the tiles are laid precisely and without errors.

PROSHOWER BASE L PRO is also available in a version with tank for through-wall drainage systems, so that it can be located in the right position to ensure effective drainage in this configuration too.

photocredit Massimo Camplone

FLAVIKER

The trend-setting nature of stone is the concept behind the ROCKIN’ collection. It draws inspiration from a type of English stone quarried in the Lake District which has been re-elaborated graphically with the addition of micro-pebbles to enhance the natural mottled effect. The result is an elegant, restrained look that fits in with the micro-grit trend while displaying an utterly original personality. The collection comes in four colours and a wide range of sizes which can be combined among themselves to enhance the look of indoor and outdoor spaces. Ice, the palest and most luminous shade in the palette, goes well both with Desert, a warm tone enhanced by contrasting micro-intrusions, and with Grey, the colour that is closest to that of the original natural stone. The final shade in the palette is Lava, an intense colour reminiscent of volcanic rock.

ROCKIN’ comes in four different patterns, one for each colour, created using 3D Tech technology to enhance the appeal of stone with elegant and realistic relief effects. Floral imitates sandblasting techniques with soft natural shapes, while Lozenge features geometries with an engraved, bush-hammered and polished look. Net decorates walls with a small diamond pattern and finally Blast recreates an artisanal bush-hammered effect.

The 20x120 cm size opens up new possibilities for the world of stone, such as staggered or chevron layouts.

The ROCKIN’ collection is produced using Flaviker’s state-of-the-art production technologies and in particular uses Fullbody3D mixed bodies in which the surface design extends through the tile’s thickness.

ENERGIEKER

“Mood” ceramic collection by EnergieKer combines the performance of porcelain stoneware with the peculiar aesthetics of the resin look alike . The continuity effect minimizes the presence of joints, enhancing the uniformity effect. The wide range of colors, from the most

neu tral to the most vibrant tones, together with a texture finish enhances the sensoriality. The serie’s Mood essentiality naturally matches the Medley collection which recovers and re-elaborates the appearance of surfaces made with the “Venetian

battuto” look in a contemporary key. A versatile color range and a texture rich in details leave room for a whimsical expressiveness but meditated. The proposal admits differents sizes, from the 60x120 cm to the larger 120x270 cm.

NG KÜTAHYA SERAMIK

NG Kütahya Seramik has created one of its most eye-catching collections, appealing to all tastes. The “Brave Blue” line reflects the colour alternatives that have not been tried so far to the brand’s products. Pacific, Kemer, Azura and Toscano series, consisting of different shades of blue, take their users on a blue journey in their living spaces. Ceramics with the size of 120x240 cm provide ease of application along with the advantage of size in space designs. The Azu-

ra is designed with inspiration from Brazilian quartzite with dark blue veins on a light blue surface. Pasifik creates a distinctive ambiance with its ocean blue colour and Kemer brings a completely different approach to ceramics with its appearance that goes beyond the limits in design. With its Bookmatch patterns inspired by sea waves and its Nordic style, Toscana evokes Mediterranean beaches with a clear beauty and peaceful turquoise colour.

Collection Arenal

Crema

DR TECNICA

DR Tecnica is overlooking at a new industry sector with the energy and precision which distinguish itself, the one of both company and private Showroom fitting

The experience achieved in designing and developing new exhibiting systems is at the service of designers and dealers. Company Showrooms are increasingly dedicated to big size slabs. The trend is to use production and logistic warehouse with “industrial hangar” mood and big dimensions to create

strong character expositions. Finishings are mainly resin, raw cement and iron, the lighting system made with rails and adjustable spotlights and minimal but very scenographic settings. DR Tecnica offers different solutions suitable for these modern contexts to ensure effective and captivating exhibition spaces

Visit DR Tecnica to talk about new projects during Cersaie at Hall 28 Booth D14.

GRUPO GRECO GRES

Quality and innovation, that’s the reason of being of Grupo Greco Gres through its 80 years of history making porcelain materials. The company uses the most advanced techniques and state-of-the-art technologies, to produce ceramic pieces by extrusion that meet the latest standards of the industry. The brand has now developed the Frontek System, an exclusive piece of extruded ceramics that has excellent technical qualities for the cladding of facades: extremely hard, light, highly resistant and long-lasting, with low water absorption and outstanding performance against weather and environmental conditions.

The Frontek piece has many finishes in its different rang-

es: textured, natural, metallic, wood and volume. These pieces offer an excellent dimensional accuracy, with optimum tolerance levels thanks to its production process by extrusion, in which the piece is rectified on its 4 sides, thus achieving an unbeatable planimetry.

Using the Frontek System to build a ventilated façade allows to increase the energy efficiency of the building, achieving an estimated energy saving between 15 % and 35 % both heating and cooling.

Other line of successful materials of Greco Gres is Argos, made from natural raw materials with exceptional mechanical and aesthetic properties that surpass those of any conventional tiling material.

Argos is the result of years of research and development. Thanks to evolution of extrusion technology is now possible to produce a 47,24” x 118,11” porcelain tile and 0,47” thick, while still maintaining the mechanical and aesthetic properties characteristics of porcelain tile.

Moreover, the company presents Venatto, porcelain pieces by extrusion for pavements and swimming pools, with many finishings and textures: woods, cements, and stones. And the line Klinker Greco, rustic stoneware for floorings, facades, and swimming pools.

Greco Gres is present throughout Spain with commercial delegations that guarantee service at any point. The international division covers the five continents with a prominent presence in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Argos, countertop model Polar, wall model Carthage

Frontek model Iceberg

Venatto model Dakota

IMPERTEK

For the outdoor raised floor sector, Impertek has designed a small, big solution: Skipper is the first and only universal windproof system for outdoor flooring. The new patented system is destined to become a reference in the outdoor raised flooring sector as it resists hurricanes. The particular shape of Skipper recalls a small anchor which, positioned between the tiles, creates a solid and homogeneous connection between them, avoiding their lifting and potential damage to things and people. One of the aspects that make this system unique is its universality: Skipper fits with every kind of support and floor finishings chosen and can also be installed when the flooring is finished or preexisting. Its installation is quick and easy, it does not require to the installer tools or special technical skills. Even any removal to inspect any point in the area below, will be easy and quick by using only a screwdriver or a tile lifter. Once installed, Skipper is invisible and being made of galvanized stainless steel it can withstand weather. Furthermore, being in Class A1 FL it is completely fireproof. Thanks to the Skipper windproof system, Impertekalready a global player in the production of fixed and adjustable supports for raised floors – adds to the installation the safety that was not there.

KAJARIA CERAMICS

Expansive and elegant, 1200x2400 mm The Ultima slabs create a sense of grandeur and space you can only get from the extra-large premium tile. With a variety of finishes and nature inspired designs, it provides an ideal solution for grand urban spaces with limitless beauty.

Made with Continua+ technology from Sacmi, Ultima Slabs has greater body strength, flexibility, perfect slab planarity and superior surface flatness.

THE BIG WORLD OF THE SMALL SIZE

MONTOLIT

Masterpiuma Power 5 is the new super-professional tile cutter de¬signed to face the most demanding ceramic cutting “challenges”

The new line of machines is based on the fundamental advantage of an “All in One” and includes the distinctive characteristics that have made the “Masterpiuma” the worldwide leader in the field of profes¬sional tile cutters. Everything has been redesigned - in close collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano - and this cutter is made to tackle the most recent and innovative ceramic materials (including new formats of increasingly tough porcelain but also extremely delicate vitrified tiles).

The light alloy frames are sized and structured where the points of the greatest stress are, with the addition of “reinforcement brackets and ribs” that optimize the behavior of the machine for front cuts, thick cuts, or full body porcelain.

Robust wings in die-cast aluminum are perfectly integrated into the frames, ensuring an improved support to large tiles with diagonal cuts, without leaving the machine profile.

The oversized goniometric square is almost symmetrical and can rotate both to the right (+ 45 °) and to the left (- 45 °), allowing precise cuts in succession at any angle thanks to the ingenious folding stop, also maintaining the impressive Montolit feature of being able to be closed within the shape of the machine. This is ideal for accuracy as well as setting up and closing quickly on the job site, handling and transporting.

The incision handle, ergonomically defined with the expertise of the Politecnico di Milano, contains many advantages including the

ability for the operator to manage the incision depth and the splitting force. The pressure exerted can be controlled and modulated perfectly at your own discretion. The handle guides the opera¬tor according to the requirements dictated by the different materials, meaning that the operator can face structured, very thick tiles (up to 20mm) or very thin glass mosaic without any fear. In summary, the work in designing and modelling of the handle gives even more advantages to the sensitive nature of push incision cutting.

The Montolit P5 features the double trestle splitting system which has a built-in scratch-resistant polymer. This is a single component piece which can be closed for normal cuts (this doesn’t require any retraction of the handle after the first incision), and then for example, opened for cuts on the corners of tiles or for mosaic sheets.

Also included for complex projects is an integrated lubricant which can be used when required, by giving a slight squeeze on the dispenser.

The tungsten carbide incision wheel, coated in titanium, is mounted directly and rigidly on the aluminum body and is clearly visible. This is optimized with double sharpening to ensure the best performance on vitrified, on bumpy or on three-dimensional tiles, and is guaranteed for 5,000 meters, although quick and easy to replace if required.

The Range of Masterpiuma Power 5 super-professional tile cutters includes models 63P5 (cm 63x63), 75P5 (cm75x75) and 93P5 (cm 93x93) and the brand new 131P5 (cm 131x131) and 161P5 (cm 161x161) are added to better accommodate the latest trends in ceramic tiles.

VITRA

VitrA Tiles’ latest integrated systems and ceramic material library, inspired by nature and the essential circular creativity of life, invite to join on a bold, regenerative and colourful journey of discovery.

The new Resincrete collection is designed to stimulate emotions in urban living spaces by using the texture of concrete blends with resin in a myriad of shades colours.

CobbleMix collection focuses on the refreshing feeling of the outside and the great energy of nature. The distinctions between exteriors and interiors fall away, bringing an aesthetic seamlessness into the spaces.

LightStone collection helps to create relaxed living spaces through the connection with nature’s serene yet dynamic energy.

Reflecting the swirls of colour and patterns as slate interacts with different minerals in its most natural form, the Ardesia Stone collection twists the natural surface textures of the stone it is inspired by, to render an urban character to the environments.

The City Marble collection reflects the refined elegance of city living and offers a choice of four premier-quality marbles, conveying arresting natural marble designs to urban stylish living places.

The Cementside collection, enriched with monochrome structured grains, has a calm surface texture with a concrete look, adding a stylish and contemporary atmosphere to each living space.

ECO DESIGN

ECO DESIGN means deep knowledge of the exhibiting needs in the tile & stone industry.

Thanks to its team of architects , designers, and technicians the company is able to guarantee a functional and impressive presentation for shops, showrooms, and exhibitions. From single display-units to turn-key services and complete installations, ECO DESIGN satisfies any request making its

30 years expertise available to the customers. All the products are conceived and manufactured in the company’s factory in Italy and exported all over the world. These pictures show some of the last projects, in particular the company showroom of Fincibec Group and the one of Mutina . ECO DESIGN presents the new product range at Cersaie 2022, Hall 28 Booth C2

Emotion

PROFILPAS

Among the Profilpas novelties on display at Cersaie (Hall 31Stand A55) there is Trend Color, a range of 20 modern finishes inspired by the colours of stone, concrete and metals and dedicated to external corner profiles and listellos and skirting boards with LED light. Trend Color is composed by three lines: Trend Color Stone, twelve finishes in neutral and soft tones that recall stone nuances and texture; Trend Color Concrete, six original concrete shades, inspired by the tonalities of the metropolis; Trend Color Metal, two special colours that reproduce the iridescent nature of metals. For the first time at Cersaie, Profilpas also displays PP Drain Aqua, the new range of floor-level shower drains made of AISI 316 stainless steel and equipped with removable antibacterial ABS siphon. PP Drain Aqua shower drains satisfy any aesthetic taste and perfectly match the latest trends in bathroom accessories thanks to the possibility of choosing

between four types of covers, different in design and finishes. Among the outdoor products, Profilpas presents Protec CPQV the new perimeter profile for the protection and finishing of balconies and terraces, provided with a vertical visible part that covers the edge of the tiled floor and an underlying sloping part with slot holes for the further drainage of the water seeped under the tiles. Profilpas also shows the new accessories for the range of raised floor supports PP Level DUO, a series of elements such as extenders, joists, clips and rubber levelling disks to make the installation of outdoor raised floors more practical and functional. Last but not least, one of the top products is Promat, the new modular technical entrance mat, easy and quick to install thanks to the interlocking system with silver anodised aluminium profiles, already equipped with inserts in black carpet, rubber or brushes.

CERRAD

Cerrad x La Mania Home brand is a set of four, gres tile collections: Brazilian Quartzite, Ceppo Nuovo, Modern Concrete, Marmo Thassos/Morocco, that were inspired by the beauty of the surrounding world, and that come in several formats and color variations with different surface finishes. Among them, 6 mm thick slabs measuring 120x180 cm, with original designs and a unique surface finish: lappato silky cristal. These innovative tiles form the new line will work in any area: kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom, and they will go hand in hand with large spaces, where they will truly show off their full potential.

MAPEI

Mapei’s ULTRACARE range, which includes nine surface cleaning products, has now been extended with seven new products – and a complementary product called Ultracare Fuga Fresca – aimed at another important phase of floor and tile care, namely protection. These protective products, formulated in Mapei’s Research Laboratories, deliver high performance and meet a wide variety of needs, including protective revitalisation, water- and oil-repellent treatment for natural stone, artificial stone, “cementine”, terracotta, thick marble tiles and a host of other materials, protection for polished porcelain tile and cement-based joints, and pre-grouting protection.

ULTRACARE is a unique line specially formulated to assist professionals and end-users from the installation to the care and protection of private, commercial and industrial flooring. Safe and easy to use, these latest products are the ideal solution for a huge variety of construction sites, from newly laid coverings to the care and protection of existing surfaces in a range of commercial, industrial and residential environments.

Supplied in ready-to-use form, ULTRACARE protective products do not require dilution on clean, dry or slightly damp material (depending on the type of product). They can be applied with a paintbrush or wax applicator. To find out more about the features and uses of the Ultracare line, see the specific data-sheets and video tutorials on the Mapei website.

Like all the other products from the Ultracare line, these latest additions will be made in Mapei Group’s main production facility in Mediglia (MI), in the Italian province of Milan, for the entire world market, except North America.

CERAMICA RONDINE

Few places anywhere in the world offer such a varied landscape as the Mojave Desert, and that’s why Ceramica Rondine drew inspiration from it, extrapolated its colours and nuances, and reproduced them in a collection of small, striking ceramic tiles

In the new Mojave series, the classic 6x25 brick-shaped tile comes in eight different shades (blue, sea water, denim, green, white, light grey, ochre and terracotta), with an almost worn, glazed effect, as if long exposed to the caress of the wind and nature.

Dal 1821 al vostro fianco

La soddisfazione del cliente è la nostra priorità.

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.

Vi aspettiamo al Cersaie

allo stand B2-C1 - Padiglione 28

Since 1821 by your side

Customer satisfaction is our top priority.

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.

We wait for you at Cersaie

Booth B2-C1 - Pav. 28

ELEMENTS

Operating in the indoor construction sector, Elements offers products that meet the need for efficient, comfortable habitats, both in new and renovated or redeveloped buildings. The company’s range features high-performance systems, including a separating and waterproofing membrane for electric floor and wall heating, even in a latest-generation self-adhesive version.

The membrane has a unique, patented design (No. 15/070.960, of which Elements srl is the joint patent-holder), which ensures good adhesion of the ceramic covering to the membrane and creates a separating layer between the covering and the substrate, thereby neutralising possible tensions between the two and preventing the onset of surface cracks, thanks to its special geometry. It is ideal for the installation of large-format panels, which are increasingly used in state-of-the-art interior design projects but which require certain precautions to be tak-

en for correct application, such as choosing a suitable substrate for installation.

Using this membrane in conjunction with the electric cable therefore delivers multiple benefits in a single product: separation, waterproofing, vapour venting and electric heating. The membrane for electric heating is also a smart technology system, making it a responsible choice in terms of energy saving and sustainability.

SCHLÜTER-SYSTEMS

The company offers tile professionals in trade, crafts and planning a complete range for creating barrier-free bathrooms that combine maximum comfort and attractive design. At the Cersaie in Bologna, new developments for the elegant and flexible linear drainage system Schlüter-KERDI-LINE-VARIO will be on display at the Schlüter booth A18-B17 in hall 32.

In 2021 the innovative system received no less than three internationally renowned design awards: the Red Dot Award in the bathroom and sanitary category, the ICONIC AWARD from the German Design Council and the Architects’ Darling Award® from the architectural portal Heinze. The intelligent system impressed the juries and also the tile professionals with its combination of a flat and flexible drainage unit and elegant drainage profiles.

In Bologna Schlüter-System presents the drainage profile KERDI-LINE-VARIO WAVE in a new width. Slightly more expansive than the existing profile, this version can be easily navigated with a wheelchair. Both the WAVE and the cove-shaped COVE drainage profile will also be available to customers in a length of 180 cm from November. This further expands the design options, especially in large shower areas.

The Schlüter-DECO-SG is a proven solution for accommodating glass partitions in floor and wall areas of floor-level showers. The elements are securely fixed in the 12 or 15 mm wide shadow gap. The new Schlüter-DECO-SGC is a clever addition to this and was specifically developed for use on corners with adjoining plastered walls. Available in four heights and also with a shadow gap of 12 or 15 mm, DECO-SGC is installed vertically and in this way securely accommodates the glass element.

RAIMONDI

Back in 2009 Raimondi introduced a product which changed how to set tiles forever: the wedge & clip leveling system RLS (Raimondi Levellling System).

From the beginning, it was clear for the company that ergonomic was fundamental in order to meet the professional installers favor. That’s why Raimondi introduced manual pliers to properly operate the system.

The ever‐increasing need for better ergonomics, effectiveness and installation speed, have been giving a strong innovative boost to the R.L.S leveling system. LEVMATIC BATTERY is the latest result of this boost. The brand new LEVMATIC BATTERY pliers eliminates any effort of the installer related with the wedge tightening phase. LEVMATIC BATTERY is battery‐-powered and therefore cordless. Thus, it gives the installer the maximum freedom of movement while working.

It is provided with Li‐-Ion battery (rechargeable and interchangeable) which guarantees long autonomy. The continuous (without pre‐-set steps) adjustments allow to set the tensile force with absolute precision and to perfectly adapt to the thickness of the tile to be installed.

AVA

The colour tones and vein patterns are the strength of SAHARA NOIR large-format porcelain panels in a deep shade of black with white and gold veins that generate scintillating plays of light.

These colours and the intersections between the streaks give this product a strong character, which is highly appreciated in modern interiors. The geometric dynamism accentuates its clean lines, while the deep black colour lightens the graphic

components of which it is made. Its aesthetic effects make it the ideal complement to elegant, luxurious interiors.

As well as the 120x280 format with a thickness of 6mm, Sahara Noir is available in a 163x324 format with a thickness of 12mm, sold under the AVA STONE brand. This is perfect for making furnishing complements in of any shape or size, such as kitchen counters and worktops, living-room furniture and bathroom vanity units.

ELIOS

Elios presents three new ceramic tile collections that draw increasing inspiration from disparate materials and textures, in line with the latest contemporary design trends. SEQUOIA MAXI, designed for outdoor use, focuses on impeccably crafted details that give the finished surfaces a warm, authentic realism. EMOTION, produced in size 20x20cm, embellishes its host environment with an elegantly distinctive pattern and a touch of creativity. MONTREAL, lastly, combines an intriguing concrete-effect finish with the classic charm of Venetian terrazzo to create a new surface that strikes the perfect balance between tradition and innovation.

LA FABBRICA

Past meets present in La Fabbrica’s new “Small” collection of ceramic wall tiles for residential and commercial in teriors. This new series marks the company’s debut in the world of small-format , single-fired, porous wall tiles. It offers a wide range of new field tiles, with a watercolour look, in a form of ceramic made according to the standards of craftsmanship of the past but with the know-how of the

present. Colour is the centrepiece of the design , with a rich palette of contemporary tones. It includes 12 colours, on a gloss surface, with over 50 facets to give every project its own stylistic identity. The series also features Trend, a collection of modern field tiles decorated with geometric motifs, and Amalfi, a tribute to traditional Italian majolica, which o ffers limitless compositional possibilities.

ASCOT EVERYTILE

Saint Remy is pure French limestone, embroidered with details that only a truly lived stone can show. With this series, Ascot Everytile defines a new evolution of its tiles collections: for the first time we are not only seeing the use of digital glues, but this is also combined with the technique of lapping, bringing the surfaces to an unseen level of realism.

Available in 12”x24”, 24”x24”, 24”x”48” modular sizes for indoors, together with 4”x24” and 35”x35” sizes. The 24”x24” Out Dry and 35”x35” Out 20mm sizes define a total proposal for outdoor spaces.

DOM DESIGN LAB

A sedimentary stone that witnesses a renewed antiquity which manifests itself with material inclusions stratified by complicity weather. Stoneware surfaces of profound naturalness generate surprising compositions, for interior design projects that exalt the technical and aesthetic characteristics of the ceramic product.

Ara Stone new collection is presented in 12”x24”, 24”x24”, 24”x48” and 35”x35” sizes, also showcasing an extensive set of decorations, designed to accomplish any design creativity.

VALLELUNGA & CO.

New inspirations trigger an evolution in home design, implementing a tasteful, refined vision that showcases the technical and aesthetic qualities of ceramic surfaces. Embodying the essence of onyx, enriching it with patterns and colored inclusions to reveal its unexpected purity, is the outcome of research that aims to sublimate the natural inspiration material. The new Sobe ceramic collection focuses on ivory and blue as a daring choice for interpreting this material in a single pattern on a rich assortment of plain, mosaic and decor tiles, with exquisite metallic highlights that denote the creative flair of Vallelunga & Co.

ORIGINAL PARQUET INVESTMENT, UNIQUENESS AND INNOVATION

Original Parquet, founded in Alfonsine di Ravenna in 1994, is now one of Italy’s leading manufacturers of wood flooring. Although the industry has been though difficult patches, due to the downturn in the real estate market and competition from “wood-effect” rivals, it has regained its leading role in interior design and has always

managed to stay on top, as it constantly evolves, in step with the times, in terms of environmental sustainability, the safety and skills of its workforce, and the quality, originality and appeal of its products. Original Parquet has been growing year after year with a production range made entirely in Italy and a keen understanding of

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: How did Original Parquet perform in 2021?

GIOVANNI BALLARDINI: 2021 was an important year for the wood industry as a whole, but for us in particular it was a year marked by recovery, successes, achievements and continued growth, which bounced back to the positive levels last seen in 2019. 2020 was a critical year for many of us, because the pandemic caught us all unprepared. In terms of revenues, the company grew by 30% compared to 2019 and by 45% compared to 2020. We managed to limit the damage caused by Covid-related issues. 2022 also got off to a great start, in the slipstream of the previous year.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: Are you thinking of investing in innovation in the near future? If so, in what particular area?

G. BALLARDINI: We have put a whole series of development initiatives in place in recent years, despite the crisis in the sector and uncertainty in the markets. We have carried on investing, in line with the strategy of renewal we embarked upon in 2017, involving the purchase of new materials and technology. We have improved the original varnishing line with a latest-generation industrial module, we have purchased a specific machine for making joints for wood products, and to maximise our independence, we have already ordered various dowel production machines. Our investments are targeted, sustainable and aimed at improving company automation so that we can work at pace without compromising our high standards of quality. With raw material prices going through the roof, we are doing what we can to make our machining processes as streamlined as possible, to keep costs down.

the value of the natural, selected and certified raw material.

We discussed this success story with Giovanni Ballardini, the company’s General Manager and a young, third-generation member of a family of entrepreneurs that has been trading in construction and interior design materials for decades.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: In 2020 you told us you were opening a new 1000 sq.m showroom. What are the special features of this new facility? And am I right in thinking you can take virtual tours of it?

G. BALLARDINI: Our new showroom also serves as a meeting place for discussions with customers and training sessions for agents. It was conceived on the basis of years of work and the need to expand so as to be able to enhance not only our production but also the way we showcase our products. The opening was derailed by the pandemic, so during those mon ths of lockdown, we had to adapt it for use as a local shop. But we still achieved some good results from this, and received many visits from architects and customers from Ravenna and the surrounding area. Now that the restrictions have eased,

Chiara Poggi

Giovanni Ballardini

the showroom is fully up and running. We run training days for customers from Italy and abroad, with special visits.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: How does your creative department come up with its designs and what are you doing on the R&D front?

G. BALLARDINI: We combine technological innovation with the analysis of trends in the wood market . As I said, we have embarked on the purchase of machines for the automated customisation of surfaces. These enable us to produce planed effects and cu ts with an aged appearance, which make our wood products more and more unique. This is intertwined with our research, whose stand-out feature is the constant development of new finishes, in order to create products that are always at the forefront of innovation. We cannot hide the fact that wood has enjoyed a big rise in market share in recent years, with t wo out of three homes having at least one room with wood flooring. Our company has strong bonds with the renovation sector, but we are also involved in a wide range of new-build projects.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: Is environmental sustainability a factor in customers’ purchasing decisions? If so, how does it affect what people buy? Do you have any specifically eco-friendly products?

G. BALLARDINI: Like Italy’s other leading wood companies, Original Parquet has certifications such as FSC® C106780, which requires adherence to a number of best practices.
It identifies products containing wood from responsibly managed forests in accordance with strict environmental, social and economic standards. This type of certification is therefore a controlled, transparent way of demonstrating a company’s active contribution to responsible forest management. This means protecting the natural environment, bringing real benefits to populations, local communities and workers, and ensuring economic efficiency. We have PEFC™ 18-31-932 certification, which is the alter ego of the FSC on other types of products. We also have a certification of resistance to pedestrian traffic for high-footfall facilities. The company also takes all the necessary steps to continuously improve its green credentials, by installing extractor systems for all the machinery it uses, minimising dust, noise pollution and the use of additives, channelling research

efforts into eco-products, and focusing closely on waste management with a dedicated storage area and collaboration with qualified disposal companies.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: How have wood flooring installation techniques evolved in recent years? What kind of solutions do you offer?

G. BALLARDINI: As far as types of installation are concerned, we are very faithful to our roots. We concentrate on innovation in manufacturing and finishing technologies, but we are still attached to our tradition of tongue and groove installation, which is still the simplest, most direct and most popular method, enabling us to make unique glued or floating coverings depending on the type of floor.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: How many countries worldwide do you source your raw materials from? Are you experiencing logistical and procurement difficulties as a result of the conflict in Ukraine?

G. BALLARDINI: Our historic supply lines are from Poland and Croatia. We have never sourced raw materials from Ukraine, because we have not found suppliers there offering the product quality we need combined with the necessary qualifications to maintain our certifications. So we have not experienced any direct difficulties. But indirectly, the conflict will penalise us and

our competitors because Ukraine was one of the largest timber exporters. With one less source of supply, an already tight market will become even tighter.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: Has your target market changed over time in favour of certain types of professional?

G. BALLARDINI: Our target market is the same as it always has been, and mainly consists of retailers, 90% of whom are ceramic specialists with whom we have exclusive agreements for the supply of wood coverings Our sales chain is now historic. It is the same one that the company started with and is still adhering to. We only sell directly through our showroom. For all other sales, we have created a loyal, successful network based on personal relationships and years of work, whose members buy from us several times a year. As for export sales, we work with importers. For large companies in London, Paris, UAE, China and South Korea, we have sole agents who import our products.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: Have tax incentives caused any changes in your sales patterns? In what way have tax incentives affected your sales of floor and wall coverings?

G. BALLARDINI: As we do not sell directly to the private sector, we have not seen any major changes. Incentives

are still mainly a matter for retailers, who deal with them in partnership with their customers. But there’s no doubt that they have helped indirectly, because every order placed with a retailer, then comes through to us.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: Which of your collections are currently most in demand?

G. BALLARDINI: Our most popular collection at the moment is Picasso, an oak floorboard steeped in authenticity. Its colour palette enhances its warmth and contemporary style. Its entirely natural character com-

bines with SEVEN+ technology by Original Parquet, to create a collection offering first-class technical performance, made entirely in Italy. The heat-treated oak undergoes high-temperature heat treatment that puts the wood through hygrothermal processes that remove moisture from it and improve certain physical characteristics, such as resistance to biological deterioration caused by fungi, moulds and insects. Caravaggio is a small-to-medium pre-finished product that looks like a long, narrow floorboard of the type now trending in the world of architecture and design. This floor covering has a deliberately rustic look, featuring small natural knots, which brings the natural feel of wood directly into its host environment.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: What are your expectations for the forthcoming trade shows, which are finally being held face-to-face again?

G. BALLARDINI: For the rest of 2022 we will be taking advantage of the full potential of our new showroom. At the moment, keeping hold of our existing customers is a higher priority for us than looking for new ones . Unfortunately, the shortage of raw materials that we were talking about earlier means that we need to make the most productive possible use of our investment, including by means of events developed specifically for our customers. ✕

NEWSPAPERWOOD, PAPER TRANSFORMED INTO WOOD

When we think of wood and paper, we usually see it in this way; wood = source, paper = result. What if we turned the model upside down and saw paper as the source and wood as the final product? This was the concept behind Mieke Meijer’s project at the Design Academy Eindhoven. Thinking of paper as the final state of the product was limiting. With so much paper as the end result of newspaper production, Mieke envisioned an opportunity to recycle the process and recreate the wood NewspaperWood is an innovative and ecological material, produced from the recycling of newspapers which, due to printing errors or other reasons, have left the production cycle.

When NewspaperWood is cut, the layers of paper take

on the typical appearance of wood grain. The material can be cut, milled and sanded, and, like wood, is generally treated. We talked with Mieke Meijer, Arjan Van Raadshooven and Anieke Branderhorst, to learn more about the project.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: Your idea was born in 2003, when you were studying at the Design Academy Eindhoven: what was the input? Tell us more about the genesis of this interesting project…

Mieke Meijer: NewspaperWood started as a student project at Design Academy Eindhoven. In the spring of 2003

I started my third module in the department ‘Atelier’ at

Chiara Poggi

Design Academy Eindhoven. This department was different from all others: the classes took place in the middle of the workshop. Students who chose this direction were true ‘makers’. Experimenting with materials was the basis for each assignment. The assignment we worked on at that time was about wood. Wood is, in its smallest form, the basis of paper. Once turned into paper it does not come out of the paper recycling cycle anymore. I thought it would be nice to turn the process around and turn paper into wood again. When I started making a ‘paper tree’ I didn’t know what the outcome would be. The result was beyond expectation. Beside the fact that the material seemed to act like wood, it was just beautiful!

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: Then you got in touch with Arjan and Anieke of the Vij5 design brand… Mieke Meijer: Yes, actually not with the intention to collaborate on the NewspperWood project. But when they saw the material they fell in love with it and were interested in apping as a material alternative within the Vij5 collection. The project however took a different turn. We invited designer friends to experiment with and come up with NewspaperWood product ideas which Vij5 presented during the Salone del Moile in 2011. Surprisingly there was a lot of interest from automotive companies which resulted in a project with Peugeot for a concept car. Because of this development we decided to join forces in a new company. In March 2014, NewspaperWood BV was

Photo credit: Vij5

Anieke Branderhorst & Arjan van Raadshooven (image by Blickfänger)

established. Within this company we could dedicated focus on the production and development of the NewspaperWood material in orderto find new intermediate products and innovative applications. We could start industrialising the production process of the material.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: What were the first reactions of the public after the presentation of the project at the Dutch Design Week?

Mieke Meijer: Already back then, the response was very promising! We were only showing the material in a very raw, initial shape. But people already started to fantasize about floors, furniture, etc. made out of NewspaperWood

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: Entering into the merits of the material: how is it possible that piles of recycled newspapers manage to take on the connotations of wood?

Arjan e Anieke: In fact, we litterally ‘copy paste’ the structure of wood, by making new ‘tree logs’. The logs are layered because of all the layers of newspaper are stacked to each other. This gives the same effect as wood grain or growth rings of a tree and therefore resembles the aesthetics of real wood.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: Once cut, can NewspaperWood be milled and sanded just like traditional woods? Is it possible to add pigments and proceed for customization?

Arjan e Anieke: There is a lot possible with NewspaperWood but you have to be willing to experiment. We have done plenty of experiments already, and there is still a lot to explore. NewspaperWood may look like wood, but you have to take into acount it is still paper combined with glue. So, it partly acts similar to wood, but also partly needs its own instructions. It is a very delicate materi-

al and the glue used in the material can work in your advantage (for example on 3d shaped forms) but it can also result in cracks. This is why for now we choose to only process the material as a veneer, as in our experience this is the most stable form of the material.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: What are the main uses of the material? You count numerous references and partnerships, both in the design and fashion fields, and not only ...

Arjan e Anieke: To be honest, there is not yet a main use of the material. All projects we have done so far, have been quite experimental. For example, we worked on some conceptcars in the automotive sector, we used it in furniture and interior design, we made jewelry with it and it was even used in a watch. We are very grateful for the trust and opportunities those partnering companies gave us, making us able to proof and show that the material has potential. Now we are looking for companies that actually would like to go a step further and implement the production process of NewspaperWood into their own production lines.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: How has the NewspaperWood project evolved over time?

Arjan e Anieke: It has been quite a ride untill now! Mieke already invented the material in 2003 and started working with us in 2007, so the project has been around for almost 20 years.

Despite the visual and storytelling succes of the mate-

rial, making NewspaperWood producible and accessible to a larger audience did not happen overnight. We had to move from a manual process to a less labour-intensive and cost-efficient product. Step by step we made progress, but with every solution we often encountered a new problem. We managed to create a custom made NewspaperWood machine that is able to make the tree logs for us. We are still in a pre-production phase though, as we are looking for the right partner that is willing to invest in the first NewspaperWood production line. We can do small scale projects, but we do not sell NewspaperWood ‘off the shelves’. There has to be a reason to produce the material before we start.

SURFACES INTERNATIONAL: This invention is not only aimed at fighting waste, but also at adding new beauty to the environment around us. What new goals are you setting for the future?

Arjan e Anieke: Exactly, NewspaperWood does not aim to become a large-scale alternative to wood or to recycle all paper waste into a new material. The main theme of the project is ‘upcycling’ ; we show how a material surplus can be used in something more valuable by using it in a different context. Next to the value of beauty, NewspaperWood also has very strong visual and storytelling characteristics. We hope this can help making sustainability more appealing to the public. ✕

Photo credit: Raw Color

The Pieropan family has been a leading exponent of the Soave wine-making tradition for over two centuries, and their winery is an international beacon of excellence. The company recently decided to leave its historic base – Palazzo Pullici, a 15th-century building in the village centre – and buy a plot in the heart of the Soave vineyards that would be suitable for building a new winery with the right spatial and logistical characteristics to increase production.

The design developed by the architect Moreno Zurlo of Acme Studio proved to be unique in terms of innovation and integration with the local geography, and involved the construction of a large complex, surrounded by vineyards and built below the surface of the hill on all sides except the front.

FILA Solutions was approached by Grassi Pietre, a specialist stone company, for advice on how to treat the Nanto stone columns that punctuate the facade. Like wine, stone is a product of nature that changes with time and the seasons, so requires due care.

CLEANER PRO natural-effect neutral detergent, which is ideal for cleaning natural stone, was used for the preliminary cleaning. Made from biodegradable ingredients, the product can be used regularly for the care of delicate surfaces, but in this case, it was used in a more concentrated mix, for the purposes of preparatory cleaning prior to protective treatment.

At the request of the client, who wanted to give the material a reflective effect and protect it against staining, the surfaces were then treated with WET sealer, which is ideal for stone, marble, unpolished granite and tufa. The product gives the material a wet look that you can dial up or down by applying more or fewer coats. It is not subject to yellowing and does not flake off in any environmental or ageing conditions.

Following its completion in September 2021, the new winery was inaugurated during the latest edition of Vinitaly. This complex work involved considerable research to ensure that the materials were used to best effect, thanks in part to the input from FILA.

TreaTmenT for naTural sTone aT The PieroPan Winery in soave

The "Thermotreated Oak" collection has a high temperature heat treatment that subjects the wood to hygrothermal processes in order to remove moisture and improve some physical characteristics, such as resistance to biological deterioration caused by fungi, molds and insects. The wood is dehydrated, and all its organic components come out by evaporation or crystallize inside.

The thermo treatment gives to the entire thickness of the noble wood lamella a slightly browned, natural and pleasant color.

www.originalparquet.com

A CLUB ROOM WITH LUNAR CHARM

Imagine you’re walking down a quiet street in Debrecen, Hungary. You enter a building with a neo-classical facade, just like all the others around it, and suddenly you

are catapulted into a space that is totally removed from the real world. It’s a kind of parallel universe consisting of glacial walls, with ethereal, moon-like charm

We’re in a large, light-filled, open-plan private club room, with card tables and a bar area. The aim of its designer, Bernadett Fazekas , was to create a place where people could leave the everyday world outside and immerse themselves in a deeply relaxing atmosphere. To do this, she opted for contemporary, minimalist furnishings , with sinuous, welcoming lines.

Creativity in glass

The decorations are minimalist but high-impact: on the back wall there is a large artistic mosaic with Vetrite inserts from the SICIS “Saturno Contro Blue” collections , whose rounded geometric shapes are in the same shades of blue as the armchairs, which provide the only touch of colour against an otherwise all-silver backdrop.

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

The bar area looks like a luminous spaceship on this planet of ice. It is clad entirely in innovative Vetrite large-format panels patented by SICIS , in Pergamino Grey. And this is no random choice. With its high resis tance to impacts, humidity and extreme temperatures and its self-cleaning, anti-bacterial properties, Vetrite is the ideal solution for combining

aesthetics with practicality . The fact that it is easy to cut – even with hand tools, directly on the work site – is another major benefit for installers. The clever plays of light generated by the LED lighting showcase its chromed highlights, helping inject a strong sense of atmosphere into the environment. Now let’s retrace our steps to finally meet the won -

der that greets visitors and accompanies them on their way to this world beyond the constraints of time and space.

The central wall of the staircase leading to the lower floor is decorated with a magnificent artistic mosaic, also by SICIS . Hand-made in the company’s large workshop in Ravenna, Italy, the mosaic is based on

a work by Viktor Friedl Kiss that depicts some men with umbrellas and hats, which are recurring motifs in the Hungarian painter’s pictures. With infinite patience and attention to detail, the expert mosaic craftspeople have succeeded in capturing and emphasising the work’s energy, with each piece representing a brush-stroke of colour.

RENOVATING AN ICON: LA SIRENETTA RESTAURANT & BANQUET

A long-established landmark in the Gulf of Mondello (Palermo, Sicily), La Sirenetta Restaurant & Banquet has re-opened its doors to the public after more than a decade of closure, thanks to the reclamation and renovation work undertaken by Studio Luigi Smecca

“Marine-inspired” interiors

In terms of form, considerable effort went into adhering to the main volumes, while at the same time opening them outwards, with a view to enhancing the usability of the space and ensuring constant communication with the landscape. A sense of permeability between the various rooms has been created by installing large mirrors and glass parapets on the large panoramic terrace.

Architetti. By preserving some of the existing architectural features, so as not to erase all traces of collective memory, and emphasising its strong bond with the maritime setting, the redevelopment project has given the city back one of its most iconic places.

For the interiors, the minimalist approach to the styling that is a feature of the whole complex has focused on light, space and materials to pay tribute to the unique colour tones of Palermo and its surroundings. In the rooms on the ground floor – pizzeria, burger bar, patisserie, coffee bar and wine bar – as well as in the elegant restaurant with banqueting room on the upper floor, the pure, essential lines of the furnishings interact with colours and materials inspired by the local environment, from the beige and ivory of the sand, to

the green of the vegetation, the white of the clouds and the blue of the sea and sky.

Contemporary, high-performance flooring

To facilitate the natural continuum between the building and the exterior environment, without losing sight of the functional requirements associated with restaurants and high-traffic environments, the choice of materials was geared towards solutions that combine technical performance with aesthetic appeal. That’s why the architects opted to create the flooring with Skyconcrete Indoor by Isoplam, a cement-based covering that combines elegance and expressiveness with the versatility of a continuous low-thickness surface (only 2-4 mm).

Applied in a warm shade of turtledove, Skyconcrete transformed the interiors into evocative environments with its characteristically nuanced tones that start with a lighter background before transitioning towards a darker palette. Thanks to its excellent adhesion and re-

sistance to impacts, chemicals, weathering, abrasion and cracking, Skyconcrete proved to be the ideal solution for the various types of environment within La Sirenetta, which require flooring that is capable of withstanding constant stresses. Furthermore, the characteristic absence of joints makes cleaning and sanitisation as easy as possible at all times – a key requirement for hospitality facilities – and the water-based composition safeguards health, as it does not release any substances that are hazardous to people or the environment, in compliance with the latest regulations governing indoor safety and comfort. ✕

CREDITS

Work: La Sirenetta Restaurant & Banquet

Year: 2021

Location: Mondello, Palermo

Architectural design: Luigi Smecca, Studio Luigi Smecca

Architetti

Building contractor: Cospin srl

Floor installation: M.D.C. srl Marchese

Indoor flooring material: Isoplam, Skyconcrete Indoor in turtledove

Photos: Laura Crucitti

NEW MATERIALS FOR INTERIORS

WALL&DECÒ

Conceived and curated by Giovanna Felluga, and involving the artists Fabrice Hyber, Liliana Moro, Riccardo Previdi, Francesco Simeti, Donatella Spaziani, Patrick Tuttofuoco and LABINAC (a collective founded by Jimmie Durham, Maria Thereza Alves and KaiMorten Vollmer, with the participation of the artists/designers Jone Kvie, Elisa Strinna and Philip Modersohn), CARTEdition is a new research project aimed at exploring the relationship between contemporary art and wall coverings

Forming part of the Wall&decò Editions line — a range of capsule collections developed in collaboration with high-profile figures from the world of art, design, fashion and lifestyle — CARTEdition transcends wallpaper’s traditional role as a decorative element and becomes an artistic medium for exploring new frontiers in the production and enjoyment of art, while enriching its host environment with cultural stimuli and new inspirations.

Wall&decò plans to extend the collection year by year, with new “unlimited” but numbered pieces. The artistic designs are not merely patterns but fully fledged, large-format images — measuring 5.40 x 3.60 metres — for a dramatic immersive effect.

HD SURFACE

Having revolutionized the concept of coverings by creating a variety of innovative, continuous surfaces, all manufactured to a pure eco-friendly recipe comprising water, earth and pigment, HDsurface has now made colour the common thread of its latest project, developed in collaboration with the designer David Lopez Quincoces

The new ColorSystem by D.L.Q. finds expression in the company’s four most successful collections of coverings: PerfectCombination, which lies midway between resin and concrete and consists of water-based coloured mortar; CoverHD, a nano-resin designed to coat any type of surface while respecting its natural qualities and vibrations; GeoTexture, a ready-to-use, easy-to-apply monolithic covering that require no blending or catalysis, and opens up new possibilities for creating “do-it-yourself” surfaces; and GeoOutdoor, a ready-to-use mortar that supports pedestrian and vehicular traffic and is designed as a covering for terraces, walkways and pool surrounds in private and public environments.

RAVAIOLI LEGNAMI

WPC Apex™ is the third and latest generation WPC, a top-quality wood plastic composite originating from painstaking technological Research & Development.

Wood plastic composite (WPC) is an innovative material that combines outstanding technical performance with the warmth of nature and the beauty of wood, and is an ideal outdoor floor and wall covering. WPC Apex™ sets new standards for wood plastic composites due to its natural appearance and its ultra-lightweight, expanded PVC core, which makes it quick and easy to install.

Made of bamboo fibre and expanded PVC, these boards combine extremely light weight with high strength, thanks to their high-quality acrylic polymer coating. This co-extruded film provides resistance to humidity, weathering, staining, discolouration and abrasion, thus ensuring that the boards remain in sound condition even in adverse weather conditions, without deforming, deteriorating or requiring special care.

WPC Apex™ by Ravaioli Legnami is environmentally friendly and produced in eco-sustainable factories powered by solar energy. It is easy to clean, requires no special care and is suitable for private, public, residential and commercial use.

For use as a floor covering, it has a low flammability rating and extremely high fire resistance (Euroclass B). Guaranteed for up to 25 years.

WPC Apex™ is available in 5 different colours, all featuring a beautiful natural wood appearance, with variations in colour, texture and grain pattern.

The Ravaioli WPC Apex™ range also includes two different wall cladding solutions – standard profile and TRIO profile with ribbed effect – which are compatible with the innovative VistaClad installation system. VistaClad gives your buildings a bespoke new look, made using the most innovative techniques, in a series of simple, intuitive steps that give free rein to your imagination and spawn countless unique solutions.

SPAGHETTI WALL

Pure material and its shadow are the subjects of the latest exploration of colour undertaken by SpaghettiWall, as part of its study of white as the ultimate creative challenge, the absolute colour and the sum of all the others. On walls, white offers unexplored design paths and completely reinterprets the idea of wallpaper, which is traditionally associated with a rich palette of colours and images.

The design takes the name So White and involves a printing process that creates a three-dimensional effect by means of intriguing plays of light and shade on entirely colour-free subjects. The delicate and elegant result is expressed through a series of geometric or nature-inspired graphics.

The “White Brush Collection” is the first to be released un -

LISTONE GIORDANO

Designed by the eclectic architect Sebastiano Canzano, “Loop” is a wood covering that originates from a profound reflection on how to transcend the traditional boundaries of objects, giving rise to a charmingly deceptive interior design item.

The new collection is built around the ingenious concept of obtaining a single, seemingly random pattern by serially repeating a single compositional element. Hence the name #loop, which reflects the endlessly self-propagating beauty of a wood covering that can be used for both floors and walls, and whose generative element is unrecognisable and disappears into the overall pattern.

der this project and is designed by Gian Paolo Venier, who has also designed various other items in the SpaghettiWall catalogue.

So White is an evolving creative programme that works along the fine line that separates graphics from matter. The “white on white” subjects are printed on Skin, a new textured medium, which is also available in a washable version known as Cleaning System.

This results in the perception of an infinite, seamless surface, built on painstaking synthesis and rationality. The infinite pattern is achieved by repeating a single element always pointing in the same direction, which yields major benefits in terms of both manufacturing and installation.

ZAMBAITI PARATI

In collaboration with Studio Fuksas, Zambaiti Parati is proud to present its new collection of wall papers and wall coverings. Comprising five new releases, the collection experiments with colours, graphics, textured decorative motifs and a wealth of details and nuances that interpret the latest trends in contemporary living. Bibi blends metallic effects with deep colours and labyrinthine evocations; Summertime recalls the warmth of the African sun with distinct tribal allusions; Desert Rose draws inspiration from the flower of the same name and its typically soft shades; Iceberg depicts an abstract landscape inspired by giant blocks of ice adrift at sea; and Capri features pastel colours and graphic patterns that evoke the enchanting atmospheres of the Mediterranean’s most chic and coveted island.

INKIOSTRO BIANCO

The Lineadeko range – a system of coverings on birch panels that can be used as wood panelling or as a floor-to-ceiling wall covering – has been extended with the new Groove collection, which blends the languages of art and architecture in a series of decorative solutions created in collaboration with Studio Lucchesedesign. These latest inspirations give the material a visually three-dimensional effect punctuated by a series of signs and harmonies. Groove is the magical rhythm engraved into the furrows of a 45rpm vinyl record, but it is also the alternation of light, shade and nuances that simulate a rhythm of empty and full volumes in architecture. Rhythm and three-dimensionality thus become the leitmotif of the eight new decorations designed to give surfaces a leading role in interior styling.

BISAZZA BUDRI

Long renowned for its glass mosaic collections, Bisazza is now introducing marble into its decorative mosaics from the MARMOSAICO line, designed by Carlo Dal Bianco. The patterns featured in the collection are available in two colour variants and made with marble mosaics carefully hand-cut by Atelier Bisazza’s mosaic specialists, according to the traditional artistic technique.

Every pattern evokes the refined atmosphere of classic Milanese interior design, replicated on the basis of meticulous aesthetic research and the chromatic juxtaposition of premium marbles such as Bianco Thassos, Crema Botticino, Giallo Verona, Nero Assoluto, Verde Guatemala, Marrone Kaiser, Rosso Verona and Grigio Bardiglio

A contemporary reinterpretation, inspired by the flooring of buildings designed by Giovanni Muzio, Emilio Lancia, Piero Portaluppi and Giò Ponti, has given rise to 10 patterns, made up of various geometric figures that interact with each other.

The collection pays tribute to Milan and its early 20th century architecture, and the name of each pattern alludes to a well-known Milan landmark: Brera, Borgonuovo, Belgioioso, Galleria, Montenapoleone, Piazza Scala, Piazza Scala con Cameo, Solferino, Triennale and Verri

Fragment is the latest collection of furnishings and surfaces designed for Budri in a spirit of sustainability by Gwenael Nicolas of Curiosity Tokyo. The name of the collection captures its essence, because it’s a collection conceived around the idea of reclaiming small off-cuts of varying lengths, widths and thickness from the process of machining marble and mosaic. Juxtaposed and fused with a special Budri-patented component that gives them extremely high strength, they form longitudinal and horizontal patterns in monochrome and multi-coloured hues.

The collection is an anthem to the “lightness” of marble based on the innovative BUDRI SLIM MARBLE™ technology (“SLIM” is an acronym that stands for “SUSTAINABLE LIGHT INNOVATIVE MARBLE”). It can be used to create not only furnishings and complements, but also surfaces such as lowweight floor coverings, wall coverings and ceilings, thanks to another advanced technology known as the BUDRI SLIM SYSTEM™, designed primarily for contract and commercial applications.

PIETRE D’ARREDO

Inspired by the sandstone of the field, Arenal evokes the rural customs of central Italy and turns them into a design element for architecture in the rustic or contemporary style: its irregular shapes and structured surfaces, embellished with cracks and chromatic shades, remind natural elements in every detail.

For the project shown into the pictures, this reconstructed stone by Pietre D’Arredo blends perfectly with carefully chosen furnishings and memorabilia. The stones themselves, when being laid, were interspersed with ancient columns, bas-reliefs and small frescoes, thus creating a sophisticated and unique ambience.

LODGE ALVERÀ: ANTIQUE WOOD

AND CONTEMPORARY

DESIGN IN THE DOLOMITES

The Hotel-Restaurant Dolomiti Lodge Alverà in Cortina deploys natural materials to create a comfortable, welcoming environment designed to give guests an unforgettable stay. MF Design was selected as a supplier-partner

on the basis of its offering of antique and premium wood, the variety of its machined finishes, its knowledge of individual species, its attention to detail and its passion for this noble material.

Antique oak as a common thread

The entire structure of the Lodge is made of wood. The architects opted for antique oak reclaimed from old farmhouses, which MF Design has skilfully restored to its former glory.

The floors, ceiling and counters in the lobby and bar are all made of wood. The most eye-catching feature is the flooring made of different-sized antique oak fl oorboards, which, in conjunction with the furnishings, help create a warm, elegant atmosphere.

Chiara Bruzzichelli

The dining-room has a baroque coffered floor, which distinguishes it from the main reception room, with its antique oak floor laid in a French herringbone pattern, and the lobby, whose floor is made o f different-sized floorboards, as is often the case when using reclaimed wood.

Artworks framed by wood Antique oak, however, is not confined to the interior finishings.

I t also plays a leading role in the works created by Giancarlo Candeago, a blacksmith and master craftsman from Cortina, who enjoys international renown

MF Design is based in Sedico, in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Belluno Dolomites, where the love of wood and the ability to trigger an emotional response with it have been passed down from generation to generation.

The company’s workshop designs and creates solutions tailor-made for every project, whether residential or for the hospitality sector, and whether for flooring, wall coverings or furnishing complements. Here, even the scent of the oil used to protect the wood is bespoke.

For many years, MF Design’s core business has been processing reclaimed wood, with consummate craftsmanship and innate passion, to give it a new lease of life in a modern location. Health and well-being are also top priorities in the company’s philosophy, and that is why every project undertaken strictly adheres to the principles of environmental sustainability.

MF Design’s ethical credentials are also officially recognised: PEFC, which certifies the origin of new wood from controlled deforestation, FSC, which promotes responsible management of forests and plantations, and LEED, which certifies the low environmental impact of buildings thanks to the use of suitable products, has recognised that MF Design meets the requirements of their certification schemes.

MF Design is committed to sourcing and reclaiming Italian wood in order to discourage large-scale logging, reduce waste and respond with awareness and responsibility to the sensitive issue of eco-sustainability.

The wood comes from farms, stables, barns, country houses, barrels and beams, not to mention castles, boats, pontoons and piles from the Venice lagoon. The reclaimed wood is then rigorously checked and sanitised for re-use in bio-construction products.

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

for his original and timeless creations. So wood provides a framework for metal, testifying to its innate ver satility in conjunction with other materials.

A 360° service

MF Design designed, developed and installed all of the wooden components in this magnificent hotel. Here, as in many of its other projects, the company worked in partnership with the clients and other local craftsmen, with passion and dedication, in keeping with its long-standing modus operandi, formulated to yield first-class results. ✕

Chiara Bruzzichelli

The sound of water.

CERSAIE: Hall 31 - Stand A55

Can you feel the sound of wellness?

Of course you can: the sound of water that pours down, descends, flows and leaves behind a sense of well-being and cleanliness.

A real symphony able to extend the pleasure of the shower, transforming a unique moment into sound. For that to happen, it is essential that the water flows without encountering obstacles: for this reason, we have designed the linear shower drains PP Drain Aqua, where beauty and functionality blend together. Isn’t this the sound of water?

BOLOGNA, ITALY 26 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2022

HALL 36, STANDS A20-B23 & A22-B25

Wall: DARK INK, DARK INK BRICK

Floor: DARK INK

Wash basin: RAK-CLOUD

Mirror: RAK-JOY UNO