Tile International 3/2017

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ISSN2039-8301

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2018

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Publisher: 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.tiledizioni.it Codice Fiscale / P. IVA: IT02778050365 - Capitale Sociale: 51.400,00 € R.E.A. 329775 - Iscr. al Registro delle Imprese di Modena Periodico registrato presso il Tribunale di Modena al n. 1828 in data 21/02/2007 - Iscrizione ROC n. 9673 Editor and Publishing coordination: Chiara Bruzzichelli •

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Contents 9 - Editorial

World ceramic production sees return to growth

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

PhotoNews 10 - Gerflor for Suisse Bar 12 - Eterno Ivica in Allianz Tower 14 - Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti calls in at original Autogrill service station 16 – Tilenews 24 – Trends

8 trending colour palettes: the 2018 Pantone forecast

In the spotlight 32 – Italian primacy driven by technological innovation 36 – Florim invests 300 million euros in six years

42 – 50 – 54 –

Statistics World production and consumption of ceramic tiles The big players in the sector Upswing continues for Italian ceramic industry

Economy & markets 56 – Construction sector set to grow in Europe in 2017 58 – The evolution of the Spanish ceramic tile industry

Report CERSAIE 2017 64 - MCaroundCERSAIE. Increase in Italian and international trade attendees 66 - The Gallery 74 - The Event: Milleluci

Large-format panels 76 - ASSOPOSA’s “XXL installation guidelines” 80 - Large-format panels: an Italian-led revolution Projects 100 – Bayview, Australia: between ocean and parkland 104 – Neolith and RCR for ENIGMA project, Barcelona 108 – Liuzhou Forest City: the world’s first eco-town is getting real Cover picture: Veneto Ceràmicas, Spain - www.venetoceramicas.com Picture by Giancarlo Pradelli @ Cersaie 2017 Subscription order form: www.tiledizioni.it/eng/EcommerceRiviste.aspx Translations: Geoff Day / John Freeman

FOLLOW US: http://www. .com

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Editorial

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

World ceramic production sees return to growth Having remained broadly stable in 2015, total worldwide ceramic tile production saw a return to growth in 2016, to the tune of 6%, and now stands at 13 billion square metres.

This is due to an upturn in Asia (+8%) and faster production growth in the European Union (+7%) and North America (+8.5%), in parallel with an almost identical increase in demand in the same areas.

All the data are to be found in the 5th edition of “World Production and Consump-

tion of Ceramic Tiles”, a report published annually by the MECS - Acimac Studies Centre, the key points of which are as follows: • on the one hand, the upturn in Asia (+8%) has seen China continue to increase its production (+8.8%), driven by growing domestic demand; and on the other, it has seen India increase its production (+12.4%) for a massive boost in exports, mainly to the Middle East (India’s exports were up 39% in 2016); • European production has

risen too, with Italy and Spain exporting 80% of their output, and accounting for a quarter of the entire world’s ceramic exports between the two of them; • ceramic-manufacturing countries in South America (-9%), especially Brazil, and in North Africa (-3.4%) have seen their output shrink as a result of the well known factors affecting those regions.

In sharp contrast with the contraction in South America and North Africa, the

growth in production in Europe, India and the NAFTA region is reflected in the figures for the world’s top 25 ceramic tile groups. In 2016 the top 25 groups manufactured a total of approximately 1,750 million sq.m (13% of world production) and more than half of them reported growth in output volumes. Standouts include the results of Mohawk Industries in the USA, Lamosa and Vitromex in Mexico, Pamesa and STN in Spain, Kajaria in India and Arwana Citramulia in Indonesia.

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GERFLOR FOR SUISSE BAR The Suisse Bar, a historic venue in the centre of Pomezia, owned by Gianpiero and Nadia Campoli, who take care of its gastronomic offering, was completely remodelled in 2016.

The project and the interior design, aimed at combining a bar and eatery within approximately 200 square metres of floor

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space, were undertaken by AntesGroup, with the participation of the designers Fabrizio Antignani and Fabio Piermario.

In agreement with the owners, the designers opted to use Gerflor's CREATION 70 collection in Deep Forest (colour 0360), featuring Sycamore wood

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motifs, in size 17.6x100 cm.

Based in Aprilia, Antes has been involved in the design and realisation of interiors for Food & Beverage businesses for over 40 years, with a particular focus on the format and functionality of the work spaces.

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ETERNO IVICA IN ALLIANZ TOWER Rising to a height of 207 metres, the Allianz Tower in Milan, designed by Arata Isozaki of Japan and Andrea Maffei of Italy, is Italy's tallest building.

It has a covered area of 50,000 sq.m, 46 floors of office space, three floors dedicated to technical equipment and a triple-height

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lobby. On two levels, the lobby connects the ground floor, where the Tre Torri station on line 5 of the Milan metro is, with the raised level of the central piazza of CityLife.

Eterno Ivica took part in the construction of this tower by supplying over 4,000 Eterno SE adjustable pedestals to create 1,300

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sq.m of raised flooring, divided between the first-floor terrace, with its white floor coverings that enhance the sense of brightness in the building, and the terrace connected with the technical rooms on the top floor.

Eterno SE adjustable self-levelling floor

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pedestals feature a tilting head that automatically compensates gradients of up to 5%. This technology makes the pedestals extremely easy to install, and ensures that the finished flooring is totally flat and functional.

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GRUPPO CERAMICHE RICCHETTI CALLS IN AT ORIGINAL AUTOGRILL SERVICE STATION The Novara service station on the A4 motorway linking Milan to Turin* was the first Autogrill featuring the now classic bridge-type structure to come into service on the Italian motorway network.

The year was 1947 and the facility was inaugurated by the baked confectionery entrepreneur Mario Pavesi.

This large service area was recently renovated for Chef Express by Iosa Ghini Associati, and now features ceramic coverings

by Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti.

The Novara service station has a total area of 4,620 sq.m, of which 1,370 sq.m are occupied by the commercial area and 320 sq.m by the market.

More than 16 million

vehicles pass through it annually.

For the floor and wall coverings of the public toilet facilities, the architects opted for ceramics from the Network collection

by Cerdisa (pictures below) in the colours White and Grey, and from the Soft collection by Ricchetti, with a wood-effect aesthetic in the colour Caramel, which contrasts harmoniously with the cold, high-tech tones.

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*The Turin-Milan stretch of the A4 is one of Italy's oldest motorways. Built by Società Anonima Autostrada Torino-Milano, it was started in April 1930 and completed in time for its inauguration on 25 October 1932.

MECS

Machinery EConomic Studies Machinery Economic Studies

“In a constantly changing global market, advance knowledge of the rate of growth or decline of the market is essential for effective planning of corporate strategies”

4th EDITION year 2017

3rd EDITION year 2017

FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS WORLD CERAMIC TILE MANUFACTURERS ACIMAC/MECS - Machinery Economic Studies

Volume 1- A/G

FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS WORLD CERAMIC MACHINERY AND COLOR & GLAZE MANUFACTURERS

5 EDITION th

year 2017

WORLD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CERAMIC TILES ACIMAC/MECS - Machinery Economic Studies

ACIMAC/MECS - Machinery Economic Studies

MECS

Machinery Economic Studies

MECS

Machinery Economic Studies

www.mec-studies.it

MECS

Machinery Economic Studies

More info?

ACIMAC Via Fossa Buracchione 84 41126 Baggiovara (MO) • ITALY T. +39 059 510 336 info@acimac.it • info@mec-studies.it www.acimac.it • www.mec-studies.it

www.mec-studies.com

Tilenews

Companies, News & Markets LA FORÊT BLANCHE: A VERTICAL FOREST IN PARIS Paris is set to get its own Vertical Forest designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti. The green building, to be called La Forêt Blanche, is being developed by Compagnie de Phalsbourg and will be built in the municipality of Villiers-sur-Marne, on the eastern side of the Paris metropolitan area. Rising to a height of 54 metres, the tower will be supported by a timber framework.

The façades of the Forêt Blanche, equipped with a mix of balconies and terraces, will be “landscaped” with 2,000 shrubs and trees, to create a green surface area measuring one hectare: that’s 10 times the area of the plot on which the building is to stand. Destined to house residential apartments, office space and commercial units, the tower will be oriented on an east-west axis so as to optimise its exposure to sunlight for the purposes of natural lighting and ventilation.

The landscaping of the façade was designed by James Corner Field Operations, an American firm whose credits include the design of the High Line Park in New York by Diller+Scofidio, and by Atelier Paul Arène.

With La Forêt Blanche, which is the latest

addition to the Vertical Forest family already springing up in China, South America and the United States, Stefano Boeri Architetti is extending its research for a generation of architecture that takes up the challenge of air quality by embracing vegetation as an essential element.

La Forêt Blanche forms part of the Balcon sur Paris initiative, made up of 12 works presented by Compagnie de Phalsbourg, on the Marne Europe site in Villiers-sur-Marne. These include projects

by Kengo Kuma & Associates (Sora, Le Palais des Congrès); Oxo Architectes (Le Potager De Villiers, Business Home); KOZ Architectes (2 buildings, Archipel); Michael Green Architecture (Peuplier Blanc, Prairie Blanche) and X-TU (La Ressourcerie, Green Jenga).

ITALCER ACQUIRES DEVON&DEVON Italcer, a company controlled by the private equity fund Mandarin Capital and headed by Graziano Verdi, whose aim is to create a luxury hub in the ceramic sector, has signed an agreement for the acquisition of 100% ownership of Devon&Devon, a world-class bathroom furnishing company based in Florence and founded by Gianni Tanini, who now becomes an Italcer shareholder.

Devon&Devon exports its products to

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over 80 countries through a network of boutiques, retailers and flagship stores located in some of the most prestigious world capitals, from Europe to the USA, Russia, the Middle East, China and Australia.

With this latest acquisition of Devon&Devon, Italcer, which acquired La Fabbrica di Castel Bolognese, a Bologna-based ceramic manufacturer, at the end of May, and Elios Ceramica in Fiorano Modenese in August, now has revenues of almost 100 million euros and is still committed to making further acquisitions.

“The industrial plan we announced a few months ago,” explained Managing Director Graziano Verdi, “is being fulfilled operationally on a day-by-day basis, partly in terms of the quality of the acquisitions that the Group is making. With its takeover of the Florentine company, Italcer is re-asserting its focus on luxury and Italian creativity: Devon&Devon is one of Italy’s most prestigious brands.”

Italcer aims to extend its brand portfolio, set up an industry 4.0 production facility in the United States and make other significant acquisitions by the end of 2018.

Tilenews

NEOLITH AND THE REMODELLING MARKET The remodelling market is taking growing interest in the Neolith brand, launched in 2011 by the Spanish company TheSize.

Neolith, a latest-generation sintered stone, has played a key role in numerous European projects recently, for the architectural remodelling of both commercial and residential buildings.

ALTIPLAN° Architects selected Neolith panels for the renovation of the façade of the Saint Jean hospital in Brussels, which also involved the use of TheSize’s patented fixing system to simplify the installation process, and Ricardo Rossi Architecture and Interiors chose the material for the remodelling of IV Centenário, a private house in São Paulo. Other projects include the renovation of the Teatro Barcelò in Madrid, which is now clad with Neolith Estatuario, a marble-effect product offering high levels of abrasion-resistance and impact-resistance, without compromising on style. Mar Esteve Cortes, Head of Marketing at TheSize, explains: “Neolith makes it possible to cover large areas with few panels. And because it’s lightweight, this material can also be installed more

quickly, more cheaply and with less labour than its conventional counterparts require. Using materials that are quick and easy to install is the best way of offering an economically attractive solution.”

FLORIM: NEW FLAGSHIP STORE IN MOSCOW With its stores in Milan and New York now well established, Florim opened a new Flagship Store in the heart of Moscow on 12 October, which will provide Florim with a corporate presence on the local market and an ideal venue for meeting local designers. The new store is modern and elegant, but above all larger than its previous Moscow store, opened in 2014. The interior styling is coordinated with that of the company’s other stores.

It interprets the key concepts in evidence at the Florim Gallery in Fiorano Modenese, and was designed by Florim Solutions, the company’s own design firm, which specialises in complex architectural solutions. The new Moscow store also includes an interactive room equipped with a video projection system for hosting events and conferences.

The new Florim store is a rectangular

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open space, designed to present all the best-selling products from the Group’s brands (Floor Gres, Cerim, Rex, Casa dolce casa - Casamood, CEDIT and FLORIM stone), and provide flexible, functional work areas.

This latest investment confirms Florim Group’s interest in forging ever closer relations with architects and designers, and promoting the “made in Florim” style worldwide.

FUORISALONE 2018: STEFANO BOERI ARCHITETTI PICKED TO CURATE “SPACE&INTERIORS” Stefano Boeri Architetti has been picked to curate the next space&interiors, an exhibition-event first held in 2016 and organised by MADE eventi at The Mall - Porta Nuova during the Milan Fuorisalone, due to take place from 17 to 21 April 2018.

The aim is to develop a compelling new interactive format for trade professionals, to present new products and leading interior architecture firms. The Mall, which hosts space&interiors, is situated in the iDD - Innovation Design District of Milan, which stretches from Porta Nuova to Porta Volta, and has become one of the symbols of the city’s evolution in terms of design and architecture, in the wake of its recent regeneration.

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Tilenews

SPAZIO FMG HOSTS “CONTEMPORARY RETAIL SPACES” SpazioFMG per l’Architettura, the Milan showroom of the Iris Ceramica and Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti brands, is continuing its series of insightful studies of contemporary architecture.

Having hosted Hacer Ciudad (2015) and Landa Arquitectos & Piuarch (2016), the Milan showroom has now hosted another three firms, Ares Arquitectos, B+R Arquitectos and Lombardini22, in an exhibition entitled "Contemporary retail spaces, in Mexico, Spain and Italy".

The three internationally renowned firms were invited to exchange views on the central theme of designing large retail spaces and the role of the architect in encouraging social interaction within them.

Five projects were selected for each firm, for a total of 15 pieces of architecture, and the “story” of each was told, from the initial concept, via the work-in-progress stage to the finished result.

“Ares Arquitectos, B+R Arquitectos and Lombardini22 are solid, structured firms, capable of managing the various phases and the complex requirements of the design of contemporary retail space in

an integrated manner,” explained Luca Molinari, the gallery’s scientific curator.

“At SpazioFMG per l’Architettura, we compared the experiences of the three firms through their best retail projects, to illustrate how these places can be transformed into platforms for everyday life and interaction for the communities that frequent them”.

THE WINNERS OF THE 4TH ADI CERAMICS & BATHROOM DESIGN AWARD The fourth edition of the ADI Ceramics & Bathroom Design Award, born of a partnership between ADI (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale) and Cersaie, singled out the most innovative Italian ceramic products among those on display at the Bologna-based trade fair.

In the bathroom furnishing sector, the 2017 awards were assigned to the following: - Art Ceram, for The One, a significant technical innovation on the conventional hinged toilet seat; - Cristina Rubinetteria, for Italy, a line of taps that challenges luxury and takes on the theme of “Made in Italy”; - Ideagroup, for Dolcevita, which incor-

porates wood into bathroom furnishing with a range of designs and colours.

In the ceramic sector, awards went to the following: - Cerasarda for the Abitare la Terra collection; - Cottoetrusco for Terre Ossidate; - Coem, for Progetto Shelf, a process innovation that transforms ceramic tiling into shelving.

Cerasarda

Coem

Cotto Etrusco Ideagroup

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Tilenews

NEW LOGO FOR CERAMICA BARDELLI Ceramica Bardelli took the opportunity of Cersaie 2017 to present its new brand image, which will be deployed across all of the company’s communication channels.

The new logo of the renowned Italian ceramic manufacturer, which has been trading for over 50 years, features an image that has been simplified by the removal of the original red graphic, while still emphasising the company’s focus on progressive, contemporary styling.

“We wanted to bring a new visual identity to Ceramica Bardelli, while upholding the values that have always distinguished the brand on the highly competitive market for ceramic floor and wall tiles,” explained Andrea Martelli, Marketing Director of Altaeco, the group that owns the brand. “The company’s new logo is a simplification of the logo

that has been with us for over 20 years.

The use of two fonts in the simple text highlight the dual spirit of Ceramica Bardelli, namely its tradition of craftsmanship associated with handmade products, combined with the typically practical approach of an industrial group”.

“DESIGN OF MATERIALS”: THE 2017 ADI DESIGN INDEX SELECTIONS Out of 772 submissions, just 204 were selected in 2017. Once again this year, ADI Design Index has selected the best Italian products due to compete, together with the 2016 selections, for the 2018 Compasso d’Oro award.

The customary exhibition, inaugurated in Milan at the beginning of October, before its transfer to Rome, showcases the products selected for each of the 13 categories, from furniture to materials and components for architecture.

The categories that scored the largest number of selections were Design for living (29 products) and Design of materials and technological systems (21).

The selected products in the latter category include: “Color Now Dot - Copper

FAP

version” by Fap Ceramiche (pictured), a wall tile with a three-dimensional texture, featuring a dynamic, raised, dotted motif ; “OS2 75” by Secco Sistemi, a thermalbreak window made of steel; “Tavego®”

by Marlegno, an ecological construction system comprising bearing walls and solid wood floor slabs assembled entirely by means of mechanical connections; and “Zandobbio”, a natural marble specially machined by the company of the same name.

Secco Sistemi

Marlegno

Zandobbio

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Tilenews

EMILGROUP AT GREEN CITY CONFERENCE EXHIBITION Emilgroup took part in Green City, a major initiative dedicated to the environmental impact of materials, held in Milan in September, where it presented its new ventilated cladding system made of certified porcelain tile, developed in collaboration with Brianza Plastica.

As a continuous and uniform thermal insulation system, the ventilated cladding significantly improves the energy performance of buildings, thus making it the ideal solution for “green” projects.

Based in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, Emilgroup has always given high priority to eco-sustainability, prompting it to adopt production processes designed to minimise environmental impact.

This approach is recognised by the Italian Ministry of the Environment, which has included Emilgroup on a select panel of companies tasked with a national project aimed at analysing the life-cycle of fast-moving consumer goods to determine their carbon footprint.

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Emilgroup is also a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Green Building Council Italia (GBC Italia), and earned a “Gold Excellence Award” for the implementation and certification of its Integrated Management System.

FORNACE ORSONI RE-OPENS TO PUBLIC The historic Fornace Orsoni in Venice, owned by Trend Group, has re-opened to the public following completion of the restoration work carried out by Duebarradue, a firm already well known for the part it played in the restoration of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi and Procuratie Vecchie.

“The aim,” explains Riccardo Bisazza, Chairman of Fornace Orsoni, “was to reestablish a close link with the city and turn this site of timeless appeal into a place of public interest that will promote artisanal artistic excellence and bring young people back into contact with the art of glass-making.”

The Biblioteca del Colore, a room containing over 3,500 specimens of glass, each of a different, duly coded, colour shade, has thus been restored to its former glory. It is a place of considerable cultural significance for designers, restorers, artists and anyone else with an interest in art and history.

Fornace Orsoni was founded in 1888, on the strength of Angelo Orsoni’s passion for mosaic and his commitment to reviving one of the most prestigious traditions of Venetian artistic craftsmanship.

The following year his mosaic pieces won wide acclaim at the Universal Exposition in Paris, where they were present-

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ed in the form of a multi-coloured panel showcasing a vast range of inspiring golds and enamels. These “impressed Antonio Gaudí so much that he decided to use nothing but Fornace Orsoni products for the construction of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona,” recounts Riccardo Bisazza.

And the list of prestigious credits includes the Basilica di San Marco in Venice, the Pagoda of the Royal Grand Palace in Thailand, the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris, the Trocadero and Hotel De Ville, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, not to mention a number of palaces for the Saudi Arabian royal family.

Tilenews

ARGILLÀ ITALIA 2018: LAST CALL FOR ENTRIES

LAPITEC® WINS GERMAN DESIGN AWARD

The next edition of Argillà Italia will take place in Faenza from 31 August to 2 September 2018, and the closing date for entries from ceramicists and technical exhibitors connected with the world of ceramics is 29 December 2017.

Germany will be the host country of this edition, with an extensive cultural programme (events, shows, conferences) and special terms for German ceramicists who take part in the exhibitionmarket.

Argillà Italia was launched in 2008 as a spin-off from its French parent show Argillà, which has been held in Aubagne, near Marseilles, since 1991, and has passed on the high quality of its exhibitors, attendees, events and side-attractions.

Argillà is now one of Europe’s leading ceramic festivals, which attracts large numbers of enthusiasts and general visitors, and also provides a meeting place for trade operators in the ceramic system, and a unique opportunity for national and international networking.

Argillà Italia is held in Faenza, one of the world capitals of majolica (from which the name Faïence originates), whose cultural identity is closely linked to the production of ceramic, which is still a worldwide benchmark.

200 places are available for ceramicists (craftspeople and artists) in the exhibition-market.

Applicants will be selected by a specialist jury.

For further information please contact: Paola Casta, Maria Francesca Minardi, 0546 697311, info@argilla-italia.it, www.argilla-italia.it

Lapitec® through-body sintered stone was voted winner of the Kitchen Countertops category in the 2018 German Design Award: the jury selected the six arabesques in the Lux, Satin and Lithos finishes, presented by the company as examples of Excellent Product Design.

Winning the German Design Award provides tangible recognition of the growing appreciation of Lapitec®, and kitchen countertops are one of the most popular fields of application, as witness the manufacturers that have chosen the material, including Pedini Cucine, Valcucine, Maistri Cucine, Minotticucine, Scavolini, Effeti, PoggenPohl and, since 2017, Arredo3, Arrital, Lube and Brummel. “This award,” explained Michele Ballarin, Sales and Marketing Director at Lapitec® “is a real credit to us, because it recognises the great job we have done on the research front. The combination of technical qualities and attention to aesthetic detail is our hallmark, and it is winning wide acclaim from architects, designers and the market in general, who are impressed with the quality of sintered stone.”

The German Design Award is one of the most renowned international awards,

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and has been selecting the best examples of product design since 2012. The 2017 edition saw the participation of 5000 projects (up from 1500 in the first year), 49% of which were in the Excellent Product Design category and 51% in the Excellent Communications Design category.

LISTONE GIORDANO ACCOMPANIES PATRICIA URQUIOLA TO PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART "Patricia Urquiola: Between Craft and Industry" is the United States' first monographic exhibition dedicated to the work of the internationally renowned Spanish designer, and pays tribute to her versatility in the design of products, interiors and architectural spaces. Curated by Donna Corbin, the Louis C. Madeira IV Associate Curator of European Decorative Art, the exhibition was inaugurated on 18 November at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and will be open to the public until 4 March 2018. The stars of the show include Biscuit Natural Genius, an innovative collection of parquet designed for Listone Giordano and selected for display as one of the most significant products designed by Urquiola.

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Tilenews

SAMO SETS EXPORT RECORD Samo, an Italian manufacturer, has achieved a major milestone by selling its first million America shower cabins worldwide. And at Cersaie, the company unveiled the 2018 version of the same series: America 4.

The America series, from the Dinamica Collection, has walls with a thickness of 4mm and a height of 190cm available in different compositions: corner or recessed version with sliding doors, or hinged doors with full inward/outward opening, all combinable with a fixed wall.

America 4 also makes use of an innovative UV glueing technique borrowed from the furnishing sector, and a quickrelease mechanism for the door to facilitate cleaning of the surfaces and the interior glass.

High build-quality, ease of installation and immediate availability make America 4 a unique proposition, where design meets technology.

“We would like to thank all our customers, whose discerning choice of an America shower cabin has been rewarded with the company’s trademark

high quality, attention to detail and technical research. A big thank you to everyone who has chosen our products, and consolidated Samo’s position as a market leader,” announced Chiara Suppiej, Marketing Director at Gruppo Samo Industries.

LA FABBRICA CERAMICA EARNS ISO 9001:2015 Since 2017, the Italian company La Fabbrica has been a member of the ITALCER group headed by Graziano Verdi, and has now earned ISO 9001:2015 “Quality and Management System” certification in just three months. ISO 9001:2015 is the reference standard that puts customer satisfaction at the heart of the organisation, and focuses attention on supplying a product or service that meets the end-user’s expectations in terms of improved business efficiency and effectiveness.

To achieve this goal, the Italian manufacturer of top-end ceramic put its production process (from purchasing man-

agement to production and sales) through repeated, cyclical “quality controls”, and monitored every aspect of its work.

Obtaining certification is further testimony of La Fabbrica’s overall standing, and its ability to adhere to methods and procedures that guarantee the highest standards of process and management.

“Obtaining ISO 9001:2015 certification in just three months,” explained Managing Director Graziano Verdi, “is a major achievement, because it testifies to the quality of our materials and our processes, and forms part of the wider strategy of continuous improvement that is one of the Group’s key objectives.”

DURAVIT WINS BIG AT GERMAN DESIGN AWARD Duravit won a string of prizes at the 2017 German Design Award: as well as receiving a Special Mention for its c-bonded technology, the company won first prize in no fewer than three categories this year, for B.1, Luv and DuraSquare.

The B.1 series of taps topped its category because of its soft, rounded lines,

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Tilenews

which maximise freedom of expression in the design of washbasin areas.

Luv, by Cecilie Manz, won over the judges with its combination of elegance and Nordic purism.

And the DuraSquare collection of sanitaryware won acclaim for the way it embraces new parameters, by combining a square, linear, basic shape with a soft, internal basin, to create an elegant aesthetic contrast with the rigorous geometry of the exterior.

NEW “CASA SICIS” IN PARIS Sicis has remodelled its showroom at 41 Rue François 1er, in the heart of Paris, with a display concept that deploys a comprehensive range of interior design features to create a fully furnished prototype dwelling.

As a result, the showroom combines one-off pieces, furniture, upholstery and complements, limited-edition fabrics and tapestries, Vetrite, lighting and incredible mosaic panels, like paintings hung on walls or details incorporated into furnishings, as a common thread running through all the different elements.

Painstaking attention has been paid to the choice of materials, the study of forms and the development and juxtaposition of colours, across the whole array of coverings, textiles and decorations.

The concept of Made in Italy remains the linchpin of Casa Sicis, and shines through every aspect of the brand’s furnishing system.

Designed to welcome customers, the remodelled Paris showroom is also intended as a place for meeting with design professionals.

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2018 WIENERBERGER BRICK AWARD Wienerberger has published the shortlist of 50 projects selected for its biennial awards competition for the most innovative examples of brick-built architecture. The 2018 Wienerberger Brick Award marks the competition’s eighth edition since its launch in 2004, and received almost 600 entries from 44 different countries. A shortlist of 50 finalists was selected from these entries, and an independent jury of internationally renowned architects will pick the winners of the various categories and the Grand Prize. The awards ceremony will take place in May 2018.The jury for this eighth edition will consist of: Anna Kaestle (Duplex Architekten, Germany), Jonathan Sergison (Sergison Bates Architects, United Kingdom), Marc Mimram (Marc Mimram Architecture, France), Stephan Ferenczy (BEHF Corporate Architects, Austria) and Vladimir Arsene (Westfourth Architecture, Romania).

Tile International 3/2017

Trends

8 trending colour palettes: the 2018 Pantone forecast The latest colour palettes are intent on breaking free from traditional thinking and escaping the ordinary, but they have no fear of sober tones and neutrals, preferring instead to reinvent them.

The Pantone Color Institute’s 2018 colour forecast, published in its PANTONEVIEW Home + Interiors annual report, speaks volumes about the need for a new approach to the subject of colour, even within the four walls of our homes.

Delicate virtuoso performanc-

es and mix&match effects are no longer the sole preserve of top-end commercial and contract-furnished environments.

Now, they’re charging into the residential world, and dusting down even the boldest tones, inspired – depending on style and atmosphere – by the 30 multi-coloured years spanning the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.

Sticking to a strict diet of chromotherapy, the most observant design is gradually distancing itself from the idea of colour dominated by form,

and eschewing its use as a mere dressing for surfaces and complements. Instead, it’s exploring the full potential of colour and deploying it as a defining ingredient capable of playing a leading role in the aesthetic output of a habitat.

An eclectic mix of vibrant colours, ready to quench modern consumers’ thirst for the new, and yield benefits for the environment and its inhabitants, has a warm welcome in store for design in general and interior decoration in particu1

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lar next year.

The far-sighted trendsetters at Pantone had already started down this road when they chose “healing” Rose Quartz and Serenity as joint winners of colour of the year 2016, followed in 2017 by Greenery, a refreshing, revitalising tone denoting universal rebirth.

As we await the selection of next year’s title-winning colour, let’s take a stroll through the 8 most appealing and on-trend colour ranges of 2018. »»»

Trends

Daily updates? www.MaterialiCasa.com

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6 PALETTE #1: VERDURE

3

In the wake of the current “Urban Jungle�, design is still gripped by green.

Verdure ranges from foliage greens to berry-infused purples, in an effort to reconcile nature with structure by means of wallpapers, textiles, exotic patterns and, of course, plants.

[ Verdure ] 1 2 3 4 5 6

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41zero42 Kartell by Laufen Coop. Ceramica Imola Pixers Mosaico+ Glamora

Tile International 3/2017

Trends

[ Playful ]

PALETTE #2: PLAYFUL

7 8 9 10

Bold, eccentric and outstanding, this palette’s mission is to raise a smile, inject some fun and amaze the eye.

It brings together those bright, vivid tones that reflect light-hearted joie de vivre: first and foremost, baby pink, yellow and lime, red and blue.

7 9

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Urban Front Farrow Ball HartĂ´ Lago Design

Trends

Daily updates? www.MaterialiCasa.com

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PALETTE #3: DISCRETION

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[ Discretion ] 11 12 13 14 15

Discretion is a laconic reinterpretation of pastels for environments that fly the flag of romanticism, with a nod to vintage in their soft shades of lilac, turtle-dove and aquamarine.

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Brick Wall Ceramica Rondine Ceramiche Piemme Lago Design Wallsauce

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Trends

[ TECH-nique ] 16 17 18 19

- Glas Italia by Patricia Urquiola - Hartô - Ceramica Sant’Agostino - Farrow and Ball PALETTE #4: TECH-NIQUE Indigo and pink, green and purple, even light blue and sand: a triumph of contrasts shapes this techno-inspired palette, which absorbs the highlights of “augmented” materials, ventures into the domain of optical illusion and explores the multifarious transparencies of glass and polycarbonate.

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Trends

Daily updates? www.MaterialiCasa.com

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21 24

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PALETTE #5: FAR-FETCHED

[ Far-fetched ]

The warmth of reds and yellows comes into contact with a touch of pink, light blue and beige in the enchanting Far-fetched palette. The result? A melting pot of ethnic influences and flavours that celebrates the joy of mixing by bringing together Ruby Wine, Iced Coffee, Cornsilk and Tourmaline in a single, coherent range.

20 21 22 23 24

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Wallsauce Ceramica Mutina Arthouse Palais Orla Kiely Ceramica Mutina

Tile International 3/2017

Trends PALETTE #6: RESOURCEFUL Complementary warm and cool tones come together in Resourceful: an imaginative universe that connects blues and oranges.

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[ Resourceful ] 25 - Litokol SpazioContinuo 26 - Moooi 27 - Cerasarda

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PALETTE #7: INTRICACY The sumptuous Intricacy palette steals nuances from precious metals to create rich, full-bodied new neutrals, together with a splash of red.

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Trends

Daily updates? www.MaterialiCasa.com

PALETTE #8: INTENSITY One name, one programme: the intensity of petroleum and sugar-paper are juxtaposed with burgundy and mustard to create modern-classic dĂŠcors.

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32 [ Intensity ] 32 - Farrow Ball 33 - Cappellini 34 - HartĂ´

[ Intricacy ]

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Gemanco Design Lago Design Emilceramica Ceramiche Ragno

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Tile International 3/2017

In the spotlight

Italian primacy driven by technological innovation

Mauro Vandini 2017 has been an eventful year for Marazzi Group, which has been busy upgrading its Sassuolo plant, acquiring Emilceramica and opening showrooms in London and Paris. But our interview with Mauro Vandini, CEO of Marazzi Group, takes things one at a time, and starts off by asking how work is progressing at the Sassuolo production plant, which has received major investments in technological innovation, like Marazzi’s other two recently upgraded Italian sites in Finale Emilia and Fiorano.

Let’s not forget that the US-based Mohawk Industries Inc., which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is a major worldwide manufacturer of a full range of flooring products – carpet, laminates, natural stone and ceramic – is now also the world’s largest manufacturer of ceram-

Tile International 3/2017

ic tiles, since its acquisition of Marazzi Group in April 2013.

Mohawk generated consolidated turnover of 3,175 million dollars in 2016, from ceramic tiles alone.

Tile International: When do you expect the work on the Sassuolo plant to be completed?

Mauro Vandini: “Work at Sassuolo is now coming to an end, and the plant should be on-stream by the beginning of next year.

We’re currently commissioning the last kiln, then we’re on the final straight.

All the plants have been built using latest-generation Italian technology and, as always, we minimised disruption to current production by taking the work one step at a time. This is obviously not the quickest way to get the job done, but it enabled us

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"Fabric", Marazzi

In the spotlight

"Fabric", Marazzi

keep on manufacturing and meet demand, given that our latest products are still performing very well on the market, thus justifying all the investments we have made in recent years.”

Tile International: What are the defining characteristics of the products you make using latestgeneration technologies?

M. Vandini: “The primacy of Italian products is strictly linked to technological and aesthetic innovation. The two key features of our production process are low environmental impact and a high level of digitalisation, in line with an industry 4.0 approach.

Our operators are now process technicians and, thanks in part to our continuous training and ongoing recruitment of young people, our new product research and industrialisation combines our manufacturing experience with new skills. Industry 4.0 technologies are designed to improve production, productivity and work safety, and to ensure quality and sustainability in Research & Development.

As it becomes easier to copy products, even within very short time frames, we need to make investments in order to remain

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competitive on an international market in which many players from other countries have more favourable costs - in terms of labour, energy, system efficiency – and also have the resources to invest.”

Tile International: You have always maintained that “Italy’s ceramic cluster is still one of the best places to invest in the industry” and Mohawk Industries confirmed this by approving the industrial plan for Finale, Fiorano and Sassuolo…

M. Vandini: “There’s no doubt that the Italian ceramic cluster still stands at the forefront of

Tile International 3/2017

In the spotlight

"Fabric", Marazzi

product and process innovation and that’s why we’ve invested in all our facilities, to improve our products and make them competitive and attractive on the market. But good ideas and beautiful products are not enough on their own. And Spain’s ceramic cluster, where we have two plants, is posing an increasing challenge in terms of its ability to compete".

Tile International: Mohawk’s recent acquisition of EmilGroup bears witness to its commitment to Italy’s ceramic cluster. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

M. Vandini: “Mohawk Group has a history of growth by acquisition, and has taken over no fewer than 38 companies since 1992, in every segment of the floor coverings industry.

It’s clearly an aggressive strategy, which, in conjunction

Tile International 3/2017

"A Mano", Ragno

with direct investment, including outside the ceramic cluster and the ceramic segment, is generating excellent results.

Marazzi’s acquisition of Emil forms part of this growth process in the ceramic sector.

Emil is a historic company that has taken a careful look at how it can change and evolve. It also has well known brands that complement the ones we already sell on many markets, and a much-acclaimed product offering for top-end segments.”

Tile International: Going back to financial results, how has Mohawk Group performed on international markets in the early months of this year?

M. Vandini: “2016 was a record year for the group, in terms of turnover, profitability and growth in company value, to which Marazzi made

a clear contribution. The first half of 2017 has also generated good results, and at Group level, ceramic has seen growth of 5.2 %.”

Tile International: From your position at the head of a highly internationalised company, what changes do you expect to see in the markets?

M. Vandini: “2016 went better for the world tile market than the statistics experts predicted, and I believe they’ve got it wrong again this year when they forecast more modest growth in demand. Unrest and political instability in some areas pose an objective threat to the construction market and consequently to demand for ceramic tiles, but that is offset by the many stable areas that present good opportunities for growth.”

Tile International: Let’s change the subject a mo-

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ment and talk about distribution: how are distribution patterns evolving around the world?

M. Vandini: “Every country has its own specific situation in terms of distribution channels. Online sales channels are really pushing for dominance at the moment, and this tends to generate confusion in the market, especially for companies with well known brands and product lines.

At the same time, the increasing ease of copying puts similar products onto the market, so there needs to be closer cooperation between manufacturers and distributors, based on service, logistics and brands, as well as on products. There needs to be a more specific focus on end users, which we can achieve in partnership with our cus-

In the spotlight

"A Mano", Ragno

tomers, by means of different procedures depending on distribution models, whether they are independent dealers, chains or purchasing groups".

Tile International: As well as traditional distribution, Marazzi Group has always had good coverage of the segment made up of architects and designers. Does the opening of showrooms in London and Paris form part of this approach?

M. Vandini: “The two showrooms recently opened in high-profile cities for the world of design and architecture bring us into closer contact with the residential and contract design community, and provide meeting places, open to both professionals and consumers, where we can present our new products, explain their potential and thus support our distributor customers.

The contract and retail sectors are expanding abroad, and new stores are opening in Italy too, especially in shopping malls, the food sector, airports and fashion. This is a very attractive segment, where ceramic can win new market share, because of the evolution of its products and our capacity for communication with architects and developers.”

Tile International: Let’s

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talk about products, where Marazzi boasts one of the widest ranges on the market, in all sizes. Would you say the tendency to focus on extra-large materials is establishing itself in Italy?

M. Vandini: “The largeformat panels segment is certainly growing, and this reflects enhanced technical capability, and has the potential to extend its influence beyond the major projects segment for which it seemed destined. But I don’t think it’s quite accurate to talk about a “focus” on extralarge formats. 80% of today’s market for large formats is in fact accounted for by smaller formats custom-made for specific projects or simply formed by cutting large-format panels into smaller modules, measuring 100x100 or 120x120, which are easier to handle and install.

But the expressive potential of extra-large ceramics and the perception of decorative continuity, which we experimented with at this year’s Cersaie with the Grand Carpet project by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, are still to be fully explored, so I think if the Italian ceramic industry wants to hold onto its leading position as an innovator, we need to seek out new avenues in this segment.”

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Tile International 3/2017

In the spotlight

Florim invests 300 million euros in six years

Claudio Lucchese For 2016, Florim Group has reported revenues of 406.8 million euros (up 8.7% on 2015), an increase in EBITDA to 107.1 million (26.3% of revenues) and net profit of 49.3 million (up 13.9%).

This marks the sixth consecutive year of growth for the company, and consolidates the positive trend that has seen Florim comfortably exceed its pre-crisis results.

This performance was accompanied by investments reaching 300 million euros in the renewal of production plants in Italy and the United States.

In 2017, Florim completed a new industry 4.0 production facility in Mordano. It took just 6 months to build the 56,000 sq.m plant, which represents a new benchmark for the worldwide ceramic industry, complete with industry 4.0 tech-

Tile International 3/2017

nology.

High technology and machinery integrated with computers are housed in a clean, modern environment that’s attractive to the eye and a pleasure to work in, thanks to a vast glazed area measuring 5 metres in height and 130 metres in length.

To give you an idea of the construction times, the builders were in the process of installing 800 anti-seismic piles at the beginning of April 2017, and by October, the first large-format panels were already coming out of the 170m kiln.

Environmental sustainability – which plays a key role in the company’s philosophy – is assured here by a new co-generation system designed to power the plant with self-generated electricity.

The total amount invested in the construction of the Mordano facility was 70 million euros, aimed at

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increasing the Group’s production capacity for large-format panels (up to 160x320cm in three thicknesses – 6/12/20mm – for a wide range of applications).

This substantial investment gives a clear picture of the extent to which product innovation forms a central plank of Florim’s strategy.

As well as taking part in prestigious architectural projects all around the world, the company has won numerous awards, including an Honourable Mention at the 24th

Mordano production facility

ADI Compasso d’Oro Award, and The Red Dot Design Award (Best of the Best in the ‘Design product’ category).

Florim will keep up the pace of development in 2018, by earmarking a further 70 million euros for investment.

A major construction project is in progress at Florim’s headquarters in Fiorano Modenese (in the Italian province of Modena), which will become another example of the industry 4.0 approach.

The future construction

In the spotlight

of 48,000 sq.m, connected to the Mordano facility, has been designed for processing and logistical operations on large formats.

Florim USA is the brand name of Florim’s American associate company, founded in Tennessee in 2000.

The firm’s Clarksville plant has undergone extensive upgrading in recent years, on the back of total investments of over 60 million USD. But in the wake of further technological investments made in 2017, a number of bold and innovative production decisions have been taken, which are set

to spawn a new brand MILESTONE, as Marco Fregni, the company’s CEO, explains.

Incorporating the products manufactured to date and distributed via traditional networks, this new brand will devote its efforts to producing collections specifically for the world of design and architecture, and distributing them through its own, separate channels.

“The new brand is due to be presented in the opening months of 2018. At the moment, we’re working on communication, merchandising and the organisation of specific marketing initiatives. This will mean design-

ing and manufacturing – directly in the USA for the first time – collections aimed at a new generation of designers, who have been showing increasing interest in Italian design trends in recent years, and have started using the colours and formats that only imported products have offered until now.”

Over the past few months, the Clarksville plant has been equipped with a new drying machine, spray-drying machine, and polishing machine, like the one installed at the industry 4.0 plant in Mordano and capable of producing gloss polished porcelain tile with

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stain-proof surface treatment, plus a latest-generation single-calibre edgegrinding machine that plays a vital role in meeting any requirement designers may have.

“We’ve noticed,” adds Fregni, “an evolution in the aesthetic tastes of Americans, which is borne out by increasing demand from designers for colours other than the established classics, and by a greater willingness to experiment with sizes other than the traditional 30x30.

And with our new brand, we’ll be offering porcelain tile collections of “Italian”

Tile International 3/2017

In the spotlight

Fiorano Modenese (Italy) headquarters

aesthetic and technological quality, not only in the 30x60 format that’s already winning market share in the versions that replicate marble and natural stone, but also in the 15x90 and 20x120 formats usually reserved for replications of wood.”

This is a totally new departure, which revolutionises the strategy adhered until now

by Italian ceramic groups with subsidiaries abroad: “The decision to target the United States design segment directly was dictated by evidence that traditional ceramic distribution channels are expected to generate only limited growth because of increasingly fierce competition from Turkey, Brazil and Spain. The commer-

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cial design segment, by contrast, is seeing constantly rising demand for high-quality ceramic. To date, all the trendiest products have always come out of Italy, but with our new brand, we’re now going to make them

directly in America for distribution on the national market. Their quality will be certified, moreover, and with this in mind, we’ve already obtained E.P.D. and Life Cycle Assessment certification. The HPD is nearing completion,

Florim USA headquarters (Clarksville, Tennessee - USA) 38

and we’re embarking on the procedures for Green Guard and Green Square.”

To sum up, our strategic planning is aimed at extending the range of action of our new brand MILESTONE. We’re certainly not pulling out

In the spotlight

"Storie" large panel tile collection

of the distribution sector, and we’ll still be taking good care of it, but our new strategy decisively targets the design and architecture segment, because it’s showing consistent growth, as witness the 2018 indicators set out in the Architecture Billings Index (ABI).

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FLORIM AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Environmental sustainability has long been one of the core values of Florim’s corporate philosophy, and a lot of attention has been devoted to it in the Group’s 9th Sustainability Report (2016).

Investments in environmental management totalled 6.4 million euros in 2016.

One of the biggest achievements is the self-generation of 75% of the energy necessary for the production cycle (almost 85,000 MWh), representing a rise of 10% on 2015. This result was achieved through the use of two co-generation systems operating at Mordano and at Fiorano. Furthermore, the amount of energy generated by the 16,000 sq.m photovoltaic system (installed in October 2011) has risen to almost 16 million kWh in 6 years, equating to a saving of 8,463 tonnes of CO2 emissions (1,423 tonnes in 2016 alone).

A commitment to saving water, energy and raw materials also underpins the choice of new plant and machinery: in addition to the

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latest-generation, energy-efficient kilns, Florim has installed four dry squaring lines at the Mordano site since 2015, and several eco-packaging machines across the various plants, to minimise cardboard consumption.

These achievements are compounded by the positive environmental effects obtained from the introduction of best practices both in the offices and production areas, where, for example, the old catalysed materials handling trucks have been gradually replaced with electric vehicles.

The initiatives undertaken in 2017 include the construction of a new rainwater collection system at the Fiorano plant and the replacement of the co-generation system at the Mordano plant.

The new investments earmarked for Florim USA’s Clarksville plant will also have the dual objective of increasing production capacity and minimising environmental impact, by cutting energy consumption, emissions, waste and scrap.

Tile International 3/2017

CERAMIC WALLPAPER

WIDE&STYLE

by ABK EMOZIONI IN SUPERFICIE WIDE&STYLE is the new ondemand collection from ABK Ceramiche bringing together the qualities of large panels and high-resolution digital decoration.

Its unique blend of innovative technologies and creativity lends a distinctive, personal look to any project.

ABK underscores its Style with offerings spanning geometries, floral patterns and the world of luxury.

To emphasise the decorative potential and practicality of ceramic surfaces, the ABK Style Department has created a series of graphic designs to be coloured on the tiles inspired by the viral phenomenon of Colouring Books.

The WIDE&STYLE collection features a kaleidoscope of graphic effects that stand out for their taste, style and inspiration.

Based on the creativity of young graphic artists, illustrators and product designers, these surfaces are capable of transforming ADVERTORIAL

CERAMIC WALLPAPER

spaces with an artistic and original touch. In particular, the designers from Officinarkitettura drew inspiration from the history of Italian architecture and reinterpreted the details in a contemporary style.

The style of Margherita Leonardi recreates the traditions of far-off locations in an utterly contemporary mood; the neo-minimalism of Riccardo Palazzi stands out for its two-dimensionality and creative use of colour; and an original reinterpretation of the patterns of classical architecture underpins the work of Marco Taietta.

WIDE&STYLE is part of the largeformat tile collection produced

by ABK using CONTINUA+ technology in sizes up to a record 160x320 cm.

The revolutionary dry pressing system produces high-quality soft-touch porcelain surfaces with exceptional technical performance.

In particular, these tiles are tough, lightweight (thanks to their thickness of just 7 mm) and easy

to work with. The WIDE&STYLE panels can be produced either in the cold-pressed Digit version or in the Digit+ version which includes a firing process to make them resistant to chemicals and UV radiation, ideal for use in any kind of residential or commercial space, from bathrooms through to exterior façades.

Along with the material’s technical qualities, ABK adds all the exclusivity of a new on-demand service.

Customers intending to personalise their interior design projects will receive a computer rendering based on the submitted dimensions along with the instructions for cutting and correctly installing the ceramic panels. WIDE&STYLE solutions can also be easily combined with ABK floor tiles to complete any project flawlessly.

WIDE&STYLE comes in various patterns and is available in 160x320 cm and 120x240 cm sizes and a pre-cut 60x120 cm version.

ADVERTORIAL

WIDE&STYLE - PARTNERS: OFFICINARKITETTURA Using a range of techniques and materials, from ceramics to wallpaper, Officinarkitettura designs the surfaces of any project to create a truly bespoke space for the people living there. The inspirations behind the graphic designs of Officinarkitettura are as diverse as the stories they have to tell. In particular, the Officina Italia Decori line on a ceramic body is an open project rooted MARGHERITA LEONARDI Margherita Leonardi has pursued a line of research inspired by a passion for art and a culture of travel.

Skilfully blending different designs and styles, her work evokes a world made up of geographically distant and

very different artisanal traditions.

Classic handmade expertise is brought back to life in an utterly contemporary mood and a fresh, relaxed and romantic style.

RICCARDO PALAZZI Riccardo Palazzi’s graphic neominimalism stands out for its strong two-dimensional feel.

He focuses his gaze on essential dreamlike landscapes that recall illustrations from children’s books while at the same time being fascinated by typically urban scenarios.

His “flat design” melds textures and metropolitan elements that become gradually more abstract and decorative thanks to free, creative

use of colour.

MARCO TAIETTA Studio Marco Taietta operates in a number of different fields from product and spatial design through to communication, graphics and brand identity services, and in many different Italian and international industrial product sectors including bathroom furniture, lighting, fashion and nautical. Well known for his versatile creativity, Marco Taietta reinterprets the materials and patterns of classical architecture in a meticulous process of formal simplification that always leads to something new while maintaining a sense of understated, contemporary elegance.

Statistics Luca Baraldi, MECS - Machinery Economics Studies by ACIMAC (studi@acimac.it)

World production and consumption of ceramic tiles The fifth edition of the publication “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles” produced by the Acimac Research Department has been released in November.

Consisting of 260 pages of charts, tables and commentary, it provides detailed analysis of the tenyear trends up to 2016 in industry, markets, per capita consumption and export flows in large geographic regions and in the 76 largest tile producer, consumer, exporter and importer countries.

Here we present a preview of the key figures. *** 1) After an essentially stationary 2015, 2016 saw a recovery in global production and consumption of ceramic tiles with growth of 5.7% and 5% respectively. Import/export flows were less dynamic with an upturn of 1.7%, a slight improvement on the +1.5% of 2015.

2) World tile production passed the 13 billion sq.m mark to reach 13,056 million sq.m, 5.7% up on 2015.

Asia resumed growth, up from 8,631 to 9,331 million sq.m (+8.1% on 2015), equivalent to 71.5% of global production. This result was driven by the growth in China, India, Vietnam and Iran. The Euro-

Tile International 3/2017

pean continent produced a total of 1,877 million sq.m (14.4% of world production), including 7.1% growth from 1,218 to 1,304 million sq.m in the European Union (EU-28) and a more limited 1.1% growth to 573 million sq.m in nonEU Europe. In the American continent total production fell from 1,523 to 1,444 million sq.m (11% of world production) due to the sharp contraction in Central and South America where output volumes dropped by 107 million sq.m to 1,086 million sq.m (-9%). By contrast, growth in output continued at an even more rapid pace in North America, reaching 358 million sq.m (+8.5%) thanks to an upturn in both Mexico and the USA. Africa’s output dropped to 399 million sq.m (-3.4%).

3) World tile consumption increased in 2016 from 12,177 to 12,783 million sq.m (+5%). In Asia demand reached 8,818 million sq.m (+8%), equivalent to 69% of global consumption. Consumption in the European Union also rose by 5.9% (following 5% growth in 2015), from 910 to 964 million sq.m thanks to growth in demand in most countries. Demand in nonEU European markets fell slightly (-0.9%) to 527 million sq.m due to the downturn in Russia, partly offset

WORLD MANUFACTURING AREAS 2016 (Sq.mt Mill.)

% on world production

1,304

10.0

+7.1

OTHER EUROPE (Turkey included)

573

4.4

+1.1

NORTH AMERICA (Mexico included)

358

2.7

+8.5

CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA

1,086

8.3

-9.0

ASIA

9,331

71.5

+8.1

399

3.1

-3.4

AREAS EUROPEAN UNION (28)

AFRICA OCEANIA TOTAL

by the recovery in Turkey. In Central and South America, consumption dropped by around a hundred million sq.m to 1,180 million sq.m (-7.7%), a downturn that was entirely attributable to the slump in Brazil.

The very positive trend in demand in North America

% var.

16/15

5

0.0

0.0

13,056

100.0

+5.7

continued, rising from 507 to 547 million sq.m (+7.9%), driven by virtually identical increases in Mexico and the USA in both percentage and absolute value terms. By contrast, demand continued to fall in Africa, dropping by 5.5% to 691 million sq.m due to the

WORLD EXPORTING AREAS AREAS

% on world exports

% var.

16/15

EUROPEAN UNION (28)

903

32.3

+5.5

OTHER EUROPE (Turkey included)

147

5.3

+5.8

60

2.1

-7.7

141

5.0

+11.9

1,513

54.2

-0.8

30

1.1

-14.3

0

0.0

-

2,794

100.0

+1.7

NORTH AMERICA (Mexico included) CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA ASIA AFRICA OCEANIA TOTAL

42

2016 (Sq.mt Mill.)

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ports from Central and South American countries likewise rose (from 126 to 141 million sq.m, +11.9%), as did exports from nonEU Europe (from 139 to 147 million sq.m, 5.5%), which made up for the previous year’s losses. By contrast, Asia saw a slight fall in exports to 1,513 million sq.m (-0.8%), equivalent to 54.2% of world exports, while the contraction in exports from Africa and North America continued (Africa from 35 to 30 million sq.m, -14.3%; North America from 65 to 60 million sq.m, -7.7%).

5) Looking at the export propensity of the various continents or macro-regions, the European Union remained the area with the highest export share at 69.2% of production. All the other areas lagged well behind: non-EU Europe exported 25.7% of its output volumes, North America 16.8%, South America 13%, Asia 16.2% and Africa just 7.5%. The trend in import/ export flows over the years is perfectly consistent with our long-held view that tiles tend to be produced close to the place of consumption. Although world exports stand at 21.4% of production and 21.9% of global consumption, well over half (59%) of this volume consists of exports shipped within the same geographical region as that of pro-

WORLD CONSUMPTION AREAS 2016 (Sq.mt Mill.)

% on world consumption

EUROPEAN UNION (28)

964

7.5

+5.9

OTHER EUROPE (Turkey included)

527

4.1

-0.9

NORTH AMERICA (Mexico included)

547

4.3

+7.9

CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA

1,180

9.2

-7.7

ASIA

8,818

69.0

+8.0

691

5.4

-5.5

56

0.4

+7.7

12,783

100.0

+5.0

AREAS

AFRICA OCEANIA TOTAL contractions in Nigeria, Libya and Egypt.

4) In 2016 world exports increased by just 48 million sq.m to 2,794 million sq.m (+1.7%), maintaining a fairly limited growth trend for the third year running com-

% var.

16/15

pared to the previous period. Moreover, the increase was almost entirely attributable to exports from the European Union, which rose from 856 to 903 million sq.m (+5.5%), one third of total world exports. Ex-

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2016 (on Total World Consumption)

Domestic sales 78.1%

Import Export 21.9%

43

MECS

Machinery Economic Studies

duction (for example, 79% of South America’s exports remain in South America, 77% of North America’s exports remain within the NAFTA region, and 64% of Asian exports are shipped to other Asian countries).

The EU is a partial exception in that almost 50% of its exports are sold in nonEU countries. This analysis is confirmed by the fact that the shares of world production and consumption tend to be similar in each continent. In other words, Asia accounted for 71.5% of production and 69% of world consumption, Europe (EU + non-EU) 14.4% and 11.6% respectively, the Americas 11% and 13.5%, and Africa 3.1% and 5.4%.

6) In 2016 China, the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of ceramic tiles, resumed the production growth that had been interrupted the previous year. Although the Chinese industry and market remain difficult to quantify due to the very large discrepancies between the available figures, our estimates suggest that Chinese production totalled about 6,495 million sq.m in 2016 (+8.8% on 2015), equivalent to 49.7% of world production. This compares with a production capacity calculated by official Chinese sources at more than 11 billion

Tile International 3/2017

Statistics

TOP MANUFACTURING COUNTRIES COUNTRY

2012 (Sq.m Mill.)

2013 (Sq.m Mill.)

2014 (Sq.m Mill.)

2015 (Sq.m Mill.)

2016 (Sq.m Mill.)

% on 2016 world production

% var.

16/15

1.

CHINA

5,200

5,700

6,000

5,970

6,495

49.7%

8.8%

2.

INDIA

691

750

825

850

955

7.3%

12.4%

3.

BRAZIL

866

871

903

899

792

6.1%

-11.9%

4.

SPAIN

404

420

425

440

492

3.8%

11.8%

5.

VIETNAM

290

300

360

440

485

3.7%

10.2%

6.

ITALY

367

363

382

395

416

3.2%

5.3%

7.

INDONESIA

360

390

420

370

360

2.8%

-2.7%

8.

IRAN

500

500

410

300

340

2.6%

13.3%

9.

TURKEY

280

340

315

320

330

2.5%

3.1%

10.

MEXICO

231

230

230

245

267

2.0%

9.0%

9,189

9,864

10,270

10,229

10,932

83.7%

6.9%

11,226

11,961

12,377

12,357

13,056

100.0%

5.7%

TOTAL TOTAL WORLD

Source: MECS, MECS, Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 5th edition 2017

sq.m, spread over some 1400 companies and 3500 production lines. Domestic consumption is estimated at 5,475 million sq.m, 42.8% of world consumption. Exports fell for the third year running from 1,089 to 1,025 million sq.m (-5.9%, the biggest fall in the past three years), equivalent to 36.7% of world exports.

Sales declined in all continents with the exception of Oceania (+7% to 35 million sq.m). Sales in Asia, which account for 58.3% of total Chinese exports, fell by 1.3% to 583 million sq.m; in Africa by -14% (198 million sq.m, 19.8% of the total); -11.7% in North America (78 million sq.m) and

Tile International 3/2017

-11% in South America (80 million sq.m), both with an 8% share of Chinese exports; -20% in the EU (16 million sq.m, 1.6% of global exports); and -9% in non-EU Europe (10 million sq.m) which accounts for just 1% of Chinese exports. As for individual markets, the biggest falls were in Nigeria (down from 52 to 15 million sq.m, -71%), India (from 32 to 12 million sq.m, -62%), Mexico (from 25 to 9 million sq.m, -62%) and Saudi Arabia, the largest export market in 2015 with 64 million sq.m but down to 5th in 2016 with 49 million sq.m (-23%). The Philippines has become the largest market for Chinese tiles (67 mil-

lion sq.m, +27%), followed

by South Korea (66 million sq.m, +21%), Indonesia (57 million sq.m, +29%) and the USA (56 million sq.m, +11%). The value of Chinese exports totalled 4,979 million euros, corresponding to an average selling price of 4.9 €/sq.m.

7) In 2016, India overtook Brazil to become the world’s second largest tile producer and consumer. Production increased from 850 to 955 million sq.m (+12%), while domestic consumption saw a more modest increase (785 million sq.m, +2.9%). The ceramic cluster in Morbi (Gujarat) has continued its rapid growth and is estimated

44

to comprise more than 500 production lines, many of which are devoted to products for export. Foreign sales saw a major upturn in 2016, rising from 134 to 186 million sq.m (+38.8%) and strengthening India’s fourth place amongst the world’s top exporter countries. In value terms exports reached 598 million euros, equivalent to an average selling price of 3.2 €/sq.m, one of the lowest figures of all exporter countries.

Saudi Arabia remained the top export market with a 32.5% share (up from 49 to 60 million sq.m, +23%) and appears to have replaced Chinese imports with product from India.

Statistics Entire contents Copyright MECS - Machinery Economics Studies by ACIMAC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

5 EDITION th

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Machinery Economic Studies

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TOP CONSUMPTION COUNTRIES COUNTRY

2012 (Sq.m Mill.)

2013 (Sq.m Mill.)

2014 (Sq.m Mill.)

2015 (Sq.m Mill.)

2016 (Sq.m Mill.)

% on 2016 world consumption

% var.

16/15

1.

CHINA

4,250

4,556

4,894

4,885

5,475

42.8%

12.1%

2.

INDIA

681

718

756

763

785

6.1%

2.9%

3.

BRAZIL

803

837

853

816

706

5.5%

-13.5%

4.

VIETNAM

254

251

310

400

412

3.2%

3.0%

5.

INDONESIA

340

360

407

357

369

2.9%

3.4%

6.

USA

204

230

231

254

274

2.1%

7.9%

7.

SAUDI ARABIA

230

235

244

263

248

1.9%

-5.7%

8.

TURKEY

184

226

215

234

241

1.9%

3.0%

9.

MEXICO

187

187

197

218

235

1.8%

7.8%

10.

THAILAND

160

180

175

192

189

1.5%

-1.6%

7,293

7,780

8,282

8,382

8,934

69.9%

6.6%

10,964

11,582

12,081

12,177

12,783

100.0%

5.0%

TOTAL TOTAL WORLD

Source: MECS, Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 5th edition 2017

Next come Iraq (11.5 million sq.m, +29.5%), UAE (11.4 million sq.m, +13.6%), Oman and Kuwait (both with around 10 million sq.m, more than double the 2015 figure). While Mexico (7 million sq.m) established itself for the first time as a major destination for Indian exports, this contrasted with a sharp fall in sales in Brazil (3.1 million sq.m, -62%). Overall, the Asian continent absorbs 74.5% of Indian exports (138 million sq.m, +38%), Africa 13% (24 million sq.m, +33%), Europe (EU + nonEU) 4.8% (8.9 million sq.m, +102%), North America (NAFTA) 4.3% (almost entirely Mexico) and South

America 3% (5.5 million sq.m, -47%).

8) The only country amongst the world’s major producers and consumers to see a significant downturn in 2016 was Brazil, where domestic demand fell by 13.5% from 816 to 706 million sq.m following the 4% contraction in 2015. This pushed down production from 899 to 792 million sq.m (-11.9%). By contrast, the recovery in exports continued for the fourth year running to reach 94 million sq.m (+22%) and a value of US $309 million (+5%). These exports are almost entirely shipped to Latin American markets and the USA, the sec-

ond largest foreign market for Brazilian tiles. Anfacer chairman Heitor Almeida explains that the economic recession triggered by the domestic political crisis has paralysed the Brazilian building industry and real estate market, which contracted by 40% in 2016. Increasing exports to North and South America is therefore the only real option open to Brazilian tile manufacturers while awaiting the first signs of what is sure to be a slow recovery, in all likelihood from 2018 onwards.

9) With a further 4.5% growth in exports to 395 million sq.m in 2016, Spain strengthened its position

45

as the world’s second largest exporter. It also continued its recovery in terms of production with output volumes reaching 492 million sq.m (+11.8%), confirming the country’s position at 4th in the rankings of world producers. This was in no small part due to the further recovery in domestic sales, which according to Ascer exceeded 125 million sq.m and increased in value by 16% to 746 million euros. France overtook Saudi Arabia as the top export market (37.8 million sq.m, +14.8%), followed by Saudi Arabia (down by 19% to 27.6 million sq.m), Algeria (23.5 million sq.m, -9%), the USA (where exports grew

Tile International 3/2017

Statistics

TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES COUNTRY

2013 (Sq.m Mill.)

2014 (Sq.m Mill.)

2015 (Sq.m Mill.)

2016 (Sq.m Mill.)

% on 2016 national production

% on 2016 world exports

% var 16/15

value 2016 (million €)

average export price (€/sq.m)

1.

CHINA

1,148

1,110

1,089

1,025

15.8%

36.7%

-5.9%

4,979

4.9

2.

SPAIN

318

339

378

395

80.3%

14.1%

4.5%

2,570

6.5

3.

ITALY

303

314

316

332

79.8%

11.9%

4.8%

4,588

13.8

4.

INDIA

55

102

134

186

19.5%

6.7%

38.8%

598

3.2

5.

IRAN

114

109

112

126

37.1%

4.5%

12.5%

328

2.6

6.

BRAZIL

63

69

77

94

11.9%

3.4%

22.1%

293

3.1

7.

TURKEY

88

85

77

81

24.5%

2.9%

4.8%

463

5.7

8.

MEXICO

64

62

61

56

21.0%

2.0%

-8.2%

289

5.2

9.

UAE

58

55

54

48

66.7%

1.7%

-11.1%

278

5.8

10.

POLAND

48

42

42

46

32.4%

1.6%

9.5%

246

5.3

TOTAL

2,259

2,287

2,340

2,389

23.2%

85.5%

2.1%

TOTAL WORLD

2,670

2,705

2,746

2,794

21.4%

100.0%

1.7%

Source: MECS, Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 5th edition 2017

by 49.6% from 13.8 to 20.7 million sq.m) and the UK (20.2 million sq.m, +6.5%).

The top foreign markets in terms of value were France (257 million euros), USA (188 million euros, +30%), the UK (166 million euros) and Saudi Arabia (146 million euros). In 2016 the breakdown of Spanish export destinations by volume saw Europe at 39.7% (45.8% in value), the Middle East and Asia at 27.9% (24% in value), Africa at 19.6% (14.2% in value) and the Americas at 12.3% (15% in value). Export revenues rose to 2,570 million euros (+4.8%), while average selling price remained

Tile International 3/2017

stable at 6.5 €/sq.m. The Spanish industry’s total turnover amounted to 3,316 million euros (+7.1%).

10) In 2016 Italy saw a further recovery in production (+5.3%), up from 394.8 to 416 million sq.m, while total sales reached 414.5 million sq.m (+4.5%). Domestic sales recovered after an 8-year downturn, rising to 83 million sq.m (+3.2%) and a value of 829 million euros (+3.7%).

Adding in imports (21 million sq.m), domestic consumption reached 103 million sq.m. As the world’s third largest exporter, Italy again increased its exports both in volume (from

46

316.6 to 331.7 million sq.m, +4.8%) and even more significantly in value (from 4,318 to 4,588 million euros, +6.3%), thanks to an average price that has risen to 13.8 €/sq.m. The sector’s total turnover exceeded 5.4 billion euros (+5.9%), of which 85% was generated by exports. Exports to Western Europe, the biggest market for Italian tile accounting for 50% of total Italian exports, rose to 167 million sq.m (+5%). Sales also picked up in Central And Eastern Europe to reach 31 million sq.m (+2% following the -17% of 2015), despite the severe difficulties in the Russian market

(2.5 million sq.m, -10%). Exports to the Balkans likewise performed well (17 million sq.m, +5.3%). Overall, the European continent absorbed 215 million sq.m of Italian tiles, 65% of all exports by volume. Results were also good in the NAFTA region with sales of 49 million sq.m (+8.5%), equivalent to 14.8% of total exports. Albeit with limited volumes, sales also rose in the Far East (19 million sq.m, + 4.8%), in the Gulf region (12 million sq.m, +3.2%) and in North Africa and the Middle East (11 million sq.m, +2%). By contrast, Latin America saw a sharp fall for the third con-

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TOP IMPORTING COUNTRIES COUNTRY

2012 (Sq.m Mill.)

2013 (Sq.m Mill.)

2014 (Sq.m Mill.)

2015 (Sq.m Mill.)

2016 (Sq.m Mill.)

% on 2016 national consumption

% on 2016 world imports

% var.

16/15

1.

USA

147

165

164

179

194

70.8%

6.9%

2.

SAUDI ARABIA

155

170

156

188

167

67.3%

6.0% -11.2%

3.

GERMANY

89

89

95

100

115

91.3%

4.1%

15.0%

4.

IRAQ

105

121

102

106

112

98.2%

4.0%

5.7%

5.

FRANCE

107

96

99

99

104

87.4%

3.7%

5.1%

6.

SOUTH KOREA

61

65

76

72

75

60.0%

2.7%

4.2%

7.

PHILIPPINES

38

46

53

60

75

65.2%

2.7%

25.0%

8.

UAE

52

53

54

64

59

71.1%

2.1%

-7.8%

9.

INDONESIA

37

36

46

45

57

15.4%

2.0%

26.7%

10.

ISRAEL

43

48

44

52

57

91.9%

2.0%

9.6%

TOTAL

834

889

889

965

1,015

62.1%

36.3%

5.2%

2,524

2,670

2,705

2,746

2,794

21.3%

100.0%

1.7%

TOTAL WORLD

8.4%

Source: MECS, Acimac Research dept. “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”, 5th edition 2017

secutive year (4 million sq.m, -21%). The positions of the top 10 largest Italian export markets remained unchanged, all of which saw growth with respect to 2015. Germany remained the largest market with 54.4 million sq.m (+5.8%), followed by France (43.9 million sq.m, +1.6%), the USA (38.7 million sq.m, +7.8%), Austria, Belgium, the UK, Switzerland, Canada, the Netherlands and Romania.

11) The three largest exporter countries, China, Spain and Italy, accounted for 62.7% of world exports last year, while the top ten countries made up

85.5%. Amongst the largest exporter countries, Italy and Spain maintained the highest share of exports as a percentage of production (both 80%), compared to the 66.7% of the UAE, the 37% of Iran, the 32% of Poland, the 15.8% of China and shares of between 12% and 24% of India, Brazil, Turkey and Mexico. But the real sign of Italy’s leadership position is its average selling price of 13.8 €/ sq.m compared to the 6.5 €/sq.m of Spain and between 2.6 €/sq.m and 5.8 €/sq.m of the other countries.

12) Vietnam and Indonesia remain the largest produc-

er and consumer countries in the Far East. In 2016 Vietnam saw its output increase to 485 million sq.m (+10%), while installed capacity was estimated at more than 600 million sq.m. Domestic demand rose to 412 million sq.m (+3%), confirming the country’s position as the world’s fourth largest consumer. By contrast, Indonesia continued to see a contraction in production (from 370 to 360 million sq.m, -2.7%) despite a small recovery in domestic demand (from 357 to 369 million sq.m, +3.4%), equivalent to a per capita consumption of 1.4 sq.m.

47

This contrasted with an increase in imports (from 45 to 57 million sq.m, +26.7%) originating entirely from China.

13) The largest producer in the Middle East (8th in the world rankings), Iran produced a total of 340 million sq.m in 2016 (+13%).

This marked a recovery following a two-year contraction that saw production plummet from 500 million sq.m in 2013 to 300 million sq.m in 2015, compared to an installed capacity of around 680 million sq.m.

The increase in production was not driven by a recovery in domestic consumption, which instead fell for

Tile International 3/2017

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the fifth year running from 190 to 169 million sq.m (-11%) due to housing sector stagnation. By contrast, exports continued to grow, increasing from 112 to 126 million sq.m (+12.5%), equivalent to 37% of production. This included 94 million sq.m exported to Iraq and the rest to neighbouring markets.

14) In 2016 Turkey maintained the positive growth trend that was observed in 2015. Domestic consumption rose from 234 to 241 million sq.m (+3%) and was entirely covered by Turkish production, which grew by 3% to 330 million sq.m (imports totalled just 5 million sq.m). Exports picked up after a threeyear decline, increasing from 77.2 to 80.9 million sq.m (+4.8%) and corresponding to a value of 463 million euros (+2.7%). Turkish exports were mainly spread out over three macro-regions: 50% to the European Union (40.6 million sq.m, +10.7%), 22% to the Middle East and Asia (18 million sq.m, -10.5%) and 20% to the NAFTA region (16 million sq.m, +12%). Following 24% growth with respect to 2015, Germany became the largest market for Turkish tiles (11 mil-

Tile International 3/2017

lion sq.m), pushing Israel into second place (10 million sq.m, +6.5%). Next came the USA (9.2 million sq.m, +17.3% after the +24% of 2015), the UK (8 million sq.m) and Canada (6.8 million sq.m, +5%).

Other countries in the ranking of top ten markets included France, Romania, Finland, Greece and Belgium, all of which saw positive growth.

15) In 2016 Mexico also continued the upward trend of previous years. Domestic demand reached 235 million sq.m (+7.8% on 2015 and +26% on 2013). The country’s tile industry responded to the higher domestic consumption with a fresh increase in output, from 245 to 267 million sq.m (+9%), while imports slumped by 34% from 35 to 23 million sq.m. Mexico is also the world’s 8th largest tile exporter with exports of 56 million sq.m, mostly sold in the USA. 16) In 2016 the top 10 importer countries imported a total of 1,015 million sq.m of tiles, 5.2% up on 2015 (compared to +1.7% at a world level). This was equivalent to 36.3% of total world import/export flows. With the sole exception of Indonesia which imported just

15% of its consumption, all the other top-10 countries saw imports account for more than 60% of domestic demand, with peaks of 98% in Iraq and between 87% and 92% in France, Germany and Israel.

17) In 2016 the USA became the world’s biggest importer country with imports up from 179 to 194 million sq.m (+8.4%) in response to the 8% growth in local demand from 254 to 274 million sq.m. Imports stood at 70.8% of domestic consumption, despite the fact that local production, partly attributable to Italianowned groups (Del Conca USA, Florida Tile, Florim USA, Landmark and Stonepeak), grew for the seventh year running to reach 88 million sq.m (+6%), a figure that will increase further in 2017-2018 driven by the numerous investments under way. No less than 82% of US imports originated from the 4 largest supplier countries: China (56.4 million sq.m, +11%), Mexico (43.1 million sq.m, -8.7%), Italy (38.7 million sq.m, +7.8%) and Spain (20.7 million sq.m, +49.6%).

Italy remained the market leader in terms of sales (on a CIF basis) at US $751 million (+8%), a 35.8% share of

48

total import value (US $2.1 billion).

18) Saudi Arabia, the world’s second largest importer, responded to the fall in domestic demand in 2016 (248 million sq.m, -5.7%) by reducing imports by more than 20 million sq.m from 188 to 167 million sq.m (-11.2%). India became the largest exporter to Saudi Arabia and the only one to see growth (+23% from 49 to 60 million sq.m). Imports from all other countries fell sharply: -23% from China (49 million sq.m) -19% from Spain (27.6 million sq.m), -33% from the UAE (15.5 million sq.m) and -26% from Oman (6 million sq.m). The country’s biggest manufacturer is Saudi Ceramics which produced 50 million sq.m out of the country’s estimated total production of 90 million sq.m.

5

ACIMAC Research Department mr. Luca Baraldi studi@acimac.it T. +39 059 510336 www.mec-studies.com

Statistics Luca Baraldi, Acimac Research Department (studi@acimac.it)

The big players in the sector

201.0

Mexico

130-150 (estimates)

225.0

3

GRUPO LAMOSA

4

RAK CERAMICS PJSC

UAE

82.5

113.0

5

PT MULIAKERAMIK

Indonesia

77.9 (sales)

6

CERAMICA CARMELO FIOR

Brazil

7

PAMESA

8 9

12

26

17 in North America, Mexico, Europe, Russia

American Olean, Dal Tile, KAI, Kerama Marazzi, Marazzi, Ragno

21 in Thailand, 7 in Vietnam, 4 in Indonesia, 1 in the Philippines

Cotto, Prime, Mariwasa, Sosuco, Campana, Kia, DK, Trend

10 in Mexico, 3 in Argentina, 3 in Colombia, 1 in Peru

Lamosa, Porcelanite, Firenze, Italica, San Lorenzo, Cordillera

10 in UAE, 4 in Bangladesh, China, India, Iran (only tile)

RAK, Elegance

8 in Indonesia

Mulia

Main Tile Brands / Companies

$ 8,959 mill. (tiles, carpet, laminate & wood)

664.0

n.a.

47

442.4

687.2 (tiles, sanitary, tableware)

80.0

3

n.a.

409.0 (tiles, glass)

76.8

84.0

15

142.0

142.0

4 in Brazil

Cecafi, Pisoforte, Fioranno, Idealle, Arielle

Spain

69.5

69.5

76.5

367.0

496.0 (tiles, others)

6 in Spain

Pamesa Ceramica, TAU Ceramica, CTI, Foset, Geotiles, Navarti

GRUPO FRAGNANI

Brazil

65.5

72.0

9

152.0

152.0

3 in Brazil

Incefra, Incenor, Tecnogres, In Out

KAJARIA CERAMICS

India

64.0

68.9

1

368.0

381.0 (tiles, sanitaryware)

11 in India

Kajaria

10 CERSANIT SA

Poland

61.0 (sales)

n.a.

6

285.0

475.0 (tiles, sanitaryware)

4 in Poland, 6 in Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Germany

Cersanit, Opoczno, Meissen Keramik, MEI, Mito

11 VITROMEX

Mexico

55.0

57.0

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

5 in Mexico

Vitromex, Construpiso, Artemis, Arko

Tile International 3/2017

180.0

751.0

901.0 (tiles + sanitaryware)

Tile plants / Location

Thailand

n.a.

$ 3,174 mill. ceramic tile segment only

(mill. €)

Installed capacity

estimates on official company data

only tile segment

Production (mill. sq.m)

230-250

dustry (sanitaryware, tableware, heavy clay) and the supply chain (raw materials, adhesives, distribution), as well as other sectors (bathroom and kitchen furnishings, non-ceramic surface coverings, build-

Total turnover (mill. €)

SCG GROUP

230-250

ed purely from the sale of ceramic tiles.

This allows a more accurate comparison to be made between large groups which often operate across multiple segments of the ceramic in-

Turnover

2

USA

31/12/2016.

Along with the main data for installed capacity, real production, export share and number and locations of facilities (in the tile segment), we also report turnover generat-

Export share

1

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC

Country

Group / Company

To supplement the world tile production and consumption figures, Tile International is publishing key data on the sector’s leading groups and companies, ranked by output volumes and updated to

50

Statistics Entire contents Copyright TILE EDIZIONI srl - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

MORE INFO? www.mec-studies.com!

187.9 (tiles, sanitaryware, others)

13 STN GROUP

Spain

51.0

61.0

76

196.6

14 ARWANA CITRAMULIA

Indonesia

50.4

57.4

0

15 SAUDI CERAMICS

Saudi Arabia

50.0

64.0

16 LASSELSBERGER GROUP

Austria

50.0

17 KALE GROUP

Turkey

JOHNSON 18 H&R (INDIA)

Main Tile Brands / Companies

182.6

of sufficient data, including the largest Italian manufacturer, Concorde Group, which would certainly have ranked amongst the top three in

Tile plants / Location

4

Total turnover (mill. €)

69.0

(mill. €)

53.9

Turnover

Export share

Thailand

Group / Company

Installed capacity

only tile segment

are based on estimates.

However, the rankings are not exhaustive.

A number of groups have been omitted due to the lack

Production (mill. sq.m)

that generated it.

The figures were supplied directly by the companies themselves or obtained from public sources, and in some cases

Country

ing materials, chemicals, etc.).

To provide a more complete picture of group size, we also include total or consolidated turnover and the segments

MECS

Machinery Economic Studies

2 in Thailand

Dynasty, Tile Top, Jaguar, Anne, Mustang, Tomahawk, Value

196.6

2 in Spain

STN, Alaplana, Keratile

108.0

108.0

5 in Indonesia

Arwana

10

n.a.

311.0 (tiles, sanitaryware)

4 in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Ceramics

51.0

52.0

270.0

n.a.

5 Czech Rep., 2 Hungary, 1 Romania, 1 Russia

Rako, Cesarom, LB, Zalakeramia

47.2

66.0

27

245.0

301.3 (tiles, bathroom)

22 Turkey

Canakkale Seramik, Kalebodur, Edilcuoghi, Edilgres, Campani, IDA

India

43.0

61.0

4

170.3

246.7 (tiles, sanitaryware)

13 in India

Johnson, Marbonite, Endura, Porselano

(Trebol 19 CELIMA Group)

Peru

42.0

53.0

44

n.a.

n.a.

3 in Peru

Celima, San Martin, Barcelona

20 PORTOBELLO

Brazil

42.0

48.0

13

379.0

379.0

2 in Brazil

Portobello, Pointer

21 INTERCERAMIC

Mexico

42.0

44.0

30

334.0

445.0 (tiles, sanitaryware, others)

3 Mexico, 1 USA

Interceramic

22 GRUPO CEDASA

Brazil

41.5

70.0

10

120.0

120.0

1 in Brazil

Majopar, Cedasa, Vistabella, Lorenzza

Malaysia

40.6

56.0

15

165.8

n.a.

3 Malaysia, 1 Vietnam, 1 Taiwan

White Horse

South Africa

40.0

49.0

20

115.0

161.0 (tiles, sanitayware, other)

6 in South Africa, 1 in Australia

Gryphon, Pegasus, Samca, Vitro, Centaurus

Colombia

39.2

40.7

13.5

193.0

498.0 (tiles, sanitaryware)

5 in Colombia

Corona, Orchid

12 DYNASTY

HORSE 23 WHITE CERAMIC IND. 24 CERAMIC INDUSTRIES 25 CORONA

51

Tile International 3/2017

r u o y GR W

BUSINESS

MECS

Machinery EConomic Studies Machinery Economic Studies

“In a constantly changing global market, advance knowledge of the rate of growth or decline of the market is essential for effective planning of corporate strategies”

3rd EDITION year 2017

5 EDITION year 2017 th

WORLD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CERAMIC TILES

FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS WORLD CERAMIC TILE MANUFACTURERS

ACIMAC/MECS - Machinery Economic Studies

ACIMAC/MECS - Machinery Economic Studies

Volume 1- A/G

MECS

Machinery Economic Studies

ACIMAC Via Fossa Buracchione 84 41126 Baggiovara (MO) • ITALY T. +39 059 510 336 info@acimac.it • info@mec-studies.it www.acimac.it • www.mec-studies.it

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Machinery Economic Studies

www.mec-studies.com

Statistics terms of turnover (see Tile International no. 2/17 page 76, or click HERE).

Other players that would have entered the rankings include the largest Egyptian group, Cleopatra (it has a production capacity of around 100 million sq.m/year) and a number of Chinese manufacturers.

In the 2016 rankings of the top 25 world groups, the positions of the four largest tile producers remain unchanged.

The American giant Mohawk Industries, Inc. remains firmly at the top of the rankings with an estimated 2016 output of between 230 and 250 million sq.m.

The US multinational is well ahead of all its competitors, especially in terms of revenues.

As of 31/12/2016, it reported sales of US $3.174 billion in the tile segment alone, equivalent to 35% of the group’s total revenues.

The Thai group SCG is in second place in terms of output volumes (201 million sq.m), but well behind in sales revenues (751 million euros).

The Mexican group Lamosa has further strengthened its position as the third largest world group and the leader in Latin America following the acquisition of the Argentinian group San Lorenzo on 3 October 2016. Valued at around US $230 million, the operation

included the two brands San Lorenzo and Cordillera and 7 manufacturing facilities (3 in Argentina, 3 in Colombia and 1 in Peru), enabling Lamosa to increase its total production capacity by around 40% to 180 million sq.m/year.

A total of twelve companies occupy the production range between 50 and 100 million sq.m.

Of these, the Spanish company Pamesa saw a particularly strong performance in 2016, increasing its output to 69.5 million sq.m (+15%) and tile segment revenues to 367 million euros (+17.6%). The Indonesian group Arwana Citramulia also marked up doubledigit growth with the start-up of its fifth production facility in early 2016, reaching a capacity of 57.7 million sq.m and an output of 50 million sq.m (up 17% on 2015).

Total 2016 production of the 25 largest world groups in the sector amounted to around 1.75 billion sq.m, 13% of world tile production.

5

Statistics

by MECS, Acimac Research Department - studi@acimac.it - www.mec-studies.com

Upswing continues for Italian ceramic industry As this magazine anticipated back in February, the new 2016 international financial statement data analysed by the Acimac Studies Centre shows that the upgrading of our ceramic tile industry has given rise to another impressive result in 2016, in terms of both growth and profitability, which is especially significant when compared with the results achieved by manufacturers in the Rest of the World.

The definitive 2016 data reveal that the Italian ceramic industry is still achieving solid growth, both compared with 2015, which was already an excellent year, and compared with worldwide production and profitability trends (although it includes

the data for many West European and American manufacturers, the sample examined provides a more significant picture of the situation of East European and Asian ceramic manufacturers).

Out of ACIMAC's international sample, turnover growth in the past year was reported by over 80% of Italian manufacturers (as against 61% the previous year), but by only 59.5% of non-Italian manufacturers.

Similarly, whereas 85% of Italian manufacturers are in profit (a distinct improvement on last year's figure of 67.4%), only 79.3% of manufacturers in the Rest of the World are in profit.

The

Italian

result

therefore

points to widespread acceleration in turnover growth (up by more than 5%), which has been gaining traction since last year. The growth pattern, however, has changed: recourse to staff restructuring has slowed and, in the wake of the previous year's boom, growth in industrial capital investments also slowed to 2.6% from 4.4% the previous year.

Growth in investments in intangible fixed assets (brands and patents), by contrast, rose from to 11.4% from 9% in 2015.

The exact opposite investment pattern is in play in the rest of the world, where growth in total fixed capital investments outstripped growth in intangibles. This contrasting approach to investment (which

in Italy is more geared towards product R&D than new plants and processes) is confirmed by the degree of production plant usage (Working Capital Turnover Ratio or WCTR), which is higher than in the rest of the world, and growing.

Despite slower growth in investments, a virtuous circle has continued, as the substantial investments made in recent years yield a significant increase in productivity, when production plants are operating at full capacity: productivity per employee, which was already seeing rapid growth in Italian companies last year, has now seen a huge leap of over 10,000 euros per employee.

While turnover, orders and de-

Source: Acimac Research Dept. - www.mec-studies.com

GRAPH 1 - % CHANGE IN COMPANIES IN PROFIT AND % OF COMPANIES REPORTING TURNOVER GROWTH IN 2016/2015

Tile International 3/2017

54

Statistics

gree of plant usage have increased, there has been a further fall in average stocks of finished products, indicating that production is nearing full capacity.

We have already mentioned progress in profitability, but value creation is also still rising, with progress, based on constant sampling, in Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Sales (ROS), both of which have almost doubled on the back of record growth of over 2 percentage points). EBITDA (which has also grown by more than 2 percentage points) stands at over 10%, largely as a result of the first rise in gross margin (value added/turnover), from 29.8% to 31.9%, with labour costs as a percentage of turnover falling by almost one percentage point.

The competitiveness of Italian tile manufacturing in terms of labour costs (as a percentage of turnover, which approximates to labour cost per unit of production) is high, despite the fact that the labour cost per employee is very high and growing (at an average of 55,000 euros per employee as against 53,000 the previous year). It's worth remembering, in this respect, that what counts is not the average cost of labour, which includes a substantial slice of tax in Italy, but the proportion of the cost of labour for each unit produced. In the final analysis, Italy's competitiveness is ensured by the high level of investment

in production equipment and technology per employee (which is higher than in any other country in the world), which are helped in turn by the economies of proximity typically associated with clusters, and the continuous, twoway technological transfer between the ceramic production machinery sector and the tile manufacturing sector.

Thanks to these favourable circumstances of technological specialisation, Italian manufacturers have exceptionally high levels of productivity, and product and process quality.

So while Italian tiles would struggle to compete in standard and mass-market quality segments such as those occupied by Asian manufacturers, whose labour costs are still low enough to yield very high profit margins, they are still extremely competitive in the high quality-high price segments, in which our tiles are better equipped to defend themselves against competition from East European and Asian manufacturers.

Italian ceramic tile manufacturers are seeing further significant improvements in their cash flow and EBIT – indicators of financial health and solidity – thus achieving a greater balance between economic and financial performance.

Their equity ratio, meanwhile, remains stable, because companies with increasing equity ratios are counterbalanced, overall, by those which are tak-

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MECS

Machinery Economic Studies

ing advantage of low borrowing costs to finance investments with third-party capital, to benefit from financial leverage.

5

TAB. 1 - SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INDICATORS BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA Italy 2016

Rest of the world

Average 2014-16

2016

Average 2014/16

ROI

5.11

3.47

6.86

6.67

ROS

6.09

3.99

8.73

8.45

WCTR

0.88

0.83

0.76

0.78

31.88

30.30

31.7

31.7

91.6

83.27

28.31

27.48

Labour cost/Turnover %

19.07

19.84

15.89

15.42

EBITDA %

10.50

8.79

14.04

13.72

EBIT %

5.91

3.93

8.72

8.55

Profit/Loss %

4.82

2.74

5.83

5.66

Labour cost per employee

55.46

53.55

13.87

13.50

Capital per employee

398.8

389.6

143.3

141.8

Equity Ratio %

33.72

33.97

47.20

46.34

Value added/Turnover % Value added per employee

Leverage Gearing

4.34

4.04

2.36

2.34

115.84

115.95

81.10

77.92

Source: Acimac Research Dept. - www.mec-studies.com

55

Tile International 3/2017

Economy & markets 84nd EUROCONSTRUCT Conference, Munich (Germany), 24 November 2017

Construction sector set to grow in Europe in 2017 Construction volume in the EUROCONSTRUCT area is expected to grow by 3.5% in 2017. The strongest stimuli will once again come from residential construction.

Developments in 2017 are remarkable for two reasons.

Firstly, growth in construction measures in Europe reached

its highest level since 2006, or shortly before the outbreak of the international financial crisis. Secondly, construction demand is rising in all 19 member countries in 2017. This is the first time that growth has been seen across the board in Europe since Germany’s reunifica-

tion; and it looks like this feat will be repeated in 2018.

The European construction industry has now been on track for growth since 2014.

Construction output in the four years from 2014 to 2017 has increased by a total of 9%.

A further increase of 6% can

Total Construction Output (% change in real terms) Estimate 2014

2015

2016

Forecast

2017

2018

Outlook

2019

2020

Austria

-0.1

1.1

1.1

2.8

1.5

1.4

1.4

Belgium

1.5

2.3

3.7

2.5

3.7

2.3

3.5

Denmark

3.2

3.7

4.5

2.0

2.7

2.8

2.5

Finland

-1.9

0.9

8.6

3.5

1.4

-3.3

-1.3

France

-6.0

-2.0

2.6

3.6

2.7

2.3

1.2

Germany

1.8

0.2

2.5

2.6

0.9

-0.3

-0.4

Ireland

10.1

9.0

14.2

14.6

12.7

7.9

5.2

Italy

-2.2

0.9

1.1

1.0

2.0

1.8

1.6

Netherlands

0.5

7.7

5.8

5.4

4.9

3.8

2.6

Norway

2.3

-0.1

5.2

6.8

3.5

2.5

1.8

Portugal

-1.0

3.5

-1.5

6.0

5.0

5.0

4.0

Spain

-1.7

2.9

1.8

4.1

3.8

3.7

3.0

Sweden

7.7

6.1

5.8

9.9

3.6

0.0

-3.2

Switzerland

3.5

1.7

0.9

1.6

2.5

1.9

0.7

United Kingdom

9.3

4.0

3.9

2.7

0.7

1.9

0.2

Western Europe (EC-15)

0.9

1.6

3.0

3.3

2.3

1.7

1.0

Czech Republic

4.1

7.1

-5.8

1.6

5.0

6.7

2.5

Hungary

6.5

3.4

-19.3

25.5

21.4

7.9

1.4

Poland

4.7

4.0

-4.5

8.7

9.0

10.3

4.2

Slovak Republic

-3.5

18.5

-11.4

3.1

1.8

0.4

-0.5

Eastern Europe (EC-4)

4.3

5.4

-7.1

8.6

9.3

8.7

3.2

Euroconstruct Countries (EC-19)

1.1

1.8

2.5

3.5

2.6

2.1

1.1

Source: 84th EUROCONSTRUCT Conference, November 2017

Tile International 3/2017

56

be expected in the 19 EUROCONSTRUCT member states by 2020.

Growth rates will slow considerably in the future in both residential construction and non-residential construction, while civil engineering will take over the role of market driver in the medium term. The civil engineering sector is also expected to grow at the unprecedented rate of over 4% in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

At the same time, the new construction segment will clearly lose importance in the years ahead. By 2020 the renovation sector is expected to see stronger growth than new construction for the first time since 2014.

The favourable development in construction demand is partly due to robust economic growth and its positive implications for household income, corporate profits and the state of public finances.

Moreover, the low interest rate level, immigration and internal migration flows, as well as the investment backlog that has accumulated in areas like infrastructure since the financial crisis is supporting the upswing. There are also clear constraints on the public sector’s scope to take action.

This is reflected in the cautious approach to taxation

Economy & markets

Graph. 1 - GDP and Total Construction Output from 2014 to 2020 (year to year change in %)

and/or the subsidy policy adopted by several European countries. In some places high vacancy rates and/or excessively high real-estate prices are also preventing a stronger upturn in construction activity.

In 2017 construction demand is expected to be strongest in Hungary (+25%), the second smallest market in the EUROCONSTRUCT area, followed by Ireland (+15%), Sweden (+10%), and Poland (+9%). Hungary will also post the highest growth rates for the next three years through 2020 (+33%). In addition to state subsidies for residential construction, the more consistent use of EU funds especially for civil engineering will play an important role here.

In the three-year growth projections Hungary is once again followed by Ireland (+28%), then comes Poland (+25%), the Czech Republic and Portugal (+15% respectively).

In Germany construction activity in 2017 will even increase more strongly than in 2016, driven by higher demand for residential accommodation, a greater willingness to invest on the part of companies and a civil engineering drive by the German government.

Although growth will slow down significantly in the midterm, investment in both the residential and the infrastructure segments is expected to be high in the long term.

5

Graph. 2 - Total Construction Output by Sector from 2014 to 2020 (Index 2014=100)

57

Tile International 3/2017

Economy & markets

The evolution of the Spanish ceramic tile industry The Spanish tile industry is still enjoying strong growth, and consolidating its position as one of the sector’s top players worldwide.

According to “World Production and Consumption of Ceramic Tiles”, a report published by MECS, the Acimac Studies Centre, Spain remained in fourth place in the world rankings of tile manufacturing countries in 2016, by quantity, with output of 492 million sq.m (table 1), up 11.8% on the previous year.

The result puts Spain’s production back up to the levels achieved in 2008, although it remains a long way short of the peak reached in 2005, when the country’s tile output reached 609 million sq.m.

According to data published

TABLE 1 - MAIN INDICATORS (in millions of sq.m) 2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2016

Var. % 2016/2015

Var. % 2015/2014

Production

366

392

404

420

425

440

492

11.8%

3.5%

Exports

248

263

296

318

339

378

395

4.5%

11.5%

Imports

11.6

9.2

5.7

5.8

6.9

6.4

5.9

-6.9%

-7.6%

Consumption

145

128

109

108

111

121

137

13.2%

9.0%

Source: ASCER data processed by ACIMAC Research Department

by ASCER (the Spanish tile manufacturers’ association), 2016 also saw growth in total revenues from sales of Spanish tiles, to over 3.3 billion euros, representing an increase of 7.1% or 200 million euros on 2015.

Exports account for almost 80% of the industry’s total revenues, and export volumes reached 395 million sq.m in 2016, up 4.5% on 2015, equating to an additional 17 million sq.m (table 1). This is more modest than the double-digit

GRAPH 1 - TREND IN KEY INDICATORS 2010-2016 (millions of sq.m)

Source: ASCER data processed by ACIMAC Research Department Note: Values for imports are on the right axis

Tile International 3/2017

2015

58

rise reported in 2015, but nonetheless confirms the good health of the industry, with values well above the pre-crisis levels of 2015, when tile exports by volume amounted to 340 million sq.m. Spanish tile exports by value reached 2,569 million euros in 2016, up almost 5% on 2015 (table 2).

In the world rankings, Spain is still the second largest exporter, after China (with exports of 1,025 million sq.m, down 5.9% on 2015) and ahead of Italy (332 million sq.m, up 5.1%).

2016 also saw a year-on-year rise of 13.2% in internal tile consumption, to a total of 137 million sq.m.

This is the country’s best performance since 2010, although less impressive than its performance on the production and export fronts, as it still falls a long way short of pre-crisis levels (internal tile consumption reached 318 million sq.m in 2006). Accord-

Economy & markets

MORE INFO? www.mec-studies.com!

ing to ASCER’s initial data for 2017, internal sales growth has continued into the current year, with an increase of 11% in the period January to September.

Exports in the first nine months of 2017 ASCER’s initial data for 2017 confirm the strong performance shown by exports, which rose by 5.4% in the first nine months of the year, equating to a 106 million euro increase in export sales to a total of 2,066 million (table 3).

Europe Europe remains the main market for Spanish tile exports (graph 2), accounting for almost half of the total volume (47.5% to be precise), up 7.8% on the same period in 2016, to a total of 980 million euros.

By individual country, France is the world’s biggest buyer of Spanish tiles, with spending of 216 million euros, up 8.4% on the same period in 2016 (table 4).

Italy has also seen a big increase in tile imports from Spain, which rose from 68.8 to 79.4 million euros (up 15.4%), taking it from 8th to 5th place in the world rankings of Spain’s export markets.

The positions of the United Kingdom and Germany, in 3rd and 7th place respectively, remain broadly unchanged: the UK saw an increase in

Spanish tile imports of just 0.5%, from 130.2 to 130.8 million euros, while Germany saw a slightly more marked rise, from 72.3 to 73.4 million euros (up 1.5%).

After three consecutive years of decline, sales of Spanish tiles to the markets of Eastern Europe started rising again in 2017, to the tune of 8.8%, equating to 10 million euros more than the previous year.

The main driver of this upturn is the reversal in the fortunes of exports to Russia, which rose by a decisive 10% this year, from 55.6 to 61.2 million euros, after falls of 45.4% in 2015 and 20% in 2016. This performance puts Russia back in 9th place in the top 10 export markets for Spanish tiles (table 4).

Asia and the Middle East Asia’s share of Spanish tile exports has remained stable on 24% (graph 2).

After a slight downturn (-0.6%) in the same period of the pre-

MECS

Machinery Economic Studies

vious year, this marks a return to growth in the form of a 4.7% rise on 2016, to almost 500 million euros (table 3).

Performance has been strong at a sub-regional level too, with growth of 25% in the Far East and almost 40% in South-

GRAPH 2 - MARKET SHARE OF SPANISH EXPORTS (% of total exports January-September 2017)

Source: ASCER

59

Tile International 3/2017

Economy & markets

TABLE 2 - EXPORTS 2015-2016 (millions of €)

BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA Area

Var. % 2016/2015

% of Total 2015

% of Total 2016

2015

2016

1,092.06

1,175.89

7.7%

44.5%

45.8%

Asia

621.23

619.61

-0.3%

25.3%

24.1%

America

312.86

383.48

22.6%

12.8%

14.9%

Africa

402.14

365.82

-9.0%

16.4%

14.2%

23.88

24.94

4.4%

1.0%

1.0%

2,452.17

2,569.73

4.8%

100.0%

100.0%

Europe

Oceania TOTAL Source: ASCER data

TABLE 3 - EXPORTS JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 2016/JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 2017 (millions of €) BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA Jan-Sept 2016

Jan-Sept 2017

Var % Jan-Sept 2017 / Jan-Sept 2016

Europe

910.0

980.9

7.8%

46.4%

47.5%

- EU-28

766.5

827.6

8.0%

39.1%

40.1%

- EU-15

634.2

685.7

8.1%

32.4%

33.2%

- Eurozone

521.4

573.5

10.0%

26.6%

27.8%

- EU new members

132.3

142.0

7.3%

6.8%

6.9%

- Eastern Europe

117.3

127.6

8.8%

6.0%

6.2%

Asia

473.8

496.3

4.7%

24.2%

24.0%

- Middle East

406.0

405.1

-0.2%

20.7%

19.6%

43.2

54.0

25.0%

2.2%

2.6%

Area

- Far East - South East Asia

% of Total Jan-Sept 2016

% of Total Jan-Sept 2017

19.3

26.9

39.5%

1.0%

1.3%

America

280.0

345.3

23.3%

14.3%

16.7%

- NAFTA

188.5

236.8

25.6%

9.6%

11.5%

- USA

139.8

173.3

24.0%

7.1%

8.4%

- Central America

56.2

62.6

11.4%

2.9%

3.0%

- South America

35.2

46.0

30.5%

1.8%

2.2%

Africa

277.2

223.3

-19.5%

14.1%

10.8%

- North Africa

184.4

138.4

-25.0%

9.4%

6.7%

18.7

19.9

6.5%

1.0%

1.0%

1,959.6

2,065.7

5.4%

100.0%

100.0%

Oceania TOTAL Source: ASCER data

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East Asia, equating to increases in the value of exports of 10.8 and 7.6 million euros respectively.

The most outstanding sales growth in these areas came from China (up 54.8%, from 12.5 to 19.3 million euros) and Vietnam (up 70.8%, from 4.8 to 8.3 million euros).

Exports to the Middle East, by contrast, have dipped slightly (-0.2%), from 406 to 405 million euros. In this region, sales to Saudi Arabia have fallen by almost 15% (from 117 to 99.5 million euros), although the country still holds fourth place in the world rankings of export markets for Spanish tiles (table 4).

Exports to Lebanon, meanwhile, grew by an impressive 17%, from 56.4 to 66 million euros, pushing the country up two places (from 10th to 8th) in the top 10 export markets for Spanish tiles (table 4), and exports to the United Arab Emirates were up by an even more impressive 18.6% from 35.4 to 42 million euros.

Lastly, there was a 2.5% rise in exports to Israel, from 75.7 to 77.6 million euros.

America Exports of Spanish tiles to the Americas saw continued growth in the first nine months of 2017. Having overtaken Africa the previous year, the Americas now account for 16.7% of total Spanish tile exports, with a monetary value

Economy & markets

MORE DATA? Click on cover!

TABLE 4 - TOP 10 EXPORT MARKETS FOR SPANISH TILES (millions of €) Country

Jan-Sept 2016

Jan-Sept 2017

Var % Jan-Sept 2017/2016

France

199.5

216.4

8.4%

2

USA

139.8

173.3

24.0%

3

United Kingdom

130.2

130.8

0.5%

4

Saudi Arabia

117.0

99.5

-14.9%

5

Italy

68.8

79.4

15.4%

6

Israel

75.7

77.6

2.5%

7

Germany

72.3

73.4

1.5%

8

Lebanon

56.4

66.0

17.1%

9

Russian Fed.

55.6

61.2

10.0%

60.4

60.9

0.9%

10 Morocco

5 EDITION year 2017 th

1

WORLD PRO CONSUMPTIO DUCTION AND N OF CERAM IC TILES ACIMAC/MEC S - Machiner y Eco nomic Studies

MECS

Machinery Econ omic Studies

ACIMAC Via Fossa Bura cchione 84 41126 Baggiova ra (MO T. +39 059 510 ) • ITALY 336 info@acimac.it • info@mec-studi www.acimac.it es.it • www.mec-stud ies.it

Source: ASCER data of 345 million euros (up 23.3%).

As in previous years, North America, on 236.8 million euros (up 25.6% on 2016), accounts for the majority of this value.

The most outstanding performance comes from the United States, which absorbed 50% of all Spanish tiles exported to the entire continent, and also recorded the biggest change at country level, from 139.8 to 173.3 million euros, a rise of 33.5 million euros (up 24%).

This performance puts the USA second in the world rankings of export markets for Spanish tiles, as it gains ground on France in first place and pulls further ahead of the United Kingdom in third.

Central America saw double-digit growth, from 56.2 to 62.6 million euros (up 11.4%).

Finally, after last year’s downturn (-14% on the previous year), South America was back on the up, with a 30.5% increase, from 35.2 to 46 million euros, and exceeded the level reached in the first nine months of 2015, when imports of Spanish tiles totalled 41 million euros.

Africa The decline in Spanish exports to Africa continued, meanwhile, with the continent’s share of the total falling from 14.1% to 10.8%.

In the first nine months of 2017, sales on the African market fell by almost 54 mil-

lion euros year-on-year (-19.5%), from 277.2 to 223.3 million.

This downturn is mainly attributable to negative performance on the North African markets, whose value fell by a total of 46 million euros (down 25% on 2016).

Algeria sustained the heaviest fall, from 91.5 to 51.4 million euros (down 43.9% on the same period the previous year) and dropped right out of the top 10 export markets for Spanish tiles, from 5th place in 2016.

Sales to Libya also dipped sharply, from 15.3 to 9.5 million euros, representing a fall of almost 6 million euros or 38.3%.

Lastly, Morocco remained broadly stable.

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With an increase of just 0.9%, its imports from Spain are now worth 60.9 million euros, but it drops one place in the top 10 markets for Spanish tile exports, having been overtaken

by Russia.

Oceania Exports to Oceania grew by 6.5% to a figure of almost 20 million euros.

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Next page: Mr. Zarzoso, Ascer's Chairman, talks about the Spanish ceramic tile industry »»

Tile International 3/2017

Economy & markets

Isidro Zarzoso

The opinion of Isidro Zarzoso, Chairman of Ascer

Tile International: How do you judge the evolution of the Spanish industry in 2017?

Isidro Zarzoso: “2017 has been a year of moderate growth, although we've come across a few obstacles in certain export markets.

The domestic market, by contrast, is still performing well and its slow recovery is proceeding."

Tile International: What are the main difficulties that the Spanish industry is facing?

I. Zarzoso: "The Spanish ceramic industry has confirmed its export prowess, but international competition is very strong.

By volume, Tile of Spain is currently the biggest tile exporter in the European Union and the second biggest in the world, despite the increase in barriers and obstacles to international trade, and despite a context that often forces us to compete with third countries that do not follow exactly the same rules of play."

Tile International: What are the growing areas for Spanish tiles?

I. Zarzoso: "Europe is still our natural market and the one in which we have good growth margins. It is a mature market, and as such, demand is primarily for

Tile International 3/2017

high value-added products.

I am convinced that we will be able to increase our market share in Europe if there is an improvement in infrastructure links between Spain and the rest of Europe.

The trend is upwards in the United States too. And I am optimistic about the North African markets, because although they need very basic products at the moment, they will show increasing demand in the future for more premium materials, embodying higher value-added."

Tile International: What are your forecasts for the whole of 2017?

I. Zarzoso: "I think we will close 2017 with a percentage increase in turnover similar to the rise recorded in 2016, in other words over 7-8%.

Export performance will be penal-

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ised by trade restrictions on the Argentinian market, which will reduce the growth rate of 5.4% achieved between January and September.

Strong sales on Spain's domestic market, however, will offset the slowdown in exports."

Tile International: How do you judge the renewal of the antidumping duties on Chinese imports into EU? I. Zarzoso: "The extension of the measure is vital because it enables the European ceramic industry to operate on a level playing field, which is essential if we are to remain competitive and carry on investing in product innovation."

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Report Cersaie 2017

#MCaroundCersaie Increase in Italian and international trade attendees

On the back of increased attendance by both international and Italian trade attendees, Cersaie 2017 received 111,604 visitors, marking an increase of 4.7% on 2016. The International Exhibition of Architectural Ceramic and Bathroom Furnishings, held in Bologna from 25 to 29 September in partnership with BolognaFiere, thus confirmed its status as the world’s benchmark trade event for the sector.

This status, combined with the favourable economic climate in the various markets, prompted an increase in visitor numbers, both from Italy (up 5.0% to 58,422) and abroad (up 4.3% to 53,182), from pretty much every country in the world.

As always, the event was well attended by the Italian and foreign media, with 922 journalists taking part - 506 from Italy and 416 from abroad.

Representation and in-

Tile International 3/2017

ternational scope remained the key features of Cersaie, which again opened its doors to exhibitors of wood flooring and natural stone coverings, alongside their counterparts from the ceramic tile and bathroom furnishing sectors.

Visitors showed their usual keen interest in exhibitors of products and technologies for tile-setting and the distribution chain, all of which set new standards of refinement.

Every segment of Cersaie 2017 saw a rise in exhibitor numbers, to a total of 869 (17 more than in 2016), including 323 foreign exhibitors (almost a third of the total) from 41 different countries.

Ceramic tile manufacturers were the largest contingent, with 457 exhibitor companies, followed by bathroom furnishing, with 197 companies.

Without giving up its indepth focus on architecture and interior design,

this latest edition of Cersaie bore witness to the increasingly important role played by the world of tilesetting in the event.

For example, the ‘works in progress’ and training seminars on large-format products held in “Tiling Town” for technicians and designers attracted high levels of participation.

The show’s extensive programme of events on architectural topics were also well attended.

Tile Edizioni's staff at Cersaie

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One of the biggest attractions was ‘Lesson in reverse’ by Fabio Novembre, which was attended by over 1,300 young people.

The ‘Milleluci’ exhibition in Hall 30 also earned wide acclaim.

So join us on a guided tour of the latest trends and products unveiled during show week in Bologna.

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Report Cersaie 2017

MAYBE NOT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT… Over 3,600 people visited the Tile International / MaterialiCasa.com stands at Cersaie and subscribed to our newsletter.

Do you? Subscribe! http://www.materialicasa.com/mc-en-newsletter/

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Tile International 3/2017

Report Cersaie 2017

Buzon extended its production range again in 2017, with the introduction of new accessories designed to simplify the task of tilesetting and improve its end results.

This is the mission that Buzon Pedestal International, a Belgian group, has been pursuing for 30 years, and that has given it a strong market position in various parts of the world.

The Buzon range of adjustable pedestals for raised flooring is divided into three segments: - PB for small and medium projects; - PDH for major public works; - BC for special urban furnishing projects, such as fountains, for example.

Buzon

Cercol F.72 Elastomalta A+B is a highly flexible, two-component (powder and latex), fibre-reinforced, cement-based waterproofing membrane. Once set, it forms a flexible, impermeable layer with first-class weather-resistance.

The product is formulated for a wide range of applications, including the waterproofing of flat surfaces such as balconies, terraces, non-walk-on concrete roofs and swimming pools. It can also be used as a final protective layer for concrete surfaces, both horizontal and vertical, against smog, carbon dioxide and salt.

Tile International 3/2017

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Report Cersaie 2017

Original Parquet Wooden Fabrics. Every product is a work of haute couture: wood flooring tailored like a bespoke suit, hand-sewn and hand-finished to make it absolutely unique.

The grain patterns of the wood merge with the geometry of the fabrics, to create products that are emblematic of that Italian tradition, built on style and impeccable craftsmanship, that’s recognised in every corner of the earth.

Fully inlaid, every piece that makes up the Wooden Fabrics collection is craft-cut, chamfered on all four sides, treated and mounted on prefinished panels to facilitate installa-

tion on floors or walls, to “dress” all types of environment, from classic to modern. The collection draws inspiration from traditional fabrics, such as Tasmania, Cady, Quilt and Georgette - a fine, lightweight fabric named after the French dressmaker Georgette de la Plante - woven out of heat-treated oak to create different tones.

The collection also replicates the soft weave of Prince of Wales, a fabric associated with the British monarch Edward VIII, in oak, walnut and wengé.

Ceramica Rondine Porcelain tile bursts into the world of fashion with the Denim collection.

Drawing inspiration from 1970s fashion, the series combines fabrics and geometric patterns in an original and highly distinctive ceramic. Available in six colours - White, Beige, Grey, Light Grey, Dark and Blue - for creating original, innovative interior designs.

Available in a wide range of

formats: 60x60 - 60x60 with high-fire decoration, 30.5x60.5 - 30x60 - 7.5x45 - 7.5x45 with high-fire decoration.

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Tile International 3/2017

Report Cersaie 2017

Geodry Geodry is a waterproofing system consisting of three parts: multilayer waterproof polymer geomembranes with low thickness, high elasticity and high flexibility; specific adhesives for fixing the geomembranes, floor coverings and wall coverings; and special pieces for ensuring the safety, continuity and uniformity of the

waterproofing at critical points (drains, vents, sharp edges, drainage system connections, etc.).

The technology that the materials incorporate, combined with a quick, simple installation process, minimises the risk of human error and cuts the time and cost of installation.

Geodry solutions are practical, durable and easy to maintain.

They also open up previously unimaginable construction possibilities on all types of substrate, whether new or existing.

COREtec® - by USFloors COREtec® represents an all-new category in the multi-layer flooring (MLF) segment: warm and quiet, it is laid as a floating floor, and requires no sound-absorbing underlay because it already incorporates a layer of cork.

Its extruded core is made up of recycled wood, bamboo powder, limestone and virgin PVC. COREtec® is 100% waterproof and covered by a guarantee, so it’s ideal for use in wet rooms, including bathrooms and kitch-

Tile International 3/2017

68

ens.

COREtec® flooring also offers the following benefits: • exceptionally high dimensional stability; • no need for expansion joints, even over large areas, of up to 400 m2; • can be laid over existing floor coverings; • conceals all imperfections in the substrate; • has a wear layer of 0.5mm, guaranteeing long life even in commercial use; • a double layer of UV acrylic finish ensures stain resistance and ease of maintenance; • easy to install thanks to the use of patented L2C clic technology.

COREtec® comes with a lifetime guarantee for residential use and a 10-year guarantee for commercial use.

Report Cersaie 2017

Piemme "Incipit is a collection designed to meet the tastes of different markets, from West to East,” explains Massimo Barbari, Managing Director of Ceramiche Piemme. “Fabric is trending in the world of ceramic design, and after exhaustive discussions with the Valentino fashion house, we have launched this new line to mark the 40th anniversary of the Valentino by Ceramiche Piemme brand.” It’s a fully fledged fashion collection designed to “dress” any type of surface, from livingrooms to bedrooms, bathrooms to kitchens and even hotel spas and lobbies.

Special glazes and state-of-the-art digital decoration technologies were used to replicate, on porcelain tile, the weave patterns and textures of linen and arabesque silks, and the slightly metallic weave of latest-generation technical fabrics.

Incipit is available in a range of sizes that make it a comprehensive interior design project: the four

colours (white, silver, bone and taupe) are produced in classic 60x60 and 30x60cm formats, as well as in sizes 80x80 and 60x120cm. The collection also introduces a format that’s unique in the single-fired porous wall tile segment: 40x120cm.

The collection is completed with third-fired and three-dimensional decorations that can be ordered by the square metre.

Mapei Indoor and outdoor adhesive-based setting of ceramic tiles, natural stone and mosaics of all types on floors, walls and ceilings.

Keraflex is ideal for spot-gluing insulating materials such as expanded polystyrene, expanded polyurethane, rock wool, glass wool, Eraclit®, sound-absorbing panels, etc.

Conforms with European standard: EN 12004, C2TE, EN 12004 Technical specifications: • excellent workability; • high thixotropy: Keraflex can be used on vertical surfaces without running and with no vertical slip, even when working with heavy tiles.

Tiles can be installed from top to bottom without the use of spacers; • perfect adhesion to all common building materials; • sets with no appreciable shrinkage; • long open time.

Do not use Keraflex on: • concrete subject to significant shrinkage; • walls or floors subject to significant movement or vibration (wood, plasterboard, etc.); • metal surfaces.

Walkover time: floors can be walked on after approximately 24 hours.

Packs: Keraflex is supplied in white and grey, in 25 kg paper sacks or cardboard boxes containing 4x5 kg Alupacks

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Tile International 3/2017

Report Cersaie 2017

Profilpas

The increasing demand for floorlevel shower drains, coordinated profiles and waterproofing systems has prompted the company's R&D department to find a solution for the continuous demand for waterproofing and tile-setting on problematic substrates, both indoors and out.

Profilpas therefore took the opportunity of Cersaie to present its new WPstop 3 and WPstop drain 10 indoor and outdoor waterproofing membranes.

Both are quick, versatile and reliable systems for installing ceramic and stone floor and wall coverings in bathrooms and on balconies, terraces and other problematic substrates.

WPstop 3 is a waterproofing, decoupling, anti-fracture membrane for indoor and outdoor appli-

Del Conca

Valentina by Crepax, the most glamorous collection on display at Cersaie 2017.

After Milo Manara, Monkey Punch and Giugiaro Architettura, Gruppo Del Conca has now forged a partnership with Archivio Crepax for the use of the image of Valentina, the famous character created by Guido Crepax, with the best-known “bob� on the international graphic novel scene.

Tile International 3/2017

70

cations: as well as providing an effective water barrier, it neutralises the transmission of underlying stresses from cracked substrates, and helps vent vapour from damp or imperfectly cured substrates, thus cutting construction times.

WPstop drain 10 is a high-density polyethylene draining membrane, with a raised truncated cone structure and a water-permeable filtering fabric.

This membrane is especially recommended for outdoor flooring because it prevents the risk of rainwater penetrating beneath tiling and meeting an impermeable layer offering no drainage route.

The collection comes in classic comic-strip black and white, in two decorative pieces: the first, measuring 50x20cm for vertical installation, is dominated by the magnificent physicality of the character, and the second, measuring 20x50cm, for horizontal installation, features flashes of red that recall the attention to detail that became Crepax’s hallmark in the world of comic strips.

Report Cersaie 2017

Mosaico+ Botanic Tale is a collection of mosaics featuring modular patterns that suit surfaces of all sizes, and blends of 10x10 mm pieces, that combine to create an original interpretation of the shapes and colours of an image-rich botanical garden, where reality and imagination meet.

The versatile, contemporary decorations mark out space with delicate harmonies

that feel at home in large and small environments alike.

Surfaces created with different glazes and types of glass with varying levels of transparency and iridescence interweave and combine to create stylised decorative motifs with constantly changing shades, in a blend of light and colour.

Raimondi Easy-Move MkIII: EASY-MOVE, a variableextension device for handling large-format panels of up to 320 cm in length, introduces a host of new features into the latest MkIII version.

EASY-MOVE MkIII is now equipped with a rapid lock/release system that operates on the suction cups (which can be positioned at any point along the aluminium profile in a matter of moments) and the handles (which now also slide along the aluminium profiles). The crossbars are also equipped with a new rapid lock/release system.

Lastly, the tilting suction cups represent a highly effective system for maintaining the vacuum, because they adapt to the inevitable bending of the panel.

This is particularly useful when working with textured panels.

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Tile International 3/2017

Report Cersaie 2017

Litokol Litolevel: a new system of levelling spacers designed to meet the needs of setting large-format panels with thicknesses of 3 to 12 mm.

The system consists of 3 parts made of rigid plastic - the base, the cone and the nut - and does not require the use of pli-

ers or tools of any type.

The levelling bases create joints of 1.5 mm. Larger joints can be created by using Litolevel with traditional spacers.

The act of screwing the nut onto the free cone enables the system to level the tiles very effectively. Unlike other systems on the market, the nut levels the tiles by exerting vertical pressure on the free cone, and prevents unwanted movement between them, while also avoiding chip-

ping, marking and staining. The resulting joints are of consistently correct dimensions.

Litolevel levels tiles gradually, by increasing or reducing the pressure on them by simply turning the nut, leaving the tilesetter free to make fine adjustments.

Once the adhesive has set, Litolevel spacers are extremely easy to remove, and the nut and cone can be re-used again and again.

Litolevel also boasts innovative packaging: as well as the handy plastic bucket containing 150 pieces (comprising each of the three items that make up the system), packs of individual items are available in cardboard boxes, instead of in the usual plastic bags, to make them easier to use and carry.

Casalgrande Padana Originating from a collaboration between Casalgrande Padana and the designer Marco Piva, Shades is a refined decoration process deriving from “material design� applied to ceramic surfaces, which now embellishes the Resina collection in Black, Grey and Tobacco, in sizes 90x180, 90x90, 45x90 and 45x45 cm.

Tile International 3/2017

72

Shades plays on the alteration of colour tones to create effects of apparent depth and volume on the flat surfaces of ceramic.

Marco Piva’s creative work, recently involving a mixed technique (pencil, watercolour, tempera and acrylic) aims to create a new form of material on the artwork generated by the layering and interaction of the colours.

Shades thus makes use of measured chromatic saturation and tonal contrasts deriving from the material itself, to put an elegant artistic slant on a product of high technical value.

Like all Casalgrande Padana products, the Resina collection is formulated for maximum eco-compatibility, so it not only offers original, decorative aesthetics, but also a technological core in harmony with the environment.

Report Cersaie 2017

Appiani Metrica: the cadenced decorations, periodic recurrence and regular flow of geometric elements dictate the rhythm of the collection.

The linearity of the geometry is animated by light and colour.

Metrica’s 4 decorations, in 4 colour variants, take their names Cerchi, Trattini, Incroci and Parallele - from the geometries that occur naturally when different modules are juxtaposed.

Technical specifications: dry-pressed sin-

gle-fired mosaic; size 1.2x1.2cm; thickness 6.5mm; mounted on 30x30cm mesh.

Ferrari & Cigarini The MGP/3 is a machine for creating steps and profiles in ceramic, gres porcelain, marble, granite and agglomerates.

It’s an innovative, compact, automatic model offering two types of machining: • 45° chamfer for steps.

• profiling for skirtingboards, plinths, thresholds, window sills, bullnoses and half bullnoses.

The MGP/3 consists of three motorised tool-spindles, which

are angle-adjustable for 45° chamfers for steps, and vertically adjustable for profiling.

The MGP/3 is also available in a five-head version for working with five different types of grinding wheel simultaneously, in order to reduce machining times.

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Tile International 3/2017

Report Cersaie 2017

The Event: MILLELUCI The 4th B2B exhibition held at the 35th Cersaie and curated

by Angelo Dall’Aglio and Davide Vercelli, drew inspiration and took its name - from the Italian television programme MILLELUCI, first broadcast by

Tile International 3/2017

RAI in 1974, and presented by Mina and Raffaella CarrĂ .

So the 1970s format of MILLELUCI was replicated at Cersaie, and in the same way that the TV show unfolded in

eight episodes dedicated to specific themes, the Exhibition-Event at Cersaie 2017 was divided into 10 thematic sets, each associated with a specific film genre, such as musical, cartoon, science fic-

74

tion, western or spy story... from the horror movie The Shining to the musical Grease, and the opera Madame Butterfly.

The event was a huge suc-

Report Cersaie 2017

tic domes at the front of each set, that immersed visitors in the soundtracks of the films.

The products by major brands used to furnish the areas in front of the sets also blended seamlessly into the

1970s styling.

Davide Vercelli

The participating companies included: Artemide, Casalgrande Padana, Ceramica Flaminia, Ceramiche Ricchetti, Cordi-

vari, Danese, Del Conca, Emilgroup, Gaudi’ Decor, Hom, Julia Marmi, Lea Ceramiche, Melogranoblu, Ragno, Rubinetterie 3m, Oikos, Tagina Ceramiche D’arte and Wall&Deco.

Angelo Dall’Aglio

cess: the 10 mini sets, designed with a backlit backdrop showing an iconic image from the film that inspired the set, evoked a range of atmospheres perfectly, with the help of acous-

75

Large-format panels

ASSOPOSA’s “XXL installation guidelines”

First of all, let’s clarify an important point: what’s the difference between large-format tiles and large-format panels?

• There are no specific standards that define the difference between “tiles” and “panels”, but tile-setters use the term “large-format tile”

Tile International 3/2017

to describe a ceramic covering unit with one side measuring more than 60 cm, and “large-format panel” to describe a ceramic covering unit with one side measuring more than 100 cm; • Another important point: the instructions given in the

manual entitled “Installation instructions for lowthickness large formats”, published by ASSOPOSA, refer specifically to large-format tiles and panels with a low thickness, in other words less than or equal to 7 mm.

Having established all this,

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the first thing that needs to be said is that large formats are full of qualities that are much appreciated by the market: they’re in fashion, and there’s no doubt that a covering produced with just one enormous panel has a special style and character all of its own. If, however, the area to

Large-format panels

XXL installation guidelines

R M E M B E

O F

I S H E N G L

I O N V E R S

2 0 1 7

Assoposa's technical partners ďƒ

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Large-format panels

be covered requires the installation of various panels, the smaller number of joints still gives the finished surface a continuity that was once the exclusive domain of natural stone.

Modern digital printing technology, furthermore, has removed all limits on the type of surface decoration that can be applied to panels, so they can now faithfully replicate natural materials or express an entirely original artistic concept.

There’s a more complex side to the creation of coverings with large formats, however, and a lot of doubt and uncertainty surrounds their installation, both among designers, who struggle to take full account of the peculiarities of their installation, and tile-setters – even experts – who have to keep their professional skills up to date in order to

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work effectively with particularly large formats.

In order to meet this demand for technical knowledge, ASSOPOSA joined forces with the EUF (the federation of European tile-setters’ associations) to produce a manual of “Installation instructions for low-thickness large formats”.

The manual is the result of direct collaboration between Paolo Colombo, Chairman of ASSOPOSA, and Peter Goegebeur, Chairman of the EUF Technical committee, and is based on the experience of master tilers from all over Europe, who worked together to collect the tips and tricks of the trade and put them down in writing.

So “XXL installation guidelines” is the first technical guide produced in Italy and Europe, and is therefore available in both Italian and English.

http://www.

Large-format panels

Although it doesn’t meet any specific standards (because none exist), it’s an extremely useful work tool aimed at tile-setters who are already skilled, but who need to gain further experience in the installation of large-format tiles and panels.

The instructions given in the various chapters of the guide cover every topic you need to understand in order to become an expert “panel setter”.

The guide explains the requirements of the substrate on which large-format panels are to be applied, and the systems that can be used to achieve a decoupling effect. It describes the equipment you need for handling large-formats panels

and the methods for round and rectangular cutting and drilling. It then goes into detail about adhesives and the correct technique for spreading them, so as to obtain a 100% full bed and completely eliminate the air bubbles that tend to get trapped between the panel and the substrate, to ensure the long-term stability and durability of the flooring. Later chapters discuss the use of levelling spacers, the grouting of joints and the final cleaning of the entire tiled surface.

Having published “XXL installation guidelines”, ASSOPOSA is now also developing a series of specific training modules on the installation of Large-Format Panels.

Aimed at tile dealers and tiling contractors, the modules last three days and involve groups of a maximum of 12 tilesetters. These training modules adhere to a new concept and are far more than just tiling demonstrations. They involve extensive practical exercises in the best techniques for handling, cutting and installing large formats: three days of REAL professional training turn trainees into accomplished “large-format panel setters”.

.com

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O E D I V PLAY CERSAIE'S HIGHLIGHTS, TRENDS & INTERVIEWS MaterialiCasa.com has been at Cersaie for you: discover here the whole event’s review: http://www.materialicasa.com/mc-ittags/materialicasa-interviews/

“XXL installation guidelines” will be presented at CERSAIE 2017 in the Tiling Town area, and made available to the whole community of tilers and designers.

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79

Large-format panels

: s l e n a p t a m r o f e g r La n o i t u l o v e r d e l n a i l a t I an The spread of large-format tiles and panels seems to be unstoppable.

And the speed with which manufacturers have succeeded in producing ever larger sizes over the past few years is impressive: 60x60, 80x80 and even 90x90 cm tiles are now commonplace, and in many cases 60x60 cm has become the smallest size in the range.

That’s a real revolution compared with just 10 years ago, when 30x30 cm tiles still accounted for 42% of Italian production, as against just 5% for 60x60 and 90x90 cm formats!

So if people now talk about “minimum” and “standard” formats, it’s because there really has been a revolution.

That’s why, year after year, growing numbers of stands at the biggest interna-

tional trade shows are displaying magnificent porcelain panels in widths of over 3 metres, all the way up to 4.8 metres. It’s a response to changing design trends, which now favour extra-large, continuous coverings that can’t be manufactured by means of traditional pressing, despite the fact that high-tonnage presses are used to make tiles of up to 120 and 180 cm in width.

The first chapter in the all-Italian history of production plants for large-format panels was written in 2002 by System Lamina, when the company developed the first forming technology – as an alternative to traditional pressing – for producing 1x3 metre panels with a thickness of 3 mm.

Over the years, other companies embarked on technological research programmes aimed at producing extremely large formats, and it’s now possible – again thanks to Italian technology – to produce porcelain panels in widths of up to 4.8 metres. The thickness of these panels varies, but the range of surface decorations that can be produced, thanks to digital technology, remains infinite.

Italy leads the field in the production of large-format panels too. Many companies are engaged in this type of production, and the pages that follow provide an incomplete, but nonetheless varied and interesting, showcase of their products.

photo: Gigacer

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Large-format panels

ARIANA

Countertop: Horizon Beige collection (120x240 cm) Floor covering: Concrea Bone 120x120 cm

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Large-format panels

FMG FABBRICA MARMI E GRANITI

CityStone – MaxFine collection ( 300x100 - 100x100 cm - thickness 6 mm), Natural finish.

Available in four colours: from City Pearl, the lightest, to City Brown, the darkest, via the intermediate City Grey (photo 1) and City Dove (photo 2).

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Large-format panels

COOP. CERAMICA D’IMOLA Genus collection with a high-gloss lapped finish (120x120 cm), in single-calibre, edge-ground through-body porcelain.

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Large-format panels

REX Wall covering: I Classici di Rex - Nero Marquinia 30x120 cm; Extra Light mosaic circle - ochre Ă˜ 1.8 cm Washbasin: I Classici di Rex - Calacatta Gold Floor covering: I Classici di Rex - nero marquinia 120x120 cm

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Large-format panels

PECCHIOLI

MAXXI - Manufatti Artistici del XXI secolo The name is a tribute to one of Italy’s most important museums of art.

This very large format is born of a combination of state-of-the-art technology and authentic ceramic art, whose colour is created by means of an entirely manual sequence of procedures.

Pictured: MAXXI Foliage green, size 1000x1300 mm, thickness 3 mm.

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Tile International 3/2017

Large-format panels

FONDOVALLE

Dream collection (120x240 cm): the Woods decorative project - inspired by the “weave of linen” and the “natural landscape” - is made with four different subjects, which can be installed individually or as part of a composition, to create a wallpaper effect. Unlike classic wallpapers, however, Woods offers impermeability, strength and unprecedented tactility.

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MECS: INDUSTRY & MARKET ANALYSIS FOR THE MACHINERY SECTORS

r u o GR W y S C E M inery Mach

s

tudie mic S

Econo

BUSINESS

MECS

Machinery EConomic Studies Machinery Economic Studies

“In a constantly changing global market, advance knowledge of the rate of growth or decline of the market is essential for effective planning of corporate strategies”

More info?

www.mec-studies.com

ACIMAC RESEARCH DEPT./ MECS studi@acimac.it studi2@acimac.it T. +39 059 510336

Large-format panels

FLAVIKER Wall and floor covering: Hangar Coal collection (120x240 – 120x120 cm)

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Large-format panels

NUOVO CORSO

1.Calacatta Oro (160x320 cm – thicknesses 6 and 12 mm), available with four different patterns, with either a natural or polished finish 2.Statuario (160x320 cm – thicknesses 6 and 12 mm), available with four different patterns, with either a natural or polished finish

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Tile International 3/2017

Large-format panels

LAMINAM The Seta collection (1000x3000 mm - thicknesses: 3 and 3+ mm) has the same vibrant iridescence as silk itself, and comes in four colours - GlacĂŠ, Gris, Liquorice and Or - which intercommunicate with the power of delicacy.

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Large-format panels

LAPITEC Kukbo Design chose Lapitec sintered stone for the flooring of the lobby and lecture rooms of the University of Science and Technology in Pohang, South Korea.

They opted for large-format panels with a thickness of 12 mm in the colour Bianco Polare with Lux finish. This is a mirror-polished finish that reflects a high degree of light.

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Large-format panels

DEL CONCA

Superface line, collections: Orto Botanico, wood-effect floorboard 20 and 26.5x180 cm (photo 1) Pandora, concrete-effect panel 80x180 cm (photo 2) 93

Tile International 3/2017

Large-format panels

FIANDRE ARCHITECTURAL SURFACES Marmi Maximum collection ( 300x150 - 150x150 - 150x75 - 75x75 - 75x37.5 cm - thickness 6 mm), Polished finish, Glam Bronze colour: tentative black and white grain patterns show through the warm, velvety shade of bronze.

Maximum is the ideal covering for all types of surface, including floors and walls, both indoors and outdoors, and cut to measure for covering furniture and countertops.

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Large-format panels

EDILGRES BY KALE

Folio 6.0: a new low-thickness collection (6 mm) made in sizes 80x240 and 80x80 cm, with various surface finishes, from metal to concrete and marble to stone.

Pictured: the Faber finish with its characteristic metal effect.

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Tile International 3/2017

Large-format panels

COTTO D’ESTE The Exedra series is now available in a new colour, Rain Grey, in a thickness of 14 mm, and in Kerlite5plus with a thickness of 5.5 mm in sizes 50x100, 100x100, 100x300 and 100x250 cm.

The distinctive Glossy finish (pictured), reproduces the full reflective glory of mirror-polished marble.

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Promoted by

Supported by

Co-located Events

Brazilian Exhibition of Coverings, Sanitary Ware, Faucets and Finishing Materials exporevestir.com.br

Organization

design ps.2

13 – 16 March 2018 São Paulo, Brazil

Large-format panels

ABK Wall covering: Crossroad Chalk Smoke (320x160 cm); Crossroad Wood Grey (26x200 cm) collection.

Floor covering: Crossroad Chalk Smoke (160x160 cm).

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Large-format panels

PANARIA

Trilogy, available in two finishes: Soft (satin) and Lux (polished). Sizes: 60x60 and 60x120 cm with a thickness of 10 mm; 100x300 and 100x100 cm with a thickness of 5.5 mm; 35x100 cm in a single-fired porous version for wall coverings. Available in five colours: Calacatta White (pictured), Onyx Light, Moon Beige, Sandy Grey and Sky Smoke.

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Tile International 3/2017

Project

Bayview, Australia: between ocean and parkland The Australian town of Bayview, about 30 km from Sydney, became a holiday destination in the early 1900s, before evolving into an exclusive residential suburb in the 1950s.

The town’s gradual gentrification was facilitated partly by its proximity to the New South Wales capital, and partly by the beauty of its renowned promenade and the magnificent views of the ocean on one side, and the extensive green hinterland on the other.

Bayview is now synonymous with high quality of life, and the latest addition to its property portfolio is a new residential complex called The Jetty, comprising 10 apartments

Tile International 3/2017

overlooking the Pittwater peninsula and connected to the beach by a private jetty.

The strategic position of The Jetty gives the apartments panoramic views over Scotland Island and the tip of Palm Beach beyond, while the structural layout of all the units adds to the breathtaking impact of the views.

The apartments All the apartments have a private entrance and have been carefully designed to maximise enjoyment of the natural surroundings.

The complex consists of three separate buildings: A and B, comprising 3 apartments each - two penthouses and

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Project

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one on the ground floor with a garden - and C, comprising 4 apartments - two on the ground floor with gardens and two penthouses above them.

The finishings The Jetty complex took about two years to build, to a design by a team of architects and designers from Platform Architects, a well known local practice headed by Bridie Gough.

The styling of the interiors is contemporary, and features understated finishings, contemporary interior design complements and iconic pieces.

The decision to use a natural,

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relaxing colour palette has helped create a welcoming cluster of homes, designed to suit the discerning tastes of a medium-to-high target market.

Close attention was also paid to achieving a high degree of quality of life, by using carefully selected finishing materials, including premium European natural stone, carpentry work done by local craftsmen, and leading-edge technologies for enhanced home comfort.

The latter include high-performance solutions produced

by Progress Profiles, an Italian manufacturer that supplied innovative products for the waterproofing and installation of the coverings and the underfloor heating system.

Tile International 3/2017

Project

Progress Profiles’ role in the project • To ensure effective waterproofing of the bathrooms, laundry rooms and other wet areas of The Jetty, the specifiers opted for PROFOIL, a polythene waterproofing membrane that can be installed before laying ceramic or natural stone tiles, and has a layer of polypropylene non-woven fabric on both sides to maximise adhesion to the substrate.

• PRODESO HEAT SYSTEM is an underfloor and in-wall electric heating system produced by Progress Profiles and used in all the rooms in The Jetty. The system uses PRODESO HEAT MEMBRANE a polypropylene waterproofing and decoupling membrane, which helps vent vapour and is designed with surface protrusions for fitting

Tile International 3/2017

PRODESO HEAT CABLE. Thanks to the latest-generation digital thermostat included in the PRODESO HEAT THERMOSTAT KIT, users can programme the time and temperature at which the system switches on and off, so as to optimise energy consumption.

• During the installation of the floor and wall coverings, perimeter joints were made using PROBAND waterproof polythene tape in conjunction with PROBAND KOLL low-emissions sealant.

• The roofing was waterproofed with PROFOIL,

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PROBAND and PRODRAIN The latter is a polythene draining membrane incorporating permeable synthetic fabric, which is durable, easy to lay and highly resistant to saline, acid and alkaline solutions, alcohol and oils.

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Project

In 2016, Progress Profiles, a leading Italian designer, manufacturer and seller of trim profiles and technical systems for the installation of coverings, founded Progress Profiles Oceania Pty Ltd, a new Australian company based in Melbourne, with 300 square metres of showrooms, office space and warehousing.

With this latest company formation, following those in Dubai (2008) and Randolph in New Jersey (2012), the company, headquartered in Asolo, in the Italian province of Treviso, has stepped up its coverage of a strategic market area.

“The opening of the Australian subsidiary is an important step for our international growth, and will play a vital role in effectively serving our Asian markets, New Zealand, Indonesia and Japan,” explained Dennis Bordin, Managing Director of the Treviso-based company. “Our goal is to keep expanding the Group worldwide, and make it the focal point for anyone looking for finishings that incorporate authentic Italian design, which is a perfect blend of elegance, innovation and quality materials.”

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Tile International 3/2017

Project

Neolith and RCR for ENIGMA project, Barcelona The story of ENIGMA, in Barcelona, started with renowned Catalan chef Albert Adrià’s vision to create an ‘out of this world and enigmatic’ restaurant, able to reflect his cuisine and career.

His vision took shape when 2017 Pritzker Prize winners RCR Arquitectes drew their design idea in watercolours and decided to bring it to life with the help of Neolith® by TheSize, the well-known Spanish company of Sintered Stone.

Through a close collaboration and a multiple know-how,

Tile International 3/2017

the charming interior of ENIGMA was created.

From paper to slab The pivotal moment in terms of design came when RCR in collaboration with architect Pau Llimona drew a watercolour painting in the size of two A3 papers, which was to be applied to the floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchen worktops, cabinetry and air extraction systems.

However, a watercolour design has not been done on Sintered Stone before, thus

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Tile International 3/2017

Project

posing an unprecedented challenge.

Carlos Garcia, Product Designer at TheSize explains: “We had to expand the original design, all the while trying not to lose the quality of definition offered by the original drawing. Each pixel was equal to two meters of final floor.”

Through Neolith’s proprietary digital printing decoration technology NDD (Neolith Digital Design), it was possible to

Tile International 3/2017

re-create the design onto slabs, producing a perfect replica of the drawing.

Installation The floor presented the biggest challenge because of its sheer size.

Each slab was unique and had to be perfectly put together in order to deliver a continuous design. However, the only way to get a full pic-

ture of the puzzle required some creative problem-solving and a change of perspective.

Neolith initially installed the entire floor off-site and used a drone to take images from above, thus ensuring that there were no inconsistencies.

RCR Arquitectes/P. Llimona designed an organic space full of curves and narrow aisles and required the slabs to be cut down into six small-

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er pieces, the smallest being only 3 cm wide. The absolute precision was the key to guarantee the uniformity of the watercolour design.

Taking inspiration from a map, a coordinate system was put into place, uniquely labelling every single slab to know its exact position in the project.

This way, the installers on location were able to piece the interior together like a puzzle.

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Project

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Tile International 3/2017

Project

Liuzhou Forest City: the world’s first eco-town is getting real

By 2020, the first Chinese Forest-Town designed by Stefano Boeri Architects will be reality: offices, homes, hotels, hospitals, schools fully covered with trees and plants.

the project of the forest-town that will be built north of Liuzhou, in Guangxi's southern and mountainous province, in an area of about 175 acres along the Liujiang River.

The works for the construction of Liuzhou Forest City have just started. This is the name of

Once completed, each year the new city of 30,000 inhabitants will be able to absorb

Tile International 3/2017

about 10,000 tonnes of CO2 and 57 tonnes of particulates and produce about 900 tonnes of oxygen.

dential areas, commercial and receptive spaces, as well as two schools and a hospital.

The new fully wired green city will be connected to Liuzhou city by a fast railway line used by electric motor cars, and will be hosting different resi-

Liuzhou Forest City will have all of the features of a fully energy supply self-sufficient urban settlement, starting from the geothermal conditioning

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Tile International 3/2017

Project

of the interiors and the widespread use of solar panels on the roofs for renewable energies’ production.

However, the true innovation introduced by Stefano Boeri Architetti's project is the presence of plants and trees on all the buildings, of any size and use. In fact, it consists in a

large-scale reproduction of the Vertical Forest*, the sustainable building winner of the “World's Best Architecture” award in 2015, which will be replicated in many places of the world (in China: Nanjing, Shanghai and Shenzhen).

Overall, Liuzhou Forest City will include 40,000 trees and

about 1 million plants of more than 100 species.

Plants will be not only along avenues, parks and gardens, but also on the façades of buildings, so as to help the city - already self-sufficient in energy supply - to improve air quality (by absorbing, besides CO2, the particulates for

* VERTICAL FOREST IN MILAN WAS THE 2015 BEST TALL BUILDING WORLDWIDE

The Milan-based Boeri Studio received the award for the first Vertical Forest on 12 November 2015 from the Council on Tall Building and Urban Habitat, promoted by the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

Despite being up against truly world-class competition, the iconic skyscraper won the award ahead of the One World Trade Center in New York, followed by the CapitaGreen in Singapore

Tile International 3/2017

and the Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid Tower in Abu Dhabi.

Located in the Porta Nuova Isola district of Milan, Vertical Forest had already won several major prizes, such as the International Highrise Award 2014 in Frankfurt, and second place in the Emporis Skyscraper Award.

Made using over 13,000 square metres of exceptionally large-format porcelain tiles by Cotto D'Este, the building combines

environmental sustainability with high-quality interior space, and striking aesthetic impact.

However, the main highlight is the project’s green concept: it hosts 900 trees and over 20,000 plants distributed according to the sun exposure of the facade. The vegetal system of the Vertical Forest contributes to the construction of a microclimate, produces humidity, absorbs CO2 and dust particles and produces oxygen.

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a total of about 57 tonnes per year), reduce the average temperature, create a barrier against the noise and increase biodiversity by creating a system of living spaces for birds, insects and small animals inhabiting the territory of Liuzhou.

For the first time in the world, a

Project

next-generation urban settlement will combine the challenge of energy self-sufficiency and the use of renewable energies with the one of increasing biodiversity and that - crucial to contemporary China - of significantly reducing air

pollution in big cities, thanks to the multiplication of both vegetal and biological urban surfaces.

With the Liuzhou Forest City’s project, the architecture practice led by Stefano Boeri goes on with its research around

a new generation of architectures and urban settlements that challenge climate change and propose themselves as models for the future of the planet, inscrutable in the so-called “Vertical Foresting” project philosophy.

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