Tile International 1/2012 by Kairos Media Group (div. ceramics)

ISSN2039-8301

Mosbuild & Coverings

2012

Advertising

Available also in 12mm thickness

standard laying

raised laying

laying on sand and gravel

laying on grass

wire natural in.out

sense it... - at COTTO

Coverings 2012

Booth number 4672

in Orlando, FL on April 17 - 20, 2012

at the Orange County Convention Center

www.modenamarketing.it

FIRST CLASS ONLY.

Tile International reaches thousands of distribution professionals all over the world with the latest trends in floor and wall tiles, bathroom furnishing and interior finishes

www.tiledizioni.it

Entrepreneurial culture and sense of responsibility Casalgrande Padana has produced porcelain stoneware slabs since 1960 and we have always worked to foster the integration between the culture of products and the entrepreneurial culture, to be interpreted as a sense of responsibility and sharing. We feel responsible for the environment, for those who work with us and for customers, to whom we guarantee products striking the perfect balance between ethics and aesthetics, for example in the Bios* line, the complete line of patented antibacte*

rial porcelain stoneware. Sharing because we produce culture and enhance design and wish to share this with the community, starting from the assumption that the sense of beauty should be experienced as a resource available to all and not as a privilege for the happy few. This is the meaning attached by Casalgrande Padana to its entrepreneurial spirit today. This means placing human beings and the environment always al the heart of all corporate strategies.

www. biosinside. com

Casalgrande Padana SPA - Via Statale 467, 73 - 42013 Casalgrande (RE) - Italia T. +39.0522.9901 - F. +39.0522.841010 www.casalgrandepadana.com - marketing@casalgrandepadana.it

Advertising

claudiomancinistudio.com

Casalgrande Ceramic Cloud The first work by Kengo Kuma in Italy was ordered by Casalgrande Padana, constructed with porcelain stoneware slabs and donated to the local community.

Advertiser's list January-March 2012 - N. 1

Publisher:

Azulev 17

Tile Edizioni S.r.l. Via Fossa Buracchione 84 • 41126 Baggiovara (Modena) • Italy Tel. +39 059 512 103 • Fax +39 059 512 157 info@tiledizioni.it • www.ceramicworldweb.it

Cotto 2-3 Casalgrande Padana

Codice Fiscale / P. IVA: IT02778050365 - Capitale Sociale: 51.400,00 € R.E.A. 329775 - Iscr. al Registro delle Imprese di Modena

Future 27

Dural 25

Periodico trimestrale registrato presso il Tribunale di Modena al n. 1828 in data 21/02/2007 - Iscrizione ROC n. 9673 Editor and Publishing coordination: Chiara Bruzzichelli

II Cop

Iris

III Cop

Litokol 18/20 Marocchi 77 Montolit 73

Advertising:

NovaBell 21

• Tile Edizioni ms. Paola Giacomini ms. Elisa Verzelloni Tel. +39 059 822 337 Fax +39 059 826 803 p.giacomini@tiledizioni.it e.verzelloni@tiledizioni.it

• Translation: - Geoff Day - John Freeman

• mr. Alberto Tolomelli Tel/Fax: +39 051 381 939 Mobile: +39 335 594 8681 a.tolomelli@tiledizioni.it

• www.tiledizioni.it/subscription

• Studio Mitos mr. Michele Tosato (Triveneto) Tel. +39 0422 892 368 Fax +39 0422 891 055 Mobile: +39 348 8732626 michele@studiomitos.it

• Each copy: Euro 4 • Subscription: - Italy, 1 year: Euro 50 - Abroad, 1 year: Euro 70 - Italy, 2 years: Euro 70 - Abroad, 2 years: Euro 90

Progress Profiles

Raimondi 19 Saudi Ceramics

Schlüter Systems

Sigma 29 Tagina 1 TCNA 31 Tecnargilla 80 Tecnografica Tek Arredamenti TLS of Italy

• Graphic Layout: Sara Falsetti

IV Cop 23 9

TopCer 51

• Print: Arbe Industrie Grafiche S.p.A. Via Emilia Ovest, 1014 41123 Modena - Italy

Turkish Association

VitrA 41

• Photoliphie: Vaccari Zincografica Via E. Salgari, 61 41123 Modena - Italy

med

Spedizione in a.p. presso la Filiale di Modena. L’IVA sugli abbonamenti, nonché sulla vendita dei fascicoli separati, è assolta dall’Editore ai sensi dell’art 74 primo comma lettera C del DPR 26.10.72 N. 633 e successive modificazioni. © 1989 Tile Italia

GranitiFiandre

mu LTi

• Contributing editors: - Silvia Bertolani - Christian Brunsmann - Sara Falsetti - Paola Giacomini - Andrew Whitmire • Secretariat: info@tiledizioni.it

This NEW logo indicates that

Tile Edizioni srl, in conformità al “testo unico sulla privacy”, garantisce la riservatezza dei dati usati per gli abbonamenti e per gli scopi tipici della stampa specializzata e la possibilità di modificarli o cancellarli (art. 7 del D.L. 196/2003) a mezzo richiesta scritta. Tutti i diritti di riproduzione e traduzione degli articoli pubblicati sono riservati. E’ vietata la riproduzione anche parziale senza l’autorizzazione dell’Editore. L’Editore non assume responsabilità per opinioni espresse dagli autori dei testi redazionali e pubblicitari.

multimedia content is available for

your tablet

Contents

keep

App -to-date with

11 - Editorial

Contrasting signals from the market

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

FotoNews 12 - Maximum by Fiandre: oversize formats inspired by space 14 - Lab 03 by Kos: ADI Compasso d’Oro Award 2011 16 - Tilefax Economic&Market 32 - Italian tile industry driven by exports 36 - News from Spain

by Paola Giacomini

Focus on... Mosbuild 38 - Russia rides the recovery 42 - 49 Countries in Moscow 44 - Companies at Mosbuild

by Paola Giacomini

52 - Project

Mapei and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

56 - Topics

Andretto Design, the Evolution of Mosaic

58 - Project

Mosbuild & Coverings

for tablet and

smartphone

free

download

Düsseldorf Central Train Station: Uncoupling

gets travelers on their way

by Christian Brunsmann

62 - Topics

Litokol puts down roots in China

Focus on... Coverings 64 - USA shows signs of recovery 67 - Coverings 2012 returns to Orlando 68 - Companies at Coverings Cover picture by: NOVOGRES - www.novogres.es

by Andrew Whitmire

ISSN2039-8301

Photo by: Giancarlo Pradelli (www.giancarlopradelli.com) Advertiser’s list: page 7 Subscription order form: www.tiledizioni.it/subscription Translations: Geoff Day / John Freeman

Mosbuild & Coverings

2012

Advertising

Schlüter ®-Systems Advertising

Innovations for limitless shower enjoyment Innovationen für grenzenloses Duschvergnügen

 Schlüter -KERDI-LINE ®

Linear drainage channels & grate/frame combinations and frameless covering support Linienentwässerung & Rost- / Rahmenkombinationen sowie rahmenlose Rinnenabdeckung für alle Belagstärken

 Schlüter -KERDI-SHOWER ®

Sloped trays and levelling boards Gefälle- und Ausgleichsboards

 Schlüter -SHOWERPROFILE ®

Wall transition and sloped profile Wand-Anschluss- und Gefälleprofil

Schlüter ®-BEKOTEC-THERM The ceramic thermal comfort floor Der Keramik-Klimaboden

 Low construction height  No screed joints  Quick reacting radiant heated floors  Even distribution of heat  Low supply temperature  Low heating cost Geringe Konstruktionshöhe Fugenloser Estrich

Schnell reagierende Fußbodenheizung Gleichmäßige Wärmeverteilung Niedrige Vorlauftemperatur Geringe Heizkosten

Schlüter-Systems KG · Schmölestraße 7 · D-58640 Iserlohn · Tel.: +49 2371 971-0 · Fax: +49 2371 971-111 · www.schlueter-systems.com

Editorial

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

Contrasting signals from the market

Russia has coped with the crisis much better than other countries: on the back of high prices for oil and agricultural produce, the country increased its GDP by 4.3% in 2011. Forecasts for 2012 are more cautious, howev-

er, with experts predicting an increase of “just” 3%. Estimated at around 6% in 2011 and 2012, inflation is falling to the minimum levels seen in the 1990s, and according to the OECD, could drop to 5% in 2013. Against this backdrop, the construction industry is also recovering, and although no increases were recorded in the first half of 2011, growth shot up in July by 17.6% and again in August by 12.4% (Source: Constructionrussia.com). By the end of the year, 88% of construction industry managers saw the current economic situation as favourable, and 21% forecast further improvements in 2012. And in December 2011, the Ministry for Regional Development announced the allocation of 3.5 billion dollars for residential building this year. These conditions have enabled

the ceramic tile industry to record a substantial upturn too: national tile consumption in 2011 reached 181 million sq.m (up 14.4% on 2010), which is close to the record of 191 million sq.m recorded in 2008. The majority of this increase in demand has been taken up by imports, which at 55.9 million sq.m (up 35.7% on 2010), exceeded even their 2008 peak. Local tile production rose too in 2011, from 126 to 135.6 million sq.m (up 7.5% on 2010). For further details see pages 32/34. Construction activity in the United States, by contrast, remained deeply depressed in 2011, with new home start-ups reaching their lowest point yet. According to the US Census Bureau, over 18% of homes in Florida are unoccupied. Mortgage defaults, meanwhile, have reached an all-time high, as have the number of months of

arrears on mortgage repayments, which are in the order of 40 months. In fact, sales figures in 2011 reached their lowest level since records began in 1963. Sales rose in the last quarter of 2011, however, and the early months of 2012 have given further grounds for cautious optimism: according to the latest Census Bureau report, sales of new homes reached 321,000 units in January, as against an estimated sales forecast of 315,000, representing a 3.5% rise on the 310,000 units recorded in January 2011. Also in January, confidence in the US real estate sector, as indicated by the NAHB index (National Association of Home Builders), rose to 25 points from 21 the previous month. This is the fourth consecutive rise, bringing the index to its highest level since June 2007. 5

med

This NEW logo indicates that multimedia content is available for your tablet

LTi

The publication of Tile International 1/2012, which is distributed worldwide, is timed to coincide with the international trade fairs Mosbuild (Moscow, 2-5 April) and Coverings (Orlando, Florida, USA, 17-20 April). As such it devotes plenty of space to the ceramic markets of the United States and of Russia and Eastern Europe. For both regions, we have analysed general market performance and commented on the available data. We have also compiled distinct “product galleries” showcasing collections that reflect the tastes and trends prevailing in different geographical areas.

Tile International 1/2012

FOTOnews - FOTOnews - FOTOnews - FOTOnews - FOTOnews - FOTOnews MAXIMUM by FIANDRE: oversize formats inspired by space MAXIMUM adopts an innovative format measuring 300x150 cm and thicknesses of 3 and 6 mm – meaning that each sheet offers a surface area of 4.5 sq.m – and combines the established characteristics that make Fiandre’s porcelain tile range a top-end product, with new, outstandingly high-performance properties: • Finishes: Maximum sheets offer a new Polished finish, made possible by the leadingedge production technology for through-body decoration. • Flexibility: the thin gauge of Maximum is ideal for creating dynamic forms. • Three types of MARBLE - Taxos Maximum, Michelangelo Statuario Maximum and Marfil Maximum. • ASTER collection: pushes back the frontiers of porcelain

Tile International 1/2012

s - FOTOnews - FOTOnews ceramic coverings with an unprecedented design inspired by the brushed effect of concrete, with a graduated palette of colours ranging from the anthracite of Moon to the diaphanous pallor of Uranus. The range also includes two shades of grey: a lighter variant called Venus, evoking the luminosity of the planet from which it takes its name, and a darker one called Mercury, evoking the craters of the planet Mercury. The reddish beige of Mars, meanwhile, draws inspiration from the colour shades associated with the red planet. MAXIMUM,â&#x20AC;&#x153;a covering for every surfaceâ&#x20AC;?: for indoor and outdoor applications on floors and walls alike, over extensive areas or as a surface finish, thanks to its ease of installation (cutting, drilling, grouting, etc.), for any interior design piece or furnishing complement.

Tile International 1/2012

FOTOnews - FOTOnews - FOTOnews - FOTOnews - FOTOnews - FOTOnews Lab 03 by Kos: ADI Compasso d’Oro Award 2011 In July last year, Lab 03 by Kos won the ADI Compasso D’Oro Award 2011. Singled out from a total of over 450 projects for its iconographic and design value, Lab 03 will join the ADI Foundation’s Historic Collection of Compasso d’Oro Award Winners, which has been designated a national heritage asset by Italy’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage. Thanks to its compact size (48.5x40xh89 cm), Lab 03 is ideal for small environments and contract applications. Lab 03 is made of Cristalplant®, by means of cold casting in a single mould with two shells. Designers: Ludovica+Roberto Palomba_designer   Manufacturer: Gruppo Zucchetti.Kos

Tile International 1/2012

s - FOTOnews - FOTOnews -

Tile International 1/2012

Tilefax

Companies, News & Markets Tagina steps outdoors

agement of special projects have earned Bre-

The different mix of visitors makes it an extreme-

vetti Montolit the respect not only of its

ly attractive appointment for exhibitors.

Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte has launched an out-

customers/users, but also of materials manu-

This year’s show incorporated the first edition of

door tile that can also be used for indoor appli-

facturers, for whom the collaboration between

LivingInteriors (16-22 January), an event dedi-

cations.

technical departments and specifiers repre-

cated to interior design and living-space prod-

Wire and Woodays are the company’s two latest

sents a key element in the success of many in-

ucts in all their forms. For the first time, Ceram-

products, of which the first is characterised by a

novative and revolutionary products.

iche Coem decided to take part in the exhibition,

stone-like texture, and the second draws inspira-

The success and increasingly widespread use

with a sober, white stand that fully reflected the

tion from the warm tones and solid feel of wood.

of large-format tiles has prompted Brevetti Mon-

essential concept of the company. Visitors to

What they have in common is the most ad-

tolit to offer new tools better suited to the instal-

the stand enjoyed a first-hand view of the com-

vanced technological research, directed to-

lation of these products. In 2009 the company

pany’s beautiful new stones, such as Pietra Val-

wards creating a sense of continuity between

unveiled Monster, the first manual tile cutter for

malenco and Millerighe, and various other ar-

the various areas of the house.

large-format tiles, which spawned the Masterpi-

chitectural series that are winning plaudits on

The monolithic tile with a thickness of 2 cm

uma 155 cm model and the Vertigo system for

the German market.

known as “Compact 20mm” is especially signifi-

vertical use presented at the last edition of Cer-

cant, and appears in both collections. Made of

saie. The Bologna-based trade fair also show-

thick-gauge material, it offers the combination

cased the Big Brooklyn 986EV and 988EV elec-

of strength and com-

tric tile saws, with maximum cutting lengths of

pactness that make it

125 and 155 cm respectively.

ideal for innovative ap-

Brevetti Montolit is now working with major ce-

plications.

ramic manufacturers on the development of

Thanks to Compact 20

special equipment for working with innovative

technology, Tagina’s lat-

porcelain sheet products with lengths of up to 3

est collections are suit-

m and extremely thin gauges (3 mm), so as to

ed to traditional installa-

offer comprehensive solutions for the most up-

tion, floating installation,

to-date specifiers and tilers.

or laying on sand, grav-

FilaRefresh: two products in one

el and directly on grass. Their versatility, what’s more, is also such that the 12 and 20 mm versions can be used for both outdoor and indoor

FilaRefresh is the new ready-to-use water-based

applications, including in bathrooms.

product for everyday maintenance of surfaces in treated natural stone. Its unique double action as a detergent and protector makes FilaRe-

Innovation made by Montolit

fresh ideal for small household surfaces such as treated tops in bathrooms and kitchens.

Innovation, research and close attention to market trends are the tools used by Brevetti Montolit to tackle the crisis that has been affecting the

Ceramiche Coem at LivingInteriors in Cologne

economy in general and the construction in-

Perfect for the end user, this product is an effective everyday cleaner that leaves surfaces clean, protected and pleasantly citrus scented. Thanks to its formula, FilaRefresh cleans deep

dustry in particular for several years now. The ex-

The IMM trade exhibition in Cologne, in Germa-

down and boosts stain protection on previously

perience accruing from over 65 years in the

ny’s business heartland, has long been an im-

treated surfaces.

business, the professionalism of its staff, the qual-

portant meeting place for companies and de-

Certified for contact with foodstuffs (it does not

ity of its products and its flexibility in the man-

cision-makers from all the major world markets.

release toxic substances into food), FilaRefresh

Tile International 1/2012

Tilefax

GranitiFiandre: ACTIVE at the service of the environment

mestic heating and other sources.

ural stone, resin and resin quartz. It is extremely

The research achievements of GranitiFiandre, a

most hazardous to human health (e.g. Escheri-

easy to use thanks to its handy spray can: sim-

world leader in the production of top-end, large-

chia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella

ply spray on and wipe dry with a soft dry cloth.

format porcelain sheet, have transformed ce-

pneumoniae).

It will be available in 500 ml cans in all floor and

ramic floor and wall coverings into an innova-

The Active line is an ideal covering for the floors

wall covering dealers, at builder’s merchants, in

tive photocatalytic, ecological and eco-active

and walls of small and large environments, with

the best hardware and paint stores and in large

material called ACTIVE Clean Air & Antibacterial

light or intense traffic, on public or private prem-

retail chain stores.

Ceramic™.

ises. It is also especially well suited to use in en-

The results of the latest tests conducted by the

vironments where hygiene is a high priority,

University of Milan show that Active is capable

such as schools, kindergartens, homes, medical

of bringing pollution levels below the threshold

practices, hospitals, laboratories and hotels.

of 40 micrograms/m3 in three hours.

“The results of the latests studies conducted by

The photocatalytic action of ACTIVE Clean Air &

the University of Milan at the end of 2011 are

Antibacterial Ceramic™ is entirely natural. When

very significant,” commented Graziano Verdi,

exposed to natural or artificial light and the

Chairman and Managing Director of Fiandre

moisture naturally present in air, the titanium di-

and Iris Ceramica Group. “Once again, they

oxide (TiO2) applied to the sheets in the form of

demonstrate the importance of our innovation,

micrometric particles triggers a powerful pro-

which offers proven benefits for human health

cess of oxidation. As well as neutralising all risks

and the environment.”

delicately cleans surfaces without damaging the finish and without leaving streaks. It is ideal for marble, granite and all treated nat-

What’s more, the system eliminates 100% of various strains of bacteria, including some of the

to human health and the environment, this causes many toxic substances and pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM10) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), to decompose and mutate into harmless compounds such as nitrates, sulphates and carbonates. The end result is a significant reduction in airborne toxic pollutants from cars, factories, do-

ADVERTISING

Tilefax

Quibik and the versatility of Marocchi

Eliane and Portobello, longstanding tile manu-

Unveiled to much acclaim at the latest edition

entered into a memorandum of intent estab-

of Cersaie, Quibik is the new line of Marocchi

lishing the terms and conditions for a merger

display units, with clean, modern styling.

that will create a group with 4,000 employees

The unique selling point of this line, which is

and sales of US $650 million.

equipped with metal structures, is the “crossing

The memorandum was signed by CEOs Edson

system”: as they open, the frames can cross

Gaidzinski Jr. of Eliane and Cesar Gomes Jr. of

over and intersect, thus enabling customers to

Portobello, and if approved by the Administra-

see various combinations of products (different

tive Council for Economic Defense (CADE), will

colours, different formats, floor tiles, wall tiles,

be finalised during the first quarter of 2012.

etc).

The resultant group will rank amongst the

With this latest development, Marocchi reiter-

world’s top five ceramic tile producers.

ates its commitment to innovation and trendset-

The two companies are highly complementa-

ting, and responds to the increasingly wide-

ry in terms of their products and markets and

ranging requirements of the market.

enjoy a strong combined presence nationally

facturers based respectively in Tijucas and Cocal do Sul in the state of Santa Catarina, have

and in more than 70 countries worldwide. In 2011 they produced 60 million sq.m of tiles. “We are focusing on growth,” commented Edson Gaidzinski. “In terms of production and consumption, the Brazilian tile industry is second only to China, which poses a constant threat. For this reason we need to improve our competitiveness in both the domestic and export markets.” The newly-formed company will have a new name and will maintain its shares in the Novo Mercado segment of BMF & BOVESPA. The brand names Eliane and Portobello will continue to operate independently without any significant changes in terms of production, marketing and distribution.

Eliane and Portobello merge PAT ENT ED

A memorandum signed on 24 December marks the start of a major agreement between two leading players in the Brazilian ceramic industry.

Advertising C

CMY

ADVERTISING

PATENTED

STARLIKE

Defender Antibacterial

99,9

Tilefax

Kerakoll wins eco-accolades

Ceramic Industry Forecasting Report

Kerakoll won the Premio Natura 2012 award in the “Building” category with its GreenBuilding

At the end of 2011, the Confindustria Ceramica

Rating, a certified standard for measuring the

Conference Hall hosted a conference entitled

sustainability of construction materials, which

“The ceramic industry and the national and in-

can be used as a guide in the design and con-

ternational markets.” The event, moderated by

struction of eco-compatible buildings.

Confindustria Ceramica Director General, Ar-

The entries were screened by a committee of

mando Cafiero, featured talks by Stefano Bolog-

editors-in-chief of periodicals, environmental ex-

nesi, Chairman of the association’s Statistics

perts and university lecturers, before being sub-

and Publishing Activities Commission, and Gi-

mitted to a representative sample, in terms of

useppe Schirone, business consultant manager

age, gender and geographical area, of 10,000

of Prometeia, followed by a roundtable discus-

Italians, who voted for their top choice in each

sion between Confindustria Ceramica Chair-

category. In January 2011, SGS – a worldwide

man, Franco Manfredini; BPER Director General,

systems and certifications control body – certi-

Luigi Odorici, and Professor Marco Fortis from

fied Kerakoll’s GreenBuilding Rating as a “relia-

the Università Cattolica.

ble, comprehensive and essential method of

The analysis of the Italian ceramic industry be-

measurement aimed at guaranteeing the envi-

gan with the statistics for Italian sales and ex-

ronmental sustainability of its products as estab-

ports to 30 September 2011, which revealed

lished by the GreenBuilding Rating ECO 2011.”

3.88% growth in export turnover against a 2.36%

The Premio Natura 2012 is just one of a string of

fall in domestic sales. For the first time, the anal-

major national and international accolades

ysis investigated the behaviour of companies

won by the GreenBuilding Rating in recent

according to their size, and sales trends in tar-

years: in April 2011 it won the prestigous TTA

get markets according to the various price

Award in the UK for best environmental initiative;

brackets.

in June 2011, at the ninth edition of the Sodali-

The Forecasting Report, which as usual outlined

tas Social Awards 2011, it was selected as a pro-

the economic prospects and international

ject of high social responsibility in the “Environ-

trade in ceramic tiles in key markets for the two-

mental Initiatives” category, and in November

year period 2012-2013, analysed for the first time

2011, it won a Sustainable Development Award

the medium-term trend for various competing

in Italy for innovative products and services in

residential surface covering products at a world

the green economy.

level. The analysis showed that in 2010 ceramic tiles accounted for 36.1% of market volumes,

wood 15.5%, stone 5.1%, carpet 28.4% and ‘other products’ 14.8%. The report also analysed the effects of the introduction of tariffs on imports of

kills 99,9% of the bacteria

Chinese ceramic tiles to Europe, confirming a 34% drop with respect to the average turnover prior to the tariffs and the considerable share gained by Italian companies. The Balance Sheet Analysis of ceramic companies 20082010 was also unveiled as a useful tool for financial study.

Advertising

ECO DREAM

ispirazione naturale

COVERINGS 2012 BOOTH 5118 www.novabell.it

Tilefax

Progress Profiles: 100% original Italian quality

or by downloading them directly from the “De-

and high-level image, reflecting the concept of

signer’s Space and Grand Prix” section of the

Ceramiche Cisa as a solid, contemporary com-

company’s web site. Entries must then be sent to

pany, with a proud history but a forward-looking

Trims and skirting boards made entirely in Italy,

the Grand Prix secreteriat at Casalgrande

attitude, and a firm commitment to keeping

to exclusive, state-of-the-art designs, with top-

Padana’s HQ. The closing date for entries is 30

abreast of the changing requirements of our

quality raw materials: these are the qualities for

September 2012.

customers, and evolving in step with them”, ex-

which Promindustria – an institute providing a

plained Andrea Zannoni, Executive Director of

range of support services for Italian manufactur-

the Ceramiche Ricchetti Group.

ers – confirmed the excellence of the vast range of solutions offered by Progress Profiles, a manu-

Introducing Fila Green Action

facturer of technical and decorative trims based in Asolo (Treviso), and renewed its certification of 100% original

Fila Green Action is the name of a new brand

Italian quality. Progress

that reflects the green policies of its manufactur-

Profiles offers over 8,500

er.

products

stainless

The web site www.filagreenaction.com tells a

steel, aluminium, brass,

story: the story of positive environmental action.

PVC

and

wood. The

quality of its products is also guaranteed by its

New web site for Cisa Ceramiche

Since July 2011, the Fila Work Group, made up of staff from various areas, has been formulating new green initiatives for all company processes. The aim is to analyse and develop new environ-

quality system certified to UNI EN ISO 9000:2008.

Cisa Ceramiche’s new web site is now on-line,

mentally oriented activities, such as everyday

The company first ob-

and features a wealth of interactive content

practices for the disposal of waste, research

tained

system

such as product sheets with high-resolution

and development of raw materials with ever

certification in 1999, be-

thumbnails, display installations, merchandising

lower environmental impact, and active partici-

coming the first in the

and collection catalogues.

pation in green associations.

sector to do so.

The key sections of the site include: Cisa Ceram-

“We have developed green practices for all our

iche, covering the history and tradition of the

process,” explains Flavio Beniamino Pettenon,

company; Cisa Green, revolving around the

Chairman of Fila, “including reducing produc-

concept of love for nature and the eco-system;

tion-related waste and hitting the target of recy-

and Cisa Design, focusing on the company’s

cling 98% of our packaging.”

high-design collections. “In keeping with the up-

This policy represents more than just a philoso-

Entries are now open for the Casalgrande

dating of our brand image, the new web site

phy and more than just a goal: it is a fully imple-

Padana Gran Prix 2010-2012. The aim of this in-

evokes the spirit of the brand in terms of quality

mented, shared practice, involving tangible

quality

9th Casalgrande Padana Grand Prix gets under way

ternational architecture competition, now in its

changes in all of Fila’s activities, from laboratory

ninth edition, is to select the best projects built

research to marketing, sales to administration,

anywhere in the world using products from Ca-

and production to warehousing.

salgrande Padana’s porcelain tile collections. The competition is open to specifiers, whether architects, engineers or designers, who completed the works in question between January 2007 and September 2012. Copies of the competition rules and entry forms can be obtained by calling 800 210311 toll free,

Tile International 1/2012

Advertising

Tilefax

Technology Exchange at Tecnargilla 2012

The planned renewal and extension of the Teo-

looks beyond the horizontal dimension to cre-

rema range – which is emblematic of Italian cre-

ate new surfaces: a rectangle cut in two by a di-

ativity and perfectly in keeping with the WTS

agonal forms two trapeziums, which, combined

Entries are now open for the 2012 edition of Ce-

Group’s traditional attention to quality and de-

with each other, generate countless possible

ramicTTD, the Technology Transfer Days to be

sign – is already under way: three new lines –

configurations.

held during Tecnargilla 2012 in Rimini from 25-28

Theos, Scoop and Jabil_25 – have already been

The award marks a further opportunity to cele-

September.

added to the new 2012 catalogue, and other

brate the start of the new year and the unique

The event provides a unique opportunity for the

new products are expected soon.

creativity of Italian design.

demand and supply sides of the ceramic tech-

These latest products, and those still in the pipe-

nology industry to come together, and for the

line, will continue to adhere to the “Water Saving

world of research to meet the world of industry,

Philosophy” that is the hallmark of the Teorema

first on-line and then in person. The aim of the in-

brand, and translates into water savings of 40%

itiative is to disseminate the results of the latest

thanks to the exclusive technology designed

research, with a view to forging business-orient-

and realised by TeoLab.

ed partnerships, technological collaborations,

This vigorous start to the new year has also seen

joint-ventures and practical applications of re-

the launch of the company's new web site

search.

www.teoremaonline.com, available in both Ital-

Following assessment by the technical commit-

ian and English.

tee, requests for and offers of technology submitted on the forms available from www.ceramicttd.it, will be published on the site for consultation by interested parties. The most outstanding proposals will then be se-

Cielo lands in Tehran

lected for official presentation during the Technology Transfer Day scheduled for 27 September, during Tecnargilla in Rimini.

Cielo, a manufacturer of ceramics for bathroom furnishing, enjoys a reputation for creating innovative designs using state-of-the-art technology. Based in Civita Castellana (Viterbo, Italy), the company has extended its international distri-

Change of ownerhsip for Teorema brand

Innovation Award 2012 for Listone Giordano

bution network to Iran, with the aid of the brand’s Tehran-based distributor, Dream House Co (www.dreamhouseco.com). Inaugurated in December last year, Dream

Listone Giordano’s participation in Domotex

House Co., located in the heart of the Iranian

The Teorema brand has been acquired by the

(14-17 January) – the leading German trade fair

capital, carries numerous Cielo collections of

WTS Group, a major Italian and international

for the ceramic coverings sector held in Hanno-

sanitaryware, washbasins and shower trays, in-

player in the taps and wellness sector, with twen-

ver – was crowned with success. The creativity

cluding the latest releases Jungle, Tatoo and

ty years' experience and firm roots in the Brescia

and geniality of the geometric patterns of Slide,

Shui, as well as Opera, Smile and Easy Bath.

area through the brands Zipponi, Vega, Ledasan

a new flooring concept designed by Daniele

and Kramer. The news was announced by the

Lago, attracted the attention of the German jury

company’s Managing Director, Aldo Verri, a few

and won the Innovation Award 2012 in the par-

months after the acquisition of the licence to

quet category.

use the brand.

Slide is a striking, playful flooring concept that

Tile International 1/2012

Tilefax

Podium finish for Bios in Germany

antibacterial properties, made using an innova-

require light for activation. What’s more, its ef-

tive production process developed on the basis

fects are amplified in the presence of moisture,

Casalgrande

which normally promotes the growth of bacte-

“Produkt des Jahres 2011” (product of the year

Padana in partnership with the Department of

ria. These results, documented and certified by

2011) is a renowned competition held by the

Microbiology at the University of Modena. Strin-

the University of Modena, clearly indicate the

German magazine Fliesen und Platten. The

gent laboratory testing has shown that the

benefits of using the product in all situations re-

competition is divided into six categories: tiles,

product comfortably exceeds the performance

quiring high performance in terms of hygiene,

adhesives, screeds, accessories, tools and CAD

required by the relevant standards, because it is

cleanliness, safety and ease of maintenance,

systems. In the tiles category, Bios, the innovative

capable of neutralising over 99.9% (values be-

such as healthcare facilities,

antibacterial ceramic manufactured by Casal-

low this threshold are not even taken into con-

research laboratories, kinder-

grande Padana, earned much acclaim, and

sideration) of the four most common strains of

gartens,

took third place, thereby becoming the only Ital-

bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus

pools, sports facilities, wellness

ian company to win an award. Bios Antibacteri-

faecalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas

centres, kitchens, canteens,

al Ceramics is the name given to a line of fully

aeruginosa. The antibacterial action persists

restaurants, the agri-food in-

vitrified, through-body, porcelain tiles offering

over time, is unaffected by wear and does not

dustry, etc.

research

conducted

schools,

swimming

ADVERTISING

Tilefax

Fincibec at Coverings 2012

Italian ceramics in the USA

ity, thus making them ideal for steps in both pub-

Century, Naxos and Monocibec, the three

To promote the Italian ceramic industry in the

Thanks to the special cross-section of the trim,

brands belonging to the Fincibec Group, will be

USA, Ceramics of Italy took part in a conference

what’s more, the new Dural range also covers

on display at booth 4018 at the next edition of

on facades entitled “Creating the 21st Century

unsightly tile edges. Also available in anodized

Coverings at the Orange County Convention

Facade: How Architects and Fabricators are Ad-

aluminium, Diamondstep trims are the perfect

Center in Orlando (Florida, USA) from 17 to 20

vancing Curtain Wall Design in the Digital Age”.

response to the aesthetic and technological re-

April. New collections, new formats and new fin-

The event, organised for the first time by The Ar-

quirements of the market, and enhance both

ishes will form the centrepiece of the Group’s of-

chitect's Newspaper, was held on 16 February

the visual appeal and safety of staircases.

fering for the American market, at a stand de-

at the McGraw Hill Auditorium in New York, with

signed

design

Patrik Schumacher, Director of Zaha Hadid Ar-

philosophy that distinguishes each of the

chitects, as the key-note speaker. The topic of

Group’s brands. Century, which has always

the conference was curtain walls, made from

been synonymous with state-of-the-art ceramic,

materials such as glass, metal and ceramic. The

will showcase Peninsula, a deeply appealing

section dedicated to Italian ceramic tiles was

collection inspired by stone surfaces, and Stone-

entitled “Creating Sustainable Facades with

house, which features the rough but attractive

Metal, Mesh, Ceramic and Composites”, and

appearance of hewn stone. Naxos’s strength

was developed by the architect Michael P. John-

lies in stylistic research, which is evident in the

son, the owner of MPJ Design Studio, who illus-

Elettra and Skyline collections, inspired by the

trated a wide range of curtain walling systems

most beautiful and elegant marbles. The linch-

made with Italian ceramic tiles, with particular

pin of Monocibec's display will be the technical

reference to the energy savings that can be

and aesthetic research that has always under-

achieved with these applications. Eleven Italian

pinned the brand, and finds expression in Nex-

companies took part in the initiative –Atlas Con-

The opening of a new showroom in Tel Aviv

tra, a series inspired by concrete, whose expres-

corde, Casalgrande Padana, Coem, Cooperati-

brings the number of Devon&Devon internation-

sive potential it harnesses to add a personal

va Ceramica d’Imola, Emilceramica, Florim, Lea,

al brand stores up to 11, and consolidates the

touch to residential and commercial environ-

Marazzi, Mirage, Il Palagio and Ceramica

Italian company’s presence in the Middle East.

ments alike. In line with the Fincibec Group’s in-

Sant'Agostino – by putting their materials and

The new store is located inside the 40,000 sq.m

dustrial ecology policy, known as Ecology Care

works on display. The meeting was dedicated to

Design Center in HeziBank 2 Lechi St., which

(www.ecologycare.org), the Century, Naxos

architects, designers, developers, specifiers and

hosts the most prestigious names from the world

and Monocibec collections are made accord-

builders, all of whom were able to see the pres-

of international design. The showroom entrance,

ing to a production process with decidedly low

entation of case studies of recent architectural

with its two large windows, introduces visitors

environmental impact. A string of certifications

works.

into a space with a black and white colour

specifically

reflect

the

bear witness to the green spirit of the Fincibec brand, starting with the one issued by Bureau Veritas for the inclusion of over 40% recycled material in the ceramic body. This earns impor-

Tile International 1/2012

Devon&Devon opens store in Tel Aviv

scheme that houses the company’s longstand-

Diamondstep: Dural’s high-value trims

tant credits in the LEED system for rating the ecosustainability and energy-efficiency of buildings.

lic and private developments.

ing and bestselling products as well as the latest additions, from the Atelier collection floor tiles to the Season and Miami vanity units, the Marlene,

Clar-

Diamondstep is Dural’s latest range of trims,

idge,

which stand out for their design and safety cre-

and Duke con-

dentials. Available in 16 colours (two of which

sole washbasins

are reflective), three widths and four heights (4.5

and the Aurora

mm, 9 mm, 11 mm and 13.5 mm), these trims of-

and

fer high non-slip performance and load capac-

bathtubs.

Colette

Admiral

Advertising

www.futureceramic.com

Tilefax

Beton-Top, the new system from Ideal Work

Grohe voted "BestMarke 2011" and Number One for Quality

the speed without reducing the resolution. The

Renewing flooring without removing the existing

GROHE – one of the largest manufacturers, at a

“Gamma 120 HDS,” explained Alberto Bassanel-

covering is now quick and easy thanks to Beton-

worldwide level, of taps and sanitaryware – has

lo, Sales Director of Durst Italia, “completes our

Top, the new system from Ideal Work, a leading

always stood out for its design, technology, sus-

offering for the ceramic market, by meeting the

producer of concrete flooring products and

tainability and top-class quality. From collec-

requirements of manufacturers who need to

decorative plasters at Italian and European lev-

tions for private houses to solutions for major

print large formats [...].After officially going into

el, operating at the cutting-edge of Research &

commercial projects, the company has always

production in November, it met with immediate

Development relating to technologically ad-

been committed to supplying products of high

success. The first plant has already been in-

vanced, high-performance materials.

build-quality and long service-life, capable of

stalled at Cooperativa Ceramica Imola, which

Beton-Top is specifically formulated for the crea-

winning the confidence of architects and devel-

has opted to continue its partnership with Durst

tion of low-thickness concrete floors (2.5 to 6

opers the world over.

on the strength of the results obtained with the

cm): made of a fibre-reinforced mix comprising

This quality-oriented approach recently earned

systems already implemented (Gamma 60, 70,

super-fluidifying additives, anti-shrinkage agents,

Grohe first place in the “Quality” category in the

75 HD and Pictocer). [...]But the number of or-

siliceous aggregates and special anti-efflores-

2011 Brand Use Study conducted by Builder, an

ders we have already received testifies to cus-

cence substances, it stands out for its highly

American magazine which has been publish-

tomers’ appreciation of this latest development.

concentrateed formulation, thanks to which the

ing league tables of the top brands in the build-

We have already had 10 orders confirmed, no

cement can be added directly on the construc-

ing industry for over 20 years.

less than five of which are from Italy.”

tion site, thereby favouring the use of local ma-

Grohe also took first place in the “Sanitaryware

Thanks to its new modular design, Gamma 120

terials, with consequent environmental and

and Hotel Bathrooms” section of BestMarke

HDS can be configured in various ways to meet

economic benefits.

2011, an award run by the German magazine

varying printing requirements, with the possibili-

Beton-Top offers excellent workability, and com-

Allgemeine Hotel- und Gastronomie-Zeitung

ty of subsequent updating. What’s more, it can

pared with traditional concrete, enhanced re-

(AHGZ). Conducted for the first time with the

be easily modified in situ, to operate from left to

sistance to freeze/thaw cycles and higher flex-

participation of 400 hotel representatives – be-

right or vice versa. Configurable with a maxi-

ural and compression strength.

longing to three categories: comfort, first class

mum of five colour bars for simultaneous print-

The innovative formula also reduces the quanti-

and luxury – the survey shows how Grohe has

ing of all the colours loaded, the new Durst

ty of water required during mixing, thus signifi-

succeeded in es-

Gamma 120 HDS offers improved flexibility in

cantly improving the performance of the floor-

tablishing

itself

terms of design, productivity and cost optimisa-

ing. For optimum adhesion, the mix must be

across every seg-

tion. It is also the only system on the market that

applied to a surface that is free from cracks,

ment of the hotel

does not require the use of more than one bar

dust, oil, grease and other contaminants.

industry.

of heads for the same colour to deposit a suffi-

system delivers top image quality without compromising on productivity, flexibility or clarity.

cient quantity of ink.

New technology from Durst Durst, a specialised designer of digital systems for the ceramic market, presents Gamma 120 HDS, a new printer designed for large formats, which extends the Gamma family, with the capability of decorating ceramic tiles of up to 100x150cm. Equipped with the proprietary technology dubbed Advanced High Definition Contone Grayscale, Gamma 120 HDS prints at twice

Tile International 1/2012

Tilefax

Starring role for marble in Las Vegas

ronafiere, “is underlined by the renewal of the

climate, exports from Italy to the North American

partnership agreement between the two organ-

Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) area, comprising

isations, which was signed in September for an-

the United States, Canada and Mexico, rose in

The seventh edition of Stonexpo/Marmomacc

other five years. It confirms that America is and

2011. Last year, in fact, the NAFTA countries pur-

Americas, a major American trade fair for natu-

will continue to be a preferred market for the

chased finished and semi-finished products to a

ral stone products and processing machinery,

Italian companies served by Veronafiere.” The in-

value of 211.1 million euros, compared with

was held in Las Vegas from 24 to 26 January. The

itiative, which saw the participation of numer-

209.7 million euros in 2010.

event is the fruit of a renewed international part-

ous Italian exhibitors, thanks in part to the coop-

More specifically, exports

nership between Veronafiere – which also or-

eration of Confindustria Marmomacchine, will

to Mexico saw the largest

ganised seminars and training courses for ar-

reprise the 2011 formula, by assimilating Surfac-

rise (+13%), in the third

chitects and interior designers – and Hanley

es, the interior design exhibition aimed chiefly at

quarter of 2011, while ex-

Wood Exhibitions, one of the largest US groups

architects and designers. The American market

ports to the United States

operating in the construction industry. “The im-

for marble and marble processing technologies

remained broadly stable,

portance of this joint venture,” explained Gio-

is still a priority target for Italian exports. Despite

and those to Canada fell

vanni

the continued adversity of the world economic

slightly.

Mantovani, General

Director

of Ve-

ADVERTISING

Tilefax

Listone Giordano in partnership with Zaha Hadid Architects

Nobili Rubinetterie confirms its green credentials at Idéo Bain

which represent an ideal choice for the con-

Listone Giordano took part in AIT – the architec-

Idéo Bain – the bathroom exhibition held in Par-

style, these lines embody the quality and dura-

ture exhibition dedicated to interior design, held

is from 7 to 12 February – gave Nobili Rubinet-

bility that are the hallmark of the entire Carrara

in Cologne from 18 January to 8 March – with

terie an opportunity to assert its increasing com-

& Matta range.

an installation that was included in the event-

mitment to eco-sustainability. At Idéo Bain 2010,

exhibition of Zaha Hadid Architects. Entitled “Par-

the company based in Borgomanero (in the

ametric Tower Research”, the exhibition present-

province of Novara) presented its News Road

ed a selection of projects collected and picked

series, the first taps in the world to incorporate

by the firm of Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-British archi-

energy-saving devices, which earned them the

tect and designer, and the first female recipient

title of Best Product of the Year in the “Bien Vivre”

of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The main theme

category. At the latest edition of Idéo Bain, Nobi-

revolved around studies of “Parametrism”: mod-

li Rubinetterie presented Energy Saving versions

els, paintings and multimedia presentations il-

of all its most prestigious series. There were plen-

lustrated this type of high-rise construction, the

ty of intriguing new products on display too,

key to which is knowing how to control all the

such as the electronic version of Loop, the Up

scales.

series and an array of new wellness solutions.

The manner of the representation was equally

tract sector, but also blend perfectly into home environments. Contemporary and quintessentially Italian in

Globo + Giulio Iacchetti = ADI Design Index 2011

extraordinary. The AIT Architecture Exhibition in Cologne has undergone a series of major works

The Olivia urinal, designed by Giulio Iacchetti for

that have made it almost unrecognisable: floors,

Globo and selected for the ADI Design Index

walls and ceilings have disappeared, to make

2011, has been shortlisted for the 2014 Compas-

way for a setting designed specifically to emphasise the items on display. Listone Giordano took part with an original and unique installation centring around the product

so d’Oro Award. White, sober and essential, the

Carrara & Matta take the bus in UK

Olivia urinal is the most curious of the pieces selected by the ADI (Associazione per Il Disegno Industriale) Permanent Design Observatory for

Atelier Natural Genius Slide, designed by Dan-

To launch its bathroom accessory collections

publication in the 2011 ADI Design Index.

iele Lago, which won the “Top Innovation Kate-

on the UK market, Carrara & Matta, which has

Having never applied his talent to the bathroom

gorie Parkett” award at the Wood Flooring Sum-

over 70 years’ experience in the business, put to-

furnishing sector, Iacchetti was attracted by the

mit at Domotex 2012. Trapezoidal elements

gether a major advertising campaign: for two

novelty of the challenge, and shared with the

merge and combine with each other to gener-

weeks at the beginning of the year, they ran 60

ate an infinite number of patterns.

customised buses in London and another 30 in

The product circles, slides and melts into a suc-

Manchester, displaying the slogan “Italian De-

cession of geometric permutations that never

sign details for your bathroom”.

repeat themselves.

With its toilet seat products already well established on the British market, the company deployed this campaign to strengthen its identity as an Italian brand and as a symbol of Italian design and manufacturing. The campaign focused on the HD-Line, Copenhagen, Antille, Bravo Suite, American 06, Fard Elite, Smart and Plus accessory collections, all of

Tile International 1/2012

Tilefax

company his vision of an industrial design that

nucci, Managing Director of Ceramica Globo:

ter flow, thus obviating the need for any external

would stand out for its simplicity and transcend

“We are working hard on reinforcing our roots,

electrical connections. The electronic taps are

trends and fashions. “I wanted to restore dignity

which have always been bedded in quality prod-

available in two versions: with an external control

to this piece of sanitaryware, which I’ve always

ucts and Italian design. Having the Olivia project

unit, to be installed beneath the washbasin, or

been fond of. Olivia overturns the formal interpre-

selected for the 2011 ADI Design Index, which rep-

with a control unit built into the tap. The TOTO hy-

tation of the piece, which starts from the ground

resents a short-list for the 2014 Compasso d'Oro

droelectric tap is the ideal way to safeguard the

and incorporates the opening of the bowl within

Award, simply confirms that we are on the right

environment by saving water, because it is also

a single sculptural form,” explains Giulio Iacchet-

track.”Self Power Technology.

available with flow rates of 2, 3 and 4 litres/min, unlike conventional single-lever taps, which have

ti. The partnership between Globo and Iacchetti, which began in 2010, is still generating ideas and products, as emphasised by Andrea Guli-

SELF POWER TECHNOLOGY by TOTO

a standard flow rate of 6 litres/min. Compared with a 6 litre/min tap, washing your hands (a task requiring 45 seconds) with a TOTO tap with hy-

TOTO’s touchless taps are designed to meet the

droelectric generator uses about half as much

needs of public facilities: by detecting hand

water: handwashing uses 0.5 litres of water with

movement, a sensor built into the tap starts water

the 2 litre/min tap, 0.75 litres with the 3 litre/min

delivery as soon as the hands are in position, and

tap and 1 litre with the 4 litre/min model.

stops it the second they move away. The sensor is powered by a generator built into the tap, which

recovers

and uses the energy generated by the wa-

stics teri c a ar Ch

Green Squared Certification

Ma nu fa c

r tu

Pr og

res sive

e Corporate Governanc

Pr od uc

ion

Product Sustainability Certification for the Tile Industry

t Innova

ife M anagement

ing

Pr od u

ADVERTISING

f do En

ONE INDUSTRY, ONE STANDARD, ONE MARK Products labeled “Green Squared Certified” have been verified through a stringent third party process to meet ANSI A138.1. For more information, contact TCNA at 864-646-8453 or visit www.tilethenaturalchoice.com/GreenSq.html.

Economy & markets by Paola Giacomini

Italian tile industry driven by exports Italian tile industry driven by exports



According to figures announced by Confindustria Ceramica chairman Franco Manfredini during the association’s end-of-year press conference held on 19 December, 2011 was a mixed year for the Italian ceramic tile industry. After seeing signs of recovery during the first half of the year, the industry suffered the effects of the general worsening of the international economic scenario in the last six months of the year. National tile production is estimated at around 395 million square metres, slightly up on 2010 (+2%), while total sales amounted to around 400-410 million sq.m, more or less in line

with the volumes sold the previous year (412 million sq.m).

sales in the same period dropped by 5% by volume and 2.4% in value, with average price at 10.26 euro/sq.m. “We achieved good results in almost all foreign markets, with peaks of +20% in Russia and +7% in Switzerland,” commented Manfredini. “Our exports performed strongly in Asia (+4.8% in value), Africa (+13.4%) and Oceania (+12.1%), but also in Europe, the market that accounts for 70% of our exports. This was despite the sharp fall in building activity (-15% in 3 years) in all European countries except for Germany. The only negative note was the downturn in the United States, where we hope to recover as early as 2012.” Sales to the American continent dropped by 7.4% in value and

Rising average prices The sector showed a significant improvement in terms of sales turnover, an indication of the Italian companies’ ability to further raise the quality standards of their products and consequently average prices. This was confirmed by the sales figures for the first 9 months of the year, with volumes remaining stable (0.15% up on the first 9 months of 2010) but turnover up by 2.2%. These positive results derived exclusively from exports, which were up by 2.4% in volume and 3.9% in value to reach an average price of 12.15 euro/sq.m. By contrast, Italian domestic

Sales of the Italian ceramic tile industry January-September 2011 Million sq.m

Million €

% Var. on Jan-Sept. 2010 Volume

Value

Western EU countries

101.10

1,319.40

4.65%

6.74%

Southern EU countries

9.91

115.03

-15.86%

-18.78%

Eastern EU countries

12.73

141.81

5.95%

7.78%

Non-EU European countries

31.74

346.76

8.86%

11.47%

Americas

29.14

347.71

-6.63%

-7.43%

Asia

22.93

280.07

3.72%

4.80%

Africa

7.56

57.52

10.62%

13.40%

Australia

3.16

44.52

5.78%

12.06%

Total Exports

218.28

2,652.81

2.36%

3.88%

Sales in Italy

87.17

894.58

-5.00%

-2.36%

305.45

3,547.39

0.15%

2.24%

TOTAL SALES

Source: Confindustria Ceramica direct survey Tile International 1/2012

6.6% by volume. In Europe, aside from the expected fall in southern European markets (-18.8%), the positive growth reported in Western EU countries (+6.7%), Eastern EU countries (+7.8%) and non-EU European countries (+11.5%) is encouraging.

Fall in European imports from China The Italian tile industry has also benefited from the initial antidumping measures adopted by the European Union in March 2011 (and confirmed in September) with the application of tariffs on imports from China. According to the “Forecasting report for the ceramic tile industry” produced by Prometeia, the effect was immediate and highly pronounced: a 34% decrease in the value of imports of Chinese products to Europe in the eight months from January to August 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The suddenness of this fall suggests more a strategy on the part of Chinese suppliers of moving to other markets rather than a rapid response on the part of European demand. “Compared to the 60 million sq.m of Chinese tiles imported into Europe in 2010, the final figure for 2011 appears unlikely to reach 30 million sq.m,” commented Manfredini. “Italy has certainly secured much of the top-end segment of this newly

Economy & markets

reacquired share, whereas in the mid segment we are facing competition from the Turkish ceramic industry.”

The forecasts for 2012 Due to the further slowdown in the world economy, the Italian ceramic industry’s recovery forecasts for 2012 have been downwardly revised. According to Prometeia, sales in volume in the domestic market will undergo a further 1.8% fall and will not stabilise until 2013 (+0.2%). Exports are expected to rise by 1.4% this year and by 2.9% in 2013. Production may also continue to show small annual improvements (+1.8% in 2012 and +3.5% in 2013). “Our companies are seeking to emerge from this negative scenario by focusing on innovation (investments make up 6% of the sector’s total turnover) and on strengthening their commercial presence in the various markets,” commented Manfredini. One measure that does not depend on us but which we strongly urge the Government to implement is that of cutting gas costs, given that the current monopoly enjoyed by the dominant supplier (in which the Italian state is the main shareholder) means that our companies face 15% higher gas prices than our foreign competitors (equivalent to around 120 million euro more per year), in spite of the

Production and sales of Italian tiles: Forecasts 2012-2013 2010 Levels

% variation

million sq.m

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

SALES IN ITALY

124

- 15.5

-3.2

- 5.2

- 1.8

0.2

TOTAL EXPORTS

289

- 20.9

3.0

1.9

1.4

2.9

Western Europe

155

-14.6

-0.6

2.7

0.6

2.1

Central-Eastern Europe

-34.8

5.2

8.0

3.8

4.9

Balkans

-19.3

-6.2

-0.2

0.8

2.8

NAFTA (USA, Canada, Mexico)

-30.0

8.4

-7.4

1.5

4.3

Latin America

-14.5

4.4

5.8

2.2

1.6

Gulf countries

-27.9

7.7

-1.7

3.6

4.6

13.2

20.5

4.2

3.2

3.4

-23.1

17.9

3.3

1.6

0.9

North Africa & Middle East Far East Rest of the world

-31.0

17.6

5.8

2.6

3.9

TOTAL SALES

413

-19.3

1.1

-0.2

0.5

2.2

PRODUCTION

387

-28.2

5.3

2.1

1.8

3.5

CONSUMPTION

145

-16.6

-1.5

-4.6

-1.5

0.6

-23.3

9.1

-1.2

0.1

2.7

IMPORTS

Source / Fonte: Prometeia “Osservatorio Previsionale”

Building investments in Italy 2010

% variation

million sq.m

2008

Building

140,611

-2.4%

Houses

71,118

-0.4%

New*

30,419

-3.7%

Unscheduled maintenance*

40,699

3.5%

Non-residential

69,493

Private* Public*

2009 - 8.5%

2010*

2011*

2012*

% var. 2008 - 2011

% var. 2008 - 2012

- 6.6%

-5.4%

-3.8%

- 21.1%

- 24.1%

-9.4%

-5.2%

-2.9%

-2.1%

- 16.8%

- 18.6%

-18.7%

-12.4%

-7.5%

-6.0%

- 36.6%

- 40.4%

0.6%

1.1%

0.5%

5.8%

6.3%

-4.4%

-7.6%

-8.1%

-7.9%

-5.6%

- 25.3%

-29.5%

40,455

-2.2%

-8.1%

-5.4%

-6.0%

-4.0%

- 20.1%

- 23.3%

29,038

-7.2%

-7.0%

-11.6%

-10.5%

-8.0%

- 31.7%

- 37.2%

Not including costs for transfer of ownership. *Ance estimates Source: Ance interpretation of Istat data

Tile International 1/2012

ADVERTISING

keep

Economy & markets

App -to-date with

building sectors. The only segment that has held strong and has continued to grow - albeit much more slowly - is that of unscheduled maintenance. “I’m convinced that even without new building activity, residential refurbishing work designed to improve the energy performance of buildings can act as a real growth engine, both for our sector and for the Italian economy as a whole, and will be capable of overturning the currently negative forecasts,” commented Manfredini. 5

abundant world supply of gas at ever lower prices.”

The building industry in Italy: only residential refurbishing performs well Over the last 4 years (2008-2011), the contraction of the Italian building industry has led to a 21% reduction in total investments in the residential and private and public non-residential Cersaie 2011

Cersaie 2011

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

Welcome to Cersaie 2011

OPENING ECONOMIC CONFERENCE PALAZZO DEI CONGRESSI IN BOLOGNA Tuesday 20 September, 11.00 a.m.: The theme of the conference is “Keeping pace with the market” and will feature talks by Confindustria chairman Emma Marcegaglia and Confindustria Ceramica chairman Franco Manfredini, together with Jacques Attali, an eclectic personality and prominent figure in the world of economics, culture and finance, both in France and internationally, and Antonio Tajani, vice president of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship. Jacques Attali, born in Algiers, is an intellectual, economist, philosopher and historian who has taught economic theory at the École Polytechnique and the Université Paris Dauphine. A contributor to the news magazine L’Express, he has written dozens of books that have been translated into more than twenty languages.



World tile sales: Forecasts 2012-2013 Tile International 3/2011

100

for tablet and

smartphone

free

download

Main exporters 101

2000

2005

Tile International 3/2011

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2000

Million sq.m

2009

2013

% share

Italy

436

390

281

289

295

299

308

33.7

16.4

14.8

Spain

312

341

235

248

256

260

268

24.0

13.7

12.9

Portugal

1.5

1.8

1.7

Other Western European countries

4.7

2.7

2.6

Central-Eastern Europe

103

108

3.5

5.3

5.2

Turkey

4.0

3.9

4.8

Brazil

114

4.4

3.5

3.3

Mexico

2.2

3.1

3.0

Other American countries

2.6

2.7

3.0

China

308

493

565

584

618

661

3.9

28.8

31.8

200

279

310

327

334

345

354

15.5

18.1

17.0

1295

1766

1714

1852

1912

1983

2078

100

Other countries World

SourcePrometeia “Osservatorio Previsionale”

Advertising

www.progressprofiles.com

Our glance always at the future.

studioverde

Skirting board

Flat or Channel?

Proskirting Flat

Only Progress Profiles offers you the possibility of such a choice. Proskirting Flat and Proskirting Channel are two of the latest skirting boards designed with an integrated system for plasterboards and devised to create a skirting flush to the wall with decorative inner grooves, with or without cable channel. They are available in stainless steel, anodized aluminium, polished, brushed or varnished in several colours, in order to create the desired effect of contemporary touch.

Progress Profiles SpA Certified UN EN ISO 9001:2008

Proskirting Channel

Economy & markets

News from Spain

ď &#x2018;

The organisers of the 30th edition of Cevisama, held in Valencia, Spain, from 7 to 10 February expressed satisfaction with the results of the event. After several particularly difficult years, the exhibition won back exhibitors and increased its exhibition space, thus restoring its status as an international showcase for product innovations, and confirming the slight upturn in Spanish exports reported in 2011 (see tables). The 30th edition of Cevisama, the international ceramic,

natural stone and bathroom furnishing exhibition, saw the participation of over 700 exhibitors, many from abroad, who occupied an exhibition area of over 120,000 sq.m. In keeping with its international standing, the event showcased raw materials, glazes, frits and colours, as well as ceramic tiles, natural stone and bathroom furnishings. A wide range of Spanish ceramic companies took part, as usual, under the aegis of Tile of Spain. The Spanish ceramic manufacturersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; association (Ascer),

Spanish exports by geographical area Areas

Jan-Nov 2010

Jan-Nov 2011

11/10 (%)

Share (%)

Europe

933.2

974.4

4.4

55.8

European Union EU27

713.8

726.8

1.8

41.6

- EU15

608.0

619.8

1.9

35.5

- Eurozone

531.3

548.1

2.8

31.4

- EU New members

105.7

107.0

1.2

6.1

Eastern Europe

186.1

215.6

15.9

12.3

Middle East

288.0

348.7

21.1

20.0

France

200.8

224.3

11.7

90.9

96.3

5.9

5.5

Russia

95.7

116.0

21.2

North America

Top ten markets for Spanish ceramic exports Top ten markets

Jan-Nov 2010

Jan-Nov 2011

11/10 (%)

- USA

59.4

59.9

0.8

3.4

Saudi Arabia

90.9

108.3

19.2

Central America

32.5

33.7

3.8

1.9

United Kingdom

89.8

87.5

- 2.5

South America

28.8

39.6

37.5

2.3

Germany

68.3

77.4

13.3

Far East & South

48.1

50.5

5.0

2.9

Israel

54.8

68.6

25.1

Africa

169.7

178.5

5.2

10.2

Italy

63.8

65.6

2.8

Maghreb

108.9

108.0

- 0.8

6.2

Algeria

42.5

60.4

42.0

Oceania

10.5

10.7

1.9

0.6

USA

59.4

59.9

0.8

1,611.9

1,746.4

8.3

100

Portugal

45.4

39.3

- 13.5

World Total

Source: Department of Customs and Taxes and ASCER figures

Note: the total export figure given is not the sum of the totals by zone. Tile International 1/2012

Economy & markets

in partnership with Spain’s foreign trade institute (Icex), put together a full schedule of events aimed at promoting local ceramic. As well as the Tile of Spain Award, which is now in its 10th edition and was won this year by COR Studio for “House of Music in Algueña”, Cevisama played

host to the eighth consecutive edition of Trans/Hitos Architecture and Interior Design. Entitled “Spaces”, this year’s exhibition covered 600 sq.m and included a selection of prototypes of architectural projects involving ceramic, and the use of ceramic in domestic and urban furnishing.

World-famous architects and interior designers also took part in the Architecture and Design Forum, a three-day debate on experiences and projects involving the use of ceramic tiles. On Wednesday 8 February, the day dedicated to “Interiorism”, the designer Jordi Ribaudí held a conference on several

projects involving new applications of ceramic. The cycle of conferences came to an end on Friday 19, with a contribution from the trail-blazing French designer Matali Crasset, who shared her recent works and experiences with the forum’s participants. 5

Alfa de Oro Awards 2012 focus on process innovation Once again this year, the most innovative technologies to emerge from the ceramic cluster of Castellon were selected for Alfa de Oro awards, within the framework of the 35th edition of the imitative organised by the SECV (the Spanish ceramic and glass association). Torrecid, Vidres, Sacmi Iberica and TejasBorja were all singled out for awards at the ceremony held on the opening day of Cevisama. Torrecid won an award for developing ceramic inks based on frits and glazes, capable of producing special ceramic effects, including a

metallic effect for third firing, for the production of trim pieces. Vidres won its sixth Alfa de Oro award for “Rainbow”, which generates micro-fissures to create an optical multi-coloured effect that gives ceramic a new aesthetic finish. Sacmi Iberica won an award for developing a machine that maximises efficiency in digital decoration by means of a surface drying process involving the application of automatically controlled infrared radiation, which is also suitable for large formats.

TejasBorja won an Alfa de Oro for developing an installation system for creating a ventilated flat roof using porcelain tiles. Alfa de Plata awards went to Macer, for a project entitled “Molde Inteligente”, involving the use of pressure sensors in the punch to improve the quality of pressed pieces and cut their production costs, and to Togama, for developing a bactericidal and fungicidal product for use on the surface of glass mosaics.

Tile International 1/2012

M O S B U I L D by Paola Giacomini

Russia rides the recovery

ď &#x2018;

Although it did not remain immune to last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global economic turmoil, Russia has performed better than other countries, supported by still-high oil prices and the strong performance of the

Tile International 1/2012

agricultural sector which allowed for 4.3% GDP growth in 2011. The forecasts for 2012 are more cautious, with some experts anticipating a slowdown to +3%, although oil revenues are not expected to fall. Inflation is projected to drop to

around 6% in 2011 and 2012 - the lowest levels since the early 1990s - and the OECD believes it may fall further to 5% in 2013. So although Russia has not returned to the pre-crisis levels of 2007, its economy is undeniably steadily recovering from the effects of the severe recession of 2008-2009.

The construction sector This positive situation is reflected by the parallel recovery of the construction industry. Although the first few months of 2011 failed to bring an increase in the value of construction works compared to 2010 (some companies even posted inferior results), the sector’s players were already looking forward with optimism to a likely recovery in the second half of the year. This improvement came during the summer with 17.6% growth in July and 12.4% in August (source: Constructionrussia.com). Construction sector employment was also up, reaching about 3.1 million by the end of 2011 (7% up on 2010, corresponding to an extra 198,000 jobs). This positive climate was also reflected in the declarations of industry players. At the end of the year, some 88% of CEOs in the construction sector considered the economic situation to be favourable, whereas 21% were expecting the situation to improve during 2012. And in December 2011 the Minister of Regional Development announced that gov-

ernment funding for residential construction in 2012 would be $3.5 billion.

Civil building driven by sport

that will have the greatest impact on the construction industry. Work on the Winter Olympics will be limited to the Sochi region of Russia and the construction of a relatively small number of sports facilities. By contrast, the projects for the football World Cup will be much more comprehensive, extending over greater areas of Russia and involving the construction (or modernisation) of transport infrastructures (roads, railway stations, airports) and hospitality facilities (hotels and restaurants). Amongst the public investment programmes, the “Development of physical culture and sports in Russia for 2006 2015” has allocated more than $3 billion to the development of hundreds of sports facilities, while further funds have been allocated by dozens of regional programmes. The projects for the Sochi infrastructures involve total investments between 2008 and 2014 of around $5 billion, while approximately $1.2 billion has been allocated to works constructed between 2009 and 2012 for the

XXVII World Summer Universiade 2013 in Kazan. According to INFOLine, 13% of total investments in the civil building segment in Russia in 2011 were purpose built for sport.

A positive trend is also under way Commercial building in the civil property market, where a total of around 43 million sq.m A delayed effect of the 2008-2009 is estimated to have been built in crisis may continue to be felt in 2011. This figure is expected to ex2012 in the retail and other comceed 45 million sq.m in 2012 and mercial property segment, which 48 million sq.m in 2013, surpassmay experience a 7% fall in new ing the pre-crisis levels of 2007 property construction (around (44.5 million sq.m). This growth is 6.5 million sq.m compared to the attributable not so much to the 7 million sq.m of 2011). Accordhousing market, which is expecting to INFOline, the recovery will ed to recover more slowly, as to come in 2013 with 23% growth to public investments in works for a total of 8 million sq.m (still far the sports events that will be held short of the approximately 9.5 in Russia between 2014 and million sq.m of commercial prop2018. erty built in 2007). Construction of According to the information promany projects at the concept vider INFOLine (analytical partdevelopment stage in 2008-2009 ner of MosBuild), the total investand then frozen in 2010 resumed ment in the construction and in the second half of 2011 and modernisation of sports facilities will probably be completed in in Russia is forecast to reach 2013-2014. $47.4 billion in the period 2010According to INFOline, most new 2018. Every year, between 5 and retail property planned for 20126 billion dollars will be spent on 2013 will be located in the rebuilding new and reconstructing existing stadiRussia’s macroeconomic indicators ums, sports complexes, swimming pools and 2011 2012 other sports facilities. The 2006 (estimates) (forecasts) peak of construction activity will occur between GDP growth rate 4% 4.3% 3.7% 2014 and 2018 in anticipation of the Winter Inflation rate 8.8% 6.5-7% 5-6% Olympics in Sochi (2014) and the football World Exchange value: Ruble vs. USD 30.35 29.4 31.1 Cup (2018). Of these Source: Russia’s Ministry for the Economic Development two events, it is the latter

Mosbuild

Origin of ceramic tiles imports to Russia Production

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011 (est.)

BELARUS

14.0

15.0

16.0

12.0

13.0

UKRAINE

n.a.

5.0

12.0

gions of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Bashkortostan, Chelyabinsk, Rostov, Samara and Nizhny Novgorod.

SPAIN

10.1

11.2

13.9

7.1

9.3

11.5

CHINA

11.7

12.5

13.8

4.7

6.0

9.0

ITALY

5.6

6.0

6.3

3.5

3.8

4.9

POLAND

1.2

2.5

3.0

2.0

3.4

The ceramic tile industry

TURKEY

1.2

1.0

0.5

0.7

1.1

GERMANY

n.a.

0.6

CZECH REP.

n.a.

0.2

PORTUGAL

n.a.

0.2

The ceramic tile industry and market likewise showed a second strong recovery in 2011 following that of 2010. National tile consumption reached 181 million sq.m (14.4% up on the 158 million sq.m of 2010). This was higher than the 2007 levels but still short of the record 191 million sq.m reported in 2008 (although this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s figure is likely to close the gap). The biggest share of the increase in demand was absorbed by imports, which rose from 41.2 to 55.9 million sq.m (35.7% up from 2010), values that even exceeded the peak of 2008. Belarus was the leading tile sup-

Values in million sq.m - Source: Tile Edizioni on various sources er significant events concerning production included the start-up of the facilities owned by the Turkish group Vitra that were opened in October 2011 and the plant modernisation investments made by Estima Group, which in October 2011 began producing glazed porcelain tile in Noginsk and is planning to do the same in March at the Samara facility (SOK, acquired in 2010). 5

national tile consumption, the highest figure over the last 6 years. Domestic tile production also increased in 2011, up from 126 to 135.6 million sq.m (up 7.5% from 2010). Wall tile production rose from 56.8 to 58 million sq.m (+2.1%) and floor tile production from 69.8 to 77.5 million sq.m (+11%).The investments in new production capacity made by Kerama Marazzi had a big impact on Russian production. Oth-

plier country to Russia with estimated volumes of 13 million sq.m, although the most dynamic performance was that of Ukraine which saw its exports to Russia increase from 5 million sq.m in 2010 to 12 million sq.m in 2011 (+140%). Imports from Spain (11.5 million sq.m), China (9 million sq.m) and Italy (4.9 million sq.m) also experienced two-figure percentage growth. In 2011 imports accounted for 30.9% of

The Russian ceramic tile industry and market 2006 Production

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011 (est.)

% var. 11/10

115

135

147

117

126

135.6

+7.5%

10.5

+16.7%

Sales of local production

109

128

137

109

117

125.1

+6.9%

Imports

43.8

48.4

29.8

41.2

55.9

+35.7%

152.8

176.4

191

138.8

158.2

181.0

+14.4%

+16.6%

+15.4%

+8.3%

-27.3%

+14.0%

+14.4%

1. Local production (% of total)

71.3%

72.6%

71.7%

78.5%

74.0%

69.1%

2. Imports (% of total)

28.7%

27.4%

28.3%

21.5%

26.0%

30.9%

Exports

Domestic consumption % Variation of consumption

Values in million sq.m - Source: Tile Edizioni on various sources Tile International 1/2012

Advertising

Visit us at Mosbuild, Pav. 2, Hall 1 C311 / at Coverings, Stand 4759

M O S B U I L D 49 Countries in Moscow



Moscow is set to host the 2012 edition of Mosbuild, the largest exhibition of building and interior finishings in Eastern Europe. The organisers’ target this year is to surpass the already excellent results of 2011, when the show attracted 104,648 visitors and hosted 2,472 exhibitor companies from 49 different countries. This year’s show will differ from the customary format and will be held in a single exhibition centre, the Expocentre, but spread out over two weeks. Design & Decor, a privileged showcase for producers of tiles, bathrooms, nonceramic flooring, doors, paints

and coatings and wall coverings and for suppliers of plant and technology for the ceramic industry, will be held from 2 to 5 April. Then from 10 to 13 April it will be the turn of Building & Architecture, which will host the sectors of structural building, natural and reconstituted stone, lighting, doors and windows. This exhaustive offering will showcase the entire range of the most innovative products capable of attracting industry professionals, architects and interior designers. At Design & Decor, the Ceramica section devoted to tiles will as usual be hosting the joint stands of Italian and Spanish producers

Mosbuild 2012: exhibition sections Design & Décor (2-5 April 2012) • Bathrooms • Ceramica • Technoceramica • Doors & Locks • Flooring • Wall Décor • Decotex • Paints & Coatings

in pavilion 2. Italy will be represented by around forty companies, largely hosted on the Ceramic Tiles of Italy joint stand organised by Confindustria Ceramica, including: Abk Group, Casalgrande Padana, Ceramica Del Conca, Ceramica Sant’Agostino, Ceramica Vallelunga, Ceramiche Atlas Concorde, Ceramiche Brennero, Ceramiche Caesar, Ceramiche Keope, Settecento, Ceramiche Coem, Emilceramica Group, Gruppo GranitiFiandre, Kale Italia, Edilcuoghi, Edilgres, Ricchetti Group, Rondine Group, Gruppo Cir Serenissima, Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte, Marazzi Group, ecc. There will also be a strong Spanish presence consisting of around 60 exhibitors collected under the Ceramic Tile of Spain mark organised by ICEX and Ascer. Also present will be the best known German, Turkish and Polish companies as well as local companies and about a dozen Chinese producers. The Bathrooms section (pavilions 1 and 8) stands out for its highly international scope and will be hosting exhibitors from more than

Building & Architecture (10-13 April 2012) • Building materials & equipment • Plumbing & Pipes • Window Build • Lighting & Electrics • Hardware & Tools • Structural Finishes • Country Construction • Stonex

Tile International 1/2012

18 countries, the most strongly represented being Italy and China. Technologies and machinery for ceramic tile and brick production will as usual be exhibited in the Technoceramica section (hall 5 of pavilion 2), which increased its exhibition space by 30% last year. The joint Italian stand organised by Acimac (Italian ceramic machinery and equipment manufacturers’ association) will be hosting around thirty companies, the largest country group. Other foreign exhibitors will include around ten German companies (including Händle, Keller and Hans Lingl), plus Imerys, Cleia, Verdes and Hito. One of the ancillary events to be held during the first week of the show is the forum entitled “The problems and development prospects of the building and finishing materials market and DIY trade”. It will address issues concerning the development of the industry based on the wholesale and retail markets with specific reference to the DIY segment. 5

LTi mu

ia med

More contents on your tablet

Mosbuild 2012: Foreign exhibitors in the "Ceramica" section (as of 9/03/2012) COMPANY Pav.& Hall COUNTRY Jasba Villeroy & Boch V&B Fliesen Steuler/Villiglas Gail Abk Group Industrie Ceramiche Ariostea Casalgrande Padana Ceramica Ariana Ceramica Del Conca Pastorelli Ceramica Sant’Agostino Ceramica Vallelunga Ceramiche Atlas Concorde Ceramiche Brennero Ceramiche Caesar Ceramiche Keope Settecento Coem Emilceramica Ergon Acif Fap Ceramiche Flaviker Pisa GranitiFiandre Iris Ceramica Fmg Kale Italia Edilcuoghi Edilgres Ceramiche Ricchetti Cisa Ceramiche Cerdisa Ceramiche Majorca Rondine Santa Margherita SCP - Società Ceramiche Pregiate Serenissima Cir Tagina Ceramiche D’Arte Kerama Marazzi Group Ideal Legno Prati Group / Hortus Profilpas Italon Brand Opoczno Ceramika Paradyz Makro-Plast Polcolorit Love Ceramic Tiles Margres Apavisa Porcelanico Argenta Cerámica Azteca Products & Services

Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav 8 Hall 1 "Flooring" Pav 8 Hall 1 "Flooring" Pav 8 Hall 1 "Flooring" Pav. 2 hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 3 Pav. 2 Hall 4 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2

Azulejo Decorado Y Exportación (Adex) Azulejos Borja S Azulejos El Mijares Azulejos Plaza (Plaza) Azulev Butech Ceracasa Ceramica Gomez Ceramica Nª Sª De La Oliva Ceramica Saloni Ceramicalcora Ceramicas Aparici Ceramicas Calaf Ceranco Cifre Ceramica Colorker Cristal Ceramicas (Cristacer) El Barco Emac Complementos Exagres Fritta Gamadecor Gayafores Glassdecor Revestimientos Gres De Alloza Gres De Aragon Gresmanc Internacional Grespania Hijos De Cipriano Castello Alfonso Hisbalit Ibero Alcorense Josè Oset y Cia L´Antic Colonial Land Porcelanico Mosavit Alcalaten Noken Onix Ceramica Pamesa Ceramica Peronda Ceramicas Porcelanicos HDC Porcelanosa Realonda Systempool Taulell Tercocer Undefasa Venis Vives Azulejos Y Gres Windisch Zirconio Bien Seramik Vitra Tiles Zeus Ceramica

Germany Germany Germany Germany Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy/Russia Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy/Russia Italy Italy Italy Russia Poland Poland Poland Poland Portugal Portugal Spain Spain Spain

Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 1 Stand A519 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 2 Pav. 2 Hall 1 Pav. 2 Hall 3

Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Turkey Turkey Ukraine

Tile International 1/2012

Companies at Mosbuild 2012

VitrA »» Name: Adora »» Description: combines the classical elegance of famous Carrara marble from the Tuscany Region with new aesthetic forms. The contemporary interpretations of floral patterns are complemented with geometric images. Offering a brand new solution for walls with its 25x70 cm size tiles, the Adora line attracts the eye with its white, grey, silver-effect and crème-gold tones

Xtra »» Name: Xpressive »» Description: bright, almost fluorescent colours, soft nuances and the basic contrasts of white and black form the starting point of Xpressive, the new collection of glazed porcelain tile designed by Silvia Stanzani. The chromatic power of the ceramic glazes combines with the strength of the porcelain tile to create a technical surface for residential applications, public spaces and outdoor urban furnishing. Available in 11 colours and three sizes: 120x60, 120x30 and 60x60 cm.

Tile International 1/2012

Advertising

Companies at Mosbuild 2012

Piemme Valentino »» Name: Avant Garde »» Description: this collection of fine porcelain tile is ideal for both floor and wall tiling and evokes the minimal-chic style of stone. Available in four soft tones, for furnishing any environment with sober elegance, the collection comes in three sizes (60x60, 30x60 and 45x45 cm) and three finishes (natural, natural edge-ground and lapped edgeground).

Leonardo Ceramica »» Name: Stone Project »» Description: stone is the protagonist of this new collection designed for major architectural works and outdoor applications. Made from versatile, high-performance, through-body porcelain, the collection re-interprets six stones: Cluny, Brera, Skifer, Bluestone, Colombino and Oceanblack. The all-new 120x120 cm format and its sub-multiples (60x60, 60x120 and 30x60 cm), transform the product into a polished, bevelled stone, capable of bringing unique charm to even the most refined domestic environments, with its shades of almond and black

Tagina »» Name: Rondò »» Description: drawing inspiration from 18th Century choral singing, Rondò embodies the latter’s dynamic movements with supreme equilibrium, through pastel tones and light, flexible forms, decorated with chiselled ornamentation, stucco work, floral patterns and other motifs inspired by nature. Available in two versions (doublefired white-body or glazed porcelain tile, both with a thickness of 12 mm) and two colours (Verde Veneziano and Venezia)

Tile International 1/2012

Companies at Mosbuild 2012

Grespania »» Name: India »» Description: refinement and sensuality are the leitmotif of this collection of porcelain tiles, available in size 30x90 cm. The luminosity of marble combines with the richness of the colours, especially the blue-brown, which give the collection a truly exclusive depth and intensity. The range is complemented by sumptuous mosaics, that look as though they were taken from royal palaces, and trim pieces that can be used to create a “boiserie” effect

Casalgrande Padana »» Name: Architecture (Granitogres) »» Description: made using the most advanced technologies for the production of fully vitrified, through-body porcelain tile, these innovative materials are offered in a distinctive range of 12 refined, neutral colours (white, beige, light brown, dark brown, light ivory, dark ivory, cool grey, warm grey, light grey, medium grey, dark grey, black) and two finishes: sober and timeless natural matt and a new gloss version. The latter is an unprecedented finish with soft, convex contours that evoke the texture of brushed concrete. Available in sizes 15x60, 30x60, 60x60 and 90x90 cm, as well as all the sub-multiples obtainable by cutting, the product stands out for its eco-friendly credentials

Emilceramica »» Name: Re-Use »» Description: work, create, re-use: this is the spirit of the project, available in a creative kit of products, which can be used individually or in combination with each other and consist of three types of marble and three types of reinforced concrete. Re-Use is available in three colours in the natural marble version, in sizes 45x90, 60x60 and 30x60 cm, and in three colours in the lapped version, in sizes 59x59 and 29.4x59 cm. The concrete version is available with a natural or lapped finish in three colours, in sizes 45x90, 60x60 and 30x60 cm. The range includes mosaics and trim pieces, with which you can customise any environment according to your own styling and design preferences

Tile International 1/2012

Companies at Mosbuild 2012

ABK »» Name: Aqua »» Description: a new collection of wall tiles, which brings back an updated variant of an artisanal glazing technique. This doublefired, white-body tile has a gloss finish, and is made in size 20x60. Available in three shades of pink (magnolia, powder, amethyst), three of brown (ivory, cinnamon, mink) and three of grey/blue (ash, turtledove, ultramarine).

Ceramiche Coem »» Name: Rapolano »» Description: absolutely classic marble, of the type seen in Roman spa baths, whose surfaces featured irregular holes and a rich, time-worn look caused by water erosion. The new departure is the technology: the surface porosity is replicated with a totally natural effect and the material takes on a pure and unmistakable character. Also available in the Rapolano 3D version, which simulates the irregularities of holes without recourse to real holes. Colours: Walnut, Silver and Vanilla. Finishes: Natural, Natural/ Edge-ground, Polished, Polished/Edge-ground. Dimensions: 45x90 and 30x60 (for both types, CAVO and 3D); 60x60, 45x45, 30x30 and 15x15 (for 3D only). The collection also includes mosaics and trim pieces

NovaBell »» Name: Paint »» Description: a new collection of single-fired, white-body wall tiles for the creative tiling of home interiors, with a wide range of colours and accents. Offering character, a positive spirit and a hint of irony, Paint is an edgeground, polished, decorated, high-gloss tile available in 10 colours: violet, lilac, night, metal, beige, coffee brown, chilli, white, beige and nut brown

Tile International 1/2012

Companies at Mosbuild 2012

Cerdisa »» Name: Glitter »» Description: a collection created to bring charm and luminosity to wall coverings, thanks to a gloss and slightly iridescent finish, attenuated by the subtle patterns of the surface. The accents enhance the environment with a personal touch, and accentuate sensations and atmospheres with different styles. Produced in sizes 32x75, 15x75 and 32x32, the field tiles are available in white, anthracite, ivory and taupe

Capri »» Name: Royal Onyx »» Description: the new dimension of contemporary romanticism is condensed into the decorative philosophy of Royal Onyx, a collection of white-body and glazed porcelain tiles, which uses digital technology to generate the charm and elegance of onyx in delicate pastel tones. Available in three colours (white, beige and grey) and two formats (30.5x72.5 edge-ground and 49.5x49.5 lapped and edge-ground)

Ricchetti Group »» Name: Agata »» Description: a line of glazed porcelain tiles which, like Diva, belong to one of the collections in the Luxury Tile range for Cavalli Home, Roberto Cavalli’s fashion house. Available in four colours (multicolor, black, sky-blue and white), four sizes (50x100, 25x100, 60x60 and 30x60 cm) and two finishes

Tile International 1/2012

Companies at Mosbuild 2012

Maison »» Name: Memoires »» Description: a collection of wall tiles featuring delicate tones and enriched with mosaics and accents. Designed with top-end residential environments in mind, and especially suited to bathrooms, it is available in cream, pink, violet, blue, grey and brown, in sizes 18x45 and 2.2x45 cm. The wall tiles are coordinated with a series of floor tiles in size 30x30 cm in violet, blue, grey and brown

Ascot »» Name: Yellow Stone »» Description: this through-body porcelain tile is characterised by particularly distinctive colour patterns due to the use of digital technology. Designed for flooring applications, it is available in six colours (white, grey, nut, green, beige and cream) and five formats (30x60, 16.5x99.8 24.8x99.8, 50x100, 50.2x50.2 cm), complemented by trim pieces

Atlas Concorde »» Name: Magnifique »» Description: taking inspiration from handdrawn images in charcoal, Magnifique stands out for its captivatingly original appearance. The white-body wall tiles comprise a refined colour palette made up of six gloss, reflective tones and three satin tints for evocative juxtapositions of colour and texture. The 40x80 cm format enhances the elegance of the collection, while the elongated 20x80 format opens up a host of attractive compositional possibilities

Tile International 1/2012

Advertising

Project by Chiara Bruzzichelli

Mapei and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan



On 21 December last year, Milan celebrated the completion of the conservative restoration work on the paving of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, originally designed in 1865 by architect Giuseppe Mengoni and nicknamed the city’s “salotto” or “drawing room” for its numerous shops and eating places. The project, commissioned by the city council, was awarded to architects Silvia Volpi (works director) and Pasquale Mariani Orlandi (designer, project manager and safety coordinator). The restoration work was carried though by the company Trivella Spa with the technical support of Mapei Spa, which from 2007 onwards cooperated with Milan city council’s technical and cultural department in conducting diagnostic analyses aimed at identifying and trying out suitable technical solutions. The work began on 4 May 2011 and was completed in 210 days in accordance with a detailed schedule that allowed the work to proceed as rapidly as possible without interrupting the Galleria’s commercial functions. A restored floor space of 4,050 square metres was officially opened on 21 December. The restoration work proceeded around the clock over three working shifts with an average of 35 workers taking part per day. The use of transparent safety

Tile International 1/2012

Project

mu LTi

med

More contents on your tablet

The project stages Mapei’s products were used in various stages of the project: - Restoration of the floor medallions using EPORIP, MAPEGROUT T40, KERALASTIC T and MAPESIL AC - Consolidation and restoration of the damaged substrate using NIVORAPID and LATEX PLUS, MAPECEM PRONTO, MAPEGROUT SVFIBER, PRIMER 3296 and EPORIP - Installation of mosaic and stone slabs using ELASTORAPID - Installation of glass elements using ELASTORAPID and KERAPOXY - Elastic sealing using MAPESIL AC and MAPESIL LM Mapei has once again placed its products and expert personnel at the service of the world of culture, contributing to the conservation and maintenance of a site of great cultural and emotional importance for the city of Milan. Founded in 1937 in Milan, the Mapei Group is made up of 68 member companies operating 58 factories in 27 countries worldwide. It is the world’s largest producer of adhesives and complementary products for the installation of floor and wall tiles and also specialises in chemical products for building, such as waterproofing agents, special mortars and concrete additives, as well as products for rehabilitating historic buildings. The Group’s estimated turnover for 2011 is 1.9 billion euros.

Tile International 1/2012

Project

barriers with brief descriptions of the work enabled passers-by and tourists to watch the restorers at work. The project will be completed by April this year when the paving of the northern and southern arcades is finished. The total restored surface area will amount to 6,300 square metres. The restoration project sought as far as possible to retain the existing paving materials and the traces of history left by the passage of time. Deteriorated, broken or damaged materials were replaced with similar pieces of marble and integrated with glass paste inserts and mosaics. Parts that could not be restored

Tile International 1/2012

were substituted by removing and replacing the individual mosaics and stone slabs. The work proved especially complex in the central part of the Gallery, most notably in the octagonal area below the dome, where a greater number of conservative interventions were required. One particularly challenging part was the restoration of the central mosaic displaying the coat of arms of the House of Savoy, and alongside it, those of the four cities that during different periods served as the capitals of the Kingdom of Italy: Milan (under Napoleon), then Turin, Florence and finally Rome (under the House of Savoy). 5

Project

PREVIOUS RESTORATION WORK ON THE GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE II

The Galleria’s paving underwent maintenance in 1908. Extensive restoration work was carried out following the bombings of 1943. The latest work dates from 1966, when the city council replaced the original cast iron rose windows with brass elements.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CONSTRUCTION

In 1859 the Milan city council decided to build a covered arcade to connect Piazza Duomo with Piazza della Scala, similar to the existing Galleria de Cristoforis at San Babila but larger and more extravagant. 1859 was the year in which Milan emerged from Austrian dominion following the second War of Independence to become part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which in 1861 became the Kingdom of Italy. The Galleria was dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II, the last King of Sardinia and the first King of Italy. 1859 was also the year in which Giuseppe Verdi married his second wife Giuseppina Strepponi. To build the new Galleria, the Milan city council launched an international competition which attracted projects from 176 architects. The winner was the young Giuseppe Mengoni (born in Fontanelice di Imola in 1929), who put forward a project for two perpendicular arcades with a large octagonal space at the point of intersection. The roof consisted of a cast iron and glass structure following a style that was becoming popular in Europe and prefigured the Belle Époque, inspired by the Crystal Palace that had been built in Victorian London in 1851 to house the Great Exhibition. It was followed a few years later by construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (1887-1889). Work began in 1865 with the laying of the first stone by King Victor Emanuel II of Savoy and, although not entirely finished, the Galleria was opened two years later. Antonio Beretta, the first mayor of Milan, was engulfed by political scandal following the discovery of a secret agreement with the English-owned construction company to raise the structure of the Galleria by one floor. The Milan city council subsequently took control and oversaw completion of the project.

The results are truly impressive

Giuseppe Mengoni, the architect who designed the Galleria, died on 30 December 1877 when he fell from the dome being built on the arcade’s central Octagon during an inspection. Some believe that this was in fact suicide brought on by disappointment at the King’s absence from the opening ceremony. Mengoni was not to know, however, that the King had been absent due to his serious health conditions, which were being kept secret and would lead to his death a few days later, on 9 January 1878.

Tile International 1/2012

Topics

Andretto Design, the Evolution of mosaic

21.6 by Andretto Design, the new brand of DiPi첫 srl, is a new collection, which makes exclusive use of Murano glass in its production. Offering a highly design-oriented re-interpretation of mosaic, it is ideal not only for floors and walls, but also for the creation of much more complex furnishing structures for livingrooms and bedrooms. To demonstrate the infinite architectural/furnishing capacities and the expressive potential of the new 21.6 collection, Andretto Design has built an original 80-sq.m loft at its Rubiera di Reggio Emilia headquarters in Italy. As well as partitioning and storage systems, the show-loft includes refined interior finishings. The colour scheme for the loft revolves around basic colours in the form of black, white, grey, ivory, cream, silk and brown. The variety of colours, deployed in tone-on-tone patterns, combined with the vol-

Tile International 1/2012

umetric dynamism achieved by juxtaposing gloss and matt surfaces, and using different thicknesses of glass and textured coverings, generates an evocatively nuanced array of light and shade effects. The provocative elegance of 21.6 expresses the naked and essential beauty of Murano glass, worked and decorated entirely by hand, and strictly Made in Italy. The collection is the fruit of time-honoured craftsmanship combined with contemporary

aesthetic rigour. The ductility of Murano glass is thus harnessed to create coverings with exclusive inserts, and customised furniture, pictures

and design objects. 21.6 embodies a new idea of luxury, conceived not as something external to be displayed, but as something in-

Topics

mu LTi

ia med

More contents on your tablet

ternal to experience and discover in oneself. This is the key that opens new creative horizons, and it can be custommade to individual require-

ments, while providing architects and specifiers with a flexible, personalised solution, for unlimited creative freedom. 5

Tile International 1/2012

Project by Christian Brunsmann

Düsseldorf Central Train Station: Uncoupling gets travelers on their way



The Düsseldorf central train station is one of Germany’s busiest train stations and serves approximately 250,000 passengers every day. Deutsche Bahn AG has now completed to improve the appearance of this important transport hub with a sizeable renovation program. To finish off the €19 million renovation project, some 7,000 sq.m of the facility were newly tiled. It has been a special challenge for all involved parties to handle this task without any interruption of daily operations. With 32 shops and eateries over an area of 10,000 sq.m of leased space, the Düsseldorf central train station is both a major transport hub and a shopping mall. The high foot traffic has turned the local McDonald’s branch into the world’s third best-selling outlet of the chain, and the Rossmann supermarket in the station is the top-selling store of its company. By choosing the “Namib” tile by Arkim in the much demanded format 90x45 cm, designers underscored the modern ambience of a shopping center. The covering was combined with a lateral guiding strip of grooved pavers to assist those with visual disabilities. The renovation of the floor coverings started on schedule in January 2011. The requirements were particularly demanding: • the work was to impact the flow of foot traffic as little as

Tile International 1/2012

possible; • all areas had to be waterproofed to protect the subway station underneath the train station from the seepage of water (the new sprinkler system in the train station has a water tank with a capacity of 125,000 liters); • the construction had to withstand high foot traffic without damage in the long term; • the badly deteriorated 25-yearold screed also had to be renovated. To meet these key requirements, the project managers of the Spettmann + Kahr engineering office based in Altenbeken de-

cided to use the bonded waterproofing and uncoupling system Schlüter-DITRA. “The developers were very specific that the ongoing train traffic and the retailers in the station hall should be impacted as little as possible by the renovation work. Of course, the short installation time of the bonded uncoupling system worked very much in our favor. We had already done renovation projects with DITRA in other train stations, such as Goslar and Helmstedt, and are again highly satisfied with the good cooperation in this project,” explains Wolfgang Dahl, the leading Spettmann + Kahr project

manager. The quick installation time results from the special design of the DITRA mat, which allows for vapor pressure equalization with the substrate. In non-technical terms, this means that the moisture from the green screed is evenly diffused through the membrane’s air channels. In addition, the system neutralizes any stresses that may result from the curing process of the screed. This makes it possible to install the uncoupling membrane over the fresh screed as soon as it is ready to bear weight. The tiles can then be directly installed over this layer.

Project

From left: The renovation work of the floor covering in the D端sseldorf central train station was performed without interrupting daily operations. The work was divided into partial areas of approx. 100 sq.m each.

Work details To meet the core requirement of impacting train passengers as little as possible, most work was done during low-traffic hours between 10:30 pm and 6:00 am. Furthermore, the entire area of over 7,000 sq.m was divided into units of 100 sq.m that could be processed in sequence. Five of these areas were completed every day. As a first work step in each of the areas, workers removed the old, damaged natural stone covering, along with the thick-bed mortar that had crumbled from years of use. This step was fol-

The bonded uncoupling mat Schl端ter-DITRA was installed as soon as the screed was ready to bear weight.

lowed by the installation of a new cement screed over a separation layer. Depending on the requirements, this was done with Sopro Rapidur B5 rapid-set mortar or a conventional cement screed with emulsified Sopro Rapidur E B 5 binder to accelerate the setting process. In conjunction with the DITRA mat, this made the screed ready for tile installation after 6 hours (Rapidur B5) or

Tile International 1/2012

Project

12 hours (Rapidur E B 5), followed by the application of a primer and the installation of the DITRA mat. The seams of the uncoupling membrane and the connections to walls and other upright construction components were sealed with the matching KERDI sealing tapes and the sealing adhesive KERDICOLL.This created the necessary waterproofing layer to protect the subway station from moisture as specified. The quick-setting poured screed VarioFlex HF from Sopro was used for the installation of DITRA and the tiles, which are set without cavities with a doublespreading method. This cementitious, fast-setting and quickly

highly durable, flexible poured screed is ideally suited for making fast construction progress. In combination with Schl端ter-DITRA, the renovated floor was ready to bear weight after 2 hours and could be opened to foot traffic after just 5 hours - an unbeatable advantage in a busy train station. As another factor of fast installation, the necessary maintenance-free movement joints were finished concurrently with the tile covering. This work step used the movement joint profiles Schl端ter-DILEX-EKSN in high-quality stainless steel. They provide secure protection for the edges of the tiles and guarantee an even movement zone of mainte-

The tile covering also includes guidance markers for the visually disabled and the blind Tile International 1/2012

DILEX-EKSN profiles were used at the perimeter joints

Project

nance-free, highly flexible plastic, which neutralizes stresses in the structure. Schlüter-DILEX-BWA transition profiles were used to connect to walls and upright structures as well as staircases. They absorb the movements of the floor construction in perimeter areas and prevent the buildup of tension in the covering.

Quick solution for high traffic volumes

The newly renovated area clearly differs from the old floor covering

Speedy work does not happen by magic, but is the result of detailed planning and preparation, paired with the use of innovative product systems. This approach was once again prov-

en in the installation of a new tile covering over a bonded uncoupling system in the Düsseldorf renovation project, has been completed in time by now. Uwe Quandt, the senior Lindner Group construction manager for the site, who is a master tile setter by trade, offers this summary: “Our experiences with the DITRA mat have been consistently good in projects all over the world. Here in the Düsseldorf train station, people kept stopping to ask what “the orange mat” is good for. The explanation makes sense to everyone, as Schlüter products are perfectly aligned and form a consistent system. The coordination with the product advisors could not have been more pleasant.” 5

PROJECT DATA: Developer: Deutsche Bahn AG Engineering: Spettmann + Kahr, Altenbeken General contractor: Lindner Group KG, Arnstorf Tile installers: Arcadia Fliesen und Naturstein GmbH, Berlin Products: ∙ Schlüter-DITRA Bonded uncoupling and waterproofing ∙ Schlüter-DILEX-BWA 125G Transition profiles ∙ Schlüter-DILEX-EKSN 125G/4VA Joint movement profile of stainless steel V4A ∙ Schlüter-KERDI-KEBA Sealing tapes ∙ Schlüter-KERDI-COLL Sealing adhesive ∙ Sopro VarioFlex® HF® (VF HF 420) Quick-setting poured screed ∙ Sopro Rapidur® B5 (767) Quick-set screed binder ∙ Sopro Rapidur® EB5 screed accelerator (647) Screed accelerator ∙ Sopro primer (GD 749) Primer ∙ Deutsche Steinzeug Grooved pavers ∙ Arkim “Namib” Ceramic tiles 45 x 90 cm

The results are truly impressive

Tile International 1/2012

Topics

Litokol puts down roots in China



In the traditional Chinese calendar, 23 January saw the start of the year of the dragon, and Litokol kicked off the new year by opening a new site in the Xuhui district of Shanghai. After three years of assiduous participation in Expobuilding China, where Litokol’s adhesives and grouts have elicited strong interest from local operators, the Italian company, headquartered in Rubiera, has now put

down roots in the territory of the foremost global economic power. The immense size of the Chinese market offers major business opportunities for manufacturers from all over the world. The Asian giant has remained largely unscathed by the global recession, and succeeded in maintaining vigorous growth rates and paving the way for a transition to a more mature phase of development, charac-

terised by higher domestic demand and less dependency on exports. Private consumption has reached record levels, driven by the increased purchasing power of ever larger swathes of the population, while the expanding middle-to-top income bracket is set to generate an increase in sales of luxury goods in the years to come. It is no coincidence, therefore, that China now hosts over a thousand manufacturers of mo-

Litokol at Expo Build China - Shanghai

Fabio Plazzi and Jessie Wu, business correspondent of Litokol Tile International 1/2012

Rolando Peperone, General Manager Litokol Shanghai

saics of all types – ceramic, natural stone and glass – mostly clustered around the urban areas of Foshan and Canton. With a strong commercial, manufacturing and cultural fabric, Shanghai is the ideal city for keeping abreast of the requirements of construction professionals and major contractors, especially for innovative, hightech products such as Litochrom Starlike®, the epoxy grout specifically formulated for grout-

ADVERTISING

ing artistic, ceramic, glass and natural stone mosaic. Although the production and consumption of top-end products accounts for a relatively modest slice of the total mosaic market, it represents an enormous number of potential consumers, who are increasingly inclined to opt for luxury and top-quality materials for their home-building and remodelling projects. The Chinese market is thus a key

development area for the near future, providing Litokol with the ideal opportunity to further its internationalisation plans. Litokol already operates production facilities in Russia and Armenia and a trading company in Ukraine, while exporting directly to over 90 other countries. The Chinese branch opens with a staff of five people and a logistics unit capable of filling every type of order very quickly, while also offering all the necessary technical support and training for local professionals. Located on the 33rd floor of an ultra-modern building in a business district close to the pulsating heart of Shanghai, the company provides the ideal hub for reaching not only the Chinese market, but the entire Far East region, as part of a development drive in which Litokol has always played a leading role in new markets, with highly innovative products. 5

Learn the secrets of ceramics with a click

Go to the free demo To view the course demo, scan the QR code with your smart phone or type in http://elearning.iiea-school.com/ on your PC browser. username “iiea” - password “demoiiea”

IIEA: S.A.L.A srl • Via Fossa Buracchione 84 • 41126 Baggiovara (MO) • Italy • Tel. +39 059 512 107 • info@iiea-school.it • www.iiea-school.it

By Andrew Whitmire, Tile Council of North America

USA shows signs of recovery

ď &#x2018;

USA: Ceramic tile imports by country in value* (Jan-Sept.) % Var. 2010/2009

% on total 2011 imports

2010 US $

2009 US $

Italy

351,060,865

357,865,878

324,376,773

-1.9%

10.3%

20.2

34.4

China

222,301,596

190,392,073

157,139,540

16.8%

21.2%

8.3

21.8

Mexico

Country

% Var. 2011/2010

2011 Average price US $/sq.m

2011 US $

184,697,105

164,107,006

158,526,667

12.5%

3.5%

6.0

18.1

Spain

81,276,922

75,304,345

79,428,313

7.9%

-5.2%

15.4

8.0

Brazil

45,502,147

46,368,475

55,807,587

-1.9%

-16.9%

7.1

4.5

Colombia

20,696,697

24,431,237

24,013,813

-15.3%

1.7%

6.7

2.0

Turkey

20,108,824

22,321,227

16,001,265

-9.9%

39.5%

9.7

2.0

Argentina

16,617,205

13,919,476

13,712,440

19.4%

1.5%

15.7

1.6

Thailand

13,242,050

29,237,317

28,919,049

-54.7%

1.1%

6.5

1.3

Peru

13,137,935

13,064,309

7,838,161

0.6%

66.7%

5.0

1.3

*including duty, freight, and insurance / include CIF + Duty Source: US Dept. of Commerce

USA: Ceramic tile imports by country in volume (Jan-Sept.) Country

2011 Sq.m

2010 Sq.m

2009 Sq.m

% Var. 2011/2010

% Var. 2010/2009

% Var. 2009/2008

% on total 2011 imports

Mexico

30,897,821

28,177,132

26,154,221

9.7%

7.7%

-16.1%

30.6

China

26,665,847

23,345,978

19,517,713

14.2%

19.6%

-8.7%

26.4

Italy

17,379,216

18,296,765

16,372,810

-5.0%

11.8%

-42.2%

17.2

Brazil

6,441,573

6,210,781

7,929,875

3.7%

-21.7%

-33.9%

6.4

Spain

5,264,255

5,075,302

5,454,712

3.7%

-7.0%

-40.3%

5.2

Colombia

3,109,396

4,373,126

3,801,518

-28.9%

15.0%

22.3%

3.1

Peru

2,611,282

2,611,785

1,635,230

0.0%

59.7%

-5.0%

2.6

Turkey

2,075,011

2,250,103

1,686,560

-7.8%

33.4%

-51.4%

2.1

Thailand

2,023,573

4,913,542

4,931,750

-58.8%

-0.4%

17.8%

2.0

Argentina

1,061,535

1,159,345

1,075,961

-8.4%

7.7%

-33.6%

1.1

Source: US Dept. of Commerce Tile International 1/2012

While 2011 turned out to be another challenging year for the U.S. economy and the U.S. ceramic tile industry, there are indications that things are improving. On the positive side for the U.S. residential market, last year brought an increase in new home starts for the second straight year. The 3.4% increase from 587,000 units in 2010 to 607,000 units in 2011 was fueled in large part by a 60% increase in multi-family unit construction. Providing further optimism was the fact that new home starts finished the year strongly. The months of November and December produced the highest number of starts in 2011, and starts in these months were up almost 25% vs. November & December 2010(1). Existing home sales rose slightly from 3.7 million units in 2010 to 3.8 million units in 2011, a 2.1% increase(2). New home sales, however, did not give builders much to cheer about. Through November new single-family home sales in 2011 were on pace to be at a record low of 300,000 units, down 7.1% from the previous year(3). Nevertheless, there are several factors expected to help boost home sales in the near future. One of these is historically-low mortgage rates. 30-year fixed rates in 2011 were at 4.45%, the lowest annual rate on record. In fact, in the last two months of

Coverings 2012

Cersaie 2011

USA: New single family home sales

Thousands of units

2011, rates dipped below 4.00% for the first time(4). Additionally, the supply of unsold homes is at its lowest point since 2005, and pent up demand from those who have waited through the recession to purchase homes should assist ailing home sales. Another positive indicator for the housing industry is the declining U.S. unemployment rate, which fell to 8.9% in 2011, down from 9.6% in 2010. This represented the first year over year decline in the unemployment rate since 2006(5). Foreclosures decreased 34% from 2010 to 2011, though this good news was tempered by the fact the decrease was largely attributed to a backlog of foreclosure paperwork (due to the robo-signing controversy) rather than a real recovery(6). In summary, there are numerous reasons to be optimistic, but the housing industry still has some major issues to

Source: US Census Bureau

keep

App -to-date with Cersaie 2011

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

Welcome to Cersaie 2011

OPENING ECONOMIC CONFERENCE PALAZZO DEI CONGRESSI IN BOLOGNA

Tuesday 20 September, 11.00 a.m.: The theme of the conference is “Keeping pace with the market” and will feature talks by Confindustria chairman Emma Marcegaglia and Confindustria Ceramica chairman Franco Manfredini, together with Jacques Attali, an eclectic personality and prominent figure in the world of economics, culture and finance, both in France and internationally, and Antonio Tajani, vice president of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship. Jacques Attali, born in Algiers, is an intellectual, economist, philosopher and historian who has taught economic theory at the École Polytechnique and the Université Paris Dauphine. A contributor to the news magazine L’Express, he has written dozens of books that have been translated into more than twenty languages.

 Tile International 3/2011

ADVERTISING

100

101

Tile International 3/2011

for tablet and

smartphone

free

download

Coverings 2012

overcome, such as a high number of foreclosures and record low new home sales.

U.S Tile Consumption Through 3Q 2011 YTD U.S. tile consumption was at 147 million sq.m (1.58 billion sq. ft.), up 3.3% vs. 3Q 2010 YTD. If this trend continues in 4Q, U.S. ceramic tile consumption will increase in consecutive years for the first time since 2006(7). Though U.S. tile consumption was up in 2010 and through 3Q 2011, consumption was still low compared to recent years.

Imports in volume and value Through 3Q 2011 YTD, 1.09 billion

sq. ft. (100.9 million sq. m) of ceramic tile arrived in the U.S. This was an increase of 0.9% from 3Q 2010 YTD, in which 1.08 billion sq. ft. (100.0 million sq. m) of ceramic tile were imported into the U.S., and a 9.9% increase from 3Q 2009 YTD. Imports still comprise the majority of tiles consumed in the U.S., although their percent share has declined steadily over the past few years. Through 3Q 2011 imports comprised 68.7% of U.S. tile consumption, their lowest percentage since 1998. In volume through 3Q 2011, Mexico remained the top exporter to the U.S. in volume with a 30.6% share. China held the second position, making up 26.4% of imports (in volume). Italy was in third place with a 17.2%

share. Of the top ten countries from which the U.S. imported tile (in volume), China (+14.2%) had the highest increase in exports to the U.S. (3Q 2011 YTD vs. 3Q 2010 YTD), and Thailand was down the most (-58.8%) from 3Q 2010 YTD. On a dollar basis, Italy remained the top exporter to the U.S. (3Q 2011 YTD), with a value of US $ 351 million, comprising 34.4% of U.S. imports. China and Mexico had the next largest shares, making up 21.8% and 18.1%, respectively.

U.S. Shipments and Exports Through 3Q 2011 YTD, domestic shipments were at 49.4 million sq.m (531 million sq. ft.), up 8.8%

U.S. ceramic tile shipments, sales and consumption Year

U.S. shipment

Imports

Exports

Consumption

% var. in consumption from previous year

from 3Q 2010 YTD (45.3 million sq.m or 488 million sq. ft.)(8). As previously mentioned, over this same timeframe U.S. imports were up 0.9%. This continues the trend of the last few years, in which domestically produced tile has consistently outperformed imports. A major reason for the growth in domestic shipments has been the weakness of the dollar vs. other currencies, particularly the Euro, which has made imports more expensive for U.S. consumers. U.S. exports were at 3.3 million sq.m (35.3 million sq. ft.) through 3Q 2011 YTD, up 7.2% vs. 3Q 2010 YTD. The vast majority of these exports were to Canada (47.2%), China (19.0%), and Mexico (10.4%)(9) . 5

Sources (1) U.S. Census Bureau

2011 (Jan-Sept)

49.4

100.9

3.3

147.0

3.3*

2010

60.3

129.6

3.9

186.0

7.7

2009

53.1

123.9

4.2

172.8

- 18.1

(3) U.S. Census Bureau

2008

58.9

156.6

4.7

210.9

- 15.2

(4) Freddie Mac

2007

50.6

202.4

4.4

248.7

-19.3

(5) Bureau of Labor Statistics

2006

58.5

253.8

4.2

308.1

1.8

2005

61.1

245.1

3.4

302.8

3.5

2004

64.6

231.2

3.2

292.6

11.8

2003

57.1

207.2

2.7

261.7

6.6

2002

60.3

189.0

3.1

245.5

16.2

2001

54.9

159.5

3.1

211.3

0.5

Values in million sq.m. *% change from 3Q 2010 YTD Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce & TCNA statistics Tile International 1/2012

(2) National Association of Realtors

(6) Realty Trac (7) U.S. Dept. of Commerce and TCNA statistics (8) U.S. Dept. of Commerce & TCNA statistics (9) U.S. Dept. of Commerce

Coverings 2012 returns to Orlando

ď &#x2018;

After being hosted in Las Vegas in 2011, Coverings, the pre-eminent exhibition of ceramic tile and natural stone in North America, will be back in Orlando this year. From 17 to 20 April, thousands of distributors, manufacturers, architects and designers from 50 countries will be converging on the Orange County Convention Center to discover the latest trends in materials and surfaces. In an approximately 30,000 square metre net show space, more than 800 companies from all over the world will

be exhibiting their latest new products, including cutting-edge solutions and the very best of creativity in the ceramic sector. The US show will once again be focusing on innovative and sustainable design through the PROJECT: Green programme, a competition open to international designers in residential, commercial and institutional categories, organised in cooperation with Environmental Design and the magazine Construction. Projects that best meet the criteria for innovative and sustainable tile and stone installations will be selected and hon-

mu LTi

med

oured in a centrepiece display in the exhibition centre. The event will be an excellent opportunity for establishing and consolidating commercial relationships and as usual will feature a packed programme of seminars, conferences and practical demonstrations of live installations by architects and designers in the Installation/Design Showcase, an educational initiative aimed at industry professionals. The Italian ceramic industry will be represented by 48 companies in a joint Tiles of Italy pavilion organised by Confindustria Ceramica. The pavilion will showcase the very best of Italian production and host a range of initiatives such as the customary press

conference. The Spanish pavilion will consist of 39 ceramic companies belonging to ASCER. The Tile of Spain space will be hosting a number of seminars devoted to tiles as well as an exhibition of products by companies taking part in the decoration project organised by the association. As usual there will be joint pavilions of US manufacturers organised by TCNA, of Brazilian producers led by Anfacer and of Turkish companies under the umbrella of the Turkish Ceramic Promotion Group, as well as the stands of Chinese producers. Plenty of space will also be devoted to producers of marble and natural stone. 5

More contents on your tablet

Tile International 1/2012

Companies showcased

Azulev »» Name: Enigma »» Description: reflecting the state of the art in the elite arena, this collection of through-body porcelain tiles blends the minimalist appearance of concrete, with slender, natural stone inserts. Produced using digital technology, it offers a high level of technical specification. Available in three sizes (60x60, 30x60 and 45x45 cm) and four colours (beige, black, graphite and Gris), it enhances the aesthetics of any type of environment.

Casalgrande Padana »» Name: Amazzonia (Pietre Native) »» Description: deriving from in-depth research into the structure and textural/chromatic composition of fully vitrified porcelain tile, this collection is produced in eight soft, warm colours (beige, black, brown, chocolate, Eldorado, green, grey and white), two finishes (natural and grip, the latter being slightly textured) and four modular, edge-ground formats (30x60, 60x60, 45x45 and 45x90 cm), plus all the sub-sizes obtainable by cutting. Like all of Casalgrande Padana’s products, the Amazzonia series stands out for its environmental performance.

Tile International 1/2012

Advertising

Emilceramica »» Name: On Square »» Description: 45 blocks of concrete are reproduced on the ceramic surface, and retain their details and textural richness. The collection centres upon the concept of balance, and offers a series of harmoniously dynamic patterns in a palette of four powdery and natural colours, in sizes 80x80, 60x60 and 30x60 cm with a natural or lapped finish. The collection is complemented by mosaics and a vast range of trim pieces, for maximum design freedom and a personalised look for any environment.

Grespania »» Name: Coverlam »» Description: a line of edge-ground, laminated porcelain tile designed with architects and professionals in mind. A new production process makes it possible to produce large, extremely lightweight formats, with a thickness of just 3.5 mm, without impacting on the mechanical strength, impermeability and durability of the ceramic. The already extensive Coverlam range now also features: a new texture of travertine marble with subtle highlights, available in shades of anthracite and white; the warm sobriety of the basic series, produced in a line of neutral colours; and the combined stone and metal effect of the Oxido series, available in ivory. Sizes: 1000x3000 mm, 1000x1000 mm and 1000x500 mm.

Verde 1999 »» Name: Moonstone »» Description: a line of ceramic that uses ink-jet technology to evoke the rustic style of natural stone. As well as the traditional blend of shades of beige, Moonstone comes in a black variant. Available in two sizes: 50x50 and 41x82 cm.

Tile International 1/2012

GranitiFiandre »» Name: Maximum »» Description: a porcelain tile collection that stands out for its innovative 300x150 cm format, produced using state-of-the-art technologies. As well as being exceptionally large, Maximum is strong, light, flexible and ductile, and has a low thickness ranging from 3 to 6 mm. Demolition of existing floor coverings prior to installation is not necessary, and the large size of the tiles minimises the number of joints between tiles. The polishing of the surface creates bright, reflective colours.

NovaBell »» Name: EcoDream »» Description: a new collection of porcelain floor tiles that harness HD digital technology to bring the warmth of wood into any environment. The extreme variegation of the surfaces has a natural, dynamic effect. The tones of grey oak, honey ash, chestnut and plain oak are replicated in various formats and enhanced by attractive accents.

Piemmegres »» Name: New Stone »» Description: a series of through-body fine porcelain tiles decorated using digital technology, and inspired by ancient stones that came into being some 20 million years ago. While remaining very faithful to the originals, they are “soft” to the touch thanks to a special lapping process, which transforms this product into a highly expressive interior design medium. The new 3D surfaces complete the series, which is available in four sizes (45x90, 45x45, 60x60 and 30x60 cm), in Bianco Trani, Bluestone and London Grey.

Tile International 1/2012

ABK »» Name: Cabane »» Description: a new collection of through-body porcelain tiles in floor-board formats with a white wood effect. Available in sizes 20x80 cm edge-ground and 13.5x80 cm edge-ground, they feature a distinctively non-uniform surface appearance. Four colours reflect the traditional aesthetics of Cabane: natural ivory, time-worn rope, neutral grey and fresh white. The contrasting highlights of the surface faithfully complete the look.

VitrA »» Name: Sepia »» Description: adorns walls with all the hues of brown. On mocha and crème background, the floral decorations create either a shady effect or a sense of being ornamented with pearl drops. Striped décor alternatives carry the spaces into different dimensions with their contemporary design. Offering a slight textile texture on the walls, the Sepia line creates a feeling of latitude in spaces with the new 25x70 cm tiles.

Cir »» Name: Marble Style »» Description: a collection of fine porcelain floor and wall tiles designed for creating stylish, modern, original environments, in both the commercial and residential sectors. Available in three colours (Rapolano White, Fiorito Beige and Scabas Walnut) in three sizes (10x10, 30.4x60.8, 42.5x42.5 cm).

Tile International 1/2012

Advertising

Goal: big project

Wet saw

TORNADO Advanced technology Innovative design ...

www.montolit.com

Atlas Concorde »» Name: Evolve »» Description: brushed concrete takes on the status of an advanced design finish in this collection of technical porcelain tiles, available in three finishes: matt, lapped – with a soft feel and resin effect – and textured, which reproduces the effect of formwork imprinted in concrete. Produced in eight colours, including two metallics. The large 60x120 sheets and the new 75x75 format provide new opportunities for composition and perspective. Evolve is also available in the Linea version, with a thickness of 4.8 mm in size 30x60 and in the Dogato, Broccato and Mosaico Dek accents.

Imolaceramica »» Name: Beestone »» Description: this series of through-body porcelain tile evokes the appearance of stone with its authentically natural surfaces and wealth of detail. Available in five sizes, including a new extra-large 90x90 cm format, and as many colours (beige, white, black, grey and dark grey), which bring warmth to wherever they are installed, with their nuances that range from dark to light.

Tagina »» Name: Wire »» Description: this ambitious project is the fruit of a partnership with Simone Micheli, and takes the form of a ceramic system that generates modular structures, continuous architectures and fluid spaces. Designed for indoor and outdoor use alike, it comes in two versions: a white-body, double-fired tile for elegant, refined interiors, and a porcelain tile with a thickness of up to 20 mm, which is ideal for raised flooring and dry applications on sand, gravel and grass.

Tile International 1/2012

Ceramiche Keope »» Name: Percorsi Quartz (In&Out) »» Description: a collection of porcelain floor and wall tiles, with a sober, elegant, contemporary style and a design that draws inspiration from natural quartzites. The collection allows maximum freedom of expression thanks to its four colours (white, sand, grey and black), two finishes (textured and brushed) and seven sizes (60x60, 30x60, 40x60, 20x60, 30x30, 15x30 and 15x15 cm). The Percorsi Quartz series bears the GreenThinking logo, symbolising the company’s tangible commitment to the environment, and the Made In Italy mark.

Ricchetti Group »» Name: Reserve »» Description: a series of fine porcelain tiles inspired by reclaimed antique wood. Each piece faithfully replicates a time-worn effect, with different grain patterns and nuances. The collection is available in four colours (birch, antique oak, cherry and maple), two sizes (13x80 and 20x80 cm) and two finishes (natural and lapped)

Ariana »» Name: Stile »» Description: drawing inspiration from the most sought-after exotic marbles, this is a new series of white-body, double-fired wall tiles for creating characterful bathrooms. Available in a new 25x60 cm format and four two-tone colours enhanced by various accents, it is a highly original, distinctive product. Colours: honey, amber, ivory, tobacco, chalk, grey and black

Tile International 1/2012

Monocibec »» Name: Nextra »» Description: this collection of fine porcelain tiles certified by Bureau Veritas for its use of 40% recycled materials and by ANABICEA for its green building credentials, captures the density of concrete and expresses its full strength with unprecedented gentleness. The five colours (white, ivory, grey, lead and black) are available with a natural or polished finish and are suitable for use in both residential and commercial contexts. Nextra is available in four sizes (45x45, 30x60, 60x60 and 80x80).

Fondovalle »» Name: Luserna »» Description: this line of doublepressed porcelain tiles belonging to the BiFusion series draws inspiration from quartzite, and retains the natural elegance of natural stone. Available in four colours (almond, gold, dark grey and mint) and four sizes (60x90 cm, 30x90 cm, 60x60 cm and 30x60 cm), it is a tastefully stylish solution for both indoor and outdoor applications in residential and commercial environments alike.

Ceramiche Campogalliano »» Name: Strand Iron »» Description: a ceramic collection that deploys ink-jet technology to achieve a top-quality result. Available in six colours (white, beige, silver, dark brown, tobacco and iron) and two finishes (natural and semi-polished), it is produced in three different sizes: 30x60, 15x60 and 10x60 cm, plus a 5x5 cm mosaic on a 30x30 cm mesh mounting.

Tile International 1/2012

Advertising

Cisa »» Name: Nuances »» Description: a collection of edge-ground, glazed porcelain tiles, produced in large formats and a wide range of bright colours. Three different styles express three different personalities, with a blend of colour, floral decoration and technology: Atout is the young, dynamic variant; Velours is for refined, elegant environments, and Coloniali combines modernity with a touch of class. Available in sizes 32x32, 32x75 and 16x75 cm and the colours coal, white, acquagreen, sky, cherry, ivory, velours coal, velours white, velours acquagreen, velours sky, velours cherry, velours ivory, taupe and jute.

Phorma »» Name: Le Ardesie »» Description: made to the highest standards of quality, design and elegance, this collection of porcelain floor and wall tiles is suitable for both residential and commercial applications. Produced in size 15x90 cm, in four colours (graphite, titanium, ivory and malachite) and two finishes.

Naxos »» Name: Elettra »» Description: drawing inspiration from the minerals from which it takes its streaks and nuances of colour, this collection of porcelain tiles lends a stylishly personalised touch to every environment. Available in three colours (Crystal, Mineral and Shale) and three sizes (45x45, 30x60 and 30x30 cm), this series is ideal for use in projects aiming for LEED certification because it contains 40% recycled material.

Tile International 1/2012

Florim »» Name: Reverse/ »» Description: a collection of porcelain tiles inspired by the solidity of concrete and imprinted with the patterns of wood. In the same way as facing concrete has a decorative rather than a structural role, Reverse/ interprets this complex, refined technology with outstanding versatility, to emphasise its figurative qualities: irregular surfaces and bold, natural colours converge to create orderly, meditative spaces, representing a new concept of essential decoration. Colours: RE-10.9/SAGE, RE-9.6/BRASS, RE-8.5/COPPER, RE-7.1/GOLD, RE-5.8/ZINC, RE-3.2/STEEL, RE-2.4/BONE and RE-1.1/WHITE. »» Sizes: 80x180, 26.5x180, 20x180, 60x120, 20x120, 40x80 and 20x80 cm.

Ceramica Fioranese »» Name: Cottage »» Description: a line of porcelain floor tiles replicating a wide range of rustic wood surfaces, just like their natural counterparts. Available in size 13x60 cm, in five colours and a rustic, natural “country” finish.

Lea Ceramica »» Name: Slimtech RE-evolution »» Description: a new iteration of laminated porcelain tile, produced in large formats (300x100cm) and a thickness of just 3 mm, now available with a new resin-effect texture. Made using state-of-the-art technology, RE-evolution is the only ceramic sheet obtained by blending the ceramic body with coloured glass. Fired at a temperature of 1200°, the finished product has a completely flat surface and combines the aesthetic appeal of resin with the functionality and durability of ceramic. These flat, edge-ground sheets are easy to install, and offer high visual impact as a wall covering too. Available in six colours, consisting of three warm shades of beige (Slimtech RE-evolution Warm) and three cold shades of grey (Slimtech RE-evolution Cold), in sizes 100x300cm, 100x100cm, 50x100cm, 50x50cm, and 4.9x100cm. Thickness: Slimtech, 3 mm; Slimtech Plus, 3.5 mm; Slimtech Twin, 7 mm.

Tile International 1/2012

innovations presented at the fair of turnover of represented sector

foreign visitors

countries of origin of visitors

THE FUTURE OF CERAMICS

23th International Exhibition of Technology and Supplies for the Ceramic and Brick Industries

organized by

www.tecnargilla.it

in cooperation with

Advertising

omniadvert.com

of recent

technology is nothing without design

design and digital technologies for a new concept of ceramic decoration. Since 20 years Tecnografica has been thinking, running and working hard for ceramic tile industry. Thanks to its dreams, passion and great teamwork, Tecnografica is constantly creating and developing the design and the new techniques for the most modern ceramic technologies.

Italia Tecnografica S.p.A.

Espa単a Tecnografica Iberica Design S.L.

w w w.tecnogr af ica .net