Tile International 2/2025

cersaie

Schlüter ®-DESIGN-NICHE

Vertiefung mit Stil

Nischen verleihen Räumen das gewisse Etwas: Sie lassen sie größer wirken und setzen Wände modern in Szene. Besonders im Bad schaffen sie Aufbewahrungsflächen, ohne den Raum zu überladen. Bei ihrer Installation stehen Leichtigkeit und Flexibilität im Vordergrund – Anforderungen, die Schlüter-DESIGN-NICHE rundum erfüllt. Die pulverbeschichteten Nischen aus Aluminium passen zu allen Wandarten und Fliesenstärken und setzen stilvolle Akzente. In drei Größen und fünf TRENDLINE-Farben erhältlich, fügen sie sich harmonisch in die Architektur ein und sorgen für einen optisch ansprechenden Raum aus einem Guss.

Wall niche: stylish and practical

Recessed shelves for added style

Niches add flair to spaces by making them appear larger and elegantly accentuating wall structures. They create additional storage, especially in bathrooms, without cluttering the room. With its low weight and flexibility, the new Schlüter-DESIGN-NICHE fully meets the most important installation requirements. The powder-coated aluminium niches are suitable for all wall types and tile thicknesses to set stylish accents. Available in three sizes and five TRENDLINE colours, they harmoniously fit into any architectural design to create an integrated, visually appealing space.

KALEIDOS

Profiles for terraces in line with the latest architecture and exterior design trends.

FOR THE PERFECT MATCH BETWEEN PROFILE AND GROUT

Mapei Color is a range of sixteen finishes for Cerfix Proangle, the L-profile for wall coverings by Profilpas. Available in eight warm and eight cold colours, Mapei Color offers a chromatic experience that ensures a perfect combination with the shades of Mapei grouts and silicone sealants. This range meets every aesthetic need, whether tone-on-tone or contrasting with tiles, proving to be the ideal solution for any environment.

CERSAIE Bologna, 22-26/09/2025 Hall 19, Stand C21

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18 The Italian ceramic industry is worth 7.5 billion

Tassini

38 House of Dreams, Ibiza

42 MUBIT – The Italian Basketball Museum, Bologna 46 Mapei and the remodelling of Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel

50 Restoring a historic mansion with a Schlüter-Systems floor heating system

54 FOCUS ON - Small tiles, big vision: behind the TOPCER’s ceramic aesthetics 58 CERSAIE 2025 HIGHLIGHTS 62 PHOTONEWS - RAK Ceramics at Cersaie: a focus on innovation and high performance

WHAT’S NEW - Ceramic tiles & laying technologies

92 Material as an expression: Kaleseramik at Cersaie

94 Anatolia and Aeterna unveil new surfaces at Cersaie

Advertiser’s list: pag. 9

COVER PICTURE: QUINTESSENZA CERAMICHE

PHOTO BY GIANCARLO PRADELLI @ CERSAIE 2024

Sabrina

BEAUTY AND VALUE

If we stop to think about it, the common thread linking the different holiday choices we all make is the quest for beauty. Whether we cross oceans, settle down in a quiet Mediterranean cove or opt for a crowded museum circuit in a European capital, the one factor that remains unchanged is our desire to be surrounded by beauty. And beauty is also a great springboard when it comes to surmounting the annual challenge of returning to the daily routine in September.

That’s why we’re such big fans of Cersaie, the international exhibition of architectural ceramic and bathroom furnishings, during which many of you will pick up your copy of this magazine. Cersaie brings together a wide range of exquisite expressions of human creativity and puts them all under one roof at the Bologna trade fair complex.

It’s also a classic case of beauty and work translating into value, as witness the 7.5 billion euros of revenues reported in 2024 by Italy’s ceramic industry, made up of 248 companies, employing over 26,000 people.

These substantial figures point to the leading role played by Italian manufacturers worldwide:

the tile and large-format panel sector, which sold 378.3 million square metres (up 2.5%) and generated revenues of 6.1 billion euros, exports 82% of the total value of its sales.

That amounts to 5 billion euros sailing around the globe, driven by the winds of design and innovation.

The industry – as our readers know only too well – also faces numerous challenges, from energy costs to fierce international competition, often with a distinctly uneven playing field for the companies involved in this global game. But here, today, within the comfortable setting of Cersaie, we want to focus on beauty; and on keeping the season of cold, rain and receding daylight at arm’s length for a just little longer.

Laticrete Europe: a decade of industrial roots and international vision

Located in Castelnuovo Rangone (Modena, Italy), in the heart of Emilia-Romagna and just a few kilometers from the ceramic district of Sassuolo, Laticrete Europe has, in less than ten years, established a solid presence in the European landscape of tile installation systems and construction chemicals, combining local expertise with a global vision.

Founded in 2016 as the European subsidiary of the U.S.-based Laticrete International Group, the company has pursued a growth strategy from the outset that integrates local production capabilities, technological development, and a direct presence in key European markets.

Leading this journey since the beginning is Edmondo Bonucelli, a seasoned professional in the industry and now CEO and Regional Manager for Europe. The first major step came in 2017 with the acquisition of Laticrete Nordic SA, opening the doors to Scandinavi-

an markets. This was soon followed by a key move for the company’s growth: the acquisition of Benfer Schomburg, a historic Italian company with headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Castelnuovo Rangone. This allowed the group to internalize powder production and strengthen its offering with a brand already well known in the professional market.

2023 marked a further acceleration. On one side, the launch of Laticrete Hellas reinforced the company’s presence in the Mediterranean area, with a particular focus on the Greek and Balkan markets. On the other, the Emilia-based plant was expanded with a new production line dedicated to latex and epoxy formulations, aiming to meet rising demand and optimize processes. The following year saw two important developments. First, the launch of operations in the United Kingdom with the establishment of Laticrete Benfer UK Ltd, enabling the group to get closer to a mature and performance-oriented market. Second, the acquisition of the German company fuma-Bautec – specialized in tile profiles – expanded the

integrated offering and strengthened industrial presence in Germany.

In 2025, a second powder production line will be added to the Castelnuovo Rangone facility, confirming a strategy focused on production proximity and adaptability to local market conditions. Beyond figures and industrial milestones, Laticrete Europe stands out for its values-based approach that permeates the entire organization. Trust, integrity, customer focus, continuous research, and long-term vision are, according to management, the foundations of the company culture. This philosophy is also reflected in the internal organization, in its relationship with the territory, and in its ongoing dialogue with the market.

A decade after its founding, Laticrete Europe presents itself as an integrated player, capable of combining industrial development, international presence, and strong local roots.

In a constantly evolving environment, the company’s ability to build strong relationships and develop technologies aligned with industry needs remains its true hallmark.

Florim opens new Flagship Stores in Los Angeles and Seoul

Florim continues its international growth strategy with the opening of two new Flagship Stores, in Los Angeles and in Seoul, strengthening its presence in the North American market and in the Far East.

The showroom located at 450 N Robertson Blvd, in the vibrant heart of West Hollywood’s Design District of the Californian city features seven large windows that create an immediate visual connection with the urban fabric of Robertson and Dorrington Boulevards. Spanning over 600 square meters across three levels, the space includes two loggias and a panoramic rooftop terrace. The exhibition journey unfolds between the first and second floors, showcasing a variety of settings that highlight the wide-ranging applications of Florim’s large-format porcelain slabs.

The third level hosts a fully equipped kitchen, a conference room, and a welcoming lounge area, all opening onto a panoramic terrace with an outdoor bar. This space goes beyond the traditional showroom concept, becoming a true hub for interaction and experimentation—designed to host events, talks, product launches, training sessions, and networking opportunities.

The new space in Seoul is located at 231 Hakdong-ro in the Gangnam district, the undisputed hub of fashion and design in the South Korean capital, renowned for its elegance and exclusivity. The decision to invest in this market stems from the cultural affinity between Korean sensibilities and Florim’s design philosophy, which blends a passion for art, aesthetic refinement, and respect for tradition. The Flagship Store is set within a prestigious cultural and commercial environment, where global luxury brands, emerging designers, and iconic architecture coexist. The

store’s large display windows showcase Florim’s porcelain slabs, emphasizing their versatility with thicknesses ranging from 3 to 20 mm—ideal for surfaces, integrated furnishings, and ventilated façades. The layout features both working areas and settings.

Like all the Group’s showrooms, also these stores are designed as multifunctional venues, places for exchange and dialogue, hosting events, meetings, and presentations with the goal of sharing Florim’s values and fostering connections with the world of design and architecture.

These new openings further solidifies Florim’s global presence in major architecture and design capitals, joining the brand’s existing Flagship Stores in Milan, New York, Moscow, Frankfurt, London, Abu Dhabi, Rome and Singapore.

Italcer Group and Del Conca USA sign collaboration agreement

Italcer Group and Del Conca USA have signed a strategic commercial agreement to expand their product offerings for the North American market. Through this collaboration, Italcer Group – a benefit corporation backed by Mindful Capital Partners, Miura Partners and Capital Dynamics, and already one of Italy’s leading exporters of high-

end ceramic tiles to the US – will develop new collections tailored specifically to the North American market at the Del Conca USA plant in Tennessee, which has been operating since 2014. This facility remains the established base of the Del Conca Group, which will continue producing its own lines inspired by the concept “Designed in Italy, Made in the USA”.

Graziano Verdi, CEO of Italcer Group, described the agreement as “a virtuous example of how Italian industry can strengthen its global position by combining stylistic and technological innovation with new ideas and development-oriented alliances”.

In 2024, Italcer Group posted revenues of €340 million and a pro forma EBITDA of €83.7 million. The group counts hundreds of completed projects, 15,000 customers worldwide and more than 1,150 employees across its companies: Fondovalle, La Fabbrica-AVA, Elios Ceramica, Devon&Devon, Ceramica Rondine, Bottega, Equipe Cerámicas, Opificio Ceramico and Terratinta.

VitrA co-sponsors Türkiye Pavilion at 19th International Architecture Exhibition at Venice Biennale

The Türkiye Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale opened to the public on Saturday 10 May. Coordinated by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and the Arts (İKSV) and curated by Ceren Erdem and Bilge Kalfa, the Yerebasan project is co-sponsored by VitrA (Eczacıbaşı Group). Located at the Arsenale, one of the main sites of the Biennale, the Pavilion focuses on soil, a resource that is often neglected despite being a cornerstone of civilisations, ecosystems and sustainable life. The exhibition thus showcases the various properties of soil through sensory experiences, scientific research and artistic interpretations. The curators of Yerebasan have brought together works created individually and in teams, using a wide range of techniques, including painting, installation, three-dimensional architectural production, digital research and academic studies. This diversity invites visitors to think, to interpret and to re-imagine the soil from different perspectives. As some of the works on display are biological installations, they will

change and transform over the course of the exhibition, making them visibly living structures.

ABK Group at Cersaie: from the début of MOOOI Ceramics to the luxury of Design Studio

ABK Group will be presenting a selection of innovative products and prestigious collaborations to an international audience at Cersaie 2025. The Group also has a new stand, bringing together all its brands and their different interpretations of ceramic in a single space for the first time, in Hall 29. Moooi Ceramic Surfaces will be holding the official launch of its first collection, Nesting Room. The partnership between Moooi and ABK has spawned an evocative, multi-faceted project that uses ceramic as an expressive medium to reinterpret the regenerative beauty of nature. Drawing inspiration from the organic shapes of birds, with a particular focus on the iconic imagery of eggs, the plumage of extinct species and the eyes of birds of prey, the items that make up the Nesting Room collection provoke thought, envelop the viewer and conjure up positive feelings.

The rest of ABK’s exhibition space is characterised by the creative styling of OTTO Studio, which presents the collections – some designed in collaboration with Paola Navone, others developed by the company’s own design department – as if they were contemporary art installations set within a series of lived-in environments, with a playful, non-conformist character.

By crossing the central “piazza”, dominated by a sequence of monoliths made with large-format slabs by Abkstone and Materia, the brands specialising in large-format semi-finished slabs for furnishing and construction, you can also access the space set aside

for Versace Ceramics. Versace Ceramics is showcasing its Design Studio, an area specifically dedicated to the design of the most refined and exclusive interiors. The Versace Ceramics material library, as well as the preview of the Harmony project, combining the timeless beauty of marble with the sensual elegance of velvet, is enhanced by the latest V Stone and Leatherwood collections, which explore the worlds of stone, wood and leather. Gardenia Orchidea has rediscovered the elegance of Italian villas from the 1900s, and re-interpreted their timeless style with two new collections: Tabulae and Bon Ton, inspired by selected oak parquet and classic Italian marble respectively. Completing the stand is a large area dedicated to Flaviker, a brand specialising increasingly in large formats. This area introduces the new MIDI project, designed for architecture and inspired by various French stones, in an evocative setting of Mediterranean inspiration.

Progress Profiles celebrates 40 years of research and innovation

Founded in 1985, the company is consolidating its global expansion, while keeping its manufacturing operations in the Italian province of Treviso, so as to safeguard the attention to detail and pure-bred Italian design that have made it a leading player on the market. Its current aim is to boost international growth, while remaining firmly rooted in its home soil. Forty years of innovation, beauty and international development:

Progress Profiles, a world-leading manufacturer of technical and decorative finishing-profiles and installation systems for coverings, is marking a milestone that proves how a long-sighted entrepreneurial vision, combined with passion and research, can transform a small family business into a global leader. In particular, the ability to create solutions that combine functionality with Italian styling proved decisive from the outset, as a means of anticipating the needs of the most discerning market niches and steadily earning more and more acclaim. Building on the constant growth it has already achieved in Italy and abroad, the company is now taking another step forward to boost its competitiveness, by joining forces with Gerflor, another of the sector’s leading players. Ever since 1985, when Lino Bordin founded Progress Plast – which became Progress Profiles in 2010 after a major rebranding operation – the company has continued to evolve. With over 15,000 products, 21 installation systems, 50 patents and a new concept, known as Kaleidos, which reinterprets the vitality and multiple facets of interior design, the company now exports to over 80 countries, by leveraging the quality of its solutions, made entirely in Italy at its headquarters in Asolo in the province of Treviso.

“Over the years, we have never lost sight

of the principles that underpin our unique approach, namely care and the pursuit of perfection, combined with reliability, advanced technology and forward vision,” explained Dennis Bordin, CEO of Progress Profiles, who took over from his father Lino and has remained constantly committed to driving the company’s evolution forward: “One of the key factors behind all the goals we’ve achieved and exceeded, is our magnificent team, comprising over 220 employees, technicians and agents.”

Having recently joined the Gerflor Group, a French enterprise that has specialised in innovative, decorative, eco-sustainable flooring solutions for over 80 years, Progress Profiles is now setting its sights on further goals: these include establishing itself more actively on the global market as a field-leader at the top end of the construction industry, with made-to-measure systems for every type of renovation project.

“Our two companies are both major players and share the same passion for excellence and the same vision of sustainability and customer service,” added Paolo Guanzani, CEO OF Gerflor Italia. “This partnership will enable us to combine our expertise in flooring solutions with Progress Profiles’ expertise in technical profiles and installation systems, to establish an array of competitive synergies.”

In addition to its headquarters in Treviso, Progress Profiles, which is planning to

increase its exports and hire new staff in the coming months, operates four sites outside of Italy. The company’s commitment to growth and innovation is not only reflected in its production, but also in the major investments it has made in infrastructure in recent years. It has fully renovated and enlarged its Asolo headquarters, with new functional spaces and offices, for total floorspace of 20,000 square metres, equipped with latest-generation technology and designed to optimise industrial processes, while enhancing staff well-being. At the same time, it has made further developments to its flagship training Academy. In 2024, the Academy trained over 11,700 trade professionals by delivering theory and practice courses in key construction-related disciplines and current regulations on coverings installation. Now an internationally recognised centre of excellence, the Academy has also been extended and modernised recently, with 500 square metres of state-of-the-art training space.

Building upon these foundations and a production philosophy based on aesthetic excellence and Italian manufacturing prowess, Progress Profiles is preparing to tackle the decades to come with the same passion and determination that have taken it to top of its industry, while continuing to bring the value of Italian design and commitment to its worldwide customer base.

FILA Solutions: facing the future with generational succession and new governance

FILA Solutions, an Italian manufacturer of surface care and protection products, with a history dating back over 80 years, recently announced the launch of a new phase in the evolution and development of its governance.

This generational succession marks a strategic moment in the company’s continuity: Alessandra Pettenon has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors, taking over from her father Beniamino Pettenon, who becomes Honorary Chair, alongside his wife Anna Maria Strolego, as Honorary Vice-Chair.

This reorganisation strengthens the company’s managerial vision, while retaining its roots in the family values that forged its success.

“The operation is part of a carefully designed and agreed process aimed at

equipping the company with a new management structure... We need to be first movers if we want others to believe in us...”, explained the CEO Francesco Pettenon, who also expressed “deep gratitude to my father… whose leadership turned FILA into a standard-setter in the sector”. The transformation also extends to the composition of the Board of Directors: Michele Checchin joins the Board as Managing Director, on the strength of his solid track record in regulatory chemistry and product safety, while Prof. Leonardo Luca Etro, an expert in Corporate Finance and M&A at SDA Bocconi, has been appointed Director Without Portfolio.

“Having served as Chair of the Board of Directors with pride and dedication”, said Beniamino Pettenon, “I am pleased to be appointed Honorary Chair, as I would like to carry on contributing ... to the growth and success of the business.”

The third generation – represented by Francesco and Alessandra Pettenon – is now leading the company, with an emphasis on innovation, managerial expertise and openness to external skills, in line with the evolution of the market and the historic identity of FILA Solutions.

APE Grupo launches the third edition of its international Architecture Awards

Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to contemporary architecture, APE Grupo has launched the third edition of the APE Grupo Architecture Awards. These international awards recognise the talent of architects and interior designers who incorporate APE Grupo ceramics into their work.

This year, the jury will be chaired by Peris+Toral Arquitectes, the Barcelona-based studio recently awarded the 2024 RIBA International Prize and the Spanish Architecture Prize by the CSCAE. The panel will also include architect and editor Fernando Márquez Cecilia, co-founder of El Croquis, and ar-

chitect Susana Babiloni, President of the Castellón Territorial College of Architects. The awards are open to architects, interior designers, refurbishers, landscape designers, and multidisciplinary studios of any nationality. Eligible projects must be completed, built works that feature a significant use of ceramic materials from APE Grupo or its brands — APE, Carmen, XLINING, or Ilbagno. The winner will receive a €5,000 cash prize. The deadline for entries is 14 November. Submissions may include new builds, refurbishments or renovations, as well as specific spaces provided they are part of a completed structure. Temporary installations are also eligible. Previous editions of the awards attracted entries from a diverse range of countries, including the Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Romania, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Belarus, France and Spain. Projects stood out for their international scope and creative use of ceramics.

In its second edition, the awards received 47 submissions. The winning project was Villa Amonita Lanzarote by Czech studio OOOOX, praised for its subtle integration of landscape, architecture and ceramic materials. The jury also awarded an honourable mention to Caruso Restaurant in Santo Domingo, designed by studio Arquimilio.

Tools

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Since day one, our mission has been to fully satisfy the needs of the professional tiles installer by providing him with effective and reliable tools that increase productivity while reducing fatigue.

More than 50 Years later our mission hasn’t changed.

Find out latest innovations at CERSAIE 25; 22-26 September 2025

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BOOTH

HALL 19

Impertek celebrates 40 years of history and innovation

Forty years mark an important milestone for a company, presenting it with an opportunity to consolidate its identity, build upon its experience and look forward to the challenges of the future with confidence.

With deep local roots and a culture of getting things done, Impertek is treating this anniversary not as a destination but as a new beginning: facing up to the challenges of innovation, sustainability and national and international development with renewed energy, the company continues to uphold the values that have guided its journey over the past four decades, such as a people-centred approach, the pursuit of excellence, reliability and an appetite for innovation. This is the identity that Impertek intends to carry forward into the future, consistently and transparently:

• Care and attention: the company believes in the value of people, build-

ing long-term relationships with customers and partners, based on trust and collaboration. Internally, it promotes a respectful, inclusive work environment with close attention to the well-being of all personnel.

• Excellence: the company strives to achieve excellence every day, in every detail, from material selection to certified quality, responsiveness to customer needs and the development of bespoke solutions.

• Reliability: the company follows through on its promises. The products offer high performance and state-of-the-art solutions, supported by precise, punctual service.

• Innovation: in an ever-evolving industry, innovation remains a constant choice. The company invests in training, research and the development of increasingly efficient, technology-based processes.

Impertek also has a clear mission: “To develop state-of-the-art systems and supports for raised flooring and waterproofing, by anticipating, proposing and producing technical and product solutions for the building industry that give customers the quality, flexibility and response times they want, while maximising efficiency and innovation and spreading a culture of excellence.”

For Impertek, innovation has always meant much more than launching new products, and has always been a continuous process, involving every aspect of the organisation. In recent years, the company has remodelled its headquarters, restructured its organisation chart, developed its internal talent and enhanced the synergies between departments.

* * *

Impertek was founded in the 1980s as a specialist installer of PVC membranes

and materials. The most iconic products of that first decade include the Ermetic TPE drain connectors with ribbed flange, for connecting roof membranes to rainwater drains. Impertek’s constant presence on construction sites, which has always been a hallmark of its work, gave rise to the idea that revolutionised the company’s second decade in business, namely to develop a specific line for supports for raised outdoor flooring. This led to the launch of the Martinetto range, Impertek’s first and long-

RAK Ceramics announces first-half growth

Confirming its position as one of the world’s leading producers of ceramic tiles, sanitaryware, bathroom fittings and tableware, RAK Ceramics closed the first half of 2025 with solid growth in both revenue and profitability. Between April and June, revenue rose by 6.4% compared to Q2 2024, reaching AED 826.8 million (around €192 million). Gross profit margin climbed to 40.6%, EBITDA grew by 17.5% and EBITDA margin improved to 19.5%. Profit before and after tax rose by 45% and 30% year on year, respectively. In the first half of the year, total revenue rose to AED 1.6 billion (more than €372 million), up 2.9% on H1 2024. Gross profit margin increased to 40.2% of revenue. EBITDA reached around €69 million (AED 296.4 million, +2.9%), remaining steady at 18.5% of revenue. Profit before tax rose by 13% to AED 151 million (more than €35 million) and net profit by 1.2% year on year to AED 115 million (around €27 million).

All the group’s divisions contributed to its positive second-quarter performance. Tile segment revenue, which accounts for 57% of total sales, grew by 10% year on year, driven by robust demand in the UAE and growing contributions from higher-margin channels such

est-standing Pedestal Line. This was the product that brought the company into the raised flooring market in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and immediately made it a benchmark for the sector.

The third decade saw the launch of MegaMart, a pedestal designed to reach a height of 1020 mm and offer maximum extendibility and adjustability.

Lastly, the fourth decade saw the most wide-ranging and prolific innovation.

The most iconic products from this period include MiniPro, which covers heights

as projects and retail. The buoyant domestic market also underpinned a 3.6% increase in Sanitaryware segment sales, while stronger results in Europe, Saudi Arabia and Africa boosted Faucets revenue by 11.7%. The Tableware division reported a 7.9% decline in revenue but saw an improvement in gross profit margin thanks to higher sales to the airline industry and premium hospitality projects. Europe, the Middle East and Asia remain the group’s core markets. In Q2, the domestic market delivered the strongest results, accounting for 29.3% of revenue with a 26.4% increase year on year. Other Middle Eastern markets also saw robust growth (+33.4%), reflecting strong demand in Bahrain, Iraq and Jordan. Sales in Saudi Arabia declined by 11.4%, although gross profit margin improved, driven by a favourable product mix. Here, feasibility studies are underway for the construction of a local manufacturing facility, underlining the strategic importance of the Saudi market for RAK Ceramics. Europe saw a contraction in sales (-3.2% in the quarter, or -10.5% in local currency), penalised by stagnant growth, persistent inflation and recessionary concerns . Demand was especially weak in the UK and Italy. In India and Bangladesh, where RAK Ceramics operates its own production facilities, results were more positive. India re-

from 25 to 50 mm with a single pedestal and is designed for single-head installation on ceramic, stone or decking. This is complemented by historic products such as BalancePro and the latest innovations, namely Lunar Support, GravitySystem, Border Shield and EdgePlate.

corded moderate growth (+2%, or +2.8% in local currency) thanks to an expanding distributor network, while Bangladesh achieved stronger growth (+9.4%, or +15.6% in local currency). But despite these encouraging signs, political instability continues to disrupt market dynamics and overall economic sentiment in Bangladesh. Commenting on the results, Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO of RAK Ceramics, noted that the group’s revenue growth and strong operational performance reflect its strength and adaptability worldwide. “Our ability to drive both volume and value growth in key markets while successfully navigating regional headwinds further underscores the effectiveness of our diversified strategy,” commented Massaad.

THE ITALIAN CERAMIC INDUSTRY IS WORTH 7.5 BILLION EUROS

With 248 companies , more than 26,000 direct employees and total revenues of €7.5 billion , the Italian ceramic industry testifies

to the continued strength of the country’s manufacturing system despite the challenging energy and regulatory landscape. The industry’s

performance figures were presented by Confindustria Ceramica in its 2024 statistical report, which covers all the sectors represented by the

Tiles and slabs: growth in sales volumes

A driving force of the Italian ceramic industry, the ceramic tile and slab sector ended 2024 with slightly better results than the preliminary estimates published last December. Total sales reached 378.3 million square metres (+2.5% on 2023), generating a turnover of €6.1 billion (-1.8%).

Exports remained the backbone of the industry, accounting for 82% of total revenues (€5 billion, down 1.4% on 2023) and 77.6% of volumes (293.5 million sqm, +3.1%). Despite pressure on prices, the average export value remained high at €17/sqm, demonstrating the Italian ceramic industry’s ability to maintain a strong presence in international markets with products renowned for their design, quality and innovation. Italian domestic sales held steady at 2023 levels with

Augusto Ciarrocchi

association (ceramic tiles and slabs, sanitaryware, porcelain and tableware, refractories, technical ceramics and heavy clay products)

and was unveiled at its customary mid-year press conference held as part of the association’s annual members’ meeting.

84.7 million sqm sold (+0.4%), equivalent to revenues of €1.1 billion (-3.7%).

Total output fell slightly to 369.8 million sqm (-1.1%), produced by 122 companies with 18,009 direct employees.

Although the 2024 results remained broadly stable following the sharp contraction experienced in 2023, the year’s most negative figure was without question that of technology investments, which fell by 19.4% to €382 million, or 6.3% of the sector’s turnover.

According to Confindustria Ceramica Chairman Augusto Ciarrocchi, this decline is largely a result of regulatory uncertainty (the Transition Plan 5.0

Serenissima

Bardelli

has proved entirely ineffective), the structural rise in energy costs and the EU’s ETS mechanism which is squeezing companies’ margins. “ETS prices,” noted Ciarrocchi, “have surged from €10 in 2018 to today’s €75, costing companies an estimated €120 million a year.”

Destination markets for italian tiles

In 2024 Italian tile exports grew in volume across all continents Europe accounted for two-thirds of the total (195.5 million sqm), remaining broadly stable compared with 2023. In particular, shipments within the European Union totalled 165.2 million sqm (+0.5%) and generated €2.74 billion in revenue (-4.6%). The German market recovered slightly in volume (+1.1%) but

declined in value (-6%). Sales in France fell in terms of both volume and value (-4.5% in volume, -10.4% in value), as did exports to Austria, the Netherlands and other major EU destinations, while sales in Belgium improved slightly (+1.6%).

Exports to non-EU European countries dropped to 30.3 million sqm (-0.7%), corresponding to a value of €447 million (-4.9%). Sales fell both in the UK (-5.3% in volume, -8.4% in value) and in Switzerland (-1.6% and -7.1% respectively), while exports to Russia picked up by +5.5% in volume and +2.3% in value.

Exports to all non-European markets grew in both volume and value. Shipments to the Americas rose by 8.3% to 45.4 million sqm, with revenues up 5.2% to €894 million and the average selling price reaching the highest value of any region (€19.7/ sqm). The US market performed particularly well, with sales of Italian tiles up +9.3% in volume and +6.6% in value.

The largest percentage increase was in Asia (+12.5% in volume, +5.9% in value), with the Gulf markets in particular up by +39.5% in volume and +30.6% in value. Italian exports also performed well in Australia (+2.7% in volume, +1.3% in value) and in Africa (+3.5% and +1.4%).

The recovery seen in 2024 continued into the first quarter of 2025, with sales volumes up 4% and revenues up 1.3% compared with the same period in 2024. Export growth was reported across almost all EU

Source: Confindustria Ceramica

Keradom

Fap Ceramiche

TAB. 2 - DESTINATION OF ITALIAN CERAMIC TILE EXPORTS IN 2024

markets, while the upward trend continued in Russia, the United States, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

The energy issue and trade tensions

During the press conference, Ciarrocchi focused on two particularly pressing issues for the sector: environment and energy, and the new obstacles to international trade.

On the subject of sustainability, Ciarrocchi noted that Italian tile manufacturing has already achieved outstanding levels of efficiency “Italy’s ceramic industry now has the lowest levels of emissions in the world, and no further significant technological progress towards decarbonisation can be expected at present,” he said. Energy remains the critical issue. At a national level, Confindustria Ceramica has two requests: to eliminate the gap between Italy’s gas price (PSV) and the European benchmark (TTF), which ranges from €2 to €5/ MWh, and to implement a Gas Release mechanism capable of providing a structural response to companies’ needs.

Regarding the ETS system, the association is calling for ceramics to be included among the sectors eligible for compensation for indirect costs and for a halt to the scheduled reduction in free allowances from 2026, at least until real technological alternatives are available.

International trade is another area of concern. “An EUUS agreement on tariffs is essential and must be finalised as soon as possible,” said Ciarrocchi

Regarding the Trump administration’s goal of bringing manufacturing back to the US, he pointed out that the Italian ceramic industry has already begun moving in this direction and now accounts for a third of US ceramic tile production.

Another sensitive issue is the sharp increase in imports of Indian tiles to Europe. “These products bene-

fit from state subsidies and entail various forms of economic, environmental and social dumping,” he noted. Indian ceramic tile exports to Europe grew by 67% in 2023, remained stable in 2024 and climbed by a further 10% in the first quarter of 2025. “The anti-dumping duties currently applied in Europe are too low and are systematically absorbed. Urgent action is needed, and any talks on an EU-India free trade agreement must exclude ceramics until these issues are resolved. What we really need is the introduction of EU legislation on product origin labelling to inform and empower European consumers in their purchasing decisions”, said Ciarrocchi

The other segments of the ceramic industry

Around 20% of the ceramic industry’s total revenues last year were generated by segments other than tiles. The heavy clay industry, with its 57 companies and 3,000 employees, produced 4.1 million tonnes of bricks and tiles in 2024 and generated revenues of €700 million, primarily in the domestic market.

The Italian ceramic sanitaryware industry comprises 31 companies, 28 of which are based in the Civita Castellana district (Viterbo), and employs a total of 2,700 people. In 2024, production reached 3.2 million pieces and generated revenue of €414 million, including 40% (€165 million) from exports.

The refractories industry consists of 30 companies with 1,546 employees, producing a total of 270,500 tonnes and generating €348 million in revenue (+1%), divided between €160 million in domestic sales and more than €188 million in exports.

Finally, the ceramic tableware segment comprises 8 companies with 668 employees and a 2024 output of 9,600 tonnes, corresponding to a total turnover of €57.7 million (+3%). The domestic market accounted for 75% of volumes and 63% of total revenues.

TAB. 3 - THE ITALIAN CERAMIC INDUSTRY IN 2024

WORLD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CERAMIC TILES

Luca Baraldi, MECS / Acimac Research Centre (l.baraldi@mecs.org)

The 13th edition of the study “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles” produced by MECS / Acimac Research Centre is due to be published in October.

The study – previewed here – runs to almost 300 pages of charts, tables and commentary, and examines in detail the ten-year trend to 2024 for the industry, the market, per capita

1) Overall, the global ceramic industry and market continued to experience a downturn in 2024, following the negative trends observed in 2022-2023. The persistent economic slowdown and international geopolitical tensions further cooled global tile demand and resulted in another contraction in worldwide production and trade volumes, with percentage declines slightly worse than in 2023.

2) World tile production fell to 14,950 million sqm in 2024, 6.2% down on the 15,937 million sqm in 2023. Although almost all regions experienced a decline in production, the vast majority of the 987 million sqm contraction occurred in Asia and North Africa. Asia’s output fell 6.5%, from 11.6 to 10.9 billion sqm, equivalent to 72.8% of global production. China saw a contraction of 820 million sqm, partially offset by a recovery of more than 100 million sqm in Vietnam.

Europe produced 1,615 million sqm (10.9% of the world total). Thanks to a rebound in Spain, the Eu-

consumption and import-export flows, both by macro-region and for the 76 largest tile producing, consuming, exporting and importing countries.

ropean Union posted a modest 1.4% growth in output (from 1,039 to 1,054 million sqm), still far from offsetting the 18% contraction of 2023. Production in non-EU Europe dropped to 561 million sqm (-8.8%), largely due to a lower output in Turkey. Production in the American continent also fell, dropping to 1,428 million sqm. North America saw a decline in output from 349 to 328 million sqm (-6%), while production in Central and South America slipped to 1,100 million sqm, a decrease of 2.1%. Finally, production in Africa saw its first contraction after more than a decade of growth, dropping from 1,178 to 1,025 million sqm (-13%). This was attributable to the sharp decline in Egypt and, to a lesser extent, in Algeria, while output in the Sub-Saharan area maintained 2023 levels.

3) Global tile consumption followed a similar pattern, falling from 15,621 million sqm in 2023 to 14,552 million sqm in 2024 (-6.8%). All areas contracted, once again with the exception of the European Union, which saw 1% growth to 839 million

For each country there is also an in-depth breakdown of import and export volumes by product type: porcelain stoneware, single-

fired and double-fired tiles, and other materials. As in previous years, the study will be accompanied by the publication of the volume

sqm. Consumption declined slightly in Central and South America (1,205 million sqm; -0.9%), in North America (542 million sqm; -1.6%), and in non-EU Europe (623 million sqm; -2%). The decrease was much more pronounced in Africa (1,227 million sqm; -14.3%) and, above all, in Asia, where demand fell from 10.9 to 10.0 billion sqm (-7.7%), accounting for 69% of global consumption.

4) In 2024, world exports also fell for the third consecutive year with a decline of 2.5% (essentially repeating the -2.4% of 2023).

A total of 2,674 million sqm of ceramic tiles were exported worldwide, 69 million sqm less than the previous year. This drop is almost entirely attributable to Asia (down from 1,539 to 1,472 million sqm; -4.3%), which in effect means China and India. By contrast, exports from other areas remained substantially unchanged. Exports from the European Union dropped from 770 to 768 million sqm (-0.2%); Central and South America from 138 to 132 million sqm (-4.2%); North America from 43 to 39

entitled “Ceramic Tile Market Forecast Analysis 2025-2029”, which provides an updated five-year forecast for the global ceramic tile market.

million sqm (-10.8%); and Africa from 121 to 111 million sqm (-7.9%). One positive exception was the recovery in exports from non-EU Europe (from 132 to 151 million sqm; +14.7%), driven by the strong performance of Turkey.

5) With regard to the export propensity of the various continents or macro-regions, the European Union remained the area with the highest export share in 2024 at 73% of its production. All the other areas lagged well behind: non-EU Europe exported 27% of its output volumes, Asia 13.5%, North and South America both 12% and Africa 10.8%. The trend in import/export flows confirms the tendency for tiles to be produced close to markets. World exports accounted for 17.9% of global production and 18.4% of global consumption, with 61.9% of exports remaining within the same geographical area as production (80.2% of South American exports stayed in South America; 80.7% of North American exports remained within the NAFTA area; 64.7% of Asian exports were shipped

to Asian countries; 91.5% of African exports remained in Africa). The European Union remained a partial exception, shipping 46.1% of its exports to non-EU markets.

This is confirmed by a comparison between each continent’s contribution to global tile production and consumption, which shows that the values are essentially aligned: Asia represents 72.8% of production and 69.2% of consumption; Europe (EU + non-EU) 10.9% and 10.1% respectively; the Americas 9.6% and 12%; and Africa 6.9% and 8.4%.

6) China, the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of ceramic tiles, saw its production and sales decline in 2023 for the third consecutive year. According to the China Building and Sanitary Ceramics Association, lower domestic demand (5.3 billion sqm; down 13% on 2023) forced the industry to reduce its output to 5.9 billion sqm (-12.2% compared to 6.7 billion in 2023), against an installed capacity of 12.2 billion sqm. The number of active companies also declined, dropping from 1,022 to 938.

In 2024, Chinese exports fell to 600 million sqm (-2.5%), equivalent to 22.4% of world exports and increasingly shipped to destinations in Asia (442.5 million sqm; +0.9% on 2023). Fourteen of the Chinese ceramic industry’s top 20 foreign markets are in Asia, led by the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. In Australia, China’s sixth-largest market and one in which it holds a market share of around 75%, sales rose to 33 million sqm. China saw a decline in exports to Latin America (66 million sqm; -11% on 2023), Africa (34 million sqm; -29%) and Europe (8 million sqm). In

the first half of 2025, Chinese exports experienced a further fall of 3.9% in volume (271 million sqm) and 11.6% in value ($1.51 billion), with an average price of $5.56/sqm.

7) In 2024, India maintained its position as the world’s second largest tile producer and consumer. Domestic production fell by 2% to 2.4 billion sqm, reflecting a decline both in domestic consumption (1,620 million sqm; -4.7%) and in exports, which dropped from 589 to 525 million sqm (-10.9%). Export revenues declined to about €2 billion, while average price remained stable at €3.8/sqm.

In 2024, Asian markets continued to absorb the largest share of Indian exports: 216 million sqm (-13%), equal to 41.2% of total volumes. With the exception of South America, which continued to grow to 41 million sqm (+14%), all other destination areas experienced a decline: Africa -18.5% (98 million sqm); North America and Mexico -7% (62 million sqm); European Union -8% (54 million sqm); non-EU Europe -7.5% (50 million sqm).

The ranking of India’s top countries of export underwent a number of changes compared to 2023. The United Arab Emirates, up 7.8% to 36.7 million sqm, became the leading export market, followed by the USA (34.2 million sqm; -7%), Iraq (30 million sqm; -6.7%) and Russia, which recorded the largest increase (+22.4%) to 28 million sqm. Kuwait and Mexico followed with about 25 million sqm each. The most significant declines were in Israel (from 22 to 14 million sqm; -37%), South Africa (from 19.5 to 12 million sqm; -38%) and Saudi Arabia (from 18 to 9.5 million sqm; -47%), where tariffs on Indian tile imports have been in place for four years.

MANUFACTURING COUNTRIES

Source: Mecs / Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 13th edition 2025

8) Brazil, the world’s third-largest producer and consumer country, saw a 4% increase in production in 2024 to reach 825 million sqm, partially making up for the output lost in the previous two years, in parallel with a similar recovery in domestic sales (727 million sqm; +4.8%).

Exports, by contrast, continued to decline to 86 million sqm (-2.9%). These were almost entirely shipped to Central and South American markets with the exception of the USA, the second-largest destination market at 15.8 million sqm (-6.8%). The value of Brazilian exports fell to €338 million, with an average price of €3.9/sqm.

According to forecasts by the country’s trade association Anfacer, production in 2025 should reach around 807 million sqm, with stable domestic sales and a slight recovery in exports (+2%).

9) Spain, the largest European producer and the world’s third-largest exporter, also closed 2024 with a slight recovery in production, which rose from 394 to 416 million sqm (+5.6%), although still far from 2021-2022 levels. Consumption, almost entirely covered by domestic production, increased from 135 to 142 million sqm (+5.2%). Exports, however, continued to fall, dropping from 344 to 329 million sqm (-4.4%), equal to 79% of national production.

The industry’s total turnover remained stable at €4.8 billion, of which €1.34 billion was generated by domestic sales (+3.1%) and €3.481 billion by exports (-2.4%) at an average price of €10.6/sqm.

France remained the top export market (40.3 million sqm; -9.9%), followed by the United States (34.4 million sqm; -4.9%), Italy (16.5 million sqm;

-3.6%), Morocco (15.8 million sqm; +3.5%), the United Kingdom (15.3 million sqm; -12.8%) and Israel, which grew strongly to 13.8 million sqm (+19.2%).

Considering macro-regions, Europe accounted for 49.7% of Spain’s exports by volume, Asia 15.2%, Africa 14.1%, North America 12.4% and South America 7.9%.

10) In 2024, Italy’s production remained close to 2023 levels: 369.8 million sqm (-1%), produced by 122 companies. Total sales showed a slight recovery, rising from 369.2 to 378.3 million sqm (+2.5%) and generating revenues of €6.1 billion (-1.8%). Domestic sales remained stable at 84.8 million sqm, generating €1.084 billion in turnover (-3.7%) with an average price of €12.8/sqm. Taking imports (30 million sqm) into account, national consumption reached 115 million sqm (-1.7%).

Italy remains the world’s fourth-largest exporter by volume and the largest by value. In 2024, exports (equal to 79.2% of production) grew by 3.1% to 293.5 million sqm, generating revenues of €4.979 billion (-1.4%) and with the average price falling from €17.7/sqm to €17/sqm.

The top three foreign markets for Italian tiles were Germany (43.9 million sqm; +1.1%), France (40.6 million sqm; -4.5%) and the United States (33 million sqm; +9.3%). These were followed by Greece (9.4 million sqm; +67.5%), Austria (9 million sqm; -1%), Belgium (8.6 million sqm; +1.6%), Switzerland (8 million sqm; -1.6%), the United Kingdom (7.3 million sqm; -5.3%), the Netherlands (7 million sqm; -4.9%) and Canada (6.3 million sqm; -7.8%).

Looking at macro-regions, Italy’s sales within the European Union remained stable at 165 million

Source: Mecs / Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 13th edition 2025

sqm (equal to 56% of total exports), while those in non-EU Europe grew by 12% to 30 million sqm. Italy’s tile exports to North America (41 million sqm; +8%) and to Asia (36 million sqm; +14.3%) also increased, while sales in Africa (12.5 million sqm) and Oceania (3.7 million sqm) remained stable and exports to South America declined (4.6 million sqm; -29.5%).

11) The two Asian giants China and India and the two largest European producer countries Spain and Italy together accounted for 65.3% of world exports last year. If the next six major exporting countries are added, the figure rises to 84.4%, similar to 2023. Spain and Italy maintained the highest export shares (both 79% of national production), followed by Poland at 54%, Iran at 45%, Turkey at 32%, India at 22% and Brazil and China at 10%. Italy also maintained its leadership position in terms of average selling price at €17/sqm, followed by Spain at €10.6, Poland at €9.2, Vietnam at €7.3, Turkey at €6.6, China at €5, Brazil at €3.9 and India at €3.8.

12) Indonesia and Vietnam continued to rank amongst the largest producer countries in the Far East, while Iran maintained its strong position in the Middle East. In 2024, Vietnam recovered much of the decline it experienced in 2023, bringing production back up to 504 million sqm (+27%). Exports remained stable at 35 million sqm, of which almost 10 million sqm was shipped to the USA, while domestic consumption rose to 401 million sqm.

Production in Indonesia fell by 1.4% to 407 million sqm, while consumption dropped to 470 million sqm (-5%), partly covered by imports (70 million sqm; -18.3%), almost entirely from China. Exports amounted to just 7 million sqm (-30%).

The world’s fifth-largest producer, Iran, produced 450 million sqm, of which 200 million sqm was sold on the domestic market and 202 million sqm was exported, including 76% to Iraq.

13) Turkey, the world’s ninth-largest producer and sixth-largest exporter, reduced its production in 2024 to 318 million sqm (-14.5%) in response to a fall in domestic demand to 232 million sqm (-12%). Exports saw a significant recovery, rising to 101 million sqm (+27.8%), although still far from the 154 million sqm reached in 2021. Exports generated revenues of €671 million, with an average price of €6.6/sqm. Turkey’s main foreign market was the European Union (39 million sqm; +43.6%), followed by non-EU Europe (19 million sqm; +69%), Asia (18.7 million sqm; +11%) and North America (16.7 million sqm; -10%).

Despite a decline, the USA remained Turkey’s largest single export market (13.1 million sqm; -14%), followed by Germany (12.4 million sqm; +25%) and the United Kingdom (7.7 million sqm; +14%).

14) In 2024, the 10 largest importing countries imported a total of 1,005 million sqm (the same volume as in 2023), equal to 37.6% of global trade. With an increase of 3.2% over 2023, Iraq overtook the United

Source: Mecs / Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 13th edition 2025

States to become the world’s largest tile importer at 194 million sqm (including 154 million sqm from Iran and 30 million sqm from India), covering 96.5% of national consumption. Imports also accounted for 95% of sales in France and 98% in Germany. The main suppliers to France were Spain and Italy with 40 million sqm each (out of total imports of 105 million sqm); the main exporters to Germany were Italy, Turkey, Poland and Spain. In 2024, imports to Russia saw further growth to 67 million sqm (+12%), shipped mainly from India (28 million sqm), Belarus (16 million sqm) and Uzbekistan (6 million sqm). Five of the world’s ten largest importers are in Asia (Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia), all markets where China remains the leading and almost exclusive supplier. One of the developments in 2024 was the fact that Israel dropped out of the ranking of the world’s top ten importers (it is now 13th) due to the decline in imports to 46 million sqm, covered almost entirely by India, Spain, China and Italy.

-7.1%), Italy (33.1 million sqm; +9.3%), Mexico (27.3 million sqm; -12.3%), Brazil (15.8 million sqm; -6.8%) and Turkey (13.1 million sqm; -14%). As expected, the effects of the US market dynamics could be clearly seen in the first half of 2025: on the one hand, the import tariffs announced by President Trump, which prompted many US distributors to bring forward purchases; on the other, the introduction of anti-dumping duties on tile imports from India. Data released by the Tile Council of North America show that while tile consumption remained stable in the first six months of the year (-0.6% compared to H1 2024), imports gained momentum (+2.6% in volume and +5% in value) at the expense of domestic sales (-8.3%).

15) The United States, the world’s second-largest importer, saw a 3% reduction in imports in 2024 to 189 million sqm, equivalent to 73% of total consumption (259 million sqm). 83.5% of US imports originated from the six largest supplier countries: Spain (34.4 million sqm; -4.9%), India (34.3 million sqm;

In particular, market shares among traditional foreign suppliers shifted, with increases for Spain (20 million sqm; +27.3% in volume; +21.5% in value) and Italy (15 million sqm; +7.2% in volume; +7.3% in value), while India declined sharply (13.8 million sqm; -32.7% in volume; -42.2% in value). Brazil also performed well (+24.5% in volume and +26.3% in value), while Mexico saw a decline (-5.7% in volume and -8.4% in value). ✕

Source: Mecs / Acimac Research dept. “World production and

THE FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION IN EUROPE BETWEEN RECOVERY AND UNCERTAINTY

Falling inflation, EU funding and geopolitical challenges are set to reshape the sector in the coming years.

The European construction sector is in a delicate phase of transition. Following the post-pandemic rebound of 2021-2022, fuelled by

THE 99TH EUROCONSTRUCT CONFERENCE

According to the 99th Euroconstruct survey presented in Warsaw last June, construction activity in the 19 countries traditionally covered by the network (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) fell by 2.1% in 2024, 0.3 percentage points lower than the forecast released at the 98th conference in December 2024.

The latest projections, as described by Mariusz Sochacki in his report published in Euroconstruct, point to a reversal of this negative trend and a return to growth beginning in 2025.

Output in the Euroconstruct area is expected to increase by 0.3% in 2025, followed by growth of around 2% in 2026 and 2027. By 2027, the total value of the construction market in the 19 Euroconstruct countries will be 1.4% below the 2021 peak, but 3.5% higher than in 2024.

Poland is projected to see the strongest cumulative growth in 2025-2027, with double-digit increases in both new construction and renovation work. In Ireland, cumulative growth by 2027 will be driven mainly by an increase in demand for new construction.

All three major construction market segments in EC-19 (residential, non-residential and civil engineering) are expected to grow in real terms between 2025 and 2027, but the growth outlook remains modest with annual rates not exceeding 2-3%. This applies to both building construction and civil engineering, as well as the new and renovation segments.

The report also forecasts that the downward trend in residential construction will continue at least through 2025. However, market growth is expected to resume in 2026-2027, mainly in new housing construction. Sluggish domestic demand and weak public sector finances are likely to continue to hinder non-residential

major financial stimulus measures and growing demand, the subsequent years have seen a sharp slowdown. Inflation at its highest level in

construction growth in most European countries between 2025 and 2027. The rate of growth in total civil engineering construction is also expected to remain low in the coming years. Growth in total construction output in this period will amount to 4.6%, driven primarily by residential building construction.

Cumulative double-digit growth between 2025 and 2027 is expected in Poland (16.5%), Sweden (15.8%), Ireland (15.2%), Spain (10.5%) and the UK (10.3%), while in France growth will amount to 3.7%. A significant contraction in the construction market is forecast in Italy (-5.8%), while the situation in Germany, Austria and Belgium is expected to remain stagnant.

THE EECFA REPORT ON EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE

The outlook presented by EECFA (Eastern European Construction Forecasting Association) is equally mixed. As Janos Gaspar, director of Buildecon and Hungary’s Euroconstruct representative, explains, the picture in Eastern and Southeast Europe is varied and uneven.

In Bulgaria, total construction output is expected to grow by an average of 3% in 2025-2027, with stronger growth in the middle of the period. Residential construction will be the weakest subsector, while non-residential construction and civil engineering are expected to perform better. Although Bulgaria’s economy is set to grow more slowly than previously expected, it stands to benefit from full Schengen area membership effective from 1 January 2025 and from euro adoption scheduled for 2026.

In Croatia, construction activity remains vibrant due to the combination of continuing transitioning-economy catch-up growth and large inflows of EU money. However, both drivers are beginning to diminish and this will affect all construction segments, some more strongly and more rapidly than others.

Romania continues to show a positive but more cautious macroeconomic outlook amid political instability

Generoso Verrusio

decades, rising interest rates and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty have curbed both public and private investment. As a result, leading industry observers such as Euroconstruct and

EECFA see a recovery ahead, but one that is uneven and clouded by uncertainty.

and fiscal uncertainty that have done little to improve growth opportunities. At the same time, the country has the largest government deficit in the EU, which will dampen public investment capabilities. This could negatively impact civil engineering, which in 2024 had offset declines in other construction segments. The outlook for total construction remains negative in 2025 and 2026 in real terms. Nonetheless, falling inflation and interest rates, combined with strong employment indicators, could boost private demand.

In 2025 Serbia’s construction sector is making new gains in building construction, while civil engineering has entered a period of consolidation after the strong expansion of 2023 and 2024. Building construction is supported by both public and private investment, boosted by preparations for Expo 2027 in Belgrade. Non-residential construction is the main beneficiary of this event, particularly commercial, office and hotel segments, while residential construction is maintaining historically high volumes. Some delays are being seen in civil engineering, but overall performance remains strong.

Total construction output in Slovenia is expected to decline from the historic high of €5.5 billion reached in 2023. A contraction is expected in 2024 and 2025, although activity should remain above €5 billion annually. The sector is expected to return to growth in 2026 and 2027, mostly on the back of healthy growth in residential construction buoyed by lower mortgage rates. By contrast, civil engineering is expected to see a sharp decline in 2024-2025 as major projects such as the new railway connection to the port of Koper are completed. As for the situation in Eastern Eu-

rope, Russia, Türkiye and Ukraine show markedly different trajectories.

According to Andrey Vakulenko of Macon, EECFA’s Russian member institute, the construction sector in Russia will remain under pressure due to a range of macroeconomic factors. Tight monetary policy and reduced mortgage availability are expected to slow housing construction. At the same time, the high cost of project financing, the general cooling of the economy, reduced consumption and weak business activity are likely to shrink the volume of investment in non-residential construction

In Türkiye, notes EECFA researcher Prof. Ali Türel, positive real growth in housing prices relative to construction costs encourages the construction of new houses, while loss of purchasing power due to inflation is leading to an increase of home sales through equity financing as mortgage credits are not affordable for most households. Rebuilding the 870 000 homes damaged in the 2023 earthquake requires around €100 billion in investment, expenditures that have significantly contributed to the country’s large national deficits in recent years.

Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine’s construction industry is showing signs of recovery this year. According to Sergii Zapototskyi of Uvecon, EECFA’s Ukrainian member, the World Bank estimates that reconstruction would require US $486 billion. Bureaucratic barriers, labour shortages, scarce and costly building materials, and severe logistical difficulties exacerbated by the war remain the biggest obstacles to reconstruction.

Sabrina Tassini

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: AMONG ITALY AND JAPAN

Between essentiality and visual impact, artistic approach and technical pragmatism, Alvisi Kirimoto’s architectural projects resemble a vibrant tango between opposites in equilibrium.

The history of the practice, founded more than twenty years ago by the Italian-Japanese duo Massimo Alvisi and Junko Kirimoto, is scattered with prominent international references, all united by the alternation of skillful formal rigor and expressive effectiveness tailored to the context, typical of well-conceived works.

TILE INTERNATIONAL: Your roots are deeply rooted in particularly different cultures.

What does the syncretism of Italy-Japan entail and

The philosophy of the award-

bring to the work of architectural design?

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: The combination of Italian and

ph. ©Ilaria Magliocchetti Lombi

winning studio - among the main awards we recall the International Architecture Award of the Chicago Athenaeum (2021) and the honorable mention at the EU Mies van der Rohe award (2021) - in fact rejects

predefined styles, looks at detail as a key element and feeds on a deep understanding of the space and who will use it in the future. In the sign of a respectful and sur mesure architecture that becomes “a bridge between people and the environment, capable of generating well-being and harmony,” as Massimo Alvisi says, with whom we have deepened visions and foundations.

Japanese culture is a key element of our approach and the work of our studio, a value that we are committed to transmitting also to our collaborators.

Junko and I come from profoundly different contexts, both in terms of culture and working method. This complementarity allows us to develop a unique

Chiara Bruzzichelli

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

the dome - ph. ©marco cappelletti

design process, adapting it from time to time to each project.

A particularly fascinating aspect of Japanese culture is the concept of beauty in imperfection. This ideal is based on the acceptance of transience, change, and the plurality of points of view.

Thanks to this perspective, designers, observers, and users of a work can imagine a place beyond its physical dimension, interpreting it in a changing way over time, because nothing is permanent and everything is destined to transform.

As for the Italian essence, reference can be made to the concept of measure. This is not simply the physical act of measuring, but the ability to perceive a space, positively appropriate it, and reinterpret it.

The goal is to conceive it, shape it in such a way as to make it “tailor-made”: perfectly responding to the needs of people and respectful of the context.

The meeting between these two perspectives, so different and complementary, enriches the design process, giving life to dynamic and carefully calibrated projects: spaces capable of dialoguing with the context, responding to needs, and maintaining a unique and recognizable identity.

TILE INTERNATIONAL: You both boast relevant experience in the sector. Are there any lessons learned from past collaborations that you still keep and apply?

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: Both Junko and I come from contexts of great importance and stimulus, which have taught us a great deal and deeply inspired us.

My experience with Renzo Piano as a young architect that also allowed me to follow the construction site of the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, or the

work with Oscar Niemeyer for the Ravello Auditorium, taught me to see architecture as a profession that embraces and draws inspiration from multiple disciplines. Junko, on the other hand, has collaborated with prominent figures such as Shin Takamatsu, Kazuyo Sejima, and Massimiliano Fuksas, thanks to whom we met. In 2002, grateful for the teachings received from these great international Masters, we decided to found our reality.

We followed the valuable advice of Renzo Piano: always keep your feet on the ground, face even small projects, but always with great ideas, realizing them with maniacal care to make a difference; it was not so important the scale of the project, as the way in which this would be developed.

This teaching, which proved fundamental in our early years of profession, remains today a pillar of our method. For us, each project is unique and important, regardless of its size or media impact. To each we dedicate one hundred percent of our attention, our ideas, and our passion.

TILE INTERNATIONAL: More and more often we talk about “tailoring” design as a conditio sine qua non of contemporary architecture. A modality that has been a cornerstone of your activity since the foundation of the studio. How do you decline this concept in architectural practice?

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: A “tailoring” and therefore sur mesure approach requires an in-depth dialogue with clients, whether private or public, to identify solutions that fully respond to their needs and peculiarities. It is not just about designing an architectural work, but about building a unique, specific, and unrepeatable

Viale Giulini Affordable Housing - ph. ©Marco Cappelletti

imagery and narration for each client.

Each project we realize is unique, different from all the others, because the needs, sensitivities, and objectives vary not only from person to person, but also with the passage of time.

This method is based on a scrupulous attention to detail, which we consider an essential element.

Each choice not only responds to practical needs, but builds an emotional and visual experience that dialogues with the environment and the community that lives it.

TILE INTERNATIONAL: Regarding spaces intended for the community, we have seen you engaged in a vast and varied range of projects, from the redevelopment of the historic center of Hanoi to the pre-feasibility study for the regeneration of the Ex-Macrico area in Caserta, and again, from the new Spazio Antonioni in Ferrara to the ABF “Maria Manetti Shrem” Educational Center in Florence. With what assumptions do you approach such different realizations and how do you combine the creative vision with the practical needs of public environments?

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: Each intervention arises from listening and from a careful analysis of the context. For us, designing spaces intended for the community means first of all putting nature and the human being at the center, paying great attention to the specificities of the place, its needs, and the community that lives it.

Each project is the result of a continuous and deep dialogue with all the parties involved: from clients to public bodies, from curators to local communities. For example, in the case of Spazio Antonioni in Ferrara,

we worked in close synergy with the Municipality of Ferrara, Enrica Fico Antonioni - wife of Michelangelo Antonioni - and the curator Dominique Paini. The objective was not only to restore the so-called “Pavilion of Contemporary Art”, but to ensure that the new museum was a tangible translation of the art of the Master and the curatorial thought, integrating harmoniously in the urban and cultural context of Ferrara. Every detail was conceived as a tile of a mosaic, to transform the heritage of the director into an architectural experience that respected the needs of clients and the artistic vision of the project.

Different, but equally significant, was the design of the ABF “Maria Manetti Shrem” Educational Center, inside the Meyer Pediatric Hospital in Florence. Here, the starting point was the well-being of hospitalized children. In this space, every element has been conceived to promote the learning and comfort of young patients. The choice of materials, the layout of the spaces, the light, and even the chromatic details are the result of a study aimed at creating a welcoming, stimulating, and inclusive environment, able to respond to the practical needs and the emotional needs of educators and young patients.

In each project we try to find a balance between functionality and creative inspiration, starting from listening and arriving at a shared vision. It is a choral process, in which every voice counts, and where respect for the environment, for cultural heritage, and for people is the guiding principle to obtain results that have a positive and lasting impact.

TILE INTERNATIONAL: Outside of architecture, are there artistic references and transversal stimuli that guide and inspire your work?

Tenuta Stampino - ph. ©Flooer

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: Numerous arts and disciplines influence and enrich our work as designers, making it rich in facets. Among these, one of the main ones is certainly music, which has the power to generate emotions, just like architecture.

Each space, like a musical composition, must be able to arouse an emotional reaction in the user, to stimulate a deep and personal bond with the environment that surrounds it. Just as a musical piece offers different interpretations and can be perceived and experienced in different ways by each listener, architecture must offer a fertile ground so that the community can write its own history.

It is not about providing already predefined solutions, but about building a space that leaves open the possibility of reflection.

The role of the designer is therefore similar to that of an orchestra conductor, who guides a musical complex towards a harmonious performance. It does not act alone, but magic happens thanks to the plurality of voices. The architect is not the only one to determine the final result; what he does is to deliver an architecture designed for the community, which will be activated and lived by the same community.

A very beautiful step that according to me that encloses these concepts is of the great Maestro Piano, taken from “Speech in commemoration of Claudio Abbado”, held in the Senate on January 23, 2014.

“There is a sort of complicity between the musician and the architect, between those who compose working with the most immaterial and lightest material that exists, that is the sound, and those who instead build. There is complicity and there is also a sort of affectionate envy of the intellectual, of the poet, of the musician towards the builder and vice versa; the builder who

works with such a heavy material, in fact, almost envies the material with which the musician works. When the architect loves music and the musician loves architecture, evidently the thing is done”.

In addition to music - which teaches us the importance of silence and the pause - each art and discipline offers new perspectives and depths to architecture.

This approach allows us to design works that are not only functional, but also capable of exciting and involving from different points of view.

TILE INTERNATIONAL: Working on an international scale, what differences do you find between the Italian and foreign scenarios, both in terms of openness of the client and in terms of challenges in the processing?

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: In Italy, the approach to design is closely linked to respect for the historical and cultural heritage, especially when working in cities of great cultural value, as Rome can be.

This aspect certainly represents a challenge in terms of design, but allows each project to be managed with particular quality, detail, and respect without, however, excluding an openness towards innovation. In international contexts, the client is often less tied to traditions or constraints. This does not imply a lack of respect for the context, but greater freedom in the experimentation process, which is less restrictive and more open.

In Italy, the bureaucratic complexity and the constraints require a lot of patience and a very precise management; abroad, the difficulties may concern the management of cultural diversity and the need to integrate with local realities very different from those to which

Centro Direzionale Nexum - ph. ©Flooer

we are accustomed. However, working on an international scale offers the possibility to expand one’s knowledge, modify one’s point of view and confront new ideas and practices. It is important, however, to remember that the challenges faced in the realization of projects always vary from country to country and from project to project.

TILE INTERNATIONAL: In a globalized landscape that often tends to standardize tastes and places, how is it possible to reconcile general trends with the architectural and territorial identity of the individual project?

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: Our approach to architecture aims to preserve and enhance the local identity of each project, while maintaining a dialogue with global trends.

It is essential to emphasize how architectures communicate with each other, from one end of the world to the other, all linked by the cultural and exemplary value they transmit. Each architecture, whether small or large scale, moves from one place to another, and each architecture capable of evolving and adapting becomes great. This process of “influence” has always existed; think, for example, of the architectures of Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan in the early 1900s, futurism and the works of Zaha Hadid, or even the architectures of 1400 and those of 1800. However, it is people who make the architectures speak and influence each other. We are the sap that flows from place to place, from building to building, building connections. As designers, we have the ability to create memories and a body alphabet that allows us to transmit the cultural dimension everywhere, even thousands of kilometers away.

TILE INTERNATIONAL: Speaking instead of materials, what do they represent for you and with what criteria do you select them from time to time? Are there surfaces or material elements that recur in your choices?

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: The materials are fundamental elements in our design process. They are not chosen only for their functionality or for an aesthetic taste, but above all for their expressive power, their ability to establish a deep connection with the context and for their impact on the experience of users.

The selection of materials always takes place in relation to a series of criteria that reflect the philosophy of the project, considering various factors such as the natural and cultural context, sustainability, and resistance over time. For example, in the Cantina Podernuovo in Palazzone, we used pigmented cement of the color of the Sienese lands, recalling the tradition of the area and the link with the earth.

In Villa S, we chose natural and local materials, worked by local artisans to respect and enhance the Island and its culture.

Each material also carries with it a sensorial quality that has a direct impact on the daily experience of users. In the project of the ABF “Maria Manetti Shrem” Educational Center, for example, wood is used to generate a welcoming environment in harmony with nature, suitable to stimulate the creativity and learning of hospitalized girls and boys.

TILE INTERNATIONAL: Rightly and for some time now at the top of the priorities of design tout court, sustainability is also the epicenter of numerous projects curated by you. How do you integrate it into the

Villa S - ph. ©Marco Cappelletti

architectures that you develop? And what other challenges, besides the environmental one, do you think architecture is measuring itself against?

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: Sustainability, in our opinion, is a complex concept that includes multiple dimensions, all essential to create architectures responsible towards the environment, but also capable of generating a positive impact on the community and society. From a social point of view, sustainability translates into projects that are able to include and involve. Each architecture that we develop is designed to be accessible and to generate well-being and social cohesion. An example of this concept is the Affordable Housing of Viale Giulini in Barletta, a public residential building project that offers citizens the possibility to enjoy both private and open spaces, such as the loggias of the apartments, and public and shared spaces, such as the large green inner courtyard, made available to the entire neighborhood.

Sustainability in architecture, therefore, in addition to being environmental and economic, must always be considered also as a cultural process. Each project must integrate into the historical, cultural and territorial context in which it is inserted, responding at the same time to climate change and social transformations.

Sustainability is therefore not an objective in itself, but a common thread that runs through all levels of our design process: from attention to resources, to the involvement of the community, to the creation of build-

ings that respond to the challenges of the present and are able to adapt and grow in the future.

Architecture can be seen as an ecosystem, a living system that weaves the human environment and the natural one in a dynamic balance. It is not just about thinking of beautiful or functional spaces, but about giving life to places that dialogue with the context, enhancing its resources and adapting to the needs of those who live there. In this vision, architecture becomes a bridge between people and the environment, capable of generating well-being and harmony.

TILE INTERNATIONAL: Looking to the future, what would you like to try your hand at next?

ALVISI KIRIMOTO: Architecture, by its nature, has a slow rhythm, which is why the projects of the future that are not yet realized today, already exist as visions in progress that slowly project towards what will be. It is not possible to reduce to a circumscribed category what we want to design in the future, but we can talk about the will to explore a set of new narratives, which we are already gradually exploring and that will become the architectures of tomorrow. In this process, our attention is always and particularly focused on social and environmental aspects, which we consider central to the definition of spaces that are truly sustainable and that respond to the challenges of the society and the environment in which we live

Spazio Antonioni - ph. ©Marco Cappelletti

HOUSE OF DREAMS, IBIZA

Originally built in the 1990s, the House of Dreams was designed by Zucchero Architects after the traditional Ibiza home and orientated to enjoy stunning views toward Ibiza Old Town.

The property, which has a large pool and is perched above the sea, was completed renovated with two main goals in mind: to embrace the traditional Ibiza bohemian style, combined with modern comforts to ensure year round liveability, and to create more open areas that easily flown from one to another – inside and outside.

This was accomplished by replicating the arc shape, which is found on the exterior porch arches, inside the house, combined with handcrafted “stucco” lime wash in various textures.

The arc shape was also the inspiration for the custom made kitchen island which is a social focal point of the villa. The flooring both inside and outside are composed of large, delicately marbled Italian porcelain tiles in Travertine effect from the collection Navona by Flaviker, in versions Bone Cross and Bone Vein. This elegant ceramic solution is able to connect the interior spaces with the exterior in a harmonious way.

The focal point of the property is the spacious living area with double height ceiling. It has a new bespoke staircase that is designed with

floating steps for elegance and lightness. The main feature of this huge room is a central hanging chandelier defined by translucent onyx circular stones varying in height and size. The arch, which was so characteristic of the old house, was used to anchor every shelf across multiple rooms.

The custom made floating wood bed in the open-concept master bedroom overlooks a wide window that provides breath-taking views of the sea and Ibiza.

The bathroom, which features a stunning Cocoon bathtub, is bright and airy in the room due to an abundance of natural light.

While respecting the privacy of each individual, the other bedrooms are positioned organically around the central area, creating the feeling of being in a traditional family home and each suite opens directly to

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

Chiara Bruzzichelli

PH. EMMA LOUISE PHOTOGRAPHY, ALI FRAMIL PHOTOGRAPHY

its own outdoor space. This captivating residence features Bohemian-inspired furnishings and lighting, along with aged oak wood, stucco, and porcelain accents.

The villa has been equipped with underfloor heating, a rooftop Jacuzzi, warm water swimming pool and steam room to ensure the house can be enjoyed year round. Finally, the pool redesign distinguishes the House of Dreams from other homes. This consists of two shallow pools with fountains and

seating to enjoy the essential views, a 10m swimming area with a swim up bar across from a dry seating lounge. The entire piece of unique Ibiza architecture is integrated through an incredibly fluid relationship between the interior and exterior.

MUBIT – THE ITALIAN BASKETBALL MUSEUM, BOLOGNA

MUBIT (Museo del Basket Italiano), a new museum dedicated entirely to basketball, has been established at the PalaDozza, in the Italian city of Bologna. Designed to showcase Bologna’s sporting tradition, the complex consists of a main building, housing the basketball court and terraced seating.

The central portion is covered by a futuristically styled steel lattice structure.

At the corners, the complex is then completed by four two-storey buildings, which house various activities strictly linked with the sports arena and with sports in general.

The ground floor and first floor of one of these four buildings, in the north-east corner, will house the new national basketball museum.

©RENDERS: HTTPS://PALADOZZA.ORG/MUSEO-DEL-BASKET/

Plans are in place for the construction of a panoramic terrace with playground on the corner roof, between Piazza Azzarita and Via Calori, for outdoor play and other museum activities during the summer months.

Raised flooring installation systems by Eterno Ivica were chosen for the flooring of this terrace. Pedestals from the Pedestal Prime line were used for the construction because they were the best match for the client’s needs.

The solution offers a range of benefits:

- Height adjustment: Pedestal Prime® pedestals are height-adjustable, so they make it possible to reach considerable heights using just four prod-

ucts: PR0, PR1, PR2 and PR3. They are designed with an integrated extension-piece so as to reach heights of 15mm to 420mm

The MUBIT project required the use of over 1,200 PR3 pedestals + 2 PNM extension-pieces, to reach a finished-floor height of approximately 85cm, and the use of PR2 pedestals in certain areas, due to requirements imposed by the nature of the site.

- Quick, safe installation: Installing raised flooring is quick and safe with Prime® pedestals because they are easy to use and adjust to the required heights, even after completion of the flooring. The integrated ergonomic extension-piece simplifies installation and makes on-site assembly quicker and less complex.

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

Chiara Bruzzichelli

Strength and safety: The chosen installation system for the panoramic terrace at MUBIT had to provide the necessary stability, strength and flexibility: that is why the designers opted for the GRF SYSTEM designed by Eterno Ivica.

The system is based on a grid that combines the stability of a pedestal with the flexibility and safety of modular grids for the installation of slabs and other finishings. Because of its structure, the GRF SYSTEM offers numerous advantages for the instal-

lation of outdoor flooring, while also ensuring robustness and freedom of design.

The project involved the installation of over 1,200 Pedestal Prime® pedestals + 2 PNM extension-pieces and over 550 GRF grids.

On completion, the work transformed the appearance of the terrace completely, making it both more attractive and more practical.

THE REMODELLING OF GROTTA PALAZZESE BEACH HOTEL

A few kilometres from Polignano a Mare, you’ll find the Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel, a luxurious resort with direct access to the sea, named after the restaurant of the same name (which is one of the most exclusive in the world and has been fashioned out of a natural cave). Remodelled with refined elegance, the hotel offers suites and annexes perched directly above the sea and equipped with every conceivable comfort.

In line with the client’s brief, the extension and remodelling of the hotel are intended to provide an immersive experience, where luxury and nature merge into one. The large-format blue ceramic floor tiles evoke the appearance of the sea, through an interplay of shapes, reflections and nuances.

The client, the designers and the building contractor, which specialises in prestige projects, chose Mapei products because of their inherent quality and the dayto-day on-site technical support that Mapei provides.

Quick and effective: installing the large-format tiles

designed to ensure quick, reliable application. The size of the tiles (300x100cm) and their low thickness (6mm) made it necessary to take specific technical measures to optimise their durability and aesthetic impact. As such, they were laid on a MAPEGUARD UM 35 anti-fracture membrane, whose decoupling properties prevent cracks or movements in the subfloor from damaging the ceramic surface, thus preserving the integrity of the floor covering. The membrane also makes it possible to lay the large-format tiles without having to match them up with the movement joints in the screed.

A quick, reliable installation system

For the installation of the large-format ceramics in the suites, the contractor opted for an installation systemPH. LEONARDO DUGGENTO

In order to complete the work as quickly as possible,

the contractor opted for fast-acting products. The screeds, for example, were made with TOPCEM PRONTO ready-mixed mortar, which dries more quickly than normal sand-cement screeds. The MAPE-

GUARD UM 35 membrane was laid with KERAQUICK MAXI S1 quick-setting cement adhesive, and the large-format tiles were laid just 24 hours later, using ULTRALITE S1 FLEX lightweight cement adhesive.

c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

Chiara Bruzzichelli

In accordance with UNI 11493-1, the coverings were installed using the double buttering technique, in which adhesive is applied to both the substrate and the back of the ceramic tile, and with joints of at least 2-3 mm,

Credits:

• Year of construction: 1970

• Period of work: 2020-2021

grouted with ULTRACOLOR PLUS quick-drying grout. The expansion joints were sealed with MAPESIL AC silicone sealant, which comes in the full colour range available for Mapei grouts. ✕

• Nature of Mapei’s involvement: supply of products for waterproofing and the installation of screeds, an anti-fracture membrane, ceramic and mosaic

• Client: Grotta Palazzese Srl

• Designer and Director of Works: Nicola Giuliani (architect) Nicola Stefanelli (engineer)

• Building contractor: Lo Franco Group di Vito Lo Franco

• Coverings installed by: Lo Franco Group di Vito Lo Franco, Loconsole G. Pavimentazioni e Rivestimenti di Gianni Loconsole

• Mapei dealer: Lentini Paolo

Mapei coordination: Alessandro Coscia, Vito De Benedettis, Achille Carcagnì (Mapei SpA)

Photographer: Michele Roppo

• • PRODUCT FOCUS • •

MAPEGUARD UM 35 FOR THE INSTALLATION OF LARGE- FORMAT COVERINGS

When installing floor coverings in new buildings or replacing them as part of renovation work, there is often a mismatch between the characteristics of the subfloor and technical/aesthetic requirements of laying large-format porcelain tiles. Subfloors are sometimes problematic, either because they are not fully cured or because their movement joints do not match the desired tile size or installation pattern. When laying coverings, the tiles are supposed to be cut to match up with the movement joints in the subfloor, thus losing one of the most valued aesthetic qualities of large-format coverings.

The MAPEGUARD UM 35 decoupling membrane solves this problem effectively, by separating the substrate from the covering and absorbing stresses.

MAPEGUARD UM 35 is a decoupling, anti-fracture, waterproofing membrane. It is ideal for laying ceramic and stone coverings, both indoors and out, even on damp, cracked or uncured subfloors or when you don’t want to have to match the joints in the coverings with the joints in the screed. Its waterproofing function makes it ideal for use on balconies, terraces and bathrooms, where it protects substrates against water ingress and makes floor coverings more durable. It is translucent and just a few millimetres thick, making it easy to locate drains and other hardware passing through the subfloor. Very quick and easy to fit, it can be cut with a utility knife on the construction site and is laid with Mapei adhesives of class C2 or higher.

RESTORING A HISTORIC MANSION

The “Neue Villa Cosack” building is situated in a prime location in the centre of Arnsberg, adjacent to the Ruhr River.

Built by the entrepreneur Joseph Cosack in elaborate Renaissance Revival style around 1883, the striking mansion on Brückenplatz was officially entered into the protected monument list of Arnsberg in 1988.

The impressive building had been in a state of deterioration in the recent past. This was unacceptable to the current owner, Selim Balikcioglu “As a teenager, I used to pass by the villa regularly and absolutely loved it. When the town’s monument protector told me that the structure was for sale, that enthusiasm came right back,” he recalls.

The mansion became his passion project, although it quickly became apparent how much work would be required.

The exterior impression was confirmed when Balikcioglu entered the house for the first time. The ornate stucco decorations on walls and ceilings had not been treated with care.

The same was true of the wooden staircases, door frames and floors –neither the previous owner nor the tenants had appreciated the building’s historic character. “The wall decorations had simply been painted or papered over, and the overhead stucco decorations were partly concealed by suspended ceiling structures,” Balikcioglu recounts.

He immediately decided that he would fully renovate the building, not only to restore its historic charm, but also to offer modern, contemporary comfort.

All viable original structures were to be left in place or reworked as far as possible. Thus, the work included preserving and

refurbishing the original doors dating back to the year of construction as well as exposing the original oak flooring, which was supplemented with matching oak planks where necessary. The entire renovation process, begun in 2021, was a considerable effort, not just due to the requirements for listed buildings, but also because of the pandemic.

Nowadays, the completely renovated mansion on Brückenplatz is home to three shops, an event space and four apartments. In addition to a food stall that has been established in the building for 15 years, it also houses a small supermarket and a barber shop The versatile event space of about 200 square metres between the shops and the apartments offers Arnsberg residents a true highlight. Together with the Arnsberg registry office, the owner is setting up a wedding venue with a special ambience here. The apartments, ranging in size from 50 to 140 square metres, offer a mix of charming old-style design and modern comfort, which is evident in the high-quality bathrooms and efficient, fast-reacting floor heating system.

Classic style with modern heating by Schlüter-Systems

Radiators not only take up unnecessary space but can also look unattractive. These considerations

prompted Mr. Balikcioglu to install a floor heating system throughout the mansion. That was no simple endeavour in light of the typical structural restrictions for listed buildings. For example, a weight limit had to be observed for the beam ceilings on the upper floor, and the transitions between the rooms and the different floor coverings proved to be a challenge, not least because of the low assembly height available. For these reasons, Balikcioglu and Elvedin Husovic, the owner of the Husovic sanitary installa-

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

tions business, chose the thin-layer floor heating system Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM. Husovic, who oversaw the installation, describes the benefits of the system in this specific project: “BEKOTEC-THERM gave us the option to install a floor heating system with a low assembly height that is known to function efficiently with various floor coverings.”

While conventional floor heating systems have a screed coverage of about 45 mm, BEKOTEC-THERM only requires a substantially lower covering of at least 8 mm above the stud panel. This enables the system to function with comparatively low supply tempera-

tures in the heating pipes and makes much more efficient use of the necessary heating energy. The heat exchange between the heating pipes and the top floor covering takes place directly at the screed surface.

The gentle radiated heat reaches the surface quickly and evenly. The highly responsive system allows for prompt, energy-efficient temperature reduction – as a classic night-time setting, but also during the day.

Since the system operates at low supply temperatures, BEKOTEC-THERM is ideally suited for use with renewable energy sources. In the case of the Neue Villa Cosack, this is a hybrid air heat pump which provides energy in combination with a gas-powered boiler. The thin assembly is economical to operate and also saves significant volumes of water, sand and cement during installation.

That helps to reduce the overall system weight compared to a conventional floor heating system, which was an essential criteria for this specific project. “Our choices were to install BEKOTEC-THERM or no floor heating system at all,” says Husovic. The load restrictions for ceilings would have made it impossible to select a conventional heated screed.

What’s more, the lower material volume also reduces the construction time. If the top covering is made from ceramic tiles or natural stone, installers can save several weeks because the bonded uncoupling component of the system enables nearly seamless construction progress. It can be installed as soon as the screed is ready to bear weight.

Tiles can then be laid directly on the DITRA mat. Developers who prefer a combination with oak parquet can also save time with BEKOTEC-THERM as the thin-layer covering is faster to install and reaches the required residual moisture level within a short time.

Despite the varying requirements of different covering types, the installation of the floor heating system worked smoothly, reported Elvedin Husovic: “I have installed this system many times and was confident that it would give us the necessary design flexibility to address the challenges in this structure.” Adds Selim Balikcioglu: “BEKOTEC-THERM offers significant added value for all parties – for myself as the landlord and especially for the tenants. It responds quickly and generates cosy warmth, yet is energy efficient. This allowed us to perfectly implement the concept of pairing the historical flair with modern living comfort.”

Attractive living in the town centre

To protect tile edges, the stylishly tiled bathrooms were fitted with the high-quality finishing profile Schlüter-QUADEC in a stainless steel version with graceful corner pieces. The durable profile’s square visible area creates a timeless look and reliably prevents damage to the tile edges from mechanical impact.

By undertaking the complete renovation of Neue Villa Cosack, Mr. Balikcioglu has not only breathed new life into in the historic structure but has also restored a stately landmark in the Arnsberg town centre. Thanks to BEKOTEC-THERM, it became feasible to install an energy-efficient and easily controllable floor heating system, which made a vital contribution to the success of this ambitious passion project. ✕

SMALL TILES, BIG VISION: BEHIND THE TOPCER’S CERAMIC AESTHETICS

From the beginning to the present

Manufacturing began in March 1992, under the leadership of founder Carlos Miguel, whose early career in export and production helped shape the company’s vision. His decision to focus on small sizes and unique modular solutions anticipated the growing demand among architects and designers for greater aesthetic freedom and surface durability in high-performance applications

Designed to meet the challenges of the most demanding environments, these tiles offer exceptional resistance to breakage, durability against wear, certified non-slip properties.

The warm and enchanting hues inspire the creation of vibrant and captivating patterns, adding a touch of comfort and elegance to every space.

Today, more than 98% of TOPCER’s production is exported to over 50 countries. The company’s porcelain tiles are specified in a wide range of projects, from metro stations and hospitals to palaces, boutique hotels, swimming pools, and museums, where resistance to wear, slip, and frost is critical.

In 2025, TOPCER marks a new chapter following the passing of its founder, Carlos Miguel. His deep knowledge of the ceramic sector and his clear strategic vision laid the foundation for what TOPCER is today: a brand trusted by professionals across the world for its technical excellence, design versatility, and uncompromising quality.

Still proudly family-owned, TOPCER carries forward the founding values of innovation, precision manufacturing, and architectural partnership, offering modular ceramic solutions that stand the test of time.

Focus on small tiles

TOPCER’s identity is strongly tied to its expertise in small formats. While most manufacturers focused on standardized sizes like 20x20 or 30x30 cm in the early 1990s, TOPCER made a deliberate choice to develop distinctive alternatives: 10x10 cm (also in hexagonal and octagonal formats), 7.5x15 cm, 15x15 cm, 10x30 cm.

This decision was more than aesthetic - it was a strategic one.

Since its founding in 1991, TOPCER has carved out a distinct space in the global ceramic tile market. From the outset, the company has focused not on following trends, but on setting them, choosing to specialise in small-format unglazed porcelain tiles; a segment that combines design flexibility with technical performance.

TOPCER FOR ARCHITECTS

Architects consistently choose TOPCER for its unmatched durability, slip resistance, and design flexibility, particularly in high-traffic and safety-critical settings. The brand is also widely recognised for its sustainability credentials and its capacity to support complex, Victorian-inspired installations.TOPCER’s Contemporary Line, known for its clean aesthetics and modular logic, continues to evolve. This year, the collection welcomes three new designs, developed in close dialogue with international clients and project demands. The expansion reinforces TOPCER’s commitment to continuous product development, grounded in real architectural applications.

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Small tiles offer several inherent advantages that continue to resonate with both the market and the end user:

• Design versatility - Compact tiles allow bold, creative colour and pattern compositions that larger tiles simply can’t replicate.

• Ease of installation - Lightweight and easy to handle, they allow precise laying, often without specialist labour.

• Material efficiency - Smaller formats reduce cutting waste, making them a more sustainable, cost-effective choice.

To further enhance installation and design flexibility, TOPCER offers many of its most popular formats mounted on mesh backings, allowing for easier laying and better alignment — especially useful in recreating complex patterns like Victorian floors.

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Complete design freedom with trim pieces

TOPCER offers a comprehensive collection of trim pieces, allowing designers to create seamless, cohesive spaces using a single product family.

These additional elements dramatically expand the range of possible applications, from floor edges and steps to pool borders and wall finishings. ✕

private house, belgium

beer bar - taipei, taiwan

CERSAIE 2025 BETWEEN INNOVATION, ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNIQUE

The 42nd edition of the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings held in Bologna from 22 to 26 September sees many changes and new features, beginning with the expanded 155,000 square metre exhibition space (10,000 sqm more than in 2024) and the consequent need for a complete reorganisation of the exhibition layout.

The bathroom furnishings sector occupies four halls this year, while eight halls will be devoted to ceramic tiles and slabs.

New product sectors are shown in Halls 31 and 32, including high-quality non-ceramic surfaces such as wood an d marble as well as interior and exterior finishes.

Technology start-ups serving the construction sector are hosted in a dedicated area in Mall 37.

Meanwhile, the entire installation materials and

equipment sector moved into the fully refurbished Hall 19. Overall, the exhibition sectors at Cersaie 2025 feature 620 exhibitors from 29 different Countries (377 the Italian companies and 243 the foreign ones).

More than 200 professionals will be taking part in Cersaie Business 2025, the international hospitality programme for specifiers and industry professionals from across Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, the Gulf region, Asia and Australia.

Now in its fourteenth edition, the initiative is organised by Confindustria Ceramica in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), underscoring the role of the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings as a key networking platform for international stakeholders and Italian ceramic tile and bathroom furnishing companies.

The hospitality programme also focuses on trade and installation and will host around 60 delegates from leading international associations such as TTA (The Tile Association, representing UK-based installers, distributors and retailers), BDB (Bundesverband Deutscher Baustoff-Fachhandel e.v., Germany’s national association of building materials distributors) and EUF (European Union of National Tile Associations).

Moreover, as part of the trade fair experience, Cersaie’s gastronomic offering, with 33 dining options, is enriched this year by the presence of two Michelin-starred chefs to open their own restaurants on site: Alberto Bettini, owner of the historic oneMichelin-starred trattoria “Amerigo”, and Massimiliano Poggi, a masterful interpreter of Emilian cuisine.

SPACE FOR ARCHITECTURE

The fair’s focus on architecture grows year after year, inviting leading figures in the design sector to participate in the now well-established and unmissable cultural program of talks entitled “Building, Dwelling, Thinking”.

Indeed, several international names are present in this all-female edition too, starting with Madrid-born architect Ángela García de Paredes, co-founder of the ar-

chitectural practice Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos together with Ignacio Pedrosa.

Their approach reflects a deep commitment to ongoing architectural research, reflected in a shared design vision that informs both their teaching and practice.

Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos has completed more than 30 projects, many of which have won awards at Spanish and Latin American architecture biennials. Notable examples include the Archaeological Museum in Almería, the Valle-Inclán Theatre in Madrid, the Peñíscola Conference Centre, the Lugo Auditorium, the public libraries of Ceuta and Córdoba, and the Roman Villa La Olmeda (Palencia).

Other guest speakers will be Catarina and Rita Almada Negreiros from the architecture firm CAN RAN

In their talk, the two Portuguese architects – renowned internationally for their innovative use of ceramic tiles as a key element of spatial transformation – will share their distinctive design vision and reflect on an architecture that unites aesthetic sensibility, functionality and a strong sense of place.

One of their most acclaimed works is Sea Level at the Terreiro do Paço river station in Lisbon (2011), where a

mosaic ceiling in shades of blue created using 10×10 cm ceramic tiles creates a metaphorical optical dialogue with the Tagus River.

The program continues with architect Lina Malfona, currently associate professor of Architectural Design at the University of Pisa and known for an architecture that engages in dialogue with the landscape – through suspended arcades and large structures that capture and enhance their surroundings – creating a composition that is both scenic and calibrat-

Ángela García de Paredes studio Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos

Lina Malfona studio Malfona Petrini

Catarina e Rita Almada Negreiros studio CAN RAN - ph. Diana Quintela

ed for the human eye. In 2007, together with Fabio Petrini, she co-founded the Malfona Petrini firm, later joined by Simone Petrini and Giuseppe Malfona. The firm’s research-driven design approach has explored themes of suburban architecture, including the development of a residential “archipelago” in Formello, on the outskirts of Rome.

Also featured in the “Building, Dwelling, Thinking” schedule is the Brazilian-Paraguayan architect Gloria Cabral, whose vision is expressed through a contemplative and deeply sensitive approach to space, promoting a resource economy that minimizes waste and drawing on Paraguayan craftsmanship to construct buildings with bricks and tiles. A partner for 17 years at the architectural practice Gabinete de Arquitectura (2003–2020), in 2014 Cabral was selected by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor as his protégé, following a search for talented young professionals from around the world as part of the Rolex Arts Initiative 2014–2015. Today, the Paraguayan architect runs her own studio in Laguna, in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil.

The talk program culminates then with the Lectio Magistralis by American architect Elizabeth Diller, who in 1981 co-founded, together with Ricardo Scofidio, the New York–based design studio Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R). The practice embraces an interdisciplinary approach, ranging from architectural works to urban planning projects, as well as installation art and multimedia performances.

Visionary and pioneering, Diller was named in 2018 among Time magazine’s list of the “100 Most Influential People.” Two of the most significant contemporary architectural projects in New York City bear the studio’s signature: the High Line, a 2.3-kilometer urban park built on a former elevated rail line, and the renovation of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the cultural complex that houses the Juilliard School, Alice Tully Hall, and the School of American Ballet.

ADI CERAMIC&BATHROOM DESIGN AWARD AND ADI BOOTH DESIGN AWARD

The collaboration between ADI (Industrial Design Association) and Cersaie is renewed again this year with the consolidation of the ADI Ceramic&Bathroom Design Award and the ADI Booth Design Award. Organised by ADI Emilia-Romagna, the ADI awards select the best products and exhibition booths presented at the fair each year. The ADI Ceramic&Bathroom Design Award will be judged by a panel of industry experts, including designers Diego Grandi, Paolo D’Arrigo, Valentina Downey, Wladimiro Bendandi and architect and lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, Cecilia Bione. The ADI Booth Design Award will be judged by a jury comprising architects Pierluigi Molteni, Elizabeth Francis, Elena Santi and Paolo Cesaretti. Entries will be evaluated based on criteria such as innovation, design quality, sustainability, technological research and communicative value. The aim is twofold: to showcase the work of exhibiting companies and to guide selected products toward inclusion in the ADI Design Index, the official shortlist for the Compasso d’Oro Award, Italy’s most prestigious design accolade

Elizabeth Diller

studio Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R). ph. Geordie Wood

Gloria Cabral

THE INSTALLATION SECTOR

The more than 5,400 square metre space in the new hall 19 will be the best occasion for professionals to discover sector’s novelties presented by companies and to attend special demonstrations, with 830 square metres occupied by Tiling Town by Assoposa - the Italian Association of Ceramic Tile Installers and Retailers which works closely with industry professionals and promotes Tile Layer Certification in accordance with Italian standard UNI 11493-2 - and the “work in progress” area organised in collaboration with international tile layers.

A large area is devoted to the association’s training hub, the Assoposa Academy, featuring daily showcases of innovative installation techniques by master tile layers as well as an exhibition of tiled spaces. The conference area will host technical seminars on large ceramic slab installation, where attending architects, engineers and surveyors will be able to earn professional training credits.

One initiative attracting a great deal of interest is the Cersaie World Tiling Lab, a more than 200 square metre area where four teams of young tile layers from Italy, Switzerland, Denmark and Brazil will showcase their skills in creating four ceramic-tiled settings: a bathroom with a shower niche, an outdoor area, a living space with a staircase and an exterior façade complete with French windows. This initiative follows the two highly successful previous events – Young Installers at Cersaie in 2023 and Bathroom Tiling at Cersaie in 2024 – and is jointly organised by Cersaie, Confindustria Ceramica, EUF (European Union of National Tile Associations) and the individual tile fixing associations of participating countries.

Last but not least, leading tile installer associations from Europe, the United States, Canada, Morocco, Brazil and the UK will meet to discuss the most urgent issues concerning tile installation and installer training. ✕

calacatta macchia vecchia

RAK CERAMICS AT CERSAIE: A FOCUS ON INNOVATION AND HIGH PERFORMANCE

UAE-based RAK Ceramics’ products reflect the company’s commitment to continuous research and technological innovation, aimed at developing ever stronger, higher-performance surfaces without compromising on style. At Cersaie 2025, the company presents the latest innovations from its Innotech Lab: Softech and Scratch Guard

Introducing a new generation of surfaces designed for seamless indoor and outdoor use, Softech is the result of an innovative process based on the application of micro particles that fills microscopic cavities, creating a smoother softer and more uniform texture that is easy to clean while ensuring safety. Surfaces achieve certified ratings of R10 A+B for interiors and R11 A+B+C for exteriors. Its refined matt non-reflective finish completes a solution that combines comfort with design. The signature expression of this technology is the new I Sassi collection (image on the right), available in the Matera and Borgogna versions. Inspired by the ancient Sassi of Matera-dwellings carved into soft calcarenite, a sedimentary rock shaped by water and eroded by wind-this tactile and elegant surface represents the company’s flagship proposal for contemporary architecture.

Another key innovation presented in Bologna is Scratch Guard, a premium glazed polished finish that ensures superior scratch resistance while retaining gloss and elegance. Engineered to withstand even deep scratches caused by metal objects, it stands out as one of the most advanced treatments currently available for porcelain stoneware. The innovation is applied across all new polished collections, including the refined Calacatta Macchia Vecchia (image on the left), with its elegant white background crossed by fluid veins in shades of grey, beige and gold.

Calacatta Macchia Vecchia is one of the most recent collections of the Maximus family that, thanks to the Continua+ technology, has expanded its range, with surfaces up to 162x324 cm, as well as formats 120x280, 120x120, and 60x120 cm with thicknesses of 9, 12 and 20 mm.

These large-formats are ideal for worktops, floors, wall coverings and ventilated façades - a perfect balance of strength, versatility and sophisticated design. ✕

i sassi

PROFILPAS

Current trends celebrate the harmony between colours and surfaces, making every room unique and welcoming: the colour combination of tiles, grouts and profiles is essential to make the difference in the colour perception of a space.

This is the inspiration behind Mapei Color, a range of sixteen finishes for Cerfix Proangle, the L-shaped profile for wall coverings by Profilpas. Available in eight warm and eight cold colours, Mapei Color offers a chromatic experience that ensures perfect combination with the shades of Mapei grouts and silicone sealants. These finishes faithfully reproduce the texture of Mapei Ultracolor Plus cementitious grout and ensure perfect colour harmony with other Mapei grouts and sealants.

Thanks to Mapei Color, every element will blend perfectly with the others, creating a continuous and consistent visual effect. The combination of finishes with the Mapei range is further facilitated by the fact that they have the same codes and names, allowing for immediate matching. The range is completed by an accessory for creating external, internal and end corners.

Mapei Color was created to meet every aesthetic need, both tone-on-tone and in contrast with ceramics, proving to be the ideal solution for any environment.

ENERGIEKER

The new L’Eclipse collection of ceramic puts a contemporary twist on the classic aesthetics of marble, enriching it with refined shades of green and beige. The balanced contrasts and vein patterns bring depth and dynamism to the surfaces, to create sophisticated yet welcoming environments. Every detail is designed to catch the eye and enhance the space in which the surfaces are installed, as part of a ceramic solution that combines timeless aesthetics with characterful design.

The new technologies adopted by EnergieKer enable Eclipse marble to express its identity through both its graphic quality and its tactility. The range is available in the following sizes and variants: matt, cm 60x120 - 120x120 - 120x280; fully lapped, cm 60x120 - 120x120 - 120x280.

APLENA by ELEMENTS

Aplena is Elements S.r.l.’s new brand of technical construction materials. Composed of a Flooring Division, for decoupling, waterproofing, sound-dampening and radon barrier membranes, and a Roofing Division, for breathable waterproof membranes and vapour barrier membranes, Aplena is at Cersaie 2025 to present its comprehensive, modular range of solutions, designed to meet all the needs of designers, dealers and installers.

The star of the company’s début line-up is Stetra Heat System, a complete system for electric underfloor heating. Its key component is Stetra Heat, a 3D decoupling membrane that enables installers to lay the heating cable quickly and safely, while ensuring water-tightness and protecting the floor covering against stresses and moisture.

The system includes a high-efficiency heating cable, a remotely programmable digital thermostat and all the necessary accessories for easy, long-lasting installation. Suitable for wet rooms and under-tile installations, it is ideal for both newbuild and renovation projects.

With Stetra Heat System, Aplena is bringing to market a reliable, high-performance, easy-to-integrate solution, for safer, more efficient and more durable buildings.

KERADOM

The term “Dama” carries a dual meaning: on one hand, it evokes the grace and elegance of a noble figure; on the other, it recalls the checkerboard, with its combinations of colors and the perfect rhythm between solids and voids. In the tradition of the game, the “dama” represents the pinnacle of strategy — the moment when a simple piece is elevated, gaining greater freedom of movement.

Likewise, the “Dama” collection is designed to elevate spaces, transforming them into sophisticated environments where

each tile becomes part of a broader, harmonious design. The essence of the series lies in the use of tumbled Italian marbles, which lend the collection a refined texture and timeless beauty.

Just like a game of checkers, where every move is calculated to create balance and harmony, this ceramic collection celebrates the art of pairing and customization. Each tile is a component of a larger design — a piece that contributes to shaping the character and personality of a space.

MAROCCHI

Founded by Domenico Marocchi in Casalfiumanese in 1821, the company started life as a workshop for the production of artistic wrought iron. Operating in the Imola area (Bologna, Italy) ever since, its early product range also included everyday tools and equipment for the farming sector, characterised by outstanding attention to detail and customer care. Handed down from generation to generation, the company has gradually evolved in step with market demands, especially during the construction boom of the 1950s and 1960s.

In the 1990s, it shifted the focus of its production to display systems for ceramics, for which it earned national and international acclaim.

The Marocchi Group now has a 20,000m2 production facility in the Imola area, in addition to several global facilities. The company is currently structured around various brands, each playing a different role within the Group:

• ML, founded in 2005 by a team of professionals with many years’ experience in architecture and interior design, is a young, dynamic company whose mission is to supply trade-show stands, wooden display systems, interior furnishings and supplies for shops, offices and the contract sector. ML’s products stand out for their painstaking design, which is carried out using latest-generation IT tools, and involves minute attention to detail;

• For over 35 years, Baruzzi has been designing and building spaces for hairdressing, beauty and body care. By building close bonds with its customers, it tunes into their stylistic visions, enabling it to create totally unique, tailor-made environments that transcend time and fashion. Recently, the company has also been using its knowhow to design, build and fit out shops and showrooms;

• Marocchi Srl: As a fabricator and constructor of metal products, Marocchi Srl offers a wide range of display systems for tile and coverings showrooms, with both standard and bespoke structures, incorporating top quality and innovative design.

RAIMONDI

The new tile cutter Raizor MTC2X is extremely lightweight (5,3 Kg – 11.7 lbs), extremely practical (comes in a padded bag just over a meter long), and cuts tiles up to 160 cm (63”) in length.

It consists of two interconnectable rails.

Using a single rail, it is possible to cut tiles up to 75 cm (30”) in length. With two rails, the maximum cutting length goes up to 160 cm (63”).

Raizor MTC2X perfectly adheres to tiles thanks to its integrated suction cups.

The number and the position of the suction cups are optimized for perfect adhesion to any tiles of any size.

This ensures consistent and effective scoring. It comes with sturdy cutting pliers which are perfect for tiles up to 15 mm (19/32”) thick.

In addition, the cutting length of Raizor MTC2X can be expanded up to 330 cm (130”); so to cut even large slabs.

Simply add two extensions (sold separately).

Extensions fit in the included bag as well.

Raizor MTC2X redefines the concept of tile cutter, introducing unprecedented versatility and practicality.

CERSAIE / BOLOGNA, ITALY HALL 16 — BOOTH C22, D21

LATICRETE

PERMACOLOR® SELECT is a high-performance cementitious grout. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, it is designed to be quick-setting, while offering high strength and long workability, even in challenging environments such as swimming pools, façades and high-traffic flooring.

The most innovative feature of this system is COLOR KIT, a selection of pigments in water-soluble pods that you mix with the neutral base to obtain the colour you want, easily and precisely.

Available in two versions – PERMACOLOR® SELECT (1.5–12 mm) and SELECT FINE (1–6 mm) – it is suitable for the installation of ceramic, natural stone and mosaic.

Thanks to its innovative features, this exclusive collection of grouts has been chosen by Danilo Ramazzotti Italianhousefloor, a leading Italian manufacturer of handmade terracotta and majolica, to bring out the full beauty of its unique artisanal materials. Run by the Ramazzotti family, this company has been working with clays from the foothills of Monte Rosa for generations, to create authentic, refined and durable coverings that make up collections featuring uniquely dynamic, sensory and customisable design. The technical qual-

ity of PERMACOLOR® SELECT matches its aesthetic quality, thus ensuring high performance and impeccable installation. With 52 standard and countless bespoke colours, PERMACOLOR® SELECT is the ideal choice for anyone who wants every detail to stand out, with a grout that combines efficiency, full freedom of colour choice and respect for craftsmanship.

Largo da Estação, 8 - 2º Fte - 2750-340 Cascais • Portugal

Tel. +351 214 844 788 • Email:

Rua do Monte Grande, 10 Zona Industrial de Oiã - 3770-068 Oiã • Portugal

Tel. +351 234 722 395 • Email:

School, Espoo - Finland

Psychiatric Centre, Geel - Belgium

Food Hall, Klaipeda - Lithuania

Private residence, Edinburg - Scotland

PROGRESS PROFILES

Progress Profiles offers a wide range of products and systems to create perfect walk-in showers, turning every design limitation into a customisation opportunity. Among the solutions offered is PROSHOWER PANEL, a waterproofed shower tray in high-density XPS with a 2% slope, which has already conquered the American market and will be adapted to European requirements. Available in different formats, it adjusts to any configuration and can be used directly as a base for tiling. The panel can be combined with PROSHOWER SQUARE DRAIN 1010, a 10x10 cm square drain that integrates perfectly with the shower tray. It is characterised by its easy installation and practical grid height adjustment. The integrated connection flange guarantees a watertight connection to the panel, while the versatility of the system allows it to be easily connected to existing standard drains. Two exclusive grates finish off the drain: PROSHOWER SQUARE GRATE DESIGN, suitable for a modern, minimalist style, and PROSHOWER SQUARE GRATE FLOWER, elegantly decorative. The range also includes PROSHOWER BASE L PRO 40, a stainless steel channel supplied in different lengths with different grids, which can be positioned flush with the floor or reach 24 mm in

height. The 360° swivelling 40 mm siphon is particularly popular with professionals. Finally, the PROSHELF shelves complete the company’s offer: placeable during or after installation for maximum design flexibility, they optimise space without sacrificing aesthetics.

ABK

The new Poetry Net collection draws inspiration from interior decoration projects in diverse and multifaceted contexts, including hospitality, catering and residential spaces. It marks the evolution of the broader Poetry House concept, developed by ABK in collaboration with Paola Navone OTTO Studio.

Poetry Net derives from exclusive wall finishes, designed in collaboration with canvas and fresco restoration experts to create visually striking walls. Fabric fibres, ranging from hemp to cotton with their distinctive light or dense weaves, are blended with pictorial materials to produce unexpected effects of elegant beauty and diversity. The term “net” aptly reflects the concept of a weave capable of capturing and enclosing other elements, such as colour pigments, within its structure.

The pure and boundless creativity of these surfaces is particularly evident in the patch and multi versions, which are designed to evoke the feeling of numerous pieces of fabric immersed in colour on both floors and walls. These designs create captivating shading effects, embracing and celebrating the stylistic code of imperfection.

In neutral tones, the canvas pattern becomes more subtle yet remains warm and immersive, creating a soft and cosy atmosphere that suits any interior design.

The originality of the collection is further enhanced by the versatile range of sizes up to 120x280 cm large slabs and available also in 120x120 cm and 60x120 cm.

7C TOOLS

Starting out as a specialist in tile levelling before becoming a leading player in the tile-setting sector as a whole, 7C Tools is still expanding, on the strength of its increasingly comprehensive offering. The company’s product range now comprises the most advanced levelling systems on the market alongside a full selection of professional equipment for tilers, such as floats, trowels, spacers and protective equipment. This means professional tilers can now source everything they need from a single brand. Two recent releases testify to 7C Tools’ continuing commitment. Giorgio Carducci, co-founder and sales director of 7C Srl talks us through them: “REPLACE was developed to solve a real problem faced by tilers on construction sites,” explains Carducci. “It’s the first wedge base designed for emergency use, which fits into the joint even once the tile has been laid, without lifting it. It’s a simple but game-changing solution because it enables you to replace a broken base in seconds and finish the job with no delays.” With regard to the second system, Carducci adds: “LIKE is a true evolution: it’s a leveller that works by direct pressure rather than rotation, applying a constant force without scratching the tiles.

There’s no need for pliers or protective equipment; it’s quick and intuitive; and it’s and suitable for tiles from 3 to 21 mm thick.”

ITALGRANITI

The Calcis collection of ceramic surfaces draws inspiration from a fusion of two natural stones: limestone and marfil. The former is a sedimentary calcareous rock featuring pale colours, delicate vein patterns and a soft-touch texture, which fits perfectly into any design context. The latter is a Spanish marble that is much sought-after for its understated elegance and bright, embracing tones.

The all-new look of Calcis is available in four shades – spanning classic Crema, high-sheen Avorio, contemporary Corda and sophisticated Visone – and evokes the earth’s vibrations. The refined, limestone-inspired details that blend harmoniously into the compact texture of marfil make Calcis an elegant collection with an authentically mineral spirit. The vein patterns run deep below the surface, giving this ceramic marble an evocative sense of three-dimensionality. The material qualities of Calcis stem from the combined use of RealUp® and high-sheen finishes on the light-coloured elements, which yield a dynamic new surface, while retaining a seductive opacity.

Furthermore, the innovative RealUp® technology makes the surfaces look outstandingly realistic, by achieving a perfect balance between colour and texture. This brings unprecedented synergy to the graphics and three-dimensional effects, making the ceramic surface uniquely rich, deep and detailed. Calcis reflects the progress made by this technology through the study of natural marble, whose finest details have been digitally acquired, step by step, and reproduced in terms of both design and three-dimensional structure.

Available in Mega® slabs and standard porcelain tile (9 mm thick), Calcis also includes a square-tile mosaic (9 mm thick), a rectangular-tile mosaic (6 and 9 mm thick) and the Tratto listello, which is available for both thicknesses. These are complemented by Stripe, a distinctly three-dimensional decorative module in size 60x120cm, in which vertically engraved lines, with the irregularity and delicacy of scratch marks, break up the uniform pattern of the collection to create constantly changing visual rhythms that intersect with the interrupted movement of the slim veins.

IMPERTEK

The company’s latest releases include two solutions designed to improve the safety and functionality of raised outdoor flooring, namely Border Shield and EdgePlate.

Border Shield is an accessory designed to safeguard the perimeters of terrace or pool-side floor coverings, by preventing the risk of perimeter tiles overturning or becoming displaced. It is a practical solution, designed to increase the safety and stability of the entire structure, especially in high-traffic environments, whether public or private.

Compatible with Pedestal Line supports (including Lunar Support, BalancePro and MiniPro), Border Shield is easy to install, without any tools or additional fasteners, thanks to its dovetail fixing system. The sectional structure adapts to all tile sizes and installation patterns, even at corners and in highly complex designs. The central holes, which are the key feature of the product, make it possible to adjust the height even af-

ter the floor has been completed, thus facilitating post-installation corrections. The co-moulded prop, which can be separated and positioned between the plate and the base of the support, brings additional stability to the entire system.

EdgePlate is designed to provide a practical, technically coherent solution for creating steps and risers in outdoor settings.

Designed to simplify and improve the bonding of tiles along the perimeter of risers, EdgePlate consists of two plates, for positioning at the base and head of the support respectively. The top holes and side combs promote optimum glue penetration and distribution, to ensure precise, long-lasting bonding of the perimeter tiles. EdgePlate is compatible with BalancePro and Lunar Support pedestals and is suitable for tiles of any size with a thickness of 20 mm, and for pedestals of heights from 25 mm up.

Border Shield

Edgeplate with BalancePro

Edgeplate with Lunar Support

GARDENIA ORCHIDEA

Colour is an essential element of interior design, as demonstrated by the I Pigmenti collection from Gardenia Orchidea. Designed to reflect the latest trends in modern living, this collection comes in a palette of 10 warm colours that can be used to great effect in a wide range of combinations. The satin-finish surface is reminiscent of resin and enhanced by soft chiaroscuro effects that are brought to life by a subtle plaster-like texture.

I Pigmenti comes in a wide range of sizes, from a large 120x280 cm slab down to more conventional floor tile formats (120x120 cm, 60x120 cm, 60x60 cm and 30x30 cm), as well as 20x120 cm, 5x120 cm and 10x60 cm planks ideal for use in highly decorative installation patterns.

With a view to contemporary design, Gardenia Orchidea has further expanded the collection with the introduction of Confetti mosaics with circular tesserae and three exclusive multicoloured patterns (Pill, Rattan and Crocini) with distinctive handmade-style geometries. Produced using 3Dtech technology, these pieces stand out for their three-dimensional inlaid mosaic effects, their majolica-look surface and their elegant contrasts with plain-coloured surfaces. The R11 non-slip finish for outdoor use in 120x120 cm and 60x120 cm sizes and Ash, Sand and Cream colours rounds off a collection that can be used by architects and interior designers as creative tools suitable for any project.

RUBI

With more than seven decades of leadership in the ceramic cutting sector, RUBI launches a new generation of cutters on the occasion of Cersaie 2025.

In the manual cutting category, RUBI presents the TK, the world’s first asymmetrical single-guide cutter for professionals. This premium model stands out for its unique and high-quality design. The new TK is the first machine designed to provide total control in cutting, offering the professional total and unobstructed visibility

With this launch, the TK joins the RUBI PREMIUM portfolio, which already includes machines that are benchmarks in the sector such as the TX and TZ manual cutters that, since their introduction to the market, have revolutionized the industry thanks to their precision and cutting power.

In the electric cutter segment, RUBI surprises with the DC-

250 SMART ADVANCE, the first intelligent cutter on the market, which adapts the cut to the type of ceramic and automatically adjusts its speed to the hardness and thickness of the material, ensuring that each cut is perfectly uniform. The true smart cut.

In the cutting of large-format sheets, RUBI incorporates a new product within the CAS Alliance: the TC-125 ENERGY CAS, the first battery-powered circular cutter, which slides on guides to offer a straight and mitre cut with an exceptional finish.

These product developments reflect RUBI’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, always seeking to offer professionals solutions that not only exceed their expectations but also increase the efficiency and productivity of their work.

MONTOLIT

Montolit is presenting an impressive line-up of new products at Cersaie:

• CJ Jollymont: a disc for dry mitre cutting that enables you to make clean, precise cuts with an angle grinder. Available in diameters of 115 and 125mm, it enables you to make 45° cuts, including high-density porcelain tile, directly on the construction site. Designed for dry use (but also compatible for wet use), it has a continuous, alternating 25mm diamond rim and reinforced steel core, which ensures stability and reliability even in challenging site conditions. The smooth, controlled cutting process yields a clean finish that minimises the need for further trimming, and the disc delivers first-class working speed.

• CPJ Jollymont: a professional disc for perfect mitre cuts, designed for use with water-cooled electric tile saws. Its strong point is the smooth, continuous 25mm diamond rim (with specific binders and diamond), which ensures fluid, constant blade progression, making it ideal for extremely precise 45° cuts, even on difficult materials such as thick porcelain tile, marble and granite. CPJ is capable of making clean, regular mitre cuts with an impeccable appearance, thus minimising the need for finishing operations. The steel body is reinforced in the centre, where it is most exposed to stresses, giving the blade the necessary stability during cutting, while the low thickness (1.5mm) of the 25mm sintered rim makes it ideal for delicate operations, by ensuring precise results without chipping or vibration.

• SCX-F DNA Evo 4: a unique diamond cutting disc (available in diameters 250/300 and 350mm), incorporating fourth-generation DNA Evo technology and a structure made up of closely-packed braze welded segments with double “sandwich” grit, that combines rapid cutting with an impeccable finish, even on the most demanding materials. Designed for use with water-cooled tile-saws, SCX-F delivers fast, precise and above all clean cuts, thanks to the combination of coarse diamond grit, applied inside the segment for maximum speed and incisiveness, and fine diamond grit located externally to “smooth” the edge of the workpiece as cutting reaches completion. SCX-F is extremely versatile.

• TCHD Turbo Bistury: a diamond disc for “surgical” cuts on ultra-strong materials. This disc, with a continuous turbo rim, is specifically designed for use with angle grinders, and is ideal for cutting high-density materials such as thick or sintered porcelain tile, ceramic granite, natural granite and synthetic hard stone. Equipped with a specially designed 10mm turbo diamond rim with a thickness of just 1.6 mm, TCHD delivers clean, precise cuts without chipping or splintering. The reinforced core ensures control and stability, even for the most

demanding machining processes. One of the big benefits of this disc is that it enables tilers to make dry cuts directly on the construction site, without the need for water-cooled equipment. This saves time, simplifies logistics and gets the job done quickly.

The Turbo Bistury stands out for its:

1. High cutting speed

2. Excellent finish

3. Long service life and retention of performance over time, thanks to the dressing stick (art. 395-2U)

4. Available in diameters of 115 and 125mm.

All these new cutting discs offer long overall service life because they can be dressed as necessary using the dressing stick (art. 395-2U).

CJ Jollymont

CPJ Jollymont

SCX-F DNA Evo 4

TCHD Turbo Bistury

TCHD Turbo Bistury

ITALPROFILI

Leaf-Plat is a modular system for the installation of outdoor raised flooring, including on uneven or difficult surfaces. The system consists of high-strength polypropylene plates, connectors and silencing-spacers available in 2, 3 and 4 mm sizes. Installation is easy and intuitive, and requires no adhesive or mortar. The system is compatible with all Italprofili lines of fixed and adjustable paving supports. Leaf-Plat gives designers full freedom of expression, by enabling them to use a variety of materials – alone or in conjunction with each other –such as tiles and artificial grass. The main technical benefits include better stability, even on surfaces with big height differences, protection in the event of tile breakage, optimum load distribution, weather resistance, durability, easy maintenance and trouble-free access to underfloor technical systems. The latest developments from Italprofili also include the Special Evolve adjustable paving supports, which are a high-per-

formance solution to the problem of irregular installation surfaces. Equipped with self-levelling heads, they adapt automatically to slopes and uneven terrain, thus eliminating the need for pre-levelling. Their strong, solid structure ensures stability, high load capacity and weather-resistance, making this system particularly suitable for high-footfall environments, such as public spaces, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality venues.

Leaf-Plat and Special Evolve recently featured in the redevelopment of an old farmhouse in the hills around Verona, which has been converted into an elegant restaurant. The construction of a raised patio overlooking the vineyards was made possible by the stability, versatility and durability of Italprofili systems, which successfully met a full range of technical needs without compromising the building’s harmony with its historical and natural setting.

The new Lifter extension is the solution designed to adapt to every need during installation. Thanks to the patented locking system, the extensions can be easily assembled, offering a customizable height. Perfect for solving unexpected problems, it guarantees stability and precision until the desired height is reached.

MM

LIFTER IS AVAILABLE IN 3 VERSIONS STACKABLE WITH EACH OTHER AND ALLOWS YOU TO REACH ANY HEIGHT WITH PRECISION

AVAILABLE FOR SPECIAL EVOLVE AND SPECIAL LIGHT DISCOVER HOW LIFTER WORKS

EGE SERAMIK

The newest ceramic collections presented by the company are designed to reflect today’s most influential design trends. This year, earthy tones, soft neutrals, and nature-inspired surfaces take center stage — offering warmth, serenity, and timeless elegance to both residential and commercial interiors.

Premium Surface represents a fusion of technology and artistry, allowing the textures of natural materials to be replicated with remarkable precision. The result is a collection with unmatched richness, depth, and authenticity — offering interiors a unique combination of elegance and lasting performance. The latest series of Ege Seramik highlights the harmony be-

tween design and innovation. Drawing inspiration from natural stone, wood, and organic textures, each product has been carefully developed to meet the growing demand for authentic, sustainable aesthetics. Subtle variations, natural veining, and tactile finishes capture the essence of nature, bringing balance and beauty into everyday spaces.

To further enrich the collections, Ege Seramik introduces advanced surface technologies:

MattPlus – a refined matt finish with enhanced depth and sophistication – and Glow – a contemporary matt surface enriched with a luminous, playful light effect.

Modular

handling system for slabs

Folding frame: compact size for easy movement

Bag/trolley for handling and

• Self-priming battery-powered electronic suction cups

MagFace ® rewrites the rules of porcelain tile installation

Ready-to-use surfaces with built-in magnetic technology for a comprehensive, professional, sustainable offering.

Tilers have been using adhesive, mortar and grout since 1960.

Now is the time to change. MagFace® is the next step in the history of porcelain tile: it’s an Italian industrial technology, conceived to meet the challenges of contemporary construction and the sustainable transformation of the built environment.

Delivering solutions, not just materials

Dealers, distributors, installers and importers can now offer the market a new, strategic solution, in the form of surfaces with built-in MagFace® magnetic technology, combined with a complete kit for dry installation that is compatible and ready to use. The value of what you offer no longer lies exclusively in the material, but in a comprehensive, efficient, reversible solution that yields high profit margins.

Game-changing technology

Made entirely in Italy and covered by patent, MagFace® transforms porcelain tile and sintered stone into coverings that can be installed dry, with no grout or adhesive. This innovation enables porcelain tile to meet the growing demand for practicality, sustainability and quick installation, and thus to compete effectively with materials such as LVT and SPC, which are seeing rapid growth in market share.

A practical response to the needs of contemporary projects

Coverings with built-in MagFace® technology are ideal for:

• retail units, temporary stores, mass merchandising

spaces, trade shows and events

• offices, hospitality venues, commercial and public environments

• rapid renovations of residential and commercial buildings

• technical surfaces, prefabricated bathrooms, kitchen countertops

• green building projects, both new and regenerative MagFace® makes porcelain tile a ready-to-use surface that meets the needs of dynamic construction sites and flexible designs.

Full compatibility with dry construction

The system is fully compatible with all dry construction systems and further enhances their performance. It works successfully with:

• dry radiant heating/cooling systems

• inspectable structures and built-in technical installations

• solutions for improving noise insulation

• VOC-free, non-toxic materials for GOLD A+ class air quality

One example is MagFiller, a hybrid sealant developed specifically for the MagFace® system, which is ideal for wet and damp environments. It prevents mould, seals joints and insulates surfaces against water and vapour, so as to safeguard the integrity of the installation over time.

Guaranteed magnetic safety

The static magnetic fields generated by MagFace® are up to 500 times weaker than those of a smartphone. They do not combine with each other but are cancelled out within one millimetre of distance, and generate no electromagnetic waves or interference. Their safety is certified and already endorsed in thousands of installations.

Technology with a real-world track record

With over 1 million square metres installed worldwide, MagFace® is a proven industrial success story. Integrating it into turnkey projects enables whoever proposes it to:

• stand out from the crowd with an innovative, technical

solution

• earn the loyalty of designers, architects and general contractors

• ensure short installation times, sustainability and reusability

• gain access to LEED, BREEAM and green building projects

What to do now

Ask your trusted manufacturers or suppliers for surfaces with built-in MagFace® technology, today. Submit a full quote for projects requiring high performance, fast construction and design freedom.

MagFace® enables you to work alongside professionals in the search of practical, sustainable solutions.

MagFace System is a global patent registered by Bassi Group International Srl, Piazzale degli Alberi, 7, 42024 Castelnovo di Sotto, Italy.

kalebodur 120x280

constantinople

constantinople

KALE INVITES VISITORS

TO DISCOVER THE EXPRESSIVE POWER OF CERAMICS UNDER THE THEME OF MATERIAL AS AN EXPRESSION

At this year’s Cersaie Kale is present under the theme “Material as an Expression”, inviting visitors to discover the expressive power of ceramics - ex-

tending from the surface to the entire space - continuing to place sustainability at the heart of the products, using less raw material and ensuring high energy efficiency, in line with the “careforyourworld” vision of the company.

Designed in collaboration with Paolo Cesaretti, the stand welcomes visitors with a striking façade featuring the extensive portfolio of 120×280 cm large-format porcelain slabs

Developed for both interior and exterior spaces, these collections make a strong first impression with nature-inspired colors and textures, offering high-performance architectural solutions through technical excellence and surface variety.

Premiering at this year’s exhibition, the Panorama Collection creates unique compositions in spaces through the adaptation of natural textures into various formats.

Offering a range of thickness and size options, the collection provides designers with ultimate freedom and creativity under the motto “infinite possibilities for every space” while ensuring spatial harmony through the unity of aesthetics and functionality. Moreover at the stand, visitors experience three distinct ambiances designed with products from the Intonaco series.

In these spaces, earth tones inspired

by nature are blended with Zen aesthetics, showcasing compositions created with the full color range of the series. Timeless and versatile, Intonaco complements various design languages, lending spaces a calm yet powerful character.

Another new product is on display: Constantinople, exhibited under Turkey’s first porcelain countertop brand T-ONE. Produced with V-Intech technology, which allows the surface veining to continue uninterrupted through the body, Constantinople stands as a clear testament to the design and technological excellence of the company - having also received first place in the Kitchen category of the 2025 Elle Deco International Design Awards (EDIDA).

Certified with NSF, this product is internationally approved for food contact and offers both elegant and reliable surface solutions for kitchens.

For the first time this year, Kaleseramik’s stand features products manufactured in a variety of thicknessesfrom 2 mm to 20 mm - showcasing its production capabilities.

Among these, the flexible 3 mm porcelain slabs stand out in façade applications this year, combining lightness and durability to push the boundaries of design

borgogna stone natural

borgogna stone natural

intonaco light grey

Monoforma

Lithoform

Foresta

Monoforma

ANATOLIA AND AETERNA UNVEIL NEW SURFACES AT CERSAIE 2025

Continuous innovation, technological research, and a deep respect for material integrity unite Anatolia and Aeterna—two distinct brands rooted in shared excellence.

This fall at Cersaie, both will debut new collections that redefine the boundaries of design, performance, and sustainability.

Developed as Anatolia’s elevated brand of Colorsync Sintered Slabs Aeterna embodies timeless luxury, bold scale, and innovative material expression. Its latest offering features over 60 sophisticated colors, with more currently in development, across two large-format dimensions: 160 x 320 x 0.6 cm and 162 x 322 x 1.2 cm. Aeterna slabs draw from a rich palette of nine inspirations: Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Sandstone, Limestone, Quartzite, Terrazzo, Cement, and Monochromatic, each one evoking a distinct narrative of material and mood.

Designed with precision and a refined visual language, every surface is brought to life through a curated selection of eight finishes: Polished, Honed, Silk, Satin, Organic Matte, Patinated, Vintage, and Grained. Together, these finishes offer a nuanced spectrum of tactile and atmospheric experiences, elevating the slab from a surface into a statement. Aeterna offers a diverse array of design types including Continuous Bookmatch, Bookmatch, Random, and Monochromatic, expanding the creative potential for seamless visual storytelling. Whether applied to countertops, cladding, facades, or custom furnishings, Aeterna merges material innovation with expressive design versatility. The proprietary Colorsync body technology ensures full-body harmony between the slab’s surface graphic and internal composition, while unglazed variants offer a solid-through body color for bold, minimalist statements. Resistant to UV, heat, frost, impact, and chemical agents, Aeterna slabs are engineered for exceptional performance across commercial and residential environments—indoors and out.

As the company’s flagship brand, Anatolia presents its most extensive product launch to date. These include:

• Majesto – A refined stone-look collection featuring 26 unique colors inspired by marble, travertine, and quartzite, delivering versatile elegance with natural depth and texture.

• Serena – Featuring grounding, organic

textures inspired by sandstone, this collection creates harmonious tonal environments that evoke natural warmth and subtle depth.

• Lithoform – Honoring the stratified beauty of limestone in both veincut and crosscut forms, this collection reveals the natural layers and textures with exceptional clarity, available in soft, trueto-nature tones.

• Monoforma – A pure, unglazed monochromatic collection designed to bring minimalist elegance and enduring performance to both interior and exterior spaces. Its subtle textures and refined simplicity create a versatile canvas for modern architectural expression.

Across these series, Anatolia introduces over 300 new products, including rectified Sintered Slabs (160 x 320 x 0.6 cm), rectified Porcelain Slabs (120 x 280 x 0.6 cm), up to 7 modular tile formats, 2 formats of 2 cm pavers, and 2 sizes of Hexagon Mosaics. The latest collections are presented in a selection of finishes out of a total of six finishes available in the portfolio. The refined palette of finishes includes Polished, Honed, Silk, Organic Matte, Vintage, and Grained—each finish is selected to elevate the design’s character, reflecting the authenticity of each design, while fulfilling both aesthetic and technical demands.

At the core of these launches is Colorsync technology, Anatolia’s proprietary innovation that synchronizes the visual appearance of the porcelain surface with its colored body— delivering harmony from surface to core. Monoforma, on the other hand, is produced using unglazed porcelain, delivering enduring performance and visual consistency for the most demanding environments. Whether through the expressive, large-format sophistication of Aeterna or the adaptable, design-forward solutions of Anatolia, both brands embody a shared vision for the future of architectural surfaces—where aesthetics, function, and environmental responsibility meet. With certified sustainable manufacturing practices including LEED facility design, closed-loop water recycling, solar energy integration, and Greenguard Gold certifications, the brands demonstrate that innovation is inseparable from responsibility.