Tile International 4/2010

Cevisama 2011

since 2004 the anti pollution and bacterial porcelain tile

Beware of imitations

T h i s i s n o t a s i m p le t i le

IT IS AN ECOSYSTEM Oxygena: the tile that improves the air we breathe How that works? Thanks to the titanium dioxydes, wich attacks and eliminates completely the natural gas pollutants inside and outside home environment has also antibacterial properties. Oxygena: since 2004 is the first titanium dioxydes tile, the only one that can boast two patents granted and approved (patent for invention Italian number 0001350326 approved April 28, 2009, for patent number U.S. 7,608,297 B2 U.S. approved on October 27, 2009). In addition there are numerous other certifications and awards: Certicates of validity of the prestigious Jordan Institute (taken as a criterion for validation of the efficacy of the tile in the titanium dioxide by the Ministry’s Environments in Official Journal 84, 2004) certification of the National Research Council of Ferrara and Milan, countless awards and recognition such as KB Awards 2006. Golden Grape 2004 of the municipality of Castelvetro, the selection of Legambiente (italian environmental ass.) for energy efficiency and pollution reduction.

GRUPPO CERAMICHE GAMBARELLI S.p.A. Via Circondariale S. Francesco n. 124 - 41042 Fiorano (MO) Italy Tel +39 059 7577511 / +39 0536 916511 - Fax +39 059 797303 / +39 0536 916555 www.gambarelli.it - info@gambarelli.it

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Until a couple of years ago, the only possible answers to those questions were: “in a magazine” or “on television”.

But the pervasion of the internet into our lives, and the multimedia approach it has brought with it, has profoundly changed all that.

So the world of information is adapting to developments and expanding into the virtual world.

This publishing house is no exception. Online since 2002

with a web magazine (www. ceramicworldweb.it), which is updated daily, we are now stepping up our multimedia presence.

A few months ago we opened a Tile Edizioni profile on Facebook and Twitter, so as to keep social network users up to date with developments in the world of ceramic.

As of this issue, Tile International will include Quark Codes. If you scan these new interactive codes with the camera of a smart phone or

computer, the device’s browser will launch and redirect you to the relevant multimedia content published on the internet.

Also with effect from this month, we are offering readers the chance to browse and download the electronic version of all our magazines free of charge until the end of the year.

And we are preparing a specific application for l-Pads and E-readers, which will give our readers access to our content

at any time, from anywhere. In the meantime, we have already optimised the graphics of www. ceramicworldweb.it for perfect navigation with an I-pad.

What drives us is the desire to keep providing readers with quality content in step with the times. As Apple founder Steve Jobs said at the recent D8 (a major American digital technologies conference): “The world will always need highquality, professionally reported information”.

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October/December 2010 - N. 4

Publisher: Tile Edizioni S.r.l.

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TILE EDIZIONI ALSO PUBLISHES:

5

Advertiser's list

Ascer Azulev Cevisama

Contents

23/25 19 7

Cotto Tiles Thailand

72-73

Everstone

44-45

Gambarelli Grespania Iaara Ideal Legno

Inside Front Cover

Back Cover/60-61 71 Inside Back Cover

Kale

4

Montolit

29

Mosbuild

15

Profilpas

59

Progress Plast

53

Raimondi

13

Rak Ceramics

21

Saudi Ceramics

67

Tagina TLS Of Italy TopCer Tuyap Unicera

Estimates, forecasts and final figures

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

10 - Tilefax 26 - In the spotlight

1,000 square metres of ACTIVE™ = 20 tall trees

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

17

Inax

Schlueter Systems

11 - Editorial

8 3/39 1 65 5

Vitra

63

V&B Fliesen

69

30 - Cevisama 2011

Spain starts the climb-back

by Paola Giacomini

34 - Reportage Cersaie

Good results for Cersaie 2010

40 - Trends

Dusty pink, purple, teal, denim and white color trends

Economics & markets 46 - World production and consumption of ceramic tiles 56 - The world’s top ceramic tile manufacturers 62 - The unstoppable growth of Egypt 68 - Estima acquires Sok 70 - An increasing focus on “designed in Mexico 74 - Wood & design

Wood, design and the link between the two 80 - Exhibition calendar

Cover picture by: inax (http://global.inax.co.jp), Cersaie 2010 Photo by: Giancarlo Pradelli (www.giancarlopradelli.com) Advertiser’s list: page 6 Subscription order form: www.tiledizioni.it/subscription Translations: Geoff Day / John Freeman

by Gian Paolo Crasta

by Paola Giacomini

by Gian Paolo Crasta

by Pier Giorgio Burzacchini

by Luca Baraldi

by Israel Gonzalez

by Silvia Bertolani

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KWUM IVL [MM \PM N]\]ZM Ï&DA Ï Ï 6@KDMBH@Ï 3O@HM #DQ@LHB Ï.@STQ@KÏ3SNMDÏ @MCÏ"@SGQNNLÏ%PTHOLDMS

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Visit our website www.schlueter-systems.com

Editorial

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

Estimates, forecasts and final figures Cersaie closed its 28th edition with an enhanced image on the world trade fair stage thanks to exceptionally high attendance from foreign visitors, who numbered 24,684 out of a total of 83,548, equating to a 7.9% rise on the previous year.

The number of foreign exhibitors, originating from 33 different countries, reached record levels too, and accounted for 26% of the total of 1,016.

And despite continued adversity in the economic climate, the Bologna-based trade fair managed to chalk up a small increase (after two years of downturn) in total attendance, as total visitors to Cersaie 2010 rose by 0.2% to 83,548 as against 82,422 in 2009.

Despite the quantitative drop, however, attendance remained strong in qualitative terms, and included foreign buyers who manifested considerable interest and serious intentions to buy.

The regions that showed the biggest increases in visitor numbers were Africa (+46.1%), Asia (+41.2%) and the Central/South

western economies have been hardest hit by the contraction, even in the tile industry, while the Asian and emerging markets continue to grow at a healthy pace, albeit more slowly than before: +7.1% in Asia, +11.9% in Africa.

First and foremost, the crisis pulled the plug on import-export flows, which had already been slowing in the two years prior to its outbreak, before dropping 9.6% in 2009, from 1,919 to 1,735 million square metres.

Overall, international trade in ceramic tiles in 2009 fell by 184 million square metres and accounted for 20.5% of worldwide tile consumption, thus maintaining the downward trend first set in 2002.

This situation, still with reference to 2009, came chiefly at the expense of European countries from outside the EU (-25%), Central and South America (-20.7%), the European Union (-19.3%), North America (-16.4%) and Africa (-8.3%).

The only exception to the rule was Asia, which saw a rise of 5.8%.

America (+20.9%), while Oceania showed the biggest fall. European visitor numbers remained pretty stable, while attendance from Turkey and Russia rose 45.5 and 32.5% respectively. The negative record went to Lithuania (-55.3%), followed by Hungary (-16.9%), Ireland (-14.8%) and Austria (-14.2%).

The final figures for Cersaie 2010 reflect the difficult patch that the entire ceramic industry is going through in the wake of the worldwide crisis. The figures quoted in the article “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, which we reproduce with kind permission of Ceramic World Review as from page 46, show how world tile production suffered its first drop, albeit slight, as early as 2009, when output fell 0.1% as against the previous year. The fact that production remains static at 8.5 million square metres and consumption has grown by only 1.3% speaks volumes about the extent of the economic and financial crisis that broke out in 2007, and provides further evidence that the

So what’s in store for the months to come?

It remains hard to say, because the regional data are still liable to substantial variation.

With regard to the USA, which is still the world’s largest importer of ceramic tiles, the Department of Commerce announced that the number of building permits issued, an indicator of future activity, rose by 0.5% in October 2010, to a total of 550,000, some way short of the figure of 570,000 that the experts were predicting.

The definitive figure for September, however, of 547,000, exceeded the forecast figure of 539,000.

In Europe, while the first half of 2010 saw a rise in new building starts, the third quarter saw a serious reversal in that trend.

This too confounded the forecasts of international analysts, who had predicted that growth would continue in the second half of 2010 and the first half of 2011, when the strongest economies would perhaps even regain their pre-crisis levels.

5

How to browse and download the magazines free of charge To subscribe free of charge to the online version of our magazines, simply go to www.tiledizioni.it/freesubscription, select the titles you are interested in and enter the promotional code TILE0610 In order to read the QR Code with your mobile phone you need to download the correct software.

Please connect to the following web address with your mobile phone browser to download it: http://www.i-nigma.mobi For more information on QR codes visit: http://tinyurl.com/help4qrcode

9

Tile International 4/2010

Tilefax

Companies, News & Markets GranitiFiandre steps on the gas

supply of Active Clean Air & Antibacterial Ce-

ucts in Italy, and Laria SpA’s clinker in Tunisia, as

ramic™ to FIAT’s Mirafiori Motor Village and the

well as the new Laria International range in

new Granarolo headquarters, among others.

both. Laria S.p.A., a leading manufacturer of ex-

GranitiFiandre Group closed the first nine

Another two important contracts were won in

truded clinker floor and wall tiles for indoor and

months of 2010 with results that run against the

Japan, where ceramic sheet will be supplied for

outdoor applications, was founded in 1961 by

flow of play both of the economy as a whole

the new Haneda airport and for one of the most

the architect Luigi Mosso, an expert in ceramic

and of the ceramics industry in particular.

renowned five-star hotels in Tokyo. Considering

technologies and applications. His son, Dario

A sharp upswing was reported in all financial

the strong interest shown in innovative solutions

Mosso, an engineer and the current Managing

statement indicators, including consolidated

such as Active and Extreme, and the extremely

Director, emphasises that “the agreement with

turnover, which reached 148.2 million euros

positive figures coming in from StonePeak in

Carthago that spawned Laria International

(+5.1% on the same period of 2009).

North America and Porcelaingres in Germany,

opens interesting prospects for Laria S.p.A. in an

The figure peaked in the third quarter, when

Granitifiandre believes, with the caution that the

area encompassing Tunisia and all its neigh-

turnover showed a rise of 6.6%.

current economic climate dictates, that the

bours on the Mediterranean, which have seen a

Turnover for branded products performed even

year could close with further growth.

major increase in demand for materials for the

better, and despite the effects of a still weak and

construction of swimming pools and wellness

fluctuating construction market, rose 7.2% in the

areas in large hotels and beauty farms.”

first nine months (10.5% in the third quarter

Carthago Ceramic, a manufacturer of single-

alone). These increases in overall turnover are

fired and double-fired tile, belongs to the Tuni-

due to the basic stability of sales on the Italian

sian holding company Poulina Group, which in-

market (+0.9% for branded material) and the

cludes 80 manufacturers of ceramic (chiefly

European market (-2.3%), combined with the ex-

under the brands Carthago Ceramic and Ezza-

Laria International takes the stage

hia), brick, packaging, foodstuffs, machinery,

increase in turnover as at 30 September.

A commercial agreement between the Italian

and its production facility, set up in 1983 and re-

There was good news on the earnings front too,

company, Laria S.p.A., and its Tunisian partner,

as EBITDA reached 20.7 million euros (+22.4%),

Carthago Ceramic, has led to the incorporation

equating to 14% of turnover (6.8 million/+ 24.2%

of Laria International, whose headquarters are

in the third quarter).

at GP1-Km 12-Ezzahra (Tunisia), and whose new

cellent results achieved in non-European countries (+20.8%) and by the American subsidiary,

etc. Laria Spa has its headquarters and registered office in Santena (in the province of Turin),

StonePeak Ceramics Inc., which reported a 25%

The parent company GranitiFiandre contributed

logo - recently presented at Cersaie - graphical-

9.5 million euros to this figure, while StonePeak

ly reflects the perfect fusion between the two

added 5.9 million euros and Porcelaingres, the

companies. Having completed its Sacmi plant,

German subsidiary, added a further 4.3 million.

Laria International is now launching the produc-

EBIT amounted to 8.9 million euros (representing

tion of a range of floor tiles and trim pieces in

a rise of 27.3% and equating to 6% of turnover),

horizontally extruded clinker with porcelain

which is about 1.5 million euros higher than EBIT

body. This is an innovative technology that

for the whole of 2009 (3.0 million in the third

makes it possible to combine the special prop-

quarter, representing a rise of 40.5%).

erties and culture of traditional clinker with the

The final result was a net profit of 5.2 million

flexibility

euros, as against 0.6 million as at 30 September

The agreement between the two companies

2009, over five times higher than net profit for the

envisages the reciprocal sharing of sales net-

whole of the previous year.

works in their respective markets, with a view to

The forecasts are positive too: in the third quar-

distributing Carthago Ceramic’s double-fired

ter the Group won prestigious contracts for the

and single-fired white-body and porcelain prod-

Tile International 4/2010

of

modern

10

plant

engineering.

cently re-equipped with new plants, in Castello di Annone (in the province of Asti).

The latter produces about a hundred different types of traditional clinker, for a total of 1,500,000 square metres per year. In 1999, Laria S.p.A. obtained UNI EN ISO 9002 quality certification (now UNI EN ISO 9001/2000).

Tilefax

☞

Also read on www.CeramicWorldWeb.it

1st Profilitec International Photographic Competition

gineering, assessed the projects, sent in from

Profilitec, which is based in Torri di Quartesolo (in

stored an old agricultural building in Nanto in

the province of Vicenza, Italy), was founded in

the province of Vicenza, the interior of which

1966 for the production of trims for resilient floor-

features the use of: PLANO DESIGN BF flush-

ing, and in the 1980s, pioneered the develop-

mounting skirting board all around the walls;

Profilitec Spa distributes its products in 65 coun-

ment and production of specific trims for ce-

SQUAREJOLLY SJ-IL stainless steel trim to finish/

tries worldwide and, following the merger be-

ramic tiling. In 2010, the company instituted an

protect the steps on the interior staircase; and

tween Profili Italia and Folotec in 2008, is capa-

international photographic competition focus-

MOSAICTEC SJM trim, to finish the mosaic tiling

ble of supplying a comprehensive “Profilitec

ing on projects featuring the use of Profilitec

of the bathroom.

System”, with solutions designed to meet every

products. The jury, made up of Professor Marina

The other projects selected by the jury were, in

need, including trims for floor tiles, steps, wall

Vio and Professor Armando Del Fabbro, of the

order of classification:

tiles, profiles and expansion joints, systems for

department of architecture at the University of

- Parma Pavimenti, of Brugherio, Monza, Italy, for

terraces, technical membranes, skirting boards

Venice, and Maurizio Milan, of Favaro Milano En-

the project “High tech step in display area”;

seven different countries, and selected as winner of this first edition, Baretta Claudio, who re-

- MC Bauchemie, of Budapest, Hungary for the project “Sports facilities”; - Covolo, of Molvena, Vicenza, Italy, for the restoration of a villa built in 1940; - Macan, of Zagreb, Croatia for the project “Dubrava Shopping Mall”.

and protective edging.

All the photos of the winning projects can be seen on www.profilitec.it

Dow and England’s first certified Passivhaus

polystyrene foam (Styrofoam™, Floormate™

cisive architectural thinking and effective mate-

300-A, Roofmate™ SL-A and Perimate™ DI-A).

rials can give rise to a functional home capable

The architect explained her choice of Dow insu-

of solving an array of environmental problems.

Dow Building Solutions supplied the insulation

lation products as follows: “…only extruded

materials for the first certified Passivhaus built in

polystyrene insulating materials have the right

England.

level of humidity resistance and retain their ther-

Underhill House, the pioneering project by archi-

mal performance for the full lifetime of the build-

tect Helen Seymour-Smith, is an eco-sustainable

ing, and Styrofoam™ A is the only product of its

house built on a hillside on the ruins of a 300-

kind in the United Kingdom that has these

year-old barn.

characteristics".

Built by digging into the hillside to make it blend

Underhill House thus passed the necessary tests

invisibly into the landscape, the passive house is

to obtain Passivhaus certification.

made of concrete and has a glazed frontage

The high degree of insulation of Underhill House,

facing south to maximise solar gain, and is per-

its air-tightness and its maximised use of solar

fectly insulated around its entire perimeter, floor,

energy, ensure a comfortable climate inside.

roof and walls thanks to Dow’s blue extruded

Underhill House shows how a combination of in-

11

Tile International 4/2010

Tilefax

☞

Also read on www.CeramicWorldWeb.it

New web site for La Fabbrica

be one of Duravit’s five most important coun-

As part of an overall update, La Fabbrica has

man, during the opening ceremony.

unveiled its new web site: the style of communi-

He then added: “There’s a strong desire for de-

The new web site www.fassabortolo.com, de-

cation is precise and direct, and revolves around

sign and lifestyle brands. The upcoming target

signed for direct communication with specifiers,

both innovation and elegance. Using a graphic

group knows exactly what makes a real brand

customers, distributors and web users is now on

interface designed to shine the full spotlight on

and what is merely short-lived hype. Real, high-

line. You can select the various areas you are in-

its products - which are the company’s true

performance brands are experiencing a true

terested in from the menu on the homepage.

strength - the new La Fabbrica site presents the

renaissance in India.”

These include a company presentation, the

collections in its range by focusing attention on

Duravit picked the state of Gujarat as the loca-

product range, completed works, scheduled

their beauty, technical characteristics and

tion for its new production plant because 72% of

events and a whole series of useful information

scope for use.

the skilled jobs created in India between 2007

services. Thanks to dedicated sections, you can

The site features trend-setting styling and de-

and 2009 are located there.

view both the individual Fassa Bortolo products

sign, is easy to navigate and offers a full range

The new plant’s production capacity will initially

and the various systems that provide ad hoc so-

of information to help customers in their choice

cater for the domestic demand of the Indian

lutions for various requirements, from the simple

of product: www.lafabbrica.it

market, but may be extended at a later date

plastering of a home to major construction and

and used for other markets. The Indian plant is

remodelling works. Each product is associated

Duravit’s tenth worldwide. As well as at factories

with a technical data sheet (which can be

in France, Egypt, Tunisia, China and Turkey, Du-

downloaded in PDF format), certifications, appli-

ravit manufactures at three locations in Germa-

cation cycles, examples of use, machines and

ny, including Hornberg and Meißen, and at the

application equipment. For construction indus-

Group’s only bathroom furniture factory in

try professionals, meanwhile, the homepage

Schenkenzell, in the Black Forest.

gives immediate access to the Fassa Service

tries,” explained Franz Kook, the Group’s Chair-

New on-line world for Fassa Bortolo

section, which includes a range of parts and equipment for trade users. The site also features a link to www.gypsotech.com, which provides comprehensive information about the new Gyp-

Duravit in India: new plant in Gujarat

sotech® plasterboard system.

Fassa Bortolo has three centuries of history behind it, and currently operates 13 plants in Italy

Duravit has inaugurated a new plant in Gujarat,

and one in Portugal, in addition to commercial

India, in the presence of Gujarat’s Chief Minister,

branches in Italy, two in Switzerland and one in

Shri Narendra Modi.

France, with a total staff of 1,200 people.

The German company, headquartered in Hornberg, has been operating in India since 2001 and is already well established in the luxury sector of this huge market, thanks to its explicitly design-oriented strategy. With a view to accessing the medium price segment too, Duravit has invested some 20 million euros in the new Gujarat plant, which has initial production capacity of half a million pieces per year.

“India is a very important market for the future.

We expect that, in the foreseeable future, it will

Tile International 4/2010

12

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Tilefax

☞

Also read on www.CeramicWorldWeb.it

MyHome Configurator by Caesar

cially Federcostruzioni, with which we signed an

senting a 0.4% rise on the figure of 214.2 million

exclusive agreement last July, aimed at promot-

euros as at 30 September 2009.

MyHome Configurator by Ceramiche Caesar is

ing safety, research, technological innovation

Performance differed substantially between the

a new tool available on the company’s web site

and training for personnel.

group’s three main markets: Italy, the rest of Eu-

(type www.caesar.it/myhome into your brows-

The agreement also envisages initiatives for

rope and the USA. In Europe (which accounts

er), designed to provide a quick and simple

identifying new business opportunities on inter-

for about 42% of total turnover), investments in

way of choosing tiles for indoor and outdoor

national markets and setting up an economic

construction remained generally stagnant, de-

applications. You can use it to customise (fol-

research body for the entire supply chain.”

spite a few tentative signs of recovery. Western

lowing a guided sequence of steps) the floor

Following the success of the last edition, the

European markets reported a drop in turnover

and wall tiling of bathrooms, kitchens, living-

“Borghi & Centri Storici” exhibition dedicated to

of 5.5 million euros, whereas the growth trend

rooms and terraces, by selecting the most suita-

the reclamation and enhancement of small his-

set over previous months in eastern Europe con-

ble tiles for your requirements from a wide range

toric centres is back on the calendar, as is the

tinued (+0.9 million euros), equating to overall

of high-quality products with low environmental

Structural Engineering Forum, which, thanks to

shrinkage in the European market of about 4.6

impact. MyHome Configurator will also give you

the collaboration of Federcostruzioni, provides

million euros (-4.7%). The Italian market, which

an approximate quote for your chosen solution,

an unmissable opportunity for professional de-

accounts for 29% of total earnings, also con-

together with the contact details of the dealers

velopment.

tracted by 5.2% compared with the first nine

in your area.

The InstantHouse competition, now in its third

months of 2009. In the United States (account-

edition, is also on the programme.

ing for 22% of consolidated turnover), the Group

“MADE expo 2011 will continue its promotional

is reaping the first rewards of the major efforts it

activity throughout Italy with “MADE expo in tour”

has made there, with the result that turnover

and with the Road Shows on the major interna-

rose by 7 million euros, equating to 16.8 percent-

tional markets, which include events in Europe,

age points. Profit margins were also up. EBITDA

the Russian Federation, the Gulf States and the

amounted to 21.9 million euros (up 6 million on

Mediterranean basin,” explained Giulio Cesare

the first six months of 2009), while net operating

Alberghini, Managing Director of MADE eventi

profit reached 6.5 million euros (0.4 million as at

srl. “With these events we want to offer trade pro-

30 September 2009), equating to a rise of 6.1

fessionals a high-profile, high-quality forum for

million euros. Net consolidated profit for the pe-

MADE expo 2011: signs of the future

examining the latest topics of interest to the

riod was 2.1 million euros, showing a marked im-

world of architecture and construction, and to

provement on the loss of 5.3 million euros in

consolidate the event’s status as a worldwide fo-

2009. Investments in new technologies, and the

With one year to go before the next edition, due

cal point for the construction industry.

commercial planning aimed at consolidating

to be held from 5 to 8 October 2011, MADE expo

The international promotion of MADE expo is

market share in existing markets, together with

is stepping up its promotional activities in Italy

also aimed at bringing some of the most impor-

development in the countries with the best pros-

and abroad by launching a series of initiatives.

tant buyers in the market into contact with ex-

pects, will drive the recovery of the Group, which

“We’ll be paying close attention,” explained Ro-

hibitor companies.”

hopes for further improvements in the future.

sario Messina, Chairman of FederlegnoArredo, “to new approaches to construction, such as social housing”. “What’s more,” added Andrea

In this respect, the Group’s recent investments in

Panariagroup: margins on the increase

innovative lines of laminated porcelain tile

Panariagroup reported solid results for the third

added significantly to turnover.

Negri, Chairman of MADE eventi srl,“MADE expo is approaching the next edition in close collaboration

Tile International 4/2010

with

quarter of 2010, which showed a marked im-

key organisa-

provement on 2009 both in terms of operating

tions in the

margins and financial position. Net earnings on

sector, espe-

sales amounted to 215.1 million euros, repre-

14

(300x100 cm with a thickness of 3 mm) have yielded considerable commercial success and

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Ceramic Tiles. Mosaics. Skirting Boards, Inserts & Strips.

Specialist & Decorative Trim. Floating Floors for Ceramic Tiles

5 – 8 April 2011 Expocentre, Moscow

www.mosbuild.com

Archceramica – International competition within the Ceramica exhibition.

We invite architects, designers and builders to take part in the competition.

ITE Group Plc Mr. Darryl Pawsey +44 (0) 207 596 5210 darryl.pawsey@ite-exhibitions.com

General Media Sponsor:

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Tilefax

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ClipTile by Coop Imola

tion, EMAS registration and European Union rec-

ing of this new showroom in Turkey, Devon&Devon

ognition of its Life05 project.

continues its coherent and successful experi-

ClipTile is a flooring system that uses an innova-

mentation with a retail formula that has given it

tive plastic frame with automatic, precision clips,

a direct presence in numerous international

to allow the installation of ceramic tiles in just a

markets within the space of just a few years.

few operations and without the use of adhesives and grout.

ClipTile is quick to install and the finished flooring can be walked over immediately.

The product’s high technical performance (fire resistance class Bfl-S1, suitable for underfloor heating, high acoustic absorption, non-allergic) and the wide variety of aesthetic solutions it offers (through-body and glazed porcelain tile; natural, lapped and gloss polished finishes; vast range of colours and sizes) make ClipTile a valid system for domestic and commercial flooring, in large and small areas alike. Ideal for renova-

Devon&Devon opens in Istanbul

tion projects, because the dry clipping tech-

Morocco: new plant for Super Cerame

nique means it can be laid over any type of ex-

For its debut on the Turkish market, Devon&Devon

isting flooring without the need for demolition

has decided to locate itself in the “new” Istanbul,

work, ClipTile is also perfect for new floors be-

on the European side of the Bosphorus, which is

cause of the ease with which it adapts to the

the heart of the business district and plays host

At the end of July, Super Ceram, a Moroccan

cement screed and any other type of substrate.

to the top jewellery brands and best hotels. The

manufacturer of ceramic floor and wall tiles,

ClipTile is a brand of Cooperativa Ceramica

backdrop to the area is the historic Constanti-

headquartered in the vicinity of Berrechid,

nople, with its magnificent mosques and skyline

officially inaugurated a new plant for the

marked by domes and minarets. The showroom

production of 25,000 square metres per day of

was designed by the architect Dara Kirmizito-

single-fired tile.

prak, who is well known in Turkey for the various

The opening ceremony was attended by Ahmed

shopping malls and other projects he has un-

Réda Chami, Minister for Industry, Miloud Chaa-

dertaken. It is the Florentine company’s biggest

bi, the proprietor of Ynna Holding, to which Su-

showroom to date, and uses materials from

per Cerame belongs, and Fouad Benzakour,

Devon&Devon’s own catalogue for the interior

Managing Director of Super Cerame and Chair-

design. The ground floor is dedicated exclusive-

man of APIC, the Moroccan ceramic industry

d’Imola, Italy’s oldest manufacturing coopera-

ly to the display of the company’s collections, in-

association. As well as providing the company

tive, which was founded in 1874 and now oper-

cluding Atelier, Intarsia and Wood, as well, of

with excellent production performance in terms

ates in the ceramic tile industry, with turnover of

course, as its prestigious Patina leather wall cov-

of both quantity and quality, the new plant, pro-

about 300 million euros, seven production

erings and its more traditional Lambris and Sim-

duced by Sacmi, also includes a series of ener-

plants, over 1,900 employees and an export

ply wall tiles. The first floor accommodates an ex-

gy saving systems. The most important of these

share of 70% of output. As well as ClipTile, Coop-

tensive technical area, with a large meeting

from an environmental point of view are an effi-

erativa Ceramica d’Imola Group includes Imol-

room. A special area is set aside for Home Bou-

cient heat recovery system designed to reduce

aCeramica, LaFaenzaCeramica, LeonardoCer-

tique, the exclusive new home and personal

gas consumption (gas prices are especially

amica, Imolarte and ImolaTecnica. The Group

collection, which includes textiles, accessories,

high in Morocco), water treatment systems and

has obtained ISO 14001 environmental certifica-

soft furnishings and cosmetics. With the open-

raw materials recovery systems.

Tile International 4/2010

16

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Newform Design Award 2011

been committed to sound management of sus-

Newform, a leading manufacturer of quality

processes and its products. As David J. Haines,

taps and fittings of distinctive design, has an-

Grohe’s CEO, explained: “We take this mission

The second edition of the Quinquennial Tile

nounced a competition for the design of its new

very seriously at Grohe, and it is the guiding prin-

Award is now under way. Launched by Fincibec

“Creative Innovation” collection of taps. The initi-

ciple behind all our activities.” And it is precisely

in partnership with Ottagono, the award is

ative is aimed at students and recent gradu-

because of Grohe’s shrewd management of

aimed at anyone who, in any capacity, has pro-

ates of the architecture and engineering facul-

water resources that the company was called

duced works using Fincibec ceramics from the

ties of Italy’s design schools. The theme is

upon to support the Masdar City project, to

Century, Monocibec and Naxos collections.

visionary: to interpret the aesthetic qualities of

which it will bring its experience and its exclu-

The winner will receive a new Fiat 500, and the

taps in an original manner and in line with cur-

sive collections of single-control and thermo-

four runners-up will each receive a Diamond

rent and future fashions, while taking full ac-

static mixer taps, shower programmes, rinsing

Chair by Harry Bertoia. View information and

count of their functional requirements. The win-

systems and special taps and fittings, selected

rules at the web site www.tileaward.org and en-

ner will be selected by a

for their efficient day-to-day use of water and

ter on-line. Entries to be submitted by 10 March

qualified jury of experts and

energy.

2012. The initiative, which Fincibec decided to

will receive a prize of 3,000

Work started on the construction of Masdar City

repeat following the success of the first edition,

euros plus a three-month

in February 2008 and is forecast to cost some 22

is open to all projects completed between 1

stage in Newform’s styling

billion US dollars. It is being built on an area of six

January 2007 and 31 December 2011. Once

department. To take part in

square kilometres, which will also accommo-

again, a well-qualified panel of judges with ex-

the

date a Research & Development centre fo-

tensive experience in the field of ceramic, de-

http://designaward2011.

cused on renewable energy distribution. Mas-

sign and architecture, will assess the entries and

newform.it, fill in the entry

dar City will constitute a kind of laboratory

pick the winners.

form and send in your crea-

designed to attract environmental technology

The Quinquennial Tile Award was instituted to

tive project. The deadline

companies, research institutions and organisa-

provide a practical and prestigious arena in

for entries is 15 March 2011

tions from all over the world. The city will have a

which

and

them-

resident population of 40,000, and some 1500

assess the

selves must be submitted

international companies already have plans to

relative

open sites there.

merits

2

0

1

1

PER CHI CI VEDE QUALCOSA Partecipa al concorso più creativo dell’anno:

progetta la nuova linea di rubinetteria

“Creative Innovation” di Newform.

competition,

the

projects

go

tainable resources, both through its industrial

to

Lo scopo è interpretare le qualità estetiche del rubinetto in modo originale e in linea con la moda e le tendenze future, tenendo conto delle sue funzionalità d’uso.

by 31 March 2011. The Newform Design Award

Iscriviti sul sito http://designaward2011.newform.it, compilando il modulo d’adesione e inviando il tuo progetto creativo. Il concorso è rivolto a tutti gli studenti dei corsi delle Facoltà di Architettura, Ingegneria, delle Scuole di Design e ai giovani laureati. Il progetto migliore sarà premiato da una giuria qualificata di esperti del settore con la somma di 3.000€ e 3 mesi di stage presso l’Ufficio Stile di Newform.

Durata del concorso: 15 novembre 2010 - 15 marzo 2011.

2011 is sponsored by the ADI - Associazione per

to

of

the best of

Newform Design Award 2011 è un’iniziativa svolta con il patrocinio dell’ MorPho

Design by Massimiliano Della Monaca

The Quinquennial Tile Award 2nd Edition

il Disegno Industriale.

interna-

Per il regolamento completo e ulteriori informazioni http://designaward2011.newform.it

tional cre-

Grohe: official partner of Masdar City

ativity.

Fincibec Group,

Masdar City is taking shape about 17 km out-

which is a

side Abu Dhabi, to a design drawn up by

worldwide

Foster+Partners, and will be the first “green” city

leader

in

in the world. It is the most ambitious eco-sustain-

the manufacture and sale of ceramic floor and

able architectural project ever undertaken: a

wall tiles, was founded in 1960 in Sassuolo

city powered exclusively by renewables and with

(Modena, Italy). The company currently employs

all buildings subject to stringent guidelines. Gro-

500 staff and has annual turnover of 100 million

he has been involved as a partner in the project.

euros. Fincibec has three production sites, in

The philosophy that underpins Masdar City in

Casiglie, Solignano and Roteglia di Reggio Emil-

fact reflects that of Grohe, which has always

ia, plus a logistics platform in Solignano.

Tile International 4/2010

18

Tilefax

Growth for Ceramiche Piemme

incurred in 2009 and raising turnover to 90 mil-

es - washbasins, sanitaryware, baths and show-

lion euros.The news is bright on the employment

er trays - the new shop also accommodates an

Francesco Zi-

front too: “Even in the annus horribilis of 2009,

information section relating to all of Globo’s ma-

roni

(photo),

our staff were on short time for just three weeks,

terials for design and architecture.

former Chair-

but this year they’ve been on full time without a

The showroom starts with its window display,

man of Asso-

single interruption.” These are truly significant re-

which features the company’s latest ceramic

piastrelle and

sults, which we have achieved through effective

products, and continues inside with an array of

current Chair-

teamwork, constant investment in Research &

lines and forms of bathroom furniture capable

man

and

Development and quality products, which have

of meeting a wide variety of tastes.

Managing Di-

always been oriented towards synergy and in-

“The opening of this new store is an act of cour-

rector of Ce-

novation with the partnership with the Valentino

age and faith in the market of the People’s Re-

ramiche

brand. Ceramiche Piemme is now aiming to

public of China and of Hong Kong in particular,

Piemme

a

consolidate its exports and reach new markets,

which has yielded gratifying results from the out-

historic manu-

such as China, the republics of the former Sovi-

set,” declared Andrea Gulinucci, Managing Di-

facturer based

et Union and the Middle East. And it’s continu-

rector of Ceramica Globo SpA.

in

ce-

ing to pay the same degree of attention to its

The company has already been operating on

valley,

home market because, says Zironi “the Italians

the Chinese market for several years and took

are only interested in quality products”.

the decision to invest in the new project in order

-

Italy’s

ramic

with three plants, a total production area of

to consolidate its relationship with existing cus-

200,000 square metres, 350 employees and turnover of about 80 million euros - announced a 14% increase in turnover for the first 10 months

Globo: new concept shop in Hong Kong

tomers and develop new business opportunities.

of 2010. To achieve this result, Zironi, who returned to the helm after a 10-year break, ear-

Ceramica Globo recently inaugurated a new

marked over 27 million euros for the renewal of

sales outlet in Hong Kong. Located in Lockhart

the company’s fleet of machinery: “A high stake,

Road, one of the main arteries running through

certainly, but you’ll go nowhere these days if you

the commercial district of Wanchai, the new

don’t invest,” explained the Chairman. By step-

concept shop gives particular prominence to

ping up its sales efforts, furthermore, the compa-

the new lines designed by Creative Lab + and

ny aims to close 2011 with a further 10% in-

by Giulio Bacchetti, the company’s Art Director

crease, thus comfortably outweighing the losses

since 2009. But as well as an assortment of piec-

ADVERTISING

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Mosaico Digitale establishes International Mosaico d’Autore Award

Digitale gives designers unlimited scope for creativity, due in part to the texture of the resin itself,

The new world of Sadon

which differs according to whether it is formulated

Cersaie 2010 yielded good results for Sadon,

in softer or harder versions. Mosaico Digitale offers

which transferred its offices to the headquarters

Mosaico Digitale - which has transformed the

further scope for adding character to the environ-

of Rondine Group in Rubiera (province of Reg-

classic mosaic made up of stone, glass or ce-

ments in which it is used, because metal, stone or

gio Emilia, Italy) as of September, with a view to

ramic tesserae, into a modern mosaic consist-

Swarovski inserts can be added to the resin.

improving synergies between the Group’s vari-

ing of ductile tesserae made of flexible, lightweight resin - has announced the first edition of

“Proround M” by Profilpas

ous brands.

As well as presenting its new corporate image with a new logo and stand at the trade fair, Sa-

the International Mosaico d’Autore Award. With this initiative, for which the awards ceremony will

Environments such as hospitals, food process-

don also presented two major new releases: a

be held during the 2011 Biennale d’Arte in Ven-

ing plants, swimming pools, wellness centres

line of porcelain skirting boards made in size

ice, Mosaico Digitale aims to highlight the infi-

and industrial kitchens are required to meet the

6x45 cm using digital technology, and the

nite ductility that digital mosaic puts at the dis-

highest standards of hygiene. The new Proround

Woodland Outdoor line, made on a structured

posal of architects and designers. The closing

M models, which feature updated design and a

support and reinterpreted in high definition

date for entries is 30 July 2011 and entry is free.

new range of trim pieces, are the ideal means

thanks to the use of digital techniques that ena-

The only outlay is for the actual production of

of ensuring the necessary levels of hygiene in

ble writing even in small spaces, thus replicating

the mosaic to create the finished work, and this

the joins between floor and wall coverings,

the effect of a genuine wooden floorboard. This

will be supplied at cost. As well as submitting

where dust and bacteria tend to accumulate.

collection, which has a driftwood-like look, is

photographic records of the finished work, par-

Made of stainless steel, Proround M provides ex-

also suitable for installation around the sides of

ticipants are required to film every stage of the

cellent chemical-resistance and weather-resist-

swimming pools and comes in three colours

creative process.

ance, and is thus equally well suited to outdoor

(maple, oak and iroko) in size 15x60.5 cm. The

The aim of the International Mosaico d’Autore

applications.

series is completed by an L-shaped trim piece

Award is to emphasise the ductility of Mosaico

The version in 1.4404 stainless steel also offers

for use on steps and pavement edges.

Digitale’s production technique, which was de-

higher corrosion-resistance and is therefore rec-

You can visit Sadon’s new company showroom,

veloped by Pepe&Co and involves printing the

ommended for applications in areas subject to

at the Rondine Group headquarters in Rubiera,

source image on resin film tesserae of any

higher chemical stresses, such as swimming

as of November. Extending over an area of

shape and size, before re-assembling them, in

pools, food processing plants and coastal are-

about 150 square metres, it showcases all of the

the manner of a gigantic jigsaw puzzle, and

as. Proround M is designed for use with Probord

brand’s collections.

thus reproducing the original image on any

ILN profiles.

type of support. Resin film adapts perfectly to the texture of the target wall and even to the corners and edges on which traditional mosaic cannot be applied. As well

as

making the form of the

fin-

ished work outstandingly

ex-

pressive, Mosaico

Tile International 4/2010

20

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Nanopix Slim

High Definition Nanopix Print Technology

World’s No.1* Ceramic Tiles & Bathware Manufacturer Ceramic Tiles

Gres Porcellanato Bathware & Kitchen Fittings

P.O.Box 4714, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.Tel: +971 7 2445046, Fax: +971 7 2445270 email: mktgservices@rakceram.com

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Tilefax

☞

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Tile Council of America mourns the passing of Roy E. Gorton

brown, red and gold.

of bacteria. The anti-

Absolute, meanwhile, perfectly replicates the

bacterial protection is

softness and sheen of wooden floorboards, and

integrated into the tiles

provides a first-rate, eco-sustainable alternative

during the production

Roy E. Gorton, President of the Tile Council of

to wood, with none of the associated problems

process. When bacte-

America between 1980 and 1982, passed away

of deforestation. Suitable for all types of environ-

ria come into contact

on August 26, 2010, at the age of 74. Gorton re-

ment, it is made in size 15x60.5 cm. The series,

with the treated sur-

ceived a Bachelors of Science degree in Ce-

complete with mosaics and decorative ele-

face, Microban tech-

ramic Engineering from Alfred University, where

ments, is available in four colours: Absolute

nology, which ensures

he met his wife Peg, and went on to spend his

Olmo, Absolute Faggio, Absolute Acacia, Abso-

lasting protection for

entire career in the ceramics industry. He was a

lute Rovere.

the entire life-cycle of

life member of the American Ceramic Society

Under the umbrella of Confindustria Ceramica’s

the product, compro-

and also served

collective stand, Rondine Group also took part

mises their biological

as President of

in Sia Guest (Rimini, 20-23 November 2010), Eu-

functions, thus preventing reproduction of the

Aztec Tile and

rope’s most important trade fair for the hotel

cells and killing the bacteria. Microban technol-

Mannington Tile,

and catering industry.

ogy has undergone comprehensive testing by

and as Sr. VP of

independent laboratories, which guarantee its

Engineering

of

safety for use, and is registered in Europe in ac-

Metropolitan In-

cordance with the Biocidal Products Directive

dustries,

for all applications in which it is used.

from

which he retired

Branchetti: ideas in Evolution

in 2001.

Roy

E. Gorton

leaves his wife,

Spawned by the fusion of the Terra Mezz’Aria

Peg; three chil-

and Cube collections, Evolution is the latest

dren, three sis-

bathroom furnishing project from Branchetti,

ters

and

a

grand-daughter.

Rondine Group: all the fun of the fair

based in Masone (Reggio Emilia, Italy), which

Innovative anti-bacterial ceramic by Panariagroup’s Microban

has specialised in the production of bathroom furniture for 25 years. The outstanding modularity of Evolution makes it suitable for any environment and meets a full range of functional and

Panariagroup, a leading manufacturer and dis-

interior design requirements. With a wealth of so-

tributor of top-end ceramic floor and wall cover-

phisticated combinations and glam touches,

Rondine Group harvested a good crop of re-

ings, presented the innovative anti-bacterial ce-

the new collection is not short of innovations,

sults at the 2010 edition of Cersaie. The compa-

ramic by Microban® at the recent edition of

which include consoles with single or double

ny presented a variety of new products, among

Cersaie. Thanks to the constant work of Panaria-

washbasins or round bowls, featuring geometric

which the Cotto Imperiale and Absolute collec-

group’s research centre and an important

handles and metallic highlights.

tions met with particular acclaim.

agreement with Microban, a world leader in an-

Thanks to the use of the latest digital technolo-

ti-bacterial technology, the main lines of porce-

gies, Cotto Imperiale (photo) reproduces the

lain and laminated porcelain floor and wall tiles

waxy effect of traditional, hand-made terracotta

by Panariagroup’s brands Panaria, Cotto d’Este,

tile. Available in four formats (36x36 cm, 18x36

Lea Ceramiche, Fiordo, Margres and Love Tiles,

cm, 18x18 cm and 7x36 cm) designed for use in

will be produced with the innovative, silver-

conjunction with each other, and three colours:

based technology, which eliminates up to 99.9%

Tile International 4/2010

22

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Villeroy & Boch furnishes world’s most beautiful places

tion contribute to ensuring that the overriding

installation materials, with products certified in

sensation experienced by guests is one of origi-

the USA by Greenguard, in accordance with the

nality and artistic inspiration, in a unique con-

criteria adopted by the US EPA (Environmental

From the Middle East to the Great Lakes, via Eu-

text, in which over 200 works of art are on display

Protection Agency), OSHA (Occupational Safe-

rope, Villeroy & Boch has used its creations to

in private rooms, communal areas and the Bur-

ty and Health Administration) and the LEED pro-

furnish a string of residential and hotel buildings

net Gallery, an art gallery within the hotel, which

gramme, managed by the US Green Building

in dream locations round the world. In Dubai, Vil-

hosts a constant succession of temporary exhi-

Council.

leroy & Boch supplied its Omnia Classic, Omnia

bitions.

Porcelanosa Group at Cersaie 2010

Pro and Subway collections to create the bathrooms of the Golden Mile, one of the largest tourist centres - consisting of 860 apartments,

ISO 14001 certification for Laticrete Shanghai

Porcelanosa Group chose Cersaie again this

hotels, restaurants and shopping malls - located in Palm Jumeirah, the palm-shaped archipela-

Laticrete Shanghai Building Material Co. has

year as a showcase for the latest products from

go off the coast of Dubai.

achieved a significant goal by obtaining ISO

its many divisions.The flagship new product from

The German manufacturer also supplied the

14001 certification, in recognition of the steps it

the Porcelanosa division is Matrix, in size 31.9x60

wall tiles for the bathrooms of the futuristic Palau

has taken to minimise the environmental im-

cm and four colours (Nàcar, Arena, Antracita, Ti-

de les Arts in Valencia (Spain), by the acclaimed

pact of its production facility.

tanio), which produces a rich interplay of high-

architect Santiago Calatrava, belonging to the

The production plant of Laticrete Shanghai - a

lights, thanks to its high-gloss, three-dimensional

City of Arts and Sciences complex.

wholly-owned subsidiary of Laticrete - came on-

surface. Brazil, from the Venis collection, perfect-

In Italy, Villeroy & Boch’s Aveo collection was

stream in the spring of 2008 and was awarded

ly replicates natural slate. Brazil large-format

chosen to furnish the bathroom of the Hotel Le

ISO 14001 certification following the implemen-

(45x90 cm) porcelain tiles reproduce the ap-

Meridien in Rimini, one of the city’s most prestig-

tation of an environmental management sys-

pearance, beauty and chromatic variety of the

ious establishments, while the Grand Hotel

tem with proven capacity to reduce energy

material, with none of the problems frequently

Savoia in Genoa - opened in 1897 and restored

costs and waste, and minimise the environmen-

associated with natural slate (uneven thickness,

in 2007 - continues to welcome an elite clientele,

tal impact of the plant.

irregularities and chipping). The Antic Colonial

who enjoy the charm and elegance of times

“This is another special LATICRETE milestone in

division came to Cersaie with New York Thassos

gone by thanks to Villeroy & Boch’s Hommage

continuing the philosophy developed and prac-

Mirror, a wall tile designed to enhance elegant,

bathroom collection, a traditionally styled line

tised by our founder Dr. Henry M. Rothberg” de-

exclusive interiors, and available in marble

held in particularly high regard by the contract

clared David Rothberg, President and CEO of

tesserae and with encrustations of crystal in size

sector, which adorns the bathroom environment

Laticrete. From the outset, the tile and stone in-

26.4x27x1 cm. Max, from the Urbatek collection

with the appeal of luxury and sophistication.

stallation materials manufacturer, which is now

by Ceranco, is an impeccable reproduction of

The German brand's styling has won fans across

in its 56th year of business, was committed to

natural stone, and comes in four sizes (120x40

the Atlantic too, one of which is the Chambers

producing safe, environmentally-friendly prod-

cm, 120x20 cm, 80x40 cm, 80x20 cm) and three

Hotel in Minneapolis (USA): located in the histor-

ucts that were healthy for tile and stone con-

colours (Black, Grey, Beige). Cersaie also played

ic theatre district, the hotel is based on the con-

tractors to install and distributors to warehouse.

host to the Butech division, which specialises in

cept of an “extended work of art”, for which Vil-

Laticrete is therefore proud of its innovative cul-

installation materials and high-tech construc-

leroy & Boch

ture of integ-

tion systems. Its latest products include the new

proposed

rity,

which

Butech industrialised façade, designed with

Aveo, one of

has helped

particular attention to eco-sustainability and

its most ex-

make

consisting of a core of rock-wool panels clad

clusive

company a

Tile International 4/2010

col-

the

lections. The

world-lead-

sinuous lines

ing

of the collec-

facturer

24

manuof

with Ston-Ker® ceramic.

Advertising

In the spotlight

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

1,000 square metres of ACTIVE™ = 20 tall trees to achieving a genuinely sustainable architecture that is active and effective against pollution and the main bacteria that threaten human health.

Graziano Verdi



At Cersaie 2010, exactly one year since Active Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™ was first presented in the run-up to the 2009 edition of the Bologna-based trade fair, we met Graziano Verdi - President and CEO of Fiandre and Iris Ceramica - to talk to him about the attention and interest that this new type of product is eliciting from the market. Active Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™ is the fruit of a new production technique, which represents Fiandre and Iris Ceramica’s contribution

Tile International: You also presented ACTIVE at the Shanghai Expo with an international symposium on sustainable architecture, a concept also promoted by the 2010 Expo under the slogan “Better city, Better life”…

Graziano Verdi: In the Italy pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo, the whole of September was dedicated to the subject of architecture, and the extensive programme of conferences kicked off with the international symposium “Active Sustainable Design Now”, focusing on sustainability in architecture. The international event was coordinated by GranitiFiandre, in its capacity as elected partner of the Italian government’s General Commissariat for

the Expo, and contractor for the tiling of a 7000 square metre area of the Italy pavilion. The speakers at the Shanghai symposium included the architects Cui Kai (China), Tetsuo Furuichi (Japan), Doojin Hwang (Korea) and Vo Trong Nghia (Vietnam), under the coordination of the doyen of Asian architecture, Maki Fumihiko (Japan). The symposium was moderated by Professor Zheng Shiling of Tongji University (China). This was a high-profile promotional event held in front of an audience of architects, developers, construction companies and authorities, which backed up the presentations of ACTIVE already held at Mosbuild, in Russia; Coverings, in the United States, and Cersaie 2010 in Italy.

Tile International: What does ACTIVE represent for Fiandre and Iris Ceramica?

G. Verdi: With its micrometric layer of titanium dioxide, fixed at

high temperature, ACTIVE is our response to the fact that real competition in today’s market revolves around product innovation and applicational innovation. In this sense, ACTIVE represents the efforts we are making in support of sustainable architecture, because it is active and effective against pollution and the main bacteria that threaten human health, thanks to the photocatalysis that takes place following the activation of the titanium dioxide.

This is a new approach in the floor and wall tile sector - which plays an indispensable role in the world of architecture - aimed at achieving the objective summed up by the slogan of the 2010 World Expo “Better City, Better Life”.

Tile International: Did the development of this new product involve the use of new production techniques?

Cersaie 2010 stand

Tile International 4/2010

26

In the spotlight

G. Verdi: Yes, it’s a new production technique that activates the principle of photocatalysis using titanium dioxide in micrometric form, thus surpassing the much discussed nanotechnologies, and it enables us to produce sheets of porcelain tile capable of fulfilling an anti-bacterial function while at the same time reducing airborne pollutants by up to 70%.The two main research bodies in the ceramic industry, Centro Ceramico Bologna and TCNA (Tile Council of North America), have been studying our results for a long time, and both recently proved that, when it comes to eliminating nitrogen oxides (NOx), 1000 square metres of ACTIVE tiling has the same effect as 20 tall trees.

Tile International: What applications do you foresee for ACTIVE sheets?

G. Verdi: Active Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™ definitely

has a role to play in outdoor environments and urban furnishing, but that’s not all, because titanium dioxide is also activated by artificial light so ACTIVE has much to contribute indoors too.

It should also be emphasised that the effectiveness of ACTIVE does not diminish over time, because titanium dioxide as an activator of the process of photocatalysis is not subject to consumption.

Tile International: What is photocatalysis?

G. Verdi: By using light energy, photocatalysers cause the formation of oxidising agents that break down the organic and inorganic substances present in the atmosphere and which are responsible for pollution. Photocatalysis simply accelerates the oxidising processes that already exist in nature: it promotes the decomposition of pollutants and prevents the proliferation of bac-

Ceniza Collection

Cersaie 2010 stand overview

Dehor Collection

27

Tile International 4/2010

In the spotlight

Fiandre @ Shanghai Expo

teria. The pollution-reducing properties and bactericide action of TiO2 are also unanimously recognised by the international scientific community. And in ACTIVE, they are enhanced by the exclusive process used to fix the particles on the sheets.

Tile International: So to adopt the terms used by Prof. Maki Fumihiko in his speech at the international symposium held in Shanghai, ACTIVE responds to the need for an architecture that is sustainable from both a “social” and a “physical” point of view… And the environmental credentials of the companies you represent is widely acknowledged, isn’t it?

G.Verdi: Our commitment to the environment is borne out by ISO 14001 and EMAS certification and by the fact that we have acquired a certificate of conformity for LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), confirming the low environmental impact of our production processes. We also have ANAB certification, assigned by

Tile International 4/2010

ICEA (one of the industry’s largest certification bodies in Europe), testifying to the fact that our products are certified for green building.

Tile International: Which other new products did Fiandre present at Cersaie?

G. Verdi: At the 2010 edition of Cersaie we tiled no less than 500 square metres of the Fiandre stand with ACTIVE, thus removing the same amount of NOx pollutants from the atmosphere as 10 tall trees - as certified by Centro Ceramico Bologna and TCNA, the highest authorities in ceramic research worldwide.

This air-purifying effect was perceptible, what’s more, by the absence of odours in the entire pavilion.

Still on the subject of environmental sustainability, we used Cersaie to showcase our 100 Series, which combines large formats with sound environmental credentials, because the sheets that make up this collection are made entirely with recycled material, thus avoiding the use of

quarried raw materials. The innovative production technology also gives 100 Series products the best technical characteristics. We also presented the evolutions of the Extreme collection, produced in a 150x75 cm format, which gives continuity to tiled surfaces and lends itself to the creation of surfaces of high visual impact, in residential environments, contract applications and large public spaces. Extreme can also be used for ventilated facades.

Tile International: How about the Group’s other brands?

G.Verdi: Iris Ceramica launched several new floor and wall products at Cersaie 2010, and Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti, Iris’s flagship brand, substantially extended its top-end collections, and achieved encouraging results both in terms of orders and future prospects.

Tile International: How have you performed on the financial front so far?

G. Verdi: Fiandre’s results for the first half undoubtedly exceeded

28

expectations: total sales volumes rose by 4.4% on the first six months of the previous year, and this figure rises to 5.7% when you take account of turnover for branded products.

We achieved particularly significant results outside of Europe, where sales of branded products were up 18% on the first half of 2009. Our North American subsidiary, StonePeak, performed very well, and increased its sales to 40.6 million dollars (+28%).

There was also a big improvement in profit margins. This was partly attributable to the parent company, GranitiFiandre, but also to the American and German subsidiaries, StonePeak and Porcelaingres respectively.

Despite these excellent results, the world economic climate is such that we can only make cautious forecasts, but by continuing along the path of technological innovation, improved efficiency and better cash flows, we believe that the trend will be upheld in the second half of the year.

5

www.montolit.com • blog.montolit.com

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“HIGH-SPEED” wet tile saw

Cevisama 2011

by Paola Giacomini



It will be neither quick nor easy to make up the ground lost to two years of severe recession, but there is no doubt that Spain’s ceramic tile industry is now over the worst and has begun its long climbback. The recovery will be driven by exports, which in the third quarter of this year recorded their first real increase since the crisis began, with a rise of 6.1% on the third quarter of 2009.

In the first nine months of the year, Spanish tile exports reached 174 countries and chalked up a total value of 1,317.7 million euros (up 1.9% on the period from January to September 2009).

By volume, this equates to a total

Tile International 4/2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vfowler/

Spain starts the climb-back

of 186.1 million square metres, representing a rise of 1.7% on the first nine months of last year.

The average selling price rose to 7.08 euros per square metre (+0.2%).

Signs of recovery on the export front first became apparent in June, when Spanish exports recorded an excellent +10.5% on June 2009.

The positive trend continued in July, August and September, thus boosting the confidence and optimism of Spanish entrepreneurs in the months to come.

In terms of export geography, the European Union is still the Spanish ceramic industry’s biggest market, but remains decidedly lacklustre, although Ascer

has growing faith in an upturn in the central European countries.

The highest growth in the first nine months of the year was recorded by Russia (+32%), while in terms of macro-areas, good results were also achieved in the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe.

According to Ascer, Spanish production is also rising again, and although precise estimates are not available yet, there is no doubt that Spain’s production levels for 2010 as a whole will see a percentage increase in double figures compared with 2009.

Another positive statistic is that the industry has suffered no further job losses since August.

As for production structure,

30

Spain’s ceramic industry has seen a degree of downsizing over the past two years, combined with a more widespread phenomenon of industrial concentration, especially through the merger of individual brands and companies belonging to the same group and the acquisition of other companies.

Definitive business closures, however, have been rare.

So with Cevisama 2011 fast approaching, the prospects look brighter than they have for some time, although any recovery on the domestic market will be slow in coming: new residential building is still at a standstill, and demand for tiles is coming chiefly from the renovation segment

Cevisama 2011

CEVICA - Antic Craquelè GRESPANIA - Cirene

AZULEV - Tucson EMAC - decorative listels

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Tile International 4/2010

Cevisama 2011 PAMESA - Agata Ruiz De La Prada

EL MOLINO - Maya Jet

Tile International 4/2010 LAND - Stand Cersaie 2010

Cevisama 2011 and the urban furnishing segment, in which Spanish manufacturers are investing substantial resources aimed at establishing and disseminating greater awareness of the fact that ceramic is also an ideal material for outdoor applications.

Several Spanish manufacturers have increased the amount of exhibition space booked for Cevisama in Valencia, so as to showcase their collections to best effect. And since exports represent the only way out of the crisis, next year’s programme for promoting Spain’s ceramic

industry on foreign markets has already been prepared. After Cevisama, Ascer will be organising a collective presence at Coverings in Las Vegas (where Spanish manufacturers have booked more exhibition space than they did in Orlando in 2009), at Mosbuild (where there will be more exhibitors from Spain than from any other foreign country), at Neocon and AIA, in the United States, and, for the first time, at Ceramics China, to be held in Shanghai at the end of March, as part of Expo Build China.

5

Cevisama sees rise in bookings With just a few months to go before kick-off, the major Spanish and foreign manufacturers have booked their exhibition space at Cevisama, the international trade fair for architectural ceramic, bathroom furnishings and natural stone, to be held, as always, in Valencia (Spain), from 8 to 11 February 2011.

Data collected in September show a 21% increase in space booked and a 23% increase in exhibitor numbers compared with the same period last year.

Leading ceramic manufacturers such as Pamesa, Natucer, Ceracasa, Saloni, Tau, Azteca, Keraben, Venus, Inalco, Peronda, Grespania, Vives and Apric will all be taking part in the Spanish event again.

Italy will also be represented, by Gruppo Marazzi and Gruppo Ceramiche Gambarelli, as will the UK, by British Ceramic Tile. Meanwhile, companies such as Nitco (India), Vitra (Turkey), Porcelain and Ceramics Al-Amir (Egypt) and Arabian Ceramics (Saudi Arabia) have increased their exhibition space compared with last year.

The event at the Valencia trade fair complex, which for the second year running aims to integrate the ceramic, natural stone and bathroom sectors, will also see the launch of new initiatives, such as H2SHOW, a space hosting a special display installation, in which companies with an international reputation for design will be able to display their best collections, featuring products that herald the trends of the future.

Duravit, Galassia, Rapsel-Vola, Effegibi, Fantini, Brandoni and Koh-I-Noor are just some of the leading companies, at a worldwide level, that will be taking part in H2SHOW, thus confirming the trade fair’s intention to assert its status as Spain’s only bathroom exhibition with international scope and the ability to provide a solid platform for business development, creativity and design.

So the prospects are bright for the forthcoming edition of Cevisama, which last year attracted a total of 79,000 visitors, of whom 10,946 were foreigners from 133 different countries.

And the exhibition's new slogan “Come and see the future”, emphasises its international vocation.

33

Tile International 4/2010

Reportage Cersaie 2010

Good results for Cersaie 2010



The 28th edition of Cersaie, held against the backdrop of early stirrings of recovery in the worldwide economy and property market, undoubtedly confirmed the continued success, centrality and international importance of the event for the sectors it represents.

Of a total of 82,548 visitors (up

0.2% on 2009), 24,684 were from outside Italy (up 7.9%).

Similarly, of a total of 1,016 exhibitors from 33 different countries, 264 were from outside Italy (up 9.5%).

Overall, the 176,000 square metres of exhibition space were taken up by: 494 ceramic tile manufacturers, 370 bathroom furnishing companies, 24 raw

materials suppliers, 53 producers of equipment and materials for installation and display, 75 publishing and service firms.

With regard to the current performance of Italy's ceramic tile industry, Franco Manfredini Chairman of Confindustria Ceramica - made the following comment in a speech to the Ceramic Tile of Italy international

CERSAIE 2010: TOTAL VISITORS

TOTAL VISITORS* Foreign professional operators Italian operators Italian journalists Foreign journalists Source: Cersaie

Tile International 4/2010

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

90,949 26,141 64,204 334 270

91,303 27,121 64,182 360 272

83,875 25,675 58,200 365 297

82,422 22,862 59,560 439 276

82,548 24,684 57,864 462 276

34

%

10/09

+0.2 +7.9 -2.8 +5.2 -

press conference: “On the basis of data for the first half of the year, we expect overall growth in the industry of between 2.5 and 3% by year’s end.

Exports are driving the growth, and have seen an estimated increase of between 3 and 4.5 percentage points.

This translates into a rise in turnover in 2010 in the order of 4.7 billion euros.

Such recovery is in step with improvements in the economic situation across our various markets, indicating that the fall in turnover reported by Italy’s ceramic manufacturers in 2009 was caused by the financial crisis and not by poor competitiveness.”

5

Reportage Cersaie 2010

CERSAIE 2010: TOTAL FOREIGN VISITORS

CERSAIE 2010: EXHIBITORS

2009

2010

10/09

TOTAL exhibitors*

1,037

1,016

-2.0

Total exhibition area 176,000 sq.m 176,000 sq.m

-

Countries represented Italian exhibitors Foreign exhibitors

34 796 241

33 752 264

%

TOTAL FOREIGN VISITORS Europe (except Italy) Europe (other Countries) North America Central/South America Asia Middle East Australia/Oceania Africa Foreign journalists

-2.9 -5.5 +9.5

Exhibitor numbers by product sector Ceramic tiles 510 Bathroom furnishing, fireplaces 380 Raw materials 23 Installation and display equipment 55 Publishing and services 69

494 370 24 53 75

2009

2010*

22,862 13,769 3,620 627 623 2,209 1,172 263 579 276

24,684 13,499 4,333 649 753 3,120 1,272 212 846 276

-3.1 -2.6 +4.3 -3.6 +8.7

%

10/09

+7.9 -2.0 +19.7 +3.5 +20.9 +41.2 +8.5 -19.4 +46.1 -

* From 144 Countries - Source: Cersaie

* From 33 Countries - Source: Cersaie

Ceramics confiscated at Cersaie On the afternoon of Friday 1 October, in the conference room of a hotel adjacent to the Bologna trade fair complex, which was hosting Cersaie at the time, the authorities confiscated a quantity of counterfeit ceramic produced by a Chinese company. The confiscation, which was validated on 7 October by the Public Prosecutor of Bologna, bears witness to the continuation of the illegal practice of counterfeiting, which damages Italian manufacturing to the tune of 50 billion euros per year, and to which the ceramic industry is unfortunately not immune.

The confiscated counterfeit ceramics were an imitation of the Glow series produced by Ceramiche Atlas Concorde of Fiorano, which, as well as reporting the matter to the police, had taken steps to protect the collection in 2007, by means of utility model registration on all EU markets. The police operation was backed up by expert witnesses from the firm Bugnion, which had assisted Atlas Concorde in protecting its rights.

Maurizio Mazzotti, Managing Director of Atlas Concorde Spa, in thanking the Commander of the Guardia di Finanza of Bologna, pointed out that such results can only be achieved through

35

close collaboration between the police, trade associations and private companies, for the main purpose of protecting Italian products worldwide.

On the subject of counterfeit ceramics,Giorgio Romani,Chairman of the Trade Relations Committee of Confindustria Ceramica, announced: “Following the validation of the confiscation of ceramic tiles alleged to be counterfeits of Italian products, Confindustria Ceramica wishes to draw attention to the resurgence of this practice, which seriously damages the interests of Italy’s ceramic industry, whose success is based on product innovation, in both technological and aesthetic terms.”

As part of its strategic mission, Confindustria Ceramica intends to pursue the case, and if appropriate, take legal proceedings as the offended party, with a view to protecting the interests of the entire sector. By virtue of such action, the fight against counterfeiting has already achieved a number of positive results, including the judicial confiscation - during Coverings 2006 - of catalogues and other merchandising instruments clearly counterfeited by a Chinese company.

Tile International 4/2010

Reportage Cersaie 2010

Cersaie, AWARDS 2010 Distributors, journalists, trade fair exhibitors: all three are essential to enhancing the value of the construction supply chain, and all three were eligible for awards instituted by Confindustria Ceramica in recognition of the input of these specific players.

Cersaie Awards

Dedicated to the best trade fair stands, the Cersaie Awards are divided into the categories ‘Ceramic Tiles’ and ‘Bathroom Furnishing’, and each category is subdivided into small, medium and large stands.

The winners: Ceramiche Cisa,Tagina Ceramiche d'Arte,Versace Home by Ceramiche Gardenia-Orchidea, Ceramica Flaminia, Bellosta Carlo, Hatria.

Ceramiche Cisa

Tagina Ceramiche d'Arte Versace Home

by Ceramiche Gardenia-Orchidea

36

Reportage Cersaie 2010

Ceramica Flaminia Bellosta Carlo Hatria

Ceramic Tiles of Italy Journalism Award

Dedicated to the best reporting on Cersaie 2009 and the Italian ceramic tile industry published in a non-Italian title, the Journalism Award, now in its 14th year, was given to Bulgarian journalist Mariana Svetoslavova, Editorial Director of Idealen Dom, for her article entitled “Ceramics: digital and nostalgic�

Distributors Award

Selected by a dedicated Confindustria Ceramica jury, the prize-winning distributors were selected for their achievements in promoting and disseminating the culture of Italian tiles, in keeping with specific criteria such as product loyalty, competence and professionalism.

Austria: Fliesen Huemer Gmbh, Regau France: Pavan, Mountauban Germany: Heinrich's Fliesenmarkt Gmbh, Lunek Italy: Orsolini Amedeo, Viterbo

37

Tile International 4/2010

Reportage Cersaie 2010

Cersaie Downtown.

Design takes to the streets For the first time in its history, the historic centre of Bologna was turned into an exhibition space during the course of Cersaie 2010, to host Cersaie Downtown.

The initiative - conceived by Interpromex Comunicazione and produced by Laura Manfredini - was promoted by Confindustria Ceramica and organised by Edi.Cer. Spa in collaboration with BolognaFiere and with the sponsorship of the Municipality of Bologna.

Ten tiled or glazed, apple-shaped cubes were installed for the event, for the purpose of accommodating a series of exhibitions of bathroom furnishing solutions. The cubes installed in the city’s historic centre stood out by virtue of their deliberate dissonance with their surroundings, which contributed to enhancing the visual impact of both, as the majestic mansions and thronging streets and squares of Bologna city centre, were thrown into relief by these apple-shaped merchandising cubes showcasing the latest design trends in bathroom furnishing.

The 10 installations deployed at Cersaie Downtown displayed the work of 11 major Italian brands: Antonio Lupi, Arblu, Casa Dolce Casa, Casalgrande Padana, Cerasarda, Floor Gres, Glass Idromassaggio, Hatria, Marazzi Tecnica, Rex Ceramiche Artistiche and Simas.

Cersaie Downtown blazed the trail for a new way of perceiving public space in Bologna’s historic centre. Proud of its beauty, the city provided an ideal stage for the excellence of Italian products, and acknowledged Cersaie’s undeniable value as a “tourist” attraction, which brings in some 25,000 visitors a year, 27% of whom are foreigners from all round the globe.

Casalgrande Padana

Simas

Tile International 4/2010

Casamood

Hatria Marazzi

Rex Ceramiche

Glass Idromassaggio

38

Floor Gres

Advertising

Trends

by Gian Paolo Crasta

Dusty pink, purple, teal, denim and white colour trends What are the colour trends that are likely to emerge over the coming months? What are the colours that we can expect to see on clothes, furniture, objects and interior finishings? The firm

AzzoliniTinuper, which for many years has been involved in research and design in the field of colour, materials and innovative technologies, explored the latest colour trends at Tecnargilla,

the world’s largest exhibition of supplies and aesthetics for the ceramic and heavy clay industries.

Using a novel, sculptural exhibit comprising four circular tables

constructed from ordinary materials alongside more technical elements, the firm offered ceramic industry professionals ideas on the use of new colours and materials.

Trend 1_Dusty pink Light and extremely light warm colours, natural and hyper-domestic tones,interpreted through sophisticated techniques such as embroidery, weaving, opencut work and gathering.

The material interprets this trend through experiments with aged finishings that accentuate the warmth of the dusty pink colours. Open-cut geometric patterns, inlays of different woods, carved decorations, low-reliefs and high-reliefs: the surface is enhanced while the material becomes a play of light and shadow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/puddytat_77/

Tile International 4/2010

40

Trends

picture: Fabio Bruna

Trend 2 _Purples

Purplish tones ranging from neutral through to saturated: purple as an accent colour or a barely perceptible dominant.

Metal sheen, iridescence, crystal inserts, three-dimensional facets for striking material effects.

Glass and acrylic samples explore research into three-dimensional effects achieved by “macro 3D� digital printing and subsequent colour passes alongside laser-engraved decorations that create iridescent effects.

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Tile International 4/2010

Trends

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tearsandrain/

Trend 3_Teal (blue-green)

Multicolour prints, glitter, transparency, overlays: the blue-green trend combines luminous tones with sequential layers of colour.

Experiments in digital printing of large-format, low-thickness ceramic sheets evoke new decorative worlds featuring hyper-photographic light effects. The irregular cut of the sheets opens up fresh compositional scope for surface coverings.

Trend 5_Whites

http://www.flickr.com/photos/forteller/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesdphotography/

Tile International 4/2010

42

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ucumari/

Trends

Trend 4_Denim

http://www.flickr.com/photos/niko_si/

Dyed effects, tones ranging from blue to neutral, touches of saturated blue that light up the material.

The colour blue becomes a non-colour, a time-worn and noble material.

The fabric is presented in unlimited variations on the theme of denim: tears, laser cuts, applications, patchwork, special finishings…

Textile processing in a final aesthetic stage opens up new worlds for ceramic material.

Warm whites, cold whites, white as a timeless element.

White becomes an element of writing, a decorative surface design, a colour/noncolour that can stand alone or be “written” onto other trend colours.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnolouise/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photo_art/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91997797@N00/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elanaspantry/

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Tile International 4/2010

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Economics&Markets

by Paola Giacomini with courtesy of Ceramic World Review

World production and consumption of ceramic tiles



Tile International publishes the survey of world production, consumption, exports and imports of ceramic tiles in 2009. While 2008 was the year of the first real slowdown for the tile industry, 2009 saw a worsening of the trends already in evidence during that first year of crisis; whereas 2008 brought a sharp deceleration in the customary growth rates, 2009 saw a negative sign firmly placed in front of all the indicators.

This much may seem obvious, but the true scale of the contraction of the industry and world markets emerges from the figures we shall look at below. Global production fell from 8,520 to 8,508 million square metres (-0.1%) compared to an average annual increase of 6-7% in the period 2004-2007 and a 3.2% increase in 2008. To-

tal tile consumption grew by just 1.3% to 8,460 million sq.m (compared to +3.6% in 2008 and an average +8% during the previous years). But export trends were the worst hit by the world crisis.

Imports/exports, which had already slowed sharply in 2007 (+2.4%) and in 2008 (+0.47%), dropped by 9.6% in 2009, down from 1,919 to 1,735 million sq.m.

1) World tile production in 2009 amounted to 8,508 million square metres, 0.1% down on the 8,520 million sq.m of 2008.

The overall fall was limited by the positive trend in Asia (+6.9%) and Africa (+11.9%).

Asia produced 5,535 million sq.m (359 million sq.m more than in 2008), bringing its share of world production to 65.1%. All the top producer countries in the Asian con-

tinent have increased their national production: China (+250 million sq.m), India (+40 million sq.m), Iran (+30 million sq.m),Vietnam (+25 million sq.m), Saudi Arabia (+15 million sq.m), while the others have remained at 2008 levels.

Only Japan and Taiwan have suffered falls of approximately 8 million sq.m each. The growth in Africa (40 million sq.m more than in 2008) is due exclusively to the sharp increase in production in Egypt, a country that is continuing the expansion that it began twenty years ago and which sees new facilities started up each year. In this connection, see the focus section published on page 90 in this issue.

Production in the American continent remains stable.

Central and South America

WORLD MANUFACTURING AREAS AREAS EUROPEAN UNION (27)

2009 (Mill. sq.m)

saw a fall of 7 million sq.m to 896 million sq.m (0.8% down on 2008), while in North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) the increase in the USA offset the small fall in Mexico, leaving production stationary at 252 million sq.m.

The sourest note concerns Europe, which has suffered a 400 million square metre fall in production: 354 million sq.m less in the European Union (EU-27), which has seen the biggest fall from 1,430 to 1,076 million sq.m (-24.8%), and 46 million sq.m less in non-EU Europe, down from 441 to 395 million sq.m (-10.4%). While the most dramatic falls were in Spain (-171 million sq.m) and Italy (-45 million sq.m), the other EU member states also experienced downturns of between 1 and 8 million

WORLD CONSUMPTION AREAS

% of world production

% var.

09/08

AREAS

2009 (Mill. sq.m)

% of world consumption

% var.

09/08

1,076

12.6

-24.8

EUROPEAN UNION (27)

991

11.7

-18.8

OTHER EUROPE (Turkey included)

395

4.6

-10.4

OTHER EUROPE (Turkey included)

418

4.9

-11.1

NORTH AMERICA (Mexico included)

252

3.0

0.0

NORTH AMERICA (Mexico included)

360

4.3

-10.9

CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA

896

10.5

-0.8

CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA

909

10.7

+1.0

5,542

65.1

+7.1

ASIA

5,273

62.3

+8.2

347

4.1

+11.9

AFRICA

472

5.6

+10.0

7

0.1

-12.5

OCEANIA

37

0.4

-14.0

8,515

100.0

-0.1

8,460

100.0

+1.3

ASIA AFRICA OCEANIA TOTAL

Tile International 4/2010

TOTAL

46

Economics&Markets

sq.m, pushing the EU’s share of world production down from 16.8% to 12.6%. The fall in non-EU Europe was entirely attributable to the downturns in Russia (-30 million sq.m) and Turkey (-20 million sq.m).

2) In 2009 world tile consumption increased by just 110 million sq.m, from 8,350 million sq.m to 8,460 million sq.m (+1.3%).

In the last two years we have seen a rapid convergence between the values of world consumption and production (in the past the gap between the two figures was as high as 400 million sq.m) due to the need not to further increase warehouse stock and if possible to shed the volumes accumulated in previous years.

The breakdown in consumption by geographical area is

very similar to that of production. Asia once again showed the highest growth in demand at +7.9% to a total of 5,261 million sq.m or 62.2% of world consumption. Once again, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia were the countries making the biggest contribution to this increase. Growth was also reported in Africa (+10.7% to 475 million sq.m) and in Central and South America (+1% to 918 million sq.m).

By contrast, consumption fell in Europe and North America.

In North America demand dropped from 404 to 360 million sq.m (-10.9%) with falls not only in the USA (-28 million sq.m following the 111 million sq.m lost in the previous two years), but also in Mexico (-13 million sq.m) and Canada (-4

million sq.m). In the European Union demand plummeted to 991 million sq.m (230 million sq.m less than in 2008, -18.8%, following a loss of 121 million sq.m the previous year), as a result of a generalised downturn in all the countries in the region, the biggest fall once again being in Spain (-84 million sq.m). Demand also fell in non-EU Europe (-11.1%) to 418 million sq.m, although in this case the decline was due exclusively to the drop in demand in Russia (50 million sq.m less) whereas almost all the other countries remained at 2008 levels.

3) The comparison between the various continents’ contributions to world tile production and consumption maintained the pattern revealed in

2009 (Mill. sq.m)

% of world consumption

660

7.8

-19.3

OTHER EUROPE (Turkey included)

96

1.1

-25.0

NORTH AMERICA (Mexico included)

56

0.7

-16.4

CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA

92

1.1

-20.7

797

9.4

+5.8

33

0.4

-8.3

1

0.0

-

1,735

20.5

-9.6

EUROPEAN UNION (27)

ASIA AFRICA OCEANIA TOTAL

4) The freeze on world exports affected all areas of the planet, albeit with different intensities.

The only exception was Asia, although its exports grew by a much smaller amount than in the past. Overall a total of 1,735 million sq.m were exported in 2009 (184 million sq.m less than in 2008, -9.6%), a fall that brings exports back to 2005 levels.

International trade 2009 (oF Total World Consumption)

WORLD EXPORTING AREAS AREAS

the past, in other words a substantial similarity between the two values, demonstrating that tiles tend to be produced near their areas of consumption. Asia accounted for 65% of production and 62% of world consumption, Europe (EU + non-EU) for 17.2% and 16.6% respectively, the Americas 14% and 15% and Africa 4% and 5.6%.

% var.

09/08

Domestic sales 79.5%

47

Import Export 20.5%

Tile International 4/2010

Economics&Markets

TOP MANUFACTURING COUNTRIES COUNTRY

2005 (Mill. sq.m)

2006 (Mill. sq.m)

2007 (Mill. sq.m)

2008 (Mill. sq.m)

2009 (Mill. sq.m)

% of 2009 world production

% var.

09/08

1. CHINA

2,500

3,000

3,200

3,400

3,600

42.3

5.9

2. BRAZIL

568

594

637

713

715

8.4

0.2

3. INDIA

298

340

385

390

490

5.8

25.6

4. ITALY

570

569

559

513

368

4.3

-28.2

5. IRAN

190

210

250

320

350

4.1

9.4

6. SPAIN

609

608

585

495

324

3.8

-34.5

7. VIETNAM

176

199

254

270

295

3.5

9.3

8. INDONESIA

175

170

235

275

278

3.3

1.2

9. TURKEY

261

265

260

225

205

2.4

-8.9

10. EGYPT

112

122

140

160

200

2.3

25.0

11. MEXICO

196

210

215

205

200

2.3

-2.4

12. THAILAND

138

139

130

130

128

1.5

-1.5

13. RUSSIA

100

115

135

147

117

1.4

-20.4

14. POLAND

108

110

112

118

112

1.3

-5.1

15. MALAYSIA

71

75

75

85

90

1.1

5.9

16. UAE

68

75

76

77

77

0.9

0.0

17. PORTUGAL

72

74

74

74

70

0.8

-5.1

18. ARGENTINA

48

54

60

60

56

0.7

-6.7

19. SAUDI ARABIA

20

22

34

40

55

0.6

37.5

20. MOROCCO

44

47

50

51

54

0.6

4.9

21. GERMANY

62

64

67

59

51

0.6

-13.6

22. COLOMBIA

40

44

48

50

50

0.6

0.0

23. USA

61

58

51

45

50

0.6

10.4

24. UKRAINE

20

21

27

39

44

0.5

12.8

25. SOUTH KOREA

46

44

42

39

42

0.5

9.6

26. SOUTH AFRICA

33

37

38

38

32

0.4

-15.8

27. TAIWAN

53

53

50

40

32

0.4

-20.0

28. SYRIA

19

19

19

28

31

0.4

10.7

29. ALGERIA

28

28

28

28

30

0.4

7.1

30. VENEZUELA

26

28

30

32

30

0.4

-6.3

TOTAL

6,713

7,395

7,866

8,145

8,176

96.0

0.4

WORLD TOTAL

7,077

7,760

8,252

8,520

8,515

100.0

-0.1

In 2009, the 30 major manufacturing countries covered 96.0% of world production Tile International 4/2010

48

Exports from the European Union fell to 660 million sq.m (-19.3%), 158 million sq.m less than in 2008, effectively the sum of the losses from Italy (-74 million sq.m) and from Spain (-70 million sq.m). NonEU Europe saw a fall from 128 to 96 million sq.m (-25%), Central and South America from 116 to 92 million sq.m (-20.7%), North America from 67 to 56 million sq.m (-16.4%), and Africa from 36 to 33 million sq.m (-8.3%). As we said, only Asia saw an increase, up from 753 to 797 million sq.m (+5.8%).

5) Each year imports/exports are falling as a percentage of world consumption (from 26% in 2002 to 24% in 2007, 23.2% in 2008 and 20.5% in 2009).

6) The world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter is China, although as always the figures are difficult to quantify due to the large discrepancies between the data provided by the various sources. We estimate production to be around 3,650 million sq.m, although some associations place it already at close to 6 billion sq.m.

Production continues to be driven by the country’s enormous domestic growth, which was hit by the world economic crisis for only a very brief period. Chinese exports have instead been affected by the slowdown in world demand, according to our estimates rising by just 14 million sq.m,

Economics&Markets

TOP CONSUMPTION COUNTRIES from 570 to 584 million sq.m (+2.5%). According to figures provided by the Chinese customs authorities (values are given in the table of the major Chinese export markets), total 2009 exports amounted to 686 million sq.m compared to 670 million sq.m in 2008. The main markets remained Asian and African countries. In 2009 China once again saw an increase in sales to Saudi Arabia, its largest export market at 67 million sq.m, while sales dropped to the second and third largest markets, the United Arab Emirates (from 41 to 37 million sq.m) and South Korea (from 33.5 to 29.8 million sq.m). Sales in the United States remained stable at 2008 volumes of 28 million sq.m.

7) In 2009 Brazil maintained its position as the world’s second largest producer and consumer and the fifth largest exporter country. After increasing steadily for more than 20 years, production remained at 2008 levels of 715 million sq.m (+0.2%), while domestic consumption continued to rise reaching 645 million sq.m (+6.5%). Exports on the other hand continued to fall, dropping for the third year running from 81 to 61 million sq.m (-25.4%). Of this 20 million sq.m fall, 7 million sq.m was lost in Argentina, 4 million sq.m in Chile and 5 million sq.m in the United States. The 2010 fore-

COUNTRY

2005 (Mill. sq.m)

2006 (Mill. sq.m)

2007 (Mill. sq.m)

2008 (Mill. sq.m)

2009 (Mill. sq.m)

% of 2009 world consumption

% var.

09/08

1. CHINA

2,050

2,450

2,700

2,830

3,030

35.8

7.1

2 BRAZIL

443

484

535

605

645

7.6

6.5

3. INDIA

303

350

397

403

494

5.8

22.6

4. INDONESIA

155

148

178

262

297

3.5

13.4

5. IRAN

153

182

236

265

295

3.5

11.3

6. VIETNAM

120

145

210

220

240

2.8

9.1

93

103

105

140

180

2.1

28.6

303

308

249

197

169

2.0

-14.2

90

100

110

136

166

2.0

22.1

10. MEXICO

161

164

173

176

163

1.9

-7.2

11. SPAIN

303

319

314

240

156

1.8

-34.9

12. ITALY

192

199

199

176

146

1.7

-16.8

13. RUSSIA

131

151

176

191

139

1.6

-27.3

14. TURKEY

169

179

161

129

138

1.6

6.5

15. THAILAND

120

121

120

120

117

1.4

-2.5

16. FRANCE

130

120

129

128

113

1.3

-11.5

17. GERMANY

132

128

124

112

106

1.3

-4.8

94

99

110

99

99

1.2

0.5

101

102

100

103

93

1.1

-10.1

20. UAE

70

80

81

96

77

0.9

-19.8

21. MALAYSIA

52

45

53

50

69

0.8

38.0

22. MOROCCO

49

52

56

60

66

0.8

9.2

23. ARGENTINA

44

48

55

59

55

0.7

-6.8

24. COLOMBIA

44

48

53

54

53

0.6

-1.9

25. GREAT BRITAIN

72

75

75

66

50

0.6

-23.7

26. PORTUGAL

51

47

48

50

48

0.6

-2.8

27. UKRAINE

29

33

47

59

48

0.6

-18.6

28. SOUTH AFRICA

44

48

50

50

43

0.5

-14.0

29. ALGERIA

33

34

35

37

40

0.5

8.1

30. PHILIPPINES

30

33

37

38

40

0.5

5.3

TOTAL

5,762

6,393

6,914

7,150

7,374

87.2

3.1

WORLD TOTAL

6,750

7,450

8,060

8,350

8,460

100.0

1.3

7. EGYPT 8. USA 9. SAUDI ARABIA

18. SOUTH KOREA 19. POLAND

In 2009, the 30 major consuming countries covered 87.2% of world consumption 49

Tile International 4/2010

Economics&Markets

TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES 2005 (Mill. sq.m)

COUNTRY

2006 (Mill. sq.m)

2007 (Mill. sq.m)

2008 (Mill. sq.m)

2009 (Mill. sq.m)

% of 2009 world consumption

% of 2009 world exports

% var 09/08

1. CHINA

342

450

500

570

584

6.9

33.7

2.5

2. ITALY

390

396

379

355

281

3.3

16.2

-20.9

3. SPAIN

341

336

333

306

235

2.8

13.6

-23.0

4. TURKEY

97

93

104

92

67

0.8

3.9

-26.8

5. BRAZIL

114

115

102

81

61

0.7

3.5

-25.4

6. MEXICO

46

55

56

62

51

0.6

2.9

-18.3

7. IRAN

14

19

17

27

40

0.5

2.3

48.9

8. THAILAND

25

27

25

25

36

0.4

2.1

44.0

9. POLAND

19

21

30

34

35

0.4

2.0

3.2

10. PORTUGAL

34

36

37

37

32

0.4

1.9

-12.1

11. UAE

25

32

38

34

31

0.4

1.8

-8.8

12. VIETNAM

12

15

25

25

28

0.3

1.6

12.0

13. EGYPT

16

17

22

23

23

0.3

1.3

0.0

14. MALAYSIA

18

22

18

23

23

0.3

1.3

0.0

15. GERMANY

21

24

26

28

23

0.3

1.3

-17.1

TOTAL

1,514

1,657

1,712

1,722

1,550

18.3

89.4

-9.9

WORLD TOTAL

1,715

1,865

1,910

1,919

1,735

20.5

100.0

-9.6

In 2009 the 15 major exporting countries represented 89.4% of total exports and 18.3% of total world consumption.

casts published by Anfacer suggest major new increases in production capacity, production and domestic consumption (between 8% and 9%) and a 3% recovery in exports.

8) In 2009 Italy lost its position as third largest world producer to India and dropped to fourth position in the rankings.

Production fell from 512.5 to 368 million sq.m (-28.2% of 2008). Total sales dropped from 506 to 408 million sq.m (-19.3%), of which 128 million sq.m was sold in Italy (-15.6%) and 281 million sq.m abroad (20.9% down on the 355 million sq.m of 2008), although this figure was sufficient to confirm Italy as the world’s second largest exporter.

The negative performance of exports was due to a generalised fall

ITALIAN AND SPANISH EXPORTS BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA IN 2009 (% values) Europe

Americas

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Total

Italy value:

74.6%

13.8%

8.4%

1.8%

1.4%

100.0% (= 3,255 mill. euros, -19.5% of 2008)

sq.m.

73.6%

13.7%

8.2%

3.2%

1.3%

100.0% (= 281 mill. sq.m., -20.9% of 2008)

value:

61.3%

9.1%

18.8%

10.0%

0.8%

100.0% (= 1,673 mill. euros, -24.3% of 2008)

sq.m.

50.9%

8.9%

24.8%

14.8%

0.6%

100.0% (= 235.4 mill. sq.m, -23.0% of 2008)

Spain

Tile International 4/2010

50

Economics&Markets

-44.6%). The industry’s total turnover dropped to 4,508 million euro (-18.3% of 2008), of which 3,255 million euro (-19.5%) was generated by exports. There were a total of 181 companies in business at the end of 2009,

in sales to all the main export markets, the most significant of which were the United States (down 13.5 million sq.m, -33%), France (-7 million sq.m, -12.6%), Greece (-6 million sq.m, -33%) and Russia (-3 million sq.m,

ITALY: THE TOP EXPORT MARKETS (mill. sq.m ) 2008

14 fewer than in 2008.

Italy remains the country with the highest level of manufacturing internationalisation in the world with 19 companies controlled entirely or partially by 9 Italian ceramic groups

SPAIN: THE TOP EXPORT MARKETS (mill. sq.m )

2009

2008

operating production facilities in the United States, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Ukraine and Russia. Italian production abroad amounted to 108.7 million sq.m (14% down on

CHINA: THE TOP EXPORT MARKETS (mill. sq.m )

2009

2008

2009

1. FRANCE

56.9

49.7

1. FRANCE

26.8

24.5

1. SAUDI ARABIA

56.7

66.8

2. GERMANY

41.3

39.6

2. SAUDI ARABIA

16.8

18.7

2. UAE

41.2

37.4

3. USA

40.8

27.3

3. UK

16.5

12.7

3. SOUTH KOREA

33.5

29.8

4. GREECE

18.7

12.5

4. ISRAEL

8.7

9.2

4. SINGAPORE

26.7

28.6

5. AUSTRIA

10.4

9.9

5. USA

11.4

7.5

5. USA

27.6

28.1

6. BELGIUM+LUX

10.4

9.2

6. GREECE

12.8

7.3

6. NIGERIA

21.4

22.0

7. CANADA

8.5

7.4

7. RUSSIA

13.9

7.1

7. MALAYSIA

12.1

21.7

8. SWITZERLAND

7.8

7.4

8. PORTUGAL

10.2

7.0

8. PHILIPPINES

16.2

20.4

9. THAILAND

15.4

19.4

9. UK

8.7

6.5

9. ITALY

9.4

6.9

10. NETHERLANDS

6.5

5.4

10. GERMANY

7.4

6.4

10. HONG KONG

15.9

18.5

11. CROATIA

6.3

5.1

11. ALBANIA

7.1

6.2

11. KUWAIT

15.7

15.7

12. SAUDI ARABIA

6.8

4.9

12. MOROCCO

5.2

5.8

12. AUSTRALIA

14.9

15.4

13. ROMANIA

5.8

4.5

13. ALGERIA

5.7

5.6

13. INDIA

22.2

13.6

14. SWEDEN

5.1

4.4

14. NIGERIA

6.8

5.0

14. SOUTH AFRICA

10.4

13.1

15. HUNGARY

6.0

4.3

15. UAE

7.2

5.0

15. VIETNAM

10.0

11.7

16. POLAND

5.5

3.7

16. ROMANIA

14.5

4.7

16. BRAZIL

10.0

11.6

17. RUSSIA

6.3

3.5

17. JORDAN

5.1

4.1

17. GHANA

13.9

10.9

18. SLOVENIA

4.1

3.2

18. LYBIA

3.2

4.1

18. CAMBODIA

11.2

9.1

19. DENMARK

4.5

3.1

19. POLAND

4.8

3.5

19. MEXICO

11.2

8.6

20. ISRAEL

2.9

3.1

20. NETHERLANDS

4.4

3.2

20. PAKISTAN

13.0

8.5

21. CZECH REP.

3.5

3.0

21. KUWAIT

5.6

2.9

21. GERMANY

5.6

8.1

22. FINLAND

3.5

2.7

22. BELGIUM

3.3

2.9

22. ISRAEL

7.4

8.0

23. SPAIN

4.7

2.6

23. IRELAND

4.3

2.7

23. COLOMBIA

7.9

7.9

24. BULGARIA

n.a.

2.0

24. LEBANON

2.0

2.5

24. CANADA

6.6

7.2

25. AUSTRALIA

3.0

2.0

25. IRAQ

0.9

2.4

25. KAZAKHSTAN

5.8

7.1

Source: Confindustria Ceramica

Source: Ascer 51

Source: China Customs Tile International 4/2010

Economics&Markets

2008) with sales of 118 million sq.m to a value of 876 million euro (-13%).

9) In 2009 Spain was the country to suffer the biggest fall in terms of volume in production (from 495 to 324 million sq.m, -34.5%), consumption (from 240 to 176 million sq.m, -34.9%) and exports (from 306 to 235 million sq.m, -23.0%).

As a result, it has dropped to sixth place amongst the major producer countries and to eleventh place in terms of consumption, but maintains its third place amongst exporter countries. Total sales of 382.4 million sq.m (-28%) enabled it to shed part of its warehouse stock. Total turnover fell to 2,591 million euro (-29.4%) of which 1,673 million euro derived from exports (-24.3%). Sales fell in almost all

the main export markets, with the most significant losses in Russia, Romania and Greece.

Conversely, Spain’s exports increased to some countries in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq and Lebanon) and Africa (Morocco and Libya).

Spain’s exports outside Europe have always been high and have further increased to 49% of total exports by volume and 39% by value.

while other start-ups are scheduled for 2011.

The country’s installed production capacity is already close to 550 million sq.m and ICCTAS is forecasting further growth with respect to this figure in 2010. Exports and imports remain unchanged at fairly insignificant levels (2009 exports at 13 million sq.m and imports down from 24 to 17 million sq.m, almost all from China).

10) As a result of a 10% growth in production over 2008 (from 390 to 430 million sq.m), India has become the third largest producer country, while maintaining its position as third largest consumer.

The subcontinent’s economic growth is reflected in an industry that saw around forty new factories built in the Morbi area in Gujarat in 2009-2010

11) Iran, Vietnam and Indonesia are continuing to climb the rankings of the world’s top tile producers, occupying respectively the 5th, 7th and 8th positions in 2009.

Iran reported volumes of 350 million sq.m (+9.4%), Vietnam 295 million sq.m (+9.3%) and Indonesia 278 million sq.m, the only one of the three to have remained almost stationary at

TURKEY: THE TOP EXPORT MARKETS (mill. sq.m ) 2007

2008 10.8

10.5

2. UK

12) Turkey retains its position as the fourth largest world exporter in spite of a further fall in exports in 2009, down from

BRAZIL: THE TOP EXPORT MARKETS (mill. sq.m ) 2009

1. ISRAEL

2008 levels with an increase of just 1.2%. The common factor shared by these countries is an increase in production in response to growing domestic demand. Indonesia is the world’s 4th largest consumer (297 million sq.m, 13.4% up on 2008), Iran is the 5th largest (295 million sq.m, +11.3%) and Vietnam the 6th with 240 million sq.m (+9.1%), although this was not sufficient to avoid a production surplus of 40 million sq.m. Iran and Vietnam also feature amongst the top 15 world exporters with exports of 40 and 28 million sq.m respectively. Indonesia’s exports have instead fallen to 19 million sq.m.

2007 9.0

1. USA

2008

2009

26.0

15.3

10.3

11.3

10.5

8.3

2. PARAGUAY

6.2

7.8

6.8

3. GERMANY

7.4

7.5

6.7

3. DOMINICAN REP.

5.1

2.8

5.3

4. GEORGIA

8.0

6.1

4.9

4. ARGENTINA

10.1

10.9

3.9

5. CANADA

7.9

6.2

4.4

5. URUGUAY

-

2.3

2.6

6. AZERBAIJAN

4.9

5.2

4.0

6. TRINIDAD

-

1.8

2.3

7. FRANCE

5.5

4.0

3.2

7. CHILE

6.1

6.5

2.1

8. ROMANIA

4.7

6.3

3.2

8. ANGOLA

-

1.7

2.0

9. GREECE

6.2

4.8

3.1

9. JAMAICA

2.5

2.0

1.8

10. USA

5.6

3.5

1.8

10. PERU

2.8

1.2

1.3

Source: Serkap Tile International 4/2010

Source: Anfacer 52

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VISION 2000

Economics&Markets

92 to 67 million sq.m (-26.8% of 2008). Following the sharp downturn of 2008, domestic sales are recovering, up from 125 to 135 million sq.m (8% up on 2008) in response to a 6.5% increase in local demand to 137.7 million sq.m. Production fell by 20 million sq.m to 205

million sq.m against an installed production capacity of 360 million sq.m. Here too, the fall in exports occurred in virtually all markets with the exception of Libya and some countries in the Middle East (including Iraq) which however are not among Turkey’s top 10 export

markets. Average selling price rose by 5% to 6 USD/sq.m.

13) The United States continues to top the rankings of the major tile importer countries in spite of a further fall in imports (which have now halved in the space of three years) from

TOP IMPORTING COUNTRIES COUNTRY 1. USA

2005 (Mill. sq.m)

2006 (Mill. sq.m)

2007 (Mill. sq.m)

2008 (Mill. sq.m)

2009 (Mill. sq.m)

% of 2009 world consumption

% of 2009 world imports

% var 09/08

245

254

202

157

124

73.3

7.1

-20.9

80

89

77

99

116

69.9

6.7

17.2

110

110

110

112

101

89.0

5.8

-10.2

4. GERMANY

90

87

83

80

78

73.4

4.5

-2.5

5. SOUTH KOREA

51

54

66

59

55

55.1

3.2

-7.8

2. SAUDI ARABIA 3. FRANCE

6. UAE

35

51

43

55

45

58.4

2.6

-17.4

7. GREAT BRITAIN

64

66

67

58

43

86.0

2.5

-25.9

2

3

10

23

40

100.0

2.3

76.0

9. ISRAEL

29

26

30

30

30

90.9

1.7

0.0

10. RUSSIA

35

42

47

54

30

21.5

1.7

-44.8

11. GREECE

42

43

51

44

30

79.7

1.7

-33.0

12. NIGERIA

19

27

22

30

29

100.0

1.7

-3.3

13. THAILAND

22

20

22

25

28

23.9

1.6

12.0

14. AUSTRALIA

32

31

34

33

28

79.7

1.6

-15.9

8. IRAQ

15. CANADA

32

33

35

30

27

97.8

1.6

-10.0

16. BELGIUM + LUX.

22

23

28

26

25

97.3

1.5

-3.1

17. ROMANIA

27

28

33

35

22

62.9

1.3

-36.4

9

11

15

16

21

52.5

1.2

35.5

19. KUWAIT

19

18

16

23

19

96.5

1.1

-16.1

20. ITALY

22

28

31

25

19

13.0

1.1

-23.4

985

1,043

1,020

1,012

910

60.5

52.4

-9.5

1,715

1,855

1,910

1,919

1,735

20.5

100.0

-9.6

18. PHILIPPINES

TOTAL WORLD TOTAL

In 2009 the 15 major exporting countries represented 89.4% of total exports and 18.3% of total world consumption.

Tile International 4/2010

54

156.6 to 123.9 million sq.m (-20.9%). This downturn reflected a virtually identical decline in domestic demand from 197 to 169 million sq.m (-14.2%), although national production increased from 45 to 50 million sq.m. All the leading exporter countries to the United States have suffered losses with the exception of Colombia and Thailand. Mexico remains the leading supplier with 34.8 million sq.m (10.8% down on 2008). It is followed by China (27.2 million sq.m, -5.2%), which overtakes Italy, down from 36 to 22 million sq.m (US Dept. of Commerce figures), although the figures reported by the Italian association Confindustria Ceramica put 2009 exports at 27.3 million sq.m, down from 40.8 million sq.m in 2008. As for import values, with its average selling price of 16.1 USD/sq.m, Italy remains firmly in top position amongst supplier countries with FOB sales of USD 350 million, followed

by Mexico with USD 191 million (average price 5.5 USD/sq.m) and China with USD 154 million (average price 5.7 USD/ sq.m).

14) Saudi Arabia has seen a further increase in imports from 99 to 116 million sq.m (+17.2%), making it the second largest importer country. More than half of its imports (66.8 million sq.m) originate from China, for which it is the leading ex-

Economics&Markets UK: SHARES OF CONSUMPTION 2009 TOTAL CONSUMPTION

50.0 million sq.m

Sales of domestic production

7.0 million sq.m 43.0 million sq.m

Main imports from:

sq.m/year, respectively.

1. SPAIN

19.9

16.5

12.7

2. TURKEY

11.3

10.5

8.3

3. CHINA

6.8

6.7

7.0

4. ITALY

10.5

8.7

6.5

5. BULGARIA

n.a.

n.a.

1.8

6. PORTUGAL

1.9

2.0

1.5

7. MALAYSIA

n.a.

n.a.

1.4

8. BRAZIL

1.9

2.0

1.3

9. GERMANY

n.a.

n.a.

0.5

TOTAL CONSUMPTION Sales of domestic production

28.2 million sq.m

Imports

78.0 million sq.m

Main imports from:

Main imports from:

123.9 million sq.m 2007

2008

2009

1. MEXICO

40.9

39.0

34.8

2. CHINA

32.7

28.7

27.2

3. ITALY

48.7

35.8*

21.8*

4. BRAZIL

27.7

15.2

10.0

6.2

5.8

7.3

19.8

11.4

7.1

7. COLOMBIA

3.9

4.5

5.3

8. TURKEY

6.5

2.6

2.5

9. PERU

2.2

4.4

2.3

10. ARGENTINA

2.9

2.1

1.5

5. THAILAND 6. SPAIN

* According to Confindustria Ceramica Italian exports to U.S.A. were 40.8 (2008) and 27.3 (2009) Source: US Dept. of Commerce

45.5 million sq.m

Imports

2007

2008

2009

1. ITALY

44.9

41.3

39.6

2. CHINA

4.4

7.3

8.2

3. SPAIN

8.5

7.4

6.4

4. CZECH REP.

4.9

5.8

6.3

5. TURKEY*

6.9

6.2

5.9

6. FRANCE

5.6

4.9

3.9

7. UAE

1.9

3.8

3.8

8. POLAND

0.3

0.8

2.3

9. PORTUGAL

1.4

1.2

1.3

FRANCE: SHARES OF CONSUMPTION 2009

169.1 million sq.m

Sales of domestic production

106.2 million sq.m

* According to Turkish Ceramic Federation exports to Germany were 7.5 (2008) and 6.7 (2009) Various sources

GERMANY: SHARES OF CONSUMPTION 2009

usa: SHARES OF CONSUMPTION 2009 TOTAL CONSUMPTION

2009

15) The top 20 importer countries account for a total volume of imports of 910 million sq.m of tiles, equivalent to 52.4% of total world import/export flows and 10.8% of total world tile consumption. In the relevant table we have included for the first time the share of each country’s total consumption that consists of imports. With the sole exceptions of Russia, Thailand and Italy, for all the other 17 countries imports account for well over half of local consumption and in 6 countries imports exceed 90% of domestic demand.

5

2008

55

TOTAL CONSUMPTION

113.0 million sq.m

Sales of domestic production

16.7 million sq.m

Imports Main imports from:

100.6 million sq.m 2007

2008

2009

1. ITALY

58.9

56.9

49.7

2. SPAIN

28.0

26.8

24.5

3. PORTUGAL

12.0

11.9

11.8

4. TURKEY

3.0

4.0

3.2

5. GERMANY

3.4

3.0

2.8

6. CHINA

1.2

2.8

2.6

7. UAE

0.5

1.3

1.0

8. CZECH REP.

n.a.

0.8

1.0

9. TUNISIA

0.5

1.3

0.7

10. BRAZIL

0.9

0.5

0.5

Various sources

port market. The second largest exporter to Saudi Arabia is Spain with 18.7 million sq.m.

This sharp rise in imports is a response to the growth in local demand that has continued uninterruptedly since 2005 and in 2009 reached 166 million sq.m (22% up on 2008).

The Saudi industry is also responding to this increase in demand with a production that increased last year from 40 to 55 million sq.m (+37.5%).

The largest producer, Saudi Ceramics, increased its production to 35 million sq.m, while the newly formed companies Future Ceramics and Alfanar have production capacities of 13 and 3.8 million

2007

Various sources

Imports

Tile International 4/2010

Economics&Markets

by Gian Paolo Crasta

The world’s top ceramic tile manufacturers

ď ‘

On the following pages we are publishing the results of our survey of the largest world ceramic groups, a survey that after just three years has become an eagerly-awaited appointment for all players in the sector (companies, institutes, funds and opinion makers) who make regular use of the data.

To further improve the survey, this year we are presenting the results for 2009 with rankings according to two different criteria.

Along with the ranking by production output - which continues to be the only suitable criterion for making an objective comparison between companies that differ enormously in terms of size, geographical location and product quality - we have added a ranking by value.

The following are a few points to facilitate interpretation of the tables.

Tile International 4/2010

For groups operating in a number of different areas of the ceramic industry, the published turnover data refer to the group turnover and therefore include revenues generated not just from the production and sale of tiles but also from activities in other segments such as sanitaryware, tableware, bathroom furnishing and raw materials, or even direct distribution (as indicated in the column for sectors of activity).

For the sake of uniformity we have excluded shares of turnover generated by other group businesses.

For this reason the ranking by value does not allow a direct comparison to be made between companies with a number of business activities and companies that operate solely in the tile segment.

For the same reason, the two rankings are not intended to provide a direct comparison between volumes and values (and even less to obtain estimates of average selling prices for each group), but to offer the most comprehensive overall picture possible of the various players in the global arena.

The two rankings naturally include different companies: the top

25 producers by volume are not necessarily the top 25 by value.

RAK, Ceramica Cleopatra and Marazzi Group feature amongst the top five groups in both rankings, albeit in different positions by volume and value.

The rest of the rankings are much more heterogeneous.

Italy dominates in terms of value This year’s new feature is the ranking based on turnover generated by the largest world groups.

This classification reveals a very different geographical distribution to that obtained from the ranking by volume. The groups that generate the biggest turnovers are mainly located in Europe or in any case in mature markets where consumers are more inclined to purchase products with greater added value.

Italian companies dominate the ranking and form the largest national group. These companies operate almost exclusively in the field of tile production and in spite of having outputs of below 24 million sq.m/year nonetheless generate turnovers that reflect average selling prices - and therefore product quality - well above those of many foreign competitors. The ranking is topped by the Roca Group (although the majority of its consolidated turnover is in the sanitaryware segment).

Only three Asian groups feature in the ranking.

56

The ranking does not include groups for which 2009 turnovers are not yet available. To provide as comprehensive a picture as possible, below the table we have provided the 2008 turnover figures for groups that would in any case have ranked amongst the top 25 world groups in terms of value.

Asia accounts for the largest volumes In 2009 the ranking by volume of the largest groups, which together account for around 15-20% of world production, maintained a more or less uniform distribution in all continents.

In other words, the ranking for the largest groups faithfully reflects the geographical location of world ceramic tile production.

The biggest manufacturing presence is in Asia, where 9 of the 25 ranked groups are located.

The Asian producers are also the ones that have been less affected by the fall in production triggered by the international crisis. Europe (including Turkey) is in second place with 8 groups, followed by the Americas with 6 and Africa with 2 groups.

The common factor shared by the groups topping the ranking of world production is internationalisation of production given that the majority have factories located in more than one country.

5

Economics&Markets The top ceramic tile manufacturers in value IN 2009 Groups 1

Roca Grupo www.rocatile.com

2

Ceramic sector turnover (mill. euro)

Employees

Sectors of activity Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware, Distribution network

1,420

18,700

Marazzi Group www.marazzigroup.com

801

6,000

Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware, Raw materials, Distribution network

3

Porcelanosa www.porcelanosagrupo.com

693

4,000

Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware, Distribution network, other products

4

RAK Ceramics www.rakceramics.com

631

8,500 Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware, Tableware

5

Ceramica Cleopatra Group www.cleopatraceramics.com

480

15,500 Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware

6

Lamosa Grupo www.lamosa.com

391

4,585 Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware

7

Cersanit www.cersanit.com

326

5,980 Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware

8

Siam Cement Group www.siamcement.com

302.1

4,663 Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware

9

Kale Group www.e-kale.com

300

3,000 Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware

10

Vitra Group www.vitra.com.tr

294.4

2,300

11

Panaria Group www.panaria.it

284.5

1,741 Ceramic tiles

12

Coop Imola www.imolaceramica.it

278.7

1,945 Ceramic tiles

13

Casalgrande Padana www.casalgrandepadana.com

275.6

1,089 Ceramic tiles

14

Gruppo Florim www.florim.it

259.7

1,489 Ceramic tiles

15

Lasselsberger www.lassselsberger.com

254

n.a. Ceramic tiles

16

Eliane www.eliane.com

214.7

2,617 Ceramic tiles

17

H&R Johnson India www.hrjohnsonindia.com

18

Interceramic www.interceramic.com

202.5

4,000 Ceramic tiles, Distribution network

19

Ricchetti Group www.ricchetti-group.com

194.5

1,789 Ceramic tiles

20

Granitifiandre www.granitifiandre.it

183.9

21

Vitromex www.vitromex.com

175

1,945 Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware

22

Dynasty Ceramics www.dynastyceramic.com

148

1,500 Ceramic tiles

23

Emilceramica www.pamesa.com

131.4

716 Ceramic tiles

24

Ceramic Industries www.ceramic.co.za

130.1

800

209

Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware, Distribution network

n.a. Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware

865 Ceramic tiles, Distribution network

Ceramic tiles, Sanitaryware, Distribution network

Copyright: Tile Edizioni The list of the top 24 manufacturers by value should also include the following groups, for which turnover data are available only up to 2008: Iris Group (excluding GranitiFiandre, 278,3 mill. euro), Gruppo Concorde (669 mill. euro).

57

Tile International 4/2010

Economics&Markets The top ceramic tile MANUFACTURERS in volume IN 2009 Groups

Production (mill. sq.m)

Production Capacity

Number of factories

% Exports

Locations

1

RAK Ceramics www.rakceramics.com

115

117

74

10 UAE, 1 Bangladesh, 15 1 Sudan, 1 China, 1 India, 1 Iran

2

Siam Cement Group www.siamcement.com

108

108

30

18

3

Ceramica Cleopatra Group www.cleopatraceramics.com

99

104

43

4

Marazzi Group www.marazzigroup.com

90

110

70

5

Prime Group www.ceramictiles.com.vn

90

90

n.a.

6

Lamosa Grupo www.lamosa.com

89

120

n.a.

7

Cersanit www.cersanit.com

61.5

61.5

40

3

8

Mulia www.muliaceramics.com

55 *

76

15

7 Indonesia

9

Dynasty Ceramics www.dynastyceramic.com

51.6

52

2

2 Thailand

10

Lasselsberger www.lassselsberger.com

50

59

n.a.

11

Gruppo Concorde www.gruppoconcorde.it

n.a.

50

66

12

Incefra www.incefra.com.br

48

60

20

3 Brazil

13

Kale Group www.e-kale.com

45

66

40

22 Turkey

14

Vitromex www.vitromex.com

42.7

58

32

15

Roca Grupo www.rocatile.com

40 *

50 *

n.a.

16

H&R Johnson India www.hrjohnsonindia.com

37.7

40

5

Iris Group 17 (including Granitifiandre) www.irisceramica.it

37.5

n.a.

70

18

Ceramic Industries www.ceramic.co.za

37.5

43

14

5

19

Majopar www.majopar.com.br

36

36

3.6

1 Brazil

20

Saudi Ceramics www.saudiceramics.com

35

35

14

3 Saudi Arabia

21

Daltile www.daltile.com

35 *

45 *

n.a.

22

Eliane www.eliane.com

33.7

36

15

6 Brazil

23

Guocera www.guocera.com

32.7

42

45

4

24

Interceramic www.interceramic.com

31.1

38

38

4 Mexico

25

Arwana Citramulia www.arwanacitra.com

30

31.5

1

* Estimates - Copyright: Tile Edizioni

Tile International 4/2010

58

17 Thailand, 1 Indonesia

8 Egypt n.a.

Italy, France, Spain, Russia, USA

9 Vietnam 10 Mexico 1 Poland, 1 Russia, 1 Ukraine

6 Czech Rep., 12 1 Slovakia, 2 Hungary, 3 Romania 10

8 Italy, 1 France, 1 Russia

5 Mexico 5 2 Spain, 3 Brazil 9 India n.a. Italy, 1 Germany, 1 USA 4 South Africa, 1 Australia

7 6 USA, 1 Mexico

3 Malaysia, 1 Vietnam

3 Indonesia

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1st World Olympiad for Urban Design (WOUD) Creativity for Urban Sustainability - The 1st World Olympiad for Urban Design (WOUD 2012) will be hosted by Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, UK

by W. Cecil Steward, FAIA, President, Joslyn Castle Institute for Sustainable Communities, Omaha/Lincoln, Nebraska

Reza Pourvaziry

Anna Tibaijuka

The objective of the World Olympiad for Urban Design is to address the global and local challenges posed by the rapid growth of cities through innovative urban design.

These include the well known social, cultural, economic and environmental challenges such as urban decay, social exclusion and environmental degradation.

They also include the recent focus on climate change, rising food and fuel prices, and peace and security.

These challenges have compelled UN-Habitat to focus its work for the next five years on "sustainable urban development" to be spearheaded by the World Urban Campaign.

The World Olympiad for Urban Design is conceived as a major contribution to this Campaign and as means of encouraging new approaches to building peaceful, comprehensive, and sustainable urban spaces through art and creativity, innovation and participation.

"Many of today's world's cities are expanding in an extremely rapid and anarchic manner, with little concern for public services, public infrastructure and public space" comments Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT and Under Secretary General of United Nations. "These problems are particularly acute in the cities of the developing world where the ever widening gulf between rich and poor is often symbolized by the development of exclusive gated communities on the one hand, and run-down neighborhoods or slums on the other. In

many cases, urban design processes are still based on colonial era planning laws, which encourage spatial segregation and fail to reflect the needs and priorities of urban residents in an inclusive manner. Urban space has remained throughout history a strong symbol and means of expression of power, wealth, belief and identity. The good governance of urban space is at the crossroad of the major social challenges of our time, and it is the ethical responsibility of our political leaders and of urban planners and designers to help make our

cities socially inclusive, environmentally sound, economically vibrant, culturally meaningful, and safe for all. As the leading United Nations Agency in the urban sector, UN-HABITAT is pleased to support this initiative and hope that it will contribute to revitalize the global debate on the role of urban planning and urban design in the new context of globalization, rapid urbanization and climate change. I wish the International Art & Architecture Research Association full success in organizing the first World Olympiad for Urban Design."

"The World Olympiad for Urban Design can trigger a chance in the way we interact, think, and approach "Cities", says Reza Pourvaziry, Secretary General of the World Olympiad of Urban Design President of international Art & Architecture Research Association. "This event, which is perhaps one of the biggest global

competitions in the world, can indeed change the face of the earth in the near future.

These changes will be profound.

We, people of the world, can achieve a better living environment and a much more beautiful and safer city by passionately competing with each other in a peaceful environment.

This will create the perfect grounds for the exchange of valuable experiences regarding the issue of "Urban Life Today" during the World Olympiad for Urban Design. To achieve the best result in terms of urban sustainable development we need the ideas and creativity of all the people in the world."

Contact Us, Kindly address your comments/suggestions to: International Art & Architecture Research Association (IAARA) - Unit 1, 12th floor, Iran Trade Center (ITC Tower), Afrigha Blvd. - Tehran, Iran Email: Office@iaara.org.ir -Website: www.iaara.org.ir - www.woud2011.org - Tel: + (98-21)26212537, + (98-21)26212516 - Fax: + (98-21)26212522

WOUD AWARDS ORGANIZATIONS

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Nairobi, Kenya, is the lead agency within the United Nations system to promote sustainable urbanization through policy formulation, institutional reform, capacity-building, technical cooperation and advocacy, and to monitor the state of human settlements in a rapidly urbanizing world, including, inter alia, the documentation of Best Practices (BP), and to promote and facilitate the exchange and transfer of experiences and knowledge for improving the living environment.

The International Art & Architecture Research Association (IAARA), Iran and London, was established in 2003 as a non-profit and non-governmental association with the goal to be effective in designing process, production and rehabilitation of the urban environment. The advisors of the organization are a number of well-known architects and university professors.

IAARA collaborates with national and international entities, universities and research institutions, in numerous architectural and operational training projects on urban management.

Activities of IAARA include the following: • Holding specialized training workshops and courses • Organizing world conferences and congresses holding national and international competitions.

• Documentation and information management • Training urban managers • Holding training and scientific tours inside and outside the country • Publishing books and magazines • Counsellorship in Art, Architecture, Urban development and urban management.

The organizers and sponsors intend to recognize global works, from as many of the global cultures as possible, in sustainable urban design, in multiple categories, for their contributions to the aggregate body of knowledge for best practices in making and sustaining livable, wholesome and safe cities. Best Practices have been defined by the United Nations and the International Community at large as practices that offer outstanding contributions to improve the living environment.

In the context of the WOUD, the entries will be judged a Best Practice when they demonstrate the following characteristics: • Have a demonstrable and tangible impact on improving people’s quality of life through a definitive design strategy; • Are the result of effective partnerships between the public, private and civic sectors of society.

• Are socially, culturally, economically, environmentally, technologically, and administratively sustainable within the cultural and political traditions of their origin.

Best Practices resulting from the WOUD will be promoted and added to the United Nations Best Practices and Local Leadership Data Base for use and reference by the International Community as a means of:

WORLD CITY COMPETITION

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

BRILLIANT IDEAS

It is recommended that the first WOUD be focused on a "World City Competition", whereby City Municipalities from all around the world will compete with each other by presenting urban design projects.

One city will compete from each member country of UN-HABITAT.

Secondly, it is recommended that WOUD I organize an international congress on "creativity for urban sustainability". The congress is envisioned to be presentations of juried projects and papers that present theories, perspectives, practices, or in general any creativity that will result in urban sustainability in accord with the above "Evaluation Guidelines".

A third element of the recommended venue for WOUD I would be a "Brilliant Ideas" Competition.

This competition is recommended to occur on site, during the course of the WOUD agenda, in a "charrette" format seeking "sketch" solutions to any of the Global and Regional elements of context listed above.

The competition (sketch) would be produced by teams consisting of one to three persons, no more than one team per UN HABITAT member nations. It is envisioned that many countries may wish to organize "elimination" competitions within their own nations to select the representative team to compete at the WOUD.

The proposed awards would be: • 1st Place: Gold Medal + $20,000 • 2nd Place: Silver Medal + $ 10,000 • 3rd Place: Bronze Medal + $ 5,000

The proposed awards would be: • 1st Place: Gold Medal + $10,000 • 2nd Place: Silver Medal + $ 5,000 • 3rd Place: Bronze Medal + $ 3,000 In addition $1000 will be given to 20 selected papers.

The recommended prizes would be: • 1st Place: Gold Medal + $10,000 • 2nd Place: Silver Medal + $ 5,000 • 3rd Place: Bronze Medal + $ 3,000

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• Improving urban design theory and methods, and public policy based on the evidence of workable solutions; • Raising awareness of professionals, decision-makers at all levels, and of the public about potential design solutions to common social, economic and environmental problems; • Sharing and transferring knowledge, expertise and experience through networking and peer-to-peer learning.

Economics&Markets

by Pier Giorgio Burzacchini

The unstoppable growth of Egypt In July this year minister Rashid M. Rashid opened a new singlefiring tile factory in 10th of Ramadan. Further major expansions and new plants will also be starting up production in Suez, Beni Swif and 6th of October.

These intriguing names, which refer to political and religious dates and events, represent the steps in the programme of national development and territorial planning that began more than 20 years ago and is continuing with great vigour and consistency (the current President has been in office since 1981).

The satellite cities mentioned are industrial and residential centres located in the western desert and in the plain east of Cairo (at distances of between a few dozen to more than 70 ki-

Tile International 4/2010

lometres from the capital).

Completely artificial, linked by major roads and connected up to the national electrical grid, these cities have unquestionably fuelled the modern development of Egypt’s industry, but they have not had the hopedfor effect of shifting the population away from the capital.

Compared to the 59 million inhabitants recorded in the 1996 census, including 11 million in Cairo, the country now has a population of 77 million people according to current estimates, more than 22 million of whom live in Cairo!

Cairo is an extraordinary city, a city that never sleeps and is teeming with life, traffic and mystery‌ not to mention building sites.

The rate of population growth (more than 2% in recent years) exerts an almost physical pressure on the city, causing it to expand in all directions with new residential districts and new roads that extend like tentacles.

I have been to Egypt many times in the last twelve years or so and even in this short period of time there have been enormous changes.

No more than eight years ago, on the Desert Road that leads to Alexandria, just a short way from the Pyramids of Giza, a fixed national

62

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Economics&Markets

security checkpoint effectively marked the beginning of the desert. Today this demarcation point no longer exists, supplanted by kilometres of large stores, car dealerships, computer firms, exclusive garden cities … and the unstoppable, advancing armies of 10-12 floor apartment buildings!

An enormous new ring road that was opened last year, known as the “corridor”, connects the new districts externally to the city but will soon be absorbed into the urban fabric.

Apart from a brief slowdown prompted by a sharp rise in steel prices a couple of years ago (subsequently capped), the building industry has grown without crises in the last five years at an estimated annual rate of 6-8%, a figure that is unmatched by the other rapidly-expanding countries of North Africa and is showing no sign of slowing.

At more than 60%, residential building is the real driving force of the industry, and a significant percentage of the middle classes already own second homes, whether a terraced house in the rows that extend for kilometres along the coast west of Alexandria or a small suburban apartment purchased as an investment. This intense activity affects all cities, icluding obviously Alexandria, from Qena in the south to Tanta and Mansura in the Delta and Ismailiya in the El Faiyum oasis.

Some 50 kilometres from this

Tile International 4/2010

oasis, in the middle of the desert halfway to Cairo, stands a new City of the Dead with tens of thousands of small house-like tombs.The famous old cemetery in the capital in fact no longer has space to expand and has been colonised by homeless families who live in the old tombs (renting, subletting, illegally, in any case in their hundreds of thousands!).

Another important aspect of the building sector is the booming tourist industry with the new holiday villages on the Red Sea and the numerous spectacular large hotels in the capital.

This all equates to millions of square metres of surfaces to be tiled, with an annual per capita consumption that is well above the official figure of 2 square metres.

EGYPTIAN TILE PRODUCING COMPANIES Company

However, the issue of figures remains a minefield. There is no trade association for the sector, there are no aggregate figures available from the ministries, there is no clarity regarding the degree of usage of installed capacity and undeclared trade dominates much of the market.

It is clear that Egypt now knows and appreciates the use of tiles.

Consumption has expanded at all levels and is driving what has become a truly enormous industry in recent years.

By the end of 2010 the plants installed in Egypt will be able to produce a total of 1 million square metres a day (more than

64

No. of plants and date of planned expansions

Al Amir

2 (August 2010)

Al Ezz

2

Al Omaraa

2 (August 2010)

Alpha Group

1 (February 2011)

Aracemco

1

Cleopatra Group

7, of which 3 in 10th of Ramadan + Aldorado, Fancy 1, Fancy 2, El King

El Alamia

1

Horizon

1

Lecico

1 (December 2010)

MICC

4 (December 2010)

Omega

1

Pharaohs

6, of which 5 in Al Faiyoum and one in Alexandria

Prima

2

Pyramids

1

Royal

1

Societé Generale

1

Venezia

1 (December 2010)

Venus

1

New factories under construction and locations

Planned start-up

Al Shark (Beni Swif)

June 2010

Art (6th of October)

June 2010

Varsina (10th of Ramadam)

July 2010

Verdi (Suez)

August 2010

There are 22 companies operating in Egypt, many of them with a number of facilities located in different areas. During the summer of 2010 four completely new companies began production (Al Shark, Art, Varsina and Verdi) and by the end of February 2011 major expansions are due to be completed at 6 existing facilities (Al Omaraa, Pyramids, MICC, Venezia, Alpha Group, Lecico).

The 11 factories operating in the sanitaryware sector are largely owned by tile producing companies.

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Economics&Markets

300 million sq.m/year). A culture of product quality has not yet developed.

Factories often operate in critical environmental conditions (the extremely fine desert sand gets everywhere) and with poorly trained personnel, but the situation is improving rapidly.

Moreover, we should not forget that some Egyptian companies have attained a high standard of excellence: they have accumulated experience and success, they produce porcelain tile alongside the generic and common red single fired tile, they are able to export their products and for years they have been taking part in the sector’s leading trade fairs. The most obvious example is Cleopatra, which ranks third amongst world ceramic groups in terms of output volumes (see pag. 56).

The government has always focused strongly on this industrial sector which employs more than 6,000 people. It has been generous with its pricing policies for gas, electricity, water and industrial land, and continues to protect the market from imports with tariffs of 15%.

A Ceramic Technology Centre was founded a year ago under the aegis of the Ministry of Industry and Innovation; exchanges have been organised with Italian institutions; and seminars and specific study days have been held. Above all, in mid November Cairo hosted the second International Ceramic

Tile International 4/2010

& Sanitary Exhibition, which following its first successful edition in 2009 has become an annual showcase for professional buyers in the sector and for the general public.

This will allow the public to evaluate European products, comparing their quality and aesthetic appeal with those of local offerings.

Imports have been very limited to date (around 1.5 million sq.m/year), while exports to African counties and the Gulf region amount to around 10% of output volumes and are increasing.

The history of the Egyptian ceramic industry began about 20 years ago with an annual production of 5 million sq.m of tiles.

This figure increased to 60 million sq.m in 2000 and now certainly stands at well over 200 million sq.m, putting Egypt well on the way to attaining 10th position in the world rankings of producer countries.

At the same time sanitaryware production has increased (15 million pieces/year produced by 11 companies), while two companies have long been operating in the field of stoneware pipes and insulators. The tableware and terracotta sector is more fragmented. Moreover, the fact that the Egyptians are excellent potters is demonstrated by five thousand years of history. The brick and roof tile sector cannot yet be described as an

66

industry given that it consists of thousands of small production centres (often at a family level throughout the Delta area) producing small extruded soft mud bricks and roof tiles, while firing is performed in small Hofmann kilns. Hopefully this sector will soon be able to attain a more appropriate industrial scale.

Virtually all the manufacturing machinery for tiles and sanitaryware comes from Italy, which as part of its strong focus on Egypt’s growth has provided technological assistance, set up support and service facilities and developed local partnerships.

Now in Egypt, frits are fused, moulds reconditioned and rollers engraved and it has become easy to obtain auxiliary chemical products, alumina grinding media and spare parts.

The growth in the number of factories has gone hand in hand with increased exchange of information between technicians of various levels, resulting in a natural growth in experience and partnerships.

It has been said and written in the ceramic world that 2010 will be Egypt’s year. Whether or not this is true, it is in any case an important moment in terms of the results achieved and the rapidly accelerating growth. This will certainly not be a short-term phenomenon given that the country’s overall growth and housing expansion are bound to continue.

5

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by Luca Baraldi

Estima acquires Sok

Samara factory

scuss the new developments.



Estima, one of the largest tile manufacturers in the Russian Federation, completed the acquisition of the young Russian company Sok in July this year.

Estima, which holds a significant share of the Russian ceramic market and has an extensive network of branches throughout Russia, 16 representation offices in the country’s major cities and export shares in former Soviet republics, has reached full capacity usage at its facilities, prompting the decision to expand through acquisitions rather than to make investments in further production capacity.

Estima is also the only porcelain tile supplier for a major state programme to renovate residential building in Moscow, for which it has already supplied more than 2 million sq.m of tiles.

We met Estima’s general manager Karen Ogadzhanov to di-

Tile International 4/2010

Marmi Collection

Estima external claddings

68

Tile International: Why did you choose Sok? Karen Ogadzhanov: Sok is a young company that has been operating since 2004 and is equipped with three modern porcelain tile production lines from Sacmi, enabling us to enormously increase our shares of the local market in this segment.

The company is also situated in a strategic region.

Its facility in Samara is at the centre of Russia but at the same time close to the country’s southern borders, to the regions of the Urals and Siberia, and to Kazakhstan.

Tile International: What advantages and synergies will you be able to establish?

K. Ogadzhanov: The main advantage of this operation is greater production flexibility, enabling us to expand our product range

Economics&Markets

and divide up production more effectively between the two factories so as to control quantities and production rates.

Tile International: So what is your current output?

K. Ogadzhanov: With this new acquisition our total production has reached 14 million sq.m/ year.

Of this, 8 million sq.m is produced at our old facility Estima Noginsk and 6 million sq.m at the Sok fac-

tory, now called Estima Samara.

Tile International: What brand names will you use?

K. Ogadzhanov: Most products will be sold under the Estima brand name, but we will continue to produce Sok brand tiles to meet customer requirements.

Tile International: And what about the production?

K. Ogadzhanov: We are expanding our range of glazed porcelain tile.

At Mosbuild 2010 we presented three new collections that reproduce wood, granite and travertine marble.

These will mainly be sold through dealers, a channel in which we plan to improve our position.

Tile International: How do you expect the Russian ceramic market to evolve?

K. Ogadzhanov: Following several years of significant growth, which ended in mid 2008, we

estimate that in 2009 the Russian ceramic market contracted by 35%, consisting of a 25% fall in domestic production and an approximately 55% drop in imports.

The market is currently stagnant and we expect to see a moderate recovery with 6-7% growth as of 2011.

5

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harmonious colours and modular formats: EAST END – tiles for walls and floors

www.villeroy-boch.com /professionals/fliesen

Economics&Markets

by Israel Gonzalez, Ex-President Of Mexican Ceramic Society (2008-2009)

An increasing focus on “designed in Mexico”

Israel Gonzalez



What are the new challenges facing one of the largest and oldest ceramic producer countries?

Certainly not the need to recover production volumes lost due to the recession, nor the search for new export models to compensate for the gradual contraction of the domestic market.The Mexican ceramic industry is in fact in excellent health, as demonstrated by the production figures for 2009, and growth is expected to continue over the next few years.

Ceramic tiles are the most popular surface covering material used by the growing Mexican population. By 2025 the country’s

Tile International 4/2010

population is expected to reach 134 million, a sharp increase over the current 110 million. This population increase will drive a boom in public and private building.

Tiles According to a survey conducted by Sociedad Mexicana de Ceramica, tile production in 2009 remained at 2008 levels of around 205 million sq.m. More than 70% of this output is sold on the domestic market, while the rest is exported, mainly to North America and in particular to the United States. Last year Mexico was the top exporter country in

terms of value to the USA, ahead of European producers, and is expected to maintain this result over the next two years.

The main Mexican producers are: Porcelanite Lamosa (120 million sq.m), Vitromex (50.0 million sq.m), Interceramic (36.0 million sq.m), Dal Tile (12.0 million sq.m), Nitropiso (5 million sq.m), Santa Julia (4.5 million sq.m), Cesantoni (3.5 million sq.m) and Orion (3.0 million sq.m). These figures refer to plant capacity and consider all product types: single firing, double firing and porcelain tile.

It is expected that the total production for 2010 will be close to

70

210 million sq.m and that in 2011 it will reach 215 million sq.m.

Sanitaryware Mexico is also one of the leading ceramic sanitaryware producer countries. At the end of 2009 national production capacity amounted to around 28 million pieces, approximately 10% of world production, a figure that places Mexico sixth in the rankings of producer countries after China, India, Russia, Brazil and Thailand.

Contrary to the situation for tiles, 70% of output volumes are exported, again principally to the

Economics&Markets

North American market. Exports to Europe are also expected to grow due to the good quality-to-price ratio and potential changes in trade agreements between European countries and Mexico, which currently penalise Mexican exports.

The main manufacturers in the sanitaryware sector, among others, are: Ideal Standard (7.3 million pieces), Kohler (5.3 million pieces), Lamosa (2.9 million pieces), Vilbomex (2.1 million pieces), Orion (2.0 million pie-

ces), Cato (1.5 million pieces) and Toto (0.5 million pieces).

These amounts are forecasts of 2010 production.

The new challenges In view of the excellent state of health of the Mexican industry, what are the challenges facing producers over the next few years?

Given the Mexican ceramic industry’s excellent level of technology and therefore quality,

largely achieved through the excellent partnerships built up with Italian technology suppliers over the years, local producers feel a strong need to promote the national and international image of their products.

For this purpose, Sociedad Mexicana de Ceramica has been working for the past year on a promotional campaign to foster an awareness of the value of Mexican products amongst local and international consumers. But this is not the Mexican

ceramic industry’s only goal.

It also intends to replace the concept of “made in Mexico” with that of “designed in Mexico” to create products based on local traditions that have a clearly defined and recognisable aesthetic identity.

To help drive this change, last year Sociedad Mexicana de Ceramica launched the first design competition for industrial ceramic, which produced very encouraging results.

5

IN

ITALY C

100

% MA

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C TIFI ATE ER

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ITPI

PAVIMENTI e MOSAICI IN LEGNO ECOCOMPATIBILI ECO-COMPATIBLE WOOD and MOSAIC FLOORS

MADE IN ITALY

IDEAL LEGNO S.r.l.

Via Dante Alighieri, 24 - loc. Premaore · 30010 Camponogara (Venezia) Italy · Tel. +39 041 515 0520 · Fax +39 041 515 8133 · w w w. i d e a l - l e g n o. c o m · i n f o @ i d e a l - l e g n o. c o m

Wood & design

Wood, design and the link between the two



“To make a table you need wood, to make wood you need a tree…”. So says an Italian song called “Ci vuole un fiore” (you need a flower) written by Gianni Rodari and set to music by Sergio Endrigo and Luis Bacalov.

Was he perhaps thinking, when he wrote it, that everything, even the most precious objects, have their origins in the simplicity of nature? A nature which is at the same time a teacher and a teller of stories, a mother and a begetter of magnificent works. Let’s take Pinocchio, for example:

PARCHETTIFICIO TOSCANO - Opus Ligneo

Tile International 4/2010

74

“It was not a fine wood, but a simple piece of wood from the wood yard - the kind we put in stoves and fireplaces, so as to make a fire and heat the rooms.”

So whether it was because Master Cherry needed some new table legs, or because Geppetto wanted to make a bit of extra cash by travelling the world with

MISTER PARQUET - Il Circolo Dell’Antico Parquet

by Silvia Bertolani

Wood & design

PARQUET IN - Elegant IDEAL LEGNO - Mosaico

WOODCO - Alpen Art & Design - Skin

ALBERANI - Cellular by Piero Surdo e Lorenzo Gemma

PIEMONTE PARQUETS - Quercus Antiqua

IPF PARQUET - Chic a puppet, the fact of the matter is that a combination of need and inventiveness prompted the transformation of that “simple piece of wood from the wood yard� into something original and unique. A boy, no less!

Obviously nature is capable of more significant works, and the history of wood and parquet does not cross paths with the story of Pinocchio. But the history

75

of man and the history of wood do interweave: tools and utensils, toys and weapons, even the first houses were made of wood; a material that's well suited to preserving memories and traditions because, barring catastrophes, it resurfaces intact even centuries after its construction, to remind us of how things used to be. History then points towards the future, like a compass, and

Tile International 4/2010

ANTICO E’ - Lihtos

Wood & design

FLORIAN - Arteflò® Trend

STILE - Stile Lab

MARGARITELLI - Medoc® by M. De Lucchi

indicates trajectories for progress, which unite man with nature, in a relationship of mutual respect and discipline. Not to mention creativity.

Now, in these challenging times, characterised by boundaries that lack clarity and colours that lack definition, in which the eco-system appeals to an eco-world to save the eco-nomy, we too, like Geppetto, have taken our piece of wood and asked it to come to life in an original manner, that’s both striking and suggestive of quality. High quality.

We have asked it to take us by the hand and come with us into the near future; to take us to a Land of Toys with no donkeys or Fire Eaters, painted with nothing more than that inspiration and

Tile International 4/2010

76

Wood & design

TABU - Caleidosystem

ANTICO E’ - Lihtos, Esedra

GAZZOTTI - Vintage casual ease that give character and personality.

With an abundance of images intended to speak for themselves, we have showcased the creativity of those companies that generate ideas and innovations designed to embellish our daily lives, with respect for nature and natural appearance, using the traditional characteristics of wood - such as hardness, strength, warmth, thermal and acoustic insulation, etc. - to bring a touch of daring and distinction to our living spaces, whether offices, homes, shops or

BRUNO - Teknomaxi Le Guidò

77

Tile International 4/2010

Wood & design “Le cose di ogni giorno raccontano segreti a chi le sa guardare ed ascoltare...”

Everyday things tell secrets to those who know how to look and listen out for them… from “Ci vuole un fiore”, lyrics by Gianni Rodari, Music by Sergio Endrigo and Bacalov – Edizioni BMG Ricordi Spa

MASTER FLOOR - Gloss®

restaurants.

As in the workshops of a top fashion house, therefore, skilled “industrialised craftspeople”have dressed us in a kaleidoscope of colour and irregular patterns, and made us up with gloss, mother-of-pearl and brilliantine finishes, without necessarily covering the signs of ageing, that recall so clearly the nobility and

TARKETT - Epoque 162

CADORIN - Teak-Listoni Oro

ARBOL - Duchamp

Tile International 4/2010

78

richness of the material.

The warmth and natural character of wood embrace the inspirations and requirements of human beings, who are searching ever more urgently for points of reference that combine solidity of substance with variability of form, thus offering infinite stimuli to designers, who can then appeal to an increasingly refined and discerning public, with the simplicity of an old material in a new guise.

5

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Exhibition Calendar More exhibitions on www.CeramicWorldWeb.it BUDMA (Building) Poznan (Poland) - 11/14 January 2011 BAU (Building) Munich (Germany) - 17/22 January 2011 SURFACES (Wall and floor surfaces) Las Vegas (USA) - 25/27 January 2011

!

CEVISAMA (Ceramic floor and wall tile, bathroom furnishing) Valencia (Spain) - 8/11 February 2011 UNICERA (Ceramic floor and wall tile) Istanbul (Turkey) - 2/6 March 2011

!

COVERINGS (Ceramic floor and wall tile, natural stone) Las Vegas (USA) - 14/17 March 2011 INDIAN CERAMICS (Ceramic tiles and production technology) Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India) - 15/17 March 2011

!

ISH (Bathrooms, plumbing and heating, renewable energy) Frankfurt (Germany) - 15/19 March 2011 REVESTIR (Ceramic floor and wall tiles) Sao Paulo (Brazil) - 22/25 March 2011 EXPO BUILD CHINA (Building, ceramic tiles, sanitaryware) Shanghai (China) - 29 March/1 April 2011

!

MOSBUILD (Building) Moscow (Russia) - 5/8 April 2011 I SALONI Milan (Italy) - 12/17 April 2011 STONETECH BEIJING (Natural stone products and processing technology) Beijing (China) - 20/23 April 2011 TURKEYBUILD ISTANBUL (Building) Istanbul (Turkey) - 27 April/1 May 2011 STONE+TEC (Marble and processing machinery) Nuremberg (Germany) - 22/25 June 2011 EPF (Ceramic tiles and wood flooring) Feuchtwangen (Germany) - 30 June/2 July 2011 KAZBUILD (Building) Almaty (Kazakhstan) - 7/10 September 2011

!

CERSAIE (Ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings) Bologna (Italy) - 20/24 September 2011

Tile International 4/2010

80

http://global.inax.co.jp/ e-mail: global@i2.inax.co.jp HEAD OFFICE: 5-1, Koie-Honmachi, Tokoname, Aichi, 479-8585, Japan TEL: +81-569-36-0360 FAX: +81-569-35-5813 TOKYO OFFICE: Tornare Nihombashihama-cho Office Tower 8F, 3-3-2, Nihombashihama-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0007 Japan TEL: +81-3-5649-1157 FAX: +81-3-5649-7119 INAX Italia S.r.l.: Via Aurelio Saffi, 12 20123 Milan, Italy TEL: +39-02-4801-3109 FAX: +39-02-4801-3130 e-mail: Inax.milan@iol.it