Tile International 3/2014

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ISSN2039-8301

Cersaie 2014

Interviews, news, projects & much more...

DÊco d’Antan: a true and real ceramic system dedicated to furnish with renewed elegance the residential living spaces and ideal for contract projects. The colour, the decors and the contrasts are the three distinctive elements of the collection that combined together can offer a great visual lightness and compositional freedom.

The geometrical patterns and the engraved floreal decors exalt the surface as to become true and real furnishing additions, smooth to the touch and precious on view thanks to the skikful mix of the glazes and the grit powder. www.tagina.it

Schlüter®-LIPROTEC Lebensräume gestalten – mit Licht und Keramik.

Designing living spaces – with light and ceramic tiles.

2014 Bologna CERSAIE / 14 – 26 / 09 4 1 / 9 0 / 22 . 10 Stand-No Area 45,

neue Dimension der Lichtgestaltung –  Eine aus der Wand.

A new dimension of light design – from within the wall. sparende Lichttechnik für  Energie nachhaltiges Bauen. Langlebig. Effizient.

Energy-efficient lighting technology for sustainable construction. Durable and efficient.

Lichtgestaltung.  Dynamische So individuell wie der Mensch.

und indirektes Licht per  Direktes Streuscheibenauswahl.

Direct and indirect light created by various diffusing lenses. homogenes Lichtbild  Besonders durch hochwertige LED-Streifen.

Particularly homogeneous light reflection with high-quality LED strips.

Lichttypen – Sie haben die Wahl.  4Four types of light – the choice is yours.

Dynamic light design. As individual as people.

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

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GNA • ITALY CERSAIE • BOLO BER 2014 22 - 26 SEPTEM

6 1 H D N A T S A / PAD15

Cersaie 2014

Pad.20 Stand C32-D31

Come to visit us at:

Hall 7 – Stand C5

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Plates for various types of tiles

Reusable straps: economical and ecological

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N. 3/2014

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

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Contents

15 - Editorial

Italy: the heart of ceramic

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

56 60 66 72 76 80 84 14 - Tilefax

Economy&markets 30 - Construction in Europe, 77 Euroconstruct 3 4 - Turkey chalks up new records 42 - The American construction market 48 - Brazil forges ahead 52 - Adding value to products th

by Paola Giacomini

Courtesy of Realtà Mapei

by Paola Giacomini

By FEP - Press Release June 2014

In the Spotlight 56 - A premium manager for Petracer’s too 6 0 - Mauro Vandini: “We need new technological advances” 66 - Franco Manfredini “My vision of the future” 72 - Ascot returns to Cersaie with Keith Haring 76 - Ceramiche Gambarelli Group and Tonino Lamborghini 80 - Ceramiche Piemme and Quality 84 - Larges formats underpin Fondovalle relaunch

Cover: PORCELANITE DOS - www.porcelanite.es - picture by Giancarlo Pradelli Advertiser’s list: page 19 Subscription order form: www.tiledizioni.it/subscription Translations: Geoff Day / John Freeman

98 104 108 114 116 118

Surface treatment 90 - Treatments for ceramic surfaces 94 - Adding value to products 98 - Starlike Defender: a milestone in the Starlike story

by Paolo Zannini

by Maria Soranzo

Projects 104 - Sillen&Makrillen, a restaurant on the Oresund 108 - Leed Gold for the new Schluter-Systems American logistics centre

CERSAIE 2014

114 - Cersaie 2014: the showcase of surface coverings 116 - What's new at the trade fair: new spaces for new initiatives 118 - Building, Dwelling, Thinking 124 - 3 Bologna Water Design 126 - Vittorio Borelli: Cersaie evolution generates value 129 - The Gallery rd

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Editorial

by Chiara Bruzzichelli

Italy: the heart of ceramic and hence to carefully selected manufacturers of covering materials other than ceramic tiles.

This was a bold decision, and we entirely agree with the strategic reasons explained by the Chairman (see interview on pages 126 and 127), who also gave us a brief introduction to the new Cer-Sea event, to be held in Hall 33, and the evolution of the Installation Exhibition in Hall 34.

Elsewhere in Italy, but at the same time as Cersaie, the city of Rimini will this year be hosting the biennial Tecnargilla, the leading international trade fair for ceramic manufacturing technologies for the production of tiles, sanitaryware, tableware and heavy clay.

The event is set to receive official visits from buyers from 16 countries, whose delegates will swell the already vast ranks of international visitors.

The last edition of Tecnargilla welcomed 14,822 foreign visitors (accounting for almost half of total attendance) from 110 countries.

The programme of events includes the 6th edition of the meeting held by Acimac (the Italian association of ceramic machinery and equipment manufacturers) on “Digital Decoration and Glazing Technologies for ceramic tiles”, which will present some of the latest developments in the segment and forthcoming advances deriving from research currently in progress. The programme also includes a series of conferences on the following topics: “Efficiency and energy-auditing in the ceramic production process”, “Ceramic panels and large-format tiles” and “International technical standards for tiles”.

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Picture: "Ceramic pasta" @ Stone&Glass stand

The 32nd edition of Cersaie is about to open in Bologna, Italy, and will welcome 892 exhibitors, including 335 foreign companies from 38 countries - that's three more nationalities than in 2013.

These figures confirm the steady rise in the proportion of international exhibitors at Cersaie, which has now reached 37.55%.

This is probably a record, not just at a national but at a European level.

On the eve of the opening of this 32nd edition, we asked Vittorio Borelli, Chairman of Confindustria Ceramica, for his views on the evolution of what continues to be the world's most important Ceramic and Bathroom Furnishing Trade Fair. This edition of Cersaie will see various new developments, the most revolutionary of which is the decision to open the event up to new sectors,

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Tilefax

Companies, News & Markets FUTURE CAPITAL: THE 2014 WALLPAPER* ARCHITECTS DIRECTORY Wallpaper*, the prestigious international design and architecture magazine, selected Marazzi tiles for its exhibition entitled “Future Capital: The 2014 Wallpaper* Architects Directory” held in London from 12 to 30 June 2014 to coincide with the UK capital’s Festival of Architecture. A project conceived by the English designer Robert Storey in collaboration with Ceramics of Italy, based on an installation of walls covered in ceramic and porcelain tiles, was one of the exhibition’s key features. Wallpaper* chose to use the black version of Marazzi’s Monolith three-dimensional porcelain tiles for the exhibition. The event celebrated the works of the most promising architects currently emerging on the international scene, and included by Wallpaper* in the “2014 Architecture Directory”. On display were 3D models by London based artist Richard Kolker along with works by A-CH, Arquitectos Matos, BXB Studio, Haberstroh Architekten, HLPS Arquitectos, Salad, Sundaymorning and Rizoma Arquitetura.

and outdoor flooring.

Through the presentation of concept spaces dedicated to Business Lounges, Spas, Hotels and Concept Boutiques, Atlas Concorde has unveiled various new collections of floor and wall tiles aimed at architects, designers and other trade professionals. The idea is to provide new cues for creativity and consolidate a partnership with the world of hospitality, built around a mutual exchange of specific competencies.

Atlas Concorde’s latest projects for the Hospitality & Wellness sector include: Hotel Kyriad Prestige in Saint Priest (Lyon, France); Hideaway of Nungwi Resort (Zanzibar, Tanzania); Grand Hotel Resort Ma&Ma (La Maddalena, Sardinia); Odyssey Ship Cruise (Chicago, USA).

ATLAS CONCORDE FOR HOSPITALITY & DESIGN

EXPORAMA CELEBRATES ITS 20TH BIRTHDAY

The design of hospitality venues is a key sector in contemporary architecture and interior design. Atlas Concorde provides ceramic solutions that can be used for the realisation of comprehensive projects for the hospitality industry, including a vast range of floor and wall tiles that represent the ideal finish for reception areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, restaurants, wellness areas and indoor

It was back in 1994 that Valeria Debbia enthusiastically decided to begin a whole new career built on her past experience in the field of ceramic tile display units. This was the beginning of Exporama, a manufacturing, trading and service enterprise whose slogan “everything for the world of display” effectively characterises the way in which the company has always served the entire ce-

Tile International 3/2014

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ramic supply chain.

Exporama supplies display units with swinging frames, drawers or pull-out panels, horizontal, tilted and vertical sliding frames, tile holders for large formats and variable thicknesses, a wide range of modular accessories, boxes, display complements and lighting products.

The company’s impressive catalogue of products and services, along with its ability to offer turnkey services, makes Exporama the perfect strategic marketing partner for ceramic tile producers, retailers, designers and technical sales teams. Professionalism, consulting, commitment and promptness make up the added value that has permitted Exporama to achieve excellent sales over the years. Valeria Debbia (pictured) has also succeeded in inspiring her entire team with her own winning characteristics: a naturally convivial and cordial approach, an easy way of establishing and consolidating professional relationships, and an ability to listen to and satisfy the needs of customers. Now, with 20 years of business success behind her, a grateful Valeria wishes to extend her sincere thanks to all those who have helped her in this adventure from the very beginning. Her thoughts therefore turn to Massimo and to all those customers, professionals, technicians, suppliers, friends and persons unmentioned who have helped Exporama to grow.

STARLIKE

速

COLOR CRYSTAL

www.litokol.it

Tilefax

IRIS CERAMICA SPONSORS THE MASSIMO IOSA GHINI EXHIBITION AT THE MAMBO From 23 September to 19 October 2014, MAMbo, the Bologna Museum of Art, will be hosting an exhibition illustrating the creative career of architect Massimo Iosa Ghini. Iris Ceramica is the event’s main sponsor. The exhibition traces Iosa Ghini’s career from the 1980s to the present day, and confirms his reputation as one of the top architects and designers on the international scene.

The exhibition is arranged in themebased areas, and begins with a section entitled Drawing, which examines Iosa Ghini’s early output in the lively cultural context of Bologna in the 1980s, when the designer contributed actively to the creation of a new approach to image in illustration, fashion, communication and comics. On display are some of his drawings for Frigidaire, Alter Linus, and Vanity Fashion Magazine, along with models for Ferré and Krizia and illustrations for WP Lavori in Corso.

The second section, entitled Innovation, focuses on Iosa Ghini’s more avantgarde designs, his role in the formation of the Bolidismo group and his work with the Memphis group. This section includes the Numero Uno arm chair, a perfect symbol of Iosa Ghini’s innovation, the Otello chair he designed for Memphis, the Newtone divan and Dinamic collection for Moroso and more recent creations for Teuco and Snaidero.

Communicating with the world, the third section of the exhibition, features items designed for major international companies like IBM International Business Machines Corporation, BMW and Duravit in Germany, Silhouette Modellbrillen in

Tile International 3/2014

Austria and Yamagiwa in Japan. This section also includes interior design projects for the offices of the Capital Group in Moscow, the Hanover underground railway system in Germany and the CMC Group in Miami.

The Quintessentially Italian section spotlights Iosa Ghini’s characteristic Italian style and focuses on his work for leading Italian names like Ferrari, Alitalia, Kiko and, of course, the exhibition’s main sponsor, Iris Ceramica.

The last section in the exhibition, Sustainable but beautiful, today deals primarily with the theme of sustainability combined with technical and stylistic innovation. This area is dedicated mainly to lighting products based on low-energy LED technology. Visitors will also be able to view other recent works in which environmental sustainability plays a major role, including the People Mover infrastructure projects in Bologna, the club offices of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Maserati Museum, works for WP Lavori in Corso and Oikos illustrating the architect’s approach to design and material colour, and a number of other projects including the South Face installation.

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BERTOLOTTO AND THE NEW VENEZIA PANTOQUADRA Bertolotto Porte is giving its Venezia collection a new image by adding a new model to the range. The new PantoQuadra door features a more essential and modern right-angled moulding design than the other models in the Venezia range.

The new door is available in all-wood blind versions and with “slide-in” glass panels, an extremely practical concept, guaranteed by the manufacturer to permit rapid replacement of the glass without any re-varnishing in the event of breakage.

All doors in the Venezia collection are made from lightweight wood and are precision moulded for accuracy in even the smallest details. The various models re-interpret classical proportions in a modern, contemporary key.

Frames can be finished in white, ivory, turtledove, cocoa, coffee, silk, steel, black, orange, red, violet, green and RAL and NCS colours.

Tilefax

CERAMICS OF ITALY AT BATIMAT 2015 IN RUSSIA Confindustria Ceramica, its service company Edi.Cer. Spa and the Batimat Russia management company Media Globe-Crocus signed an agreement in early July this year regarding the participation of Ceramics of Italy in the Russian construction sector trade fair, due to be held in late March 2015 in the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center in Moscow.

Under the terms of the agreement, specific conditions will be created to facilitate the participation of Italian companies in the event over the next five years and a Ceramics of Italy pavilion will be set up to host ceramic floor and wall tile producers as well as any ceramic sanitaryware manufacturers who wish to take part.

The next edition of the show will be held from 31 March to 3 April 2015 in the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center, the constantly expanding fairground located on the outskirts of Moscow. Participation by both the Italian companies and the leading Russian manufacturers will create firm foundations for the future development of Batimat Russia, which in 2014 was attended by 53,000 professional visitors.

Tile International 3/2014

GROHE TAKES CONTROL OF DAWN GROUP’S WATERTECH DIVISION

LISTONE GIORDANO PRESENTS HERITAGE AT CERSAIE

Grohe has acquired 51% of its joint venture with Dawn Ltd. to become one of South Africa’s leading suppliers of sanitaryware. The annual turnover of Dawn’s WaterTech division currently stands at 110 million euros. The acquisition is in line with Grohe’s current strategy for sustainable growth. Grohe will hold a 51% share against Dawn’s 49% in the new company, which will be named Grohe Dawn Watertech Holdings Pty. Ltd.. One of the brands involved in this operation is Cobra, which was originally founded

by Friedrich Grohe and can therefore be seen as “returning home”. The share purchase was announced early in July and is currently subject to approval by the relevant authorities. It is due to be finalised this Autumn. Dawn boasts an annual turnover of 110 million euros and has seen its sanitaryware business grow by around 10% to account for a significant slice of the South African market. As a result of this acquisition, Grohe now becomes one of the country’s main suppliers. By taking control of South African production plants, Grohe will also be able to expand its distribution and sales networks into neighbouring markets in south and east Africa.

The newly formed joint venture, Grohe Dawn Watertech Holdings Pty. Ltd., will act as exclusive distributor for Grohe and Joyou products in South Africa and other selected markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Listone Giordano is back at Cersaie 2014 (Hall 22 Stand A90) with a stand occupying over 100 sq.m, conceived by Listone Giordano’s own design team in conjunction with Art Director Marco Tortoioli Ricci of the BCPT graphic studio.

This year’s stand represents the latest development in the concept unveiled last year, based on the values and identity of the new generation of Listone Giordano showrooms.

This year, the stand looks to the past and the display narrates the story of a unique product whose values include raw materials carefully selected in the forest, special sawing techniques, marinegrade bonding, ecological finishing treatments, high-precision machining, sophisticated and rigorous sorting and new shapes and surfaces that push forward the frontiers of style and speak the very latest design language.

The stand will feature Listone Giordano’s three core product families (Classical original DNA and pure technology; Natural Genius - contemporary design and creativity; Atelier -tradition and craftsmanship) but will also introduces the

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Tilefax

Advertiser's list Abk 31 Andalsystem 153 Ascot 45 Asean Ceramics

188

Bau 88 Bien

29-39

Casetti Evolution

161

Ceramica Incontro

141

Cermix 41 Cevisama 63 China Ceramic City

169

Cotto 2-3 Desvres 55 new Heritage collection, which represents a genuine revolution in style and technology thanks to new thermal treatments that are capable of reproducing an almost infinite range of colours without the use of stains or chemicals.

Plenty of attention will also be dedicated to the world of international architecture and design, and the stand will introduce a number of new design tools.

Professionals will also be able to consult a vast technical library and material collection complete with wood material samples and textures, and touch a special “sensory wall” to experience the tactile sensations and fascination of real wood.

13TH TILE OF SPAIN AWARDS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER) is launching the 13th edition of the competition.

As is the case every year, the jury comprises prominent national and international professionals.

Presiding over the panel of judges is architect Emilio Tuñón, who, together with the sadly late Luis Moreno Mansilla, founded a studio that has received many prestigious prizes including the Mies van der Rohe Award and the Spanish National Architecture Award.

The remainder of the panel of judges is made up of the Italian architect Cino Zucchi; the executive director of the Pritzker Awards Martha Thorne; the Indian-born architect Anupama Kundoo; the young architect José María Sánchez, recent winner of the BSI Swiss Architectural Award which acknowledges architects under 50 years of age whose work has contributed to improving theoretical and practical aspects of contemporary architecture; Fernando Márquez Cecilia, editor and director of El Croquis architecture journal; and the Castellónbased architect Ramón Monfort.

Entries are now open and the deadline for their submission is 28 October 2014.

The Awards have a total prize fund of 39,000 euros, divided between three categories.

The two main categories are Architecture and Interior Design, each with prize money of 17,000 euros.

The main requirement to participate is that the projects must use ceramic tiles made in Spain. T he third category is the Degree Project category, which is aimed at students of Architecture and offers a prize of 5,000 euros.

The jury may give two special mentions in each category as it picks the winners.

An application form and a copy of the competition rules are available at www.tileofspainawards.com.

Dural 165 Ege Seramik

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Eterno Ivica

71

Exporama 145 Future Ceramics Gambarelli

97

Inside Back Cover

Impertek 157 Intono 191 Kajaria 133 Keramika2015 83 Laticrete 192 Litokol 15 Marocchi 149 Materialicasa.com 173 Maticad 6 Mlts Europe

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Montolit 128 Niro 101 Nuovo Corso

123

Paradyz 125 Petracer’s

Back Cover

Piemme 7 Progress Profiles Projecta Engineering

65-79 21-23-25

Raimondi 4 Rako 9 Revestir 93 Rondine Group

12

Saudi Ceramics

5

Schluter-Systems 1 Seramiksan 17-37 Sigma 33 Sphinx 89 Stile Tagina Top Cer

111 Inside Front Cover 137

Turkish Ceramic Federation Inserto Unicera 112 Verona Fiere

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Tilefax

MARAZZI: A NEW SHOWROOM IN SPLIT Marazzi has recently inaugurated a new showroom in Split. The new 250 square metre showroom is intended to develop and consolidate dialogue between the company and Croatian professionals, architects, interior designers, construction companies and customers.

Marazzi’s latest ceramic and porcelain tile collections, including the wood effect Treverkchic and the stone effect Blend series are the protagonists of the Split showroom along with the new Ash and Maple finishes of the Treverkhome range and the marble-effect surfaces of the Evolutionmarble range. The new showroom also dedicates ample space to Marazzi’s Color Plan systems, technical solutions like ventilated facades and raised floors, and Blue Space swimming pool tiles.

NASCENT DESIGN WINS THE 2014 ICONIC AWARD Nascent Design, the Milanese brand and agency specialising in retail and exhibition design projects has received

Tile International 3/2014

another award, this time for its work on the Calligaris stand at the 2014 International Furniture Exhibition.

The prestigious Iconic Award is presented by the German Design Council, an organisation that operates under the umbrella of the BDI (the German Industry Confederation). It is the first major international award to focus entirely on the promotion of manufacturing in the fields of architecture and design, where research, technical innovation, excellence and sustainability are pursued through holistic and interdisciplinary processes aimed at improving the overall quality of architectural designs and products.

The concept of the Calligaris stand was part of a broader re-branding exercise for which Nascent Design created an all-round communication infrastructure and helped the client to develop a complete design strategy based on a multidimensional approach. Thanks to Nascent Design’s styling input, the Calligaris exhibition stand accurately conveyed the brand’s “smart Italian design” concept in a coherent manner, with a multifaceted and coordinated communication covering the stand itself, the flagship store, promotional materials and the company’s products, including the new CODE project.

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2ND “ATC-TORRECID” TOURNAMENT The second Alcora ATC-TORRECID Indoor Paddle Tennis Tournament proved “a great success in terms of organisation and participation”, according to Maribel López, president of the Association of Spanish Ceramic Technicians. Ms. Lopez added that “Though the companies taking part in the tournament are in fierce competition on the market, they all showed an admirable level of sporting fair play.” First prize in the Gold Class went to Peronda Ceramica who defeated the Rocersa team in a hard-fought final. Fanal and Niro Cerámica took 3rd and 4th places respectively.

In the Silver Class, Halcón Cerámicas emerged as winners, followed by Ecoceramic-CFM Minerales and Azuliber y Azulev. The tournament was sponsored by Torrecid and organised by ATC, and also saw the active participation of Azuliber, Colores Cerámicos Tortosa, Inalco, Rocersa Cerámica, STN Cerámica, Pádel Indoor l'Alcora and Pádel Jubelama Indoor Castellón y Entrepistes.

Tilefax

THE LIFE+ PROJECT: NEW HORIZONS FOR ACTIVE After registering a European patent this June, Active has now achieved another of its objectives: to show the international community the effect of the ongoing research and advanced technology behind the Active application on the ceramic products of the GranitiFiandre Group. A new project has been financed under the European LIFE+ scheme to improve the quality of the environment and combat climate change(http:// ec.europa.eu/environment/life/index. htm). The new project, entitled “A novel manufacturing process for photocatalytically activating ceramic tiles by digital printing” (DIGITALIFE - LIFE13 ENV/ IT/000140), will run for 3 years. Its aim is to replace the current, conventional spraying process for applying photocatalytic titanium dioxide with a more modern, digital decoration system using micrometric titanium dioxide inks mixed with the additives needed for the final glazing process.

The new process should permit the application of a more uniform layer of photocatalyst, reduce the high TiO2 consumption that plagues the current process as a result of spraying losses, reduce energy consumption throughout the process and above all reduce the quantity of water needed.

Tile International 3/2014

COTTO D’ESTE WINS 21ST CERAMICS OF ITALY DESIGN COMPETITION At the 21st edition of the Coverings trade fair held in Las Vegas, Confindustria Ceramica and the Italian Trade Promotion Agency ICE presented the commercial category Design Award to the Corgan Associates architectural firm for their work on the Plaza of the Americas project in Dallas, Texas. This commercial complex featured the use of Cotto d’Este products, distributed by Horizon Italian Tile. The firm of architects used over 6,000 sq.m of Kerlite Buxy, Amande and Caramel 3.5 mm tile for the flooring in the public areas of the huge mall, which not only has restaurants, offices, banks and retail spaces but also boasts a luxury five-star Mariott hotel.

This major contract highlights the quality and reliability of products from Cotto d’Este, which are becoming increasingly popular amongst international architects and designers for use on largescale projects.

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VITRA INAUGURATES ITS NEW SANITARYWARE PLANT The Turkish Eczacıbası Group's Building Products Division has recently confirmed its commitment to internationalisation by opening its first sanitaryware production plant in Russia. The new factory, which cost 21 million euros, is located in the Serpukhov complex some 100 km from Moscow and already home to one of the group’s ceramic tile plants. This latest start-up brings the total number of factories run by the group’s Building Products Division to 16. This figure includes plants for sanitaryware, tile, taps and bathroom fittings and is made up of six production units in Turkey, six in Germany, two in France and two in Russia. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Eczacıbası Group’s President, Bülent Eczacıbası, and its Vice-president, Faruk Eczacıbası. A large number of dignitaries were also present at the opening, including the Minister for Investment and Innovation of the Moscow Region, Denis Petrovich Butsaev, the Governor of Serpukhov, Alexandr Vyacheslavovıch Shestun, and the Turkish Ambassador to Moscow, Aydın Adnan Sezgin. Also on hand were Erdal Karamercan, the Eczacıbası Group’s President and CEO, Atalay Gümrah, the Executive Vice-president of Eczacıbası Building Products, Ahmet Yamaner, Vice-President for Technology and Investment and Zeki Safak Ozan, Vice-President for Ceramic Tile Production.

Tilefax

NUOVOCORSO: EXPORTS UP NuovoCorso is a new, 100% Italian name on the ceramic scene. Production is based in Italy; production technology is Italian and the company under all-Italian ownership. Over the last 2 years, NuovoCorso has achieved exciting export results.

In addition to the usual European markets, the company’s extruded porcelain floor tiles are distributed in the USA, Canada, South America, the Far East, New Zealand, Australia, throughout the Middle East and in India. Some 80% of output is already destined for export.

There are two main reasons for NuovoCorso’s commitment to international markets. First of all, the company’s premium, all-Italian product has proven extremely popular with foreign customers.

Secondly, foreign architects and designers have shown particular interest in the product’s technical specifications, which permit the production of particularly large tiles.

In recent months, the company has concentrated mainly on South America and the South Eastern states of the USA, participating in exhibitions of international importance like Revestir in Brazil and Coverings in North America. NuovoCorso has successfully focused the international market’s attention on tiles

Tile International 3/2014

larger than those normally produced locally. The company’s products include the 120x120 cm Concrete, Cobbles, Quarry and Canadiane Lipica ranges, and the Essenze, Natural Wood and More&More ranges which are inspired by natural wood and include tiles of up to 180 cm in length.

ITALY WINS THE SOLAR DECATHLON EUROPE 2014 RhOME for denCity, the solar powered home designed and built by the Department of Architecture of Roma Tre University, has won the Solar Decathlon Europe 2014, beating entries from Germany, Chile and Holland that won top prizes in the biennial competition’s 10 stages. Universities from some 20 nations entered.

The Solar Decathlon competition was first established in 2002 by the Department of Energy of the United States. This year’s European edition was held in Versailles from 27 June to 12 July. As its name suggests, the competition consists of ten trials designed to demonstrate how the winning house effectively produces more energy than it consumes, uses passive methods to provide protection against heat and cold, and controls the quality of air inside.

In addition to winning the Solar Decathlon, RhOME also won the Cecodhas first prize for social housing in the new-build category and came second overall in the social housing category. Various private partners were involved in the project.

Almaviva developed the system for monitoring energy and comfort parameters; Daikin Italy provided a heat pump

24

that uses a refrigerant with a global warming potential 67% lower than that of conventional refrigerants; Ideal Standard designed the bathroom which features a number of environmentally friendly mixing units capable of reducing water consumption at the taps by 80%; Rubner provided the supply chain competence to source the wood required for sustainable construction; Valcucine supplied the Demode Meccanica engineered kitchen; and Velux supplied the roof windows.

RhOME for denCity will be on display at the Saie exhibition in Bologna (22-25 October): http://www.ansa.it/emiliaromagna/notizie/saie/2014/07/15/casa-rhome-fordencity-vince-solar-decathlon-2014_ e859e60e-5dd7-4cfc-9dc1-ac09cad48ba0.html

Tilefax

MAPEI CONTRIBUTES TO THE PEGGY GUGGENHEIM CAFE’ The Peggy Guggenheim Café is being refurbished in great style, thanks in no small part to assistance from Mapei. This Spring, Mapei contributed to the restructuring work and provided the paints for the walls. In particular, Mapei supplied fully waterproof and easy to clean Elastocolor Waterproof acrylic paint for interiors and exteriors, high protection and filling Quarzolite Tonachino acrylic paint for interiors and exteriors, and highly decorative and chemically resistant Silexcolor Marmorino fine textured silicate mineral paint.

Neither is this the first time for Mapei to help out with restoration and conservation at the Venice home of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. In 2009 Mapei helped restore the Istrian stone façade overlooking the Grand Canal and the one along Rio delle Torreselle. Mapei was also official sponsor for the Jean Metzinger exhibition entitled “Ciclismo, cubo-futurismo e la quarta dimensione.

Al velodromo”, and this year was technical sponsor for “Temi & Variazioni.

L’impero della luce”, a new-formula ex-

Tile International 3/2014

hibition for the works and spaces of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection curated

by Luca Massimo Barbero.The exhibition ran from 1 February to 14 April in Venice’s Palazzo Venieri .

YOU ASK, WE CREATE! FONTANOT SETS UP A NEW CONTRACT DIVISION Fontanot, an Italian company with over 50 years of experience in the production of indoor and outdoor staircases, and with an organisation that has proved itself perfectly able to tackle the most ambitious projects in Italy and abroad, has created a new division to cater exclusively for contract projects.

In perfect Fontanot style, the new division will be given a completely new look and feel, with a dedicated area in the corporate website and its own unique logo and slogan.

The logo features an elephant with a graphic form that clearly resembles origami, conveying the idea that a simple sheet of paper (the origins of the company) can give rise to an infinite variety

26

of forms and combinations.

And these are precisely the characteristics of the new division, because Fontanot has the know-how to develop topquality custom projects to suit the needs of individual installations. The slogan “You ask, we create” has been chosen to emphasise the new business unit’s reliability (in terms of delivery times and budget) and creativity. After all, the whole object of contract projects is to deliver a complete, turnkey service and a perfect response to specific needs.

BEAMS BY VASCO WINS THE 2014 RED DOT AWARD Having examined a total of 4,815 products from 53 different countries, a jury of 40 experts declared Beams by Vasco to be the winner of the 2014 Red Dot Award for Product Design.

Beams is an aluminium radiator, like all the other products of the Belgian firm of Vasco (www.vasco.eu).

Its innovative accessories, however, make it particularly quick and easy to install and ensure excellent levels of

Tilefax

comfort and service for the customer.

The product boasts an elegant vertical design that integrates large profiles with slender and accurately finished geometric elements. Destined to become a truly ever-green product, Beams has already received the Henry Van de Velde prize, and its high level of sustainability has also won it other major international awards, including the Ovam Ecodesign Award.

Beams consumes 15% less energy than

a conventional steel radiator. It is ideal for low-temperature systems like those served by condensing boilers and heat pumps, and boasts conductivity four times better than that of a conventional alternative. An innovative system of convection strips at the rear of the unit, developed in conjunction with Stuttgart university, minimises heat loss through the wall. Units are supplied with linear, rectangular or square towel rails in a choice of colours.

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BEST BOOTH AWARDS GO TO FLORIM AND TORRECID This year as always, Coverings presented its Best Booth Awards to the four exhibitors who stood out for the design and furnishing of their stands and for the products on display.

In the large stand class, the Overall Best in Show award went to Florim, whose 300 sq.m stand was designed by Paolo Porta, and consisted of four different areas, each identifying one of the group’s four brands, and all conveying the group’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

The stand’s external floors consisted of a grass surface, over which Floorgres thick stone-effect tiles formed a path leading

inside. The sophisticated interior created a superb backdrop for the wide range of aesthetic effects achievable with the products on display, which included marble slabs, rustic wood-effect strip tiles and wall tiles finished in various shades to recreate an aged, weathered look. Spanish colour manufacturer Torrecid won the Best Booth Award at its very first visit to Coverings for the creative design of its display area. The Torrecid stand was made to mimic a social club with interior and exterior settings demonstrating the vast aesthetic and technical potential of ceramic, including wood-effect strip floor tiles, special cements for ventilated facades, indoor wall tiles in translucent porcelain, decorative coverings, marble-effect tiles and even industrial floors.

In the small stand category, the Coverings awards went to Atem, Ukraine’s largest tile manufacturer, also on its first visit to the US exhibition, and to the Spanish Colorker.

BIEN’S NEW PLANT STARTS UP The history of Bien Ceramics, the Turkish company that has been part of the Ercan Corporate Group since 1997, has been characterised by continuous investment in technology. The most recent development is a new production plant for large tiles at the company’s Bozuyuk site. This has boosted output to 23 million sq.m per year and added sizes up to 120x120 cm to the catalogue. The new plant occupies 60,000 sq.m of floor space and stands out for efficient production and reduced cycle times and costs.

Tile International 3/2014

28

Additional energy savings are achieved through the use of modular, continuouscycle mills in the slip preparation area.

Treatment systems have also been installed to reuse process water in the production cycle, along with dust filters and acoustic insulation systems to safeguard workers’ health. Even the factory building is designed to make full use of natural light. The company will soon be investing again, this time in a gas turbine to generate its own energy and reduce outlay.

GRANITI FIANDRE STARTS UP PRODUCTION OF LARGE SIZES Installation of Continua+, the new technology developed directly from the roller compaction system for the production of extremely large size tiles, has been completed in the GranitiFiandre facility in Castellarano. This major investment will enable GranitiFiandre to maintain its leadership in the field of large sizes, a position resulting from long-term collaboration between the Fiandre-Iris Group owned by Romano Minozzi and Sacmi.

The Continua+ process uses patented technology to produce textured surfaces by depositing resins on the metal pressing belt and subsequently crosslinking them using ultraviolet radiation.

This makes it possible to produce largeformat tiles in unlimited sizes and with fired product thicknesses of up to 20 mm.

Economy & markets

By Euroconstruct - press relase 77th Euroconstruct conference (13th June 2014, Oslo)



The European construction market is reaching firmer ground. The Euroconstruct report published in Oslo, 13/6, suggests an average growth of 1.8 percent a year, in real terms, from 2014 to 2016.

It’s mainly new residential buildings contributing to the upturn but the tentative recovery affects all sub sectors. The growth rate is weak given the low starting level but after a handful of hard and turbulent years, any sign of stability and recovery is welcome.

The Euroconstruct (EC-19) countries’ collective GDP (measured at exchange rates) grew by 0.2 percent in 2013, but growth is expected pick up to about 2 percent a year in 2014-2016.

France and Italy is having the weakest outlook were Poland and the Slovak economy could grow by as much as 3.5 percent a year in 2015 and 2016. Inflation is low and the recovery will most likely be a protracted one, as high unemployment and debt, low investment, tight credit, and financial fragmentation in the Euro area continue to dampen domestic demand.

Construction in Europe, 77th Euroconstruct EUROCONSTRUCT is a group of 19 specialised research organisations in Europe, which has been active since 1975. Over its period of operation, it has gained international recognition, both thanks to its unique nature and also especially thanks to the high quality of information offered. Euroconstruct regularly provides analyses of the construction market including expert forecasts of further development.

The following are member countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Total construction output (% change in real terms - volume) Est. Volume mil. Euro 2013

2010

Austria

33,570

Belgium

38,515

0.4

Denmark

26,504

-6.1

Finland

28,813

5.9

France

205,696

Germany

280,241

Ireland

8,253

Italy

167,129

Netherlands

-3.9

2011 2.5

2012

2013

Forecasts 2014

Outlook

2015

2016

2.5

0.7

1.2

1.3

0.7

4.4

0.4

-1.2

0.3

1.7

2.2

6.1

-1.1

-1.4

2.5

3.1

4.3

2.5

-3.4

-2.3

0.8

1.0

1.7

-5.9

4.1

0.0

-3.3

-1.2

0.0

1.4

2.5

5.2

-1.2

0.2

2.9

1.6

0.6

-28.0

-15.3

-16.1

-2.4

9.7

6.1

11.7

-5.9

-2.2

-6.1

-3.3

0.2

1.0

1.7

59,697

-9.3

3.8

-7.1

-4.1

-0.7

3.7

4.6

Norway

47,030

-1.4

6.3

4.9

-0.1

0.4

4.1

3.2

Portugal

15,293

-6.2

-10.0

-15.5

-14.5

0.0

2.5

3.5

Spain

64,575

-17.9

-20.3

-31.2

-18.8

-5.0

0.9

3.4

Sweden

31,650

3.9

3.1

-2.4

1.2

4.4

1.3

0.9

Switzerland

51,956

2.7

2.7

2.9

0.3

2.0

0.4

1.9

United Kingdom

168,632

7.7

2.0

-8.4

1.2

4.4

4.7

3.0

Western Europe (EC-15) 1,227,554

-3.5

0.0

-5.5

-2.5

1.2

1.9

2.0

Czech Republic

15,811

-7.3

-3.8

-7.7

-6.9

-3.8

-0.7

1.2

2013 and forecasts

Hungary

7,835

-8.8

-9.7

-4.2

5.8

4.1

2.6

3.2

Poland

42,021

4.7

11.7

-3.2

-8.8

4.2

7.2

6.7

Aggregated construction output for the EC countries fell by 2.7 percent in real terms last year, extending the negative trend started in 2008. The forecast suggests that the decline

Slovak Republic

4,382

-3.6

-2.8

-13.8

-5.3

1.7

3.1

2.9

Eastern Europe (EC-4)

70,048

-0.8

4.3

-5.1

-6.7

2.2

4.7

5.0

Euroconstruct Countries (EC-19)

1,297,602

-3.4

0.2

-5.5

-2.7

1.3

2.0

2.2

Tile International 3/2014

Source: Euroconstruct (77th conference) 30

Economy & markets

in construction output bottomed out last year, measured at constant prices, on the lowest in 20 years. Euroconstruct expect investments to grow on

average by 1.8 percent a year in 2014-2016, in real terms, an upward revision of 0.2 percentage points from our previous forecast in November

FIG. 1 GDP and Total Construction Output from 2010 to 2016

Year to year change in %

2013. Even if the volume of construction works should grow as projected in the forecasting period, output and capacity utilization in the European construction sector as a whole will remain at near-depression levels.

New residential construction in total is expected to grow by 3.2 percent on average in 2014-2016 and residential renovation and maintenance (R&M) by only 1.2 percent a year, pulling down average growth in total residential construction to 2 percent a year in real terms.

Although most EC countries are clear of recession, sluggish domestic demand growth and weak public sector finances will most likely continue to dampen non-resi-

FIG. 2 Total Construction Output by Sector from 2010 to 2016

Index 2010=100

Tile International 3/2014

dential building demand for some time.

Euroconstruct expects total non-residential construction on average to increase by 1.5 percent a year in 20142016 in real terms, an upward revision of 0.3 percentage points from our previous prognosis.

Total civil engineering works is now expected to grow on average by 1.9 percent a year in 2014-2016 in real terms, compared to 1.5 percent in our previous forecast. The adjustment is mainly a result of a brighter outlook for new civil engineering.

Differences within the EC-19 countries There are big differences with-

FIG. 3 Total Building Construction Output from 2010 to 2016

Year to year change in %

32

Economy & markets

in the EC-19 countries. Ireland and Poland could see an average growth of 9 percent and 6 percent respectively in 2014-2016, measured at constant prices. The UK, Denmark and Hungary are also among the fast growing construction markets, with average growth

rates of 3-4 percent a year. In the other end of the scale, we find the Czech Republic and Spain where construction output looks set to remain below 2013 levels.

The outlook is very different when the EC countries’ average expected construction

output in the forecasting period is compared to their average between 2003 and 2013.

Then Poland, Norway and Switzerland have the highest relative level, while Spain, Ireland and Portugal are at the bottom of the table.

5

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Economy & markets

by Poola Giacomini

Turkey chalks up new records Against this generally positive backdrop, the local ceramic industry was able to register record growth.

We spoke to Ahmet Yamaner, chairman of the Turkish Ceramic Federation, first at Unicera - the most important Turkish exhibition for Ahmet Yamaner ceramic tiles and bathroom furniture, In spite of its rela- held in Istanbul in February tively high unem- then again during Coverings ployment (10.5%), Tur- in Las Vegas. key maintained a good level of growth in 2013 with GDP up Tile International: How do by 3.2% and inflation drop- you view the results of the ping from 10.6% to 7.1%. Turkish economy and what

are the forecasts for 2014?

Ahmet Yamaner: These figures are signs of a healthy industry. In spite of the recent economic crisis which has affected countries all over the world, Turkey has continued its growth thanks to a good national economic policy and a hardworking population. We are expecting this trend to continue in 2014.

Tile International: How did the ceramic tile industry perform?

A. Yamaner: In 2013, tile production rose to a new record level of 340 million sq.m, 21.4% up on 2012 - much higher than the 7.7% growth registered in that year. Domestic sales also reached a record

ď ‘

THE TURKISH CERAMIC TILE INDUSTRY AND MARKET % Var 12/11

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Production capacity Mill. sq.m

325.0

360.0

360.0

360.0

406.0

413.0

432.0

432.0

-

Output Mill. sq.m

275.0

260.0

225.0

205.0

245.0

260.0

280.0

340.0

21.4

Exports Mill. sq.m

93.2

104.0

91.9

67.3

84.0

87.3

91.7

87.8

-4.3

Exports Mill. sq.m

406.0

475.0

525.4

400.7

478.6

531.3

586.7

605.0

3.1

Domestic sales Mill. sq.m

165.0

156.0

125.0

135.0

150.0

165.0

180.0

220.0

22.2

Imports Mill. sq.m

7.0

4.5

4.3

2.7

4.7

4.4

4.5

5.6

24.4

Imports Mill. sq.m

87.9

63.7

67.3

42.5

68.2

73.1

77.1

104.3

35.3

172.0

160.5

129.3

137.7

154.7

169.2

184.5

225.6

22.3

Domestic consumption Mill. sq.m

Source: Turkish Ceramic Federation

Tile International 3/2014

34

figure of 220 million sq.m (22.2% up on 2012), as did domestic consumption, which far exceeded pre-crisis levels at approximately 225.6 million sq.m (22.3% up on 2012) and was almost entirely met by local production (imports totalled just 5.6 million sq.m).

Tile International: What about the sanitaryware sector?

A. Yamaner: In the sanitaryware sector, Turkey retained its place at the top of the rankings as the largest European producer country in 2013. Production rose to 270,000 tons, corresponding to around 18

Economy & markets

million pieces (4% up on 2012).

Domestic sales reached 144,500 tons, or about 9.6 million pieces (+1.4%). This volume entirely met domestic demand as imports fell almost to zero.

Tile International: In your opinion, what aspects contributed to this further growth on the part of the two industries?

A. Yamaner: The main factor driving demand for ceramic tiles and sanitaryware is the huge local construction activity we are seeing all over the country. In 2013, the housing industry output rose to 121.3

million sq.m (+11.2% on 2012), of which 788,880 sq.m consisted of two-family or more residential dwellings, a volume which also showed an increase of 9.2% on 2012.

Anti-seismic renovation also played an important role in this high performance. Turkey is a country at high seismic risk which has suffered numerous severe earthquakes and much damage over the last decade. The problem is compounded by the fact that most of the existing buildings were built before the new building codes came into force. The Government initiat-

ed a new project called ‘civic transition’ to support people who are willing to demolish their houses and rebuild them according to the new building codes. This applies in particular to old buildings in urban areas, which are at greatest risk.

Tile International: Turkish companies appear to be striving more and more to upgrade their product quality and brand image. Can you confirm this?

A. Yamaner: It’s true, as we could all see at Unicera, which confirmed the excellent health of the Turkish tile and

35

sanitaryware industries. The only difference between the two sectors is that the tile industry is launching new products onto the market every year, whereas the sanitaryware sector is doing it once every two years.

Tile International: The growth in Turkish tile exports by volume in 2011 and 2012 was not as high as expected, although they did increase in terms of value. How did they perform in 2013?

A. Yamaner: Although tile exports declined by 4% in volume to 87.8 million sq.m, they grew by 3.14% in terms of val-

Tile International 3/2014

Economy & markets

THE TURKISH SANITARYWARE INDUSTRY AND MARKET 2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Production capacity ton x 000

326.8

330.0

315.0

305.0

310.0

310.0

330.0 (22 mill.pcs)

330.0 (22 mill.pcs)

-

Output ton x 000

253.8

260.0

230.0

195.0

220.0

245.0

260.0 (17.3 mill pcs)

270.0 (18 mill pcs)

3.9

Exports ton x 000

125.4

120.4

103.7

86.4

94.5

109.4

113.5 (7.5 mill.pcs)

119.8

5.6

Exports ton x 000

197.2

203.7

180.2

142.6

159.7

182.3

186.8

203.2

8.8

Domestic sales ton x 000

128.3

139.5

125.5

105.0

120.0

135.0

142.5 (9.5 mill.pcs)

144.5 (9.6 mill pcs)

1.4

Imports ton x 000

2.0

2.5

2.2

2.3

2.9

2.5

1.8

2.2

22.2

Imports ton x 000

7.3

8.6

9.4

6.4

8.9

8.3

7.5

9.5

26.7

130.3

142.0

127.7

107.3

122.9

137.5

144.3 (9.6 mill.pcs)

146.7 (9.8 mill pcs)

1.7

Domestic consumption ton x 000

Source: Turkish Ceramic Federation

Tile International 3/2014

36

2012

% Var 12/11

2006

2013

ue to achieve a record turnover of $605 million. Even though the increase in unit price can be seen as a positive factor, this does not constitute a growth trend. The Turkish tile industry is shifting its production to innovative products with greater added value such as largesize and porcelain tiles, where export value is more important than volumes.

Tile International: Where were your main export markets?

A. Yamaner: Germany remained the top export market for Turkish tiles in value, although turnover dropped from US $64 million to $61 million (7.2% down on 2012) as a result of the decline in export volumes (7.0 million

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Economy & markets

MAIN EXPORT MARKETS FOR THE TURKISH CERAMIC TILES 2012 Quantity (m2) Germany

Value ($)

% var.

2013/2012

2013 Unit Price ($/m2)

Quantity (m2)

Value ($)

Unit Price ($/m2)

Quantity

Value

8,362,251

65,927,419

7.9

6,996,036

61,192,542

8.7

-16.3

-7.2

Iraq

10,806,581

60,704,600

5.6

6,801,802

47,698,064

7.0

-37.1

-21.4

Israel

10,708,495

58,209,250

5.4

10,761,087

59,414,686

5.5

0.5

2.1

UK

9,153,744

54,091,194

5.9

7,367,389

47,392,764

6.4

-19.5

-12.4

Azerbaijan

7,485,306

34,559,754

4.6

6,873,912

40,020,771

5.8

-8.2

15.8

Canada

5,721,943

33,787,318

5.9

6,974,663

43,605,309

6.3

21.9

29.1

France

4,378,576

28,493,056

6.5

3,835,789

27,137,329

7.1

-12.4

-4.8

USA

3,644,016

25,895,502

7.1

4,709,623

34,203,904

7.3

29.2

32.1

Georgia

4,725,665

21,867,359

4.6

3,132,004

19,586,527

6.3

-33.7

-10.4

Russia

1,950,028

16,402,629

8.4

1,816,582

16,482,252

9.1

-6.8

0.5

Romania

3,393,013

16,078,798

4.7

2,864,721

15,620,646

5.5

-15.6

-2.9

Libya

3,830,867

13,705,483

3.6

3,634,131

26,544,865

7.3

-5.1

93.7

Belgium

2,015,404

11,898,613

5.9

1,238,438

9,839,138

7.9

-38.6

-17.3

Greece

2,370,031

9,990,963

4.2

1,500,423

8,109,053

5.4

-36.7

-18.8

Turkmenistan

2,021,735

9,632,901

4.8

928,962

8,330,425

9.0

-54.1

-13.5

Source: Turkish Ceramic Federation sq.m, 16.3% down on 2012).

But there was an increase in average selling price (from 7.9 $/sq.m in 2012 to $8.7 in 2013), returning to the levels of 2011.

In 2013 Israel became the largest market for Turkish tiles in terms of volume (10.7 million sq.m, equal to the previous year), and the second largest market in value (US $59.4 million, up 2%). As in 2012, Iraq, the UK and Azerbaijan maintained their positions amongst the top five markets.

Just as in 2012, the biggest increases were in Canada

Tile International 3/2014

(+22% in volumes and +29% in value), the USA (+29% in volume and +32% in value, following a rise in average price to 7.3 $/sq.m).

The Libyan market, which began its recovery in 2012, showed a sharp rise in unit price (from 3.6 to 7.3 $/sq.m) resulting in an increase in turnover from US $13.7 million in 2012 to US $26.5 million.

Tile International: How are companies reacting to the recovery in the US tile market and the general fall in European demand?

A.Yamaner: Generally speaking, Turkish tile producers

boosted their workforce last year and produced new porcelain tile ranges specifically aimed at the North American market, to be launched at Coverings 2014. The European market began to show some positive signs, although it still hasn’t gained the necessary momentum.

Tile International: Turkey is the market leader in a number of markets in the Middle East and Caucasus regions.

Do you think that emerging new competitors could threaten this leading position in the near future?

A. Yamaner: The fact that

38

transportation makes up a large part of the tile industry’s total costs gives Turkey an advantage over its neighbouring countries. In the Middle East, Iran will be a powerful rival for Turkey due to its very strong ceramic industry coupled with recent political progress. The Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, have also been making significant investments in the sector.

Tile International: Did sanitaryware exports show a similar performance last year?

A. Yamaner: In 2013 our sanitaryware exports recovered for the fourth year running,

Economy & markets

MAIN EXPORT MARKETS FOR THE TURKISH SANITARYWARE 2012 Quantity (ton)

Value ($)

% var.

2013/2012

2013 Unit Price ($/ton)

Quantity (ton)

Value ($)

Unit Price ($/ton)

Quantity

Value

Germany

12,959

25,578,965

1,974

13,785

28,164,204

2,043

6.4

10.1

France

13,918

19,166,892

1,377

12,765

17,675,803

1,385

-8.3

-7.8

UK

10,487

17,797,470

1,697

10,562

17,869,511

1,692

0.7

0.4

Italy

11,079

16,945,631

1,530

13,064

20,208,777

1,547

6.4

19.3

Iraq

9,688

12,741,061

1,315

7,440

11,009,279

1,480

-23.2

-13.6

USA

4,536

8,256,446

1,820

5,244

9,708,961

1,851

15.6

17.6

Bulgaria

3,976

6,582,982

1,656

3,704

6,254,758

1,688

-6.8

-5.0

Russia

3,687

6,544,283

1,775

5,077

8,906,700

1,754

37.7

36.1

Israel

4,266

6,140,413

1,439

5,090

7,647,523

1,503

10.3

24.5

Libya

4,843

5,767,579

1,191

5,718

7,672,794

1,342

18.1

33.0

Azerbaijan

2,527

5,767,014

2,282

3,245

6,395,441

1,971

28.4

10.9

Spain

2,345

4,410,312

1,881

1,988

3,876,667

1,950

-15.2

-12.1

Turkmenistan

1,361

3,017,416

2,218

1,118

2,553,754

2,284

-17.8

-15.4

Sweden

1,289

2,663,928

2,066

866

1,870,653

2,159

-32.8

-29.8

Australia

1,060

2,288,391

2,159

1,136

2,461,754

2,167

7.2

7.6

Source: Turkish Ceramic Federation despite remaining slightly below the peak levels of 20062007. Total export volumes reached 119,800 tons (around 8 million pieces, 5.5% up on 2012), while total value rose to US $203 million (+8.7%).

In terms of value, Germany remained the largest foreign market for the sanitaryware sector, with a turnover of $28.1 million (10% up on 2012) and a 6.3% increase in exported volumes. In 2013, Italy ranked second in terms of value ($20.2 million) with an increase of 19%. France, the UK

Tile International 3/2014

and Iraq confirmed their positions at the top of the list in terms of both volumes and value.

Tile International: What are the biggest challenges facing the Turkish ceramic industry today?

A. Yamaner: Europe is Turkey’s largest export market for sanitaryware, and the crisis in the region is affecting our exports.

Fortunately, this is compensated by the strong demand in our domestic market. Among the positive factors, the depreciation of the Turkish Lira

by around 20% will bring a good degree of development, especially in the North American market, and the fact that there is no mention of an increase in gas prices will also have a positive effect on costs. The competitive structural elements of the Turkish industry include its highly skilled and professional workforce and the 45 hour working week.

Tile International: Do you think that the Turkish ceramic industry will further internationalise its production?

40

A. Yamaner: I don’t think this will become a widespread policy. In any case, the most important thing is to have personnel capable of handling international business.

Tile International: What are your forecasts for the current year?

A. Yamaner: I expect to see a positive upward trend in exports in 2014 as well as further rapid growth in the domestic market due to government measures to promote housing for low-income families.

5

Economy & markets Courtesy of Realtà Mapei*

The American construction market



The real estate market is growing all over the continent, albeit with a different impact depending on which area is taken into consideration. Let’s take a more detailed look.

United States The USA economy, in spite of the difficult first quarter of 2014, should pick up in the rest of the year and most analysts forecast GDP growth of around 3% in 2014-2015. In particular, the real estate sector is enjoying a strong recovery, which can be seen by the growth in average house prices (almost +10% in 2013) and the large number of projects literally at the site stage.

In 2013 the United States economy and construction market continued to expand.

The recovery in the residential sector, which started in 2012, continued throughout 2013.

Investments in building projects (public and private, residential and non-residential) were more than 898 billion dollars (627 billion in the private sector and 271 billion in the public sector), representing a rise of 4.8% compared with 2012. 923,000 projects have been completed in the residential sector, the highest number since 2007 and an increase of 18.3% compared with the previous year. Investments in residential building came mainly from the private sector and increased by 17%.

Non-residential projects, on the other hand, fell by 1.5%.

The number of detached houses built amounted to 618,000 units (+15.4%), while semi-detached and townhouses accounted for 306,000 (+24.6%). 428,000 new homes were sold in 2013, an increase of 16.4% compared with 2012.

The number of new residential housing starts, which reached unprecedented levels before

the recession and then dropped to 478,000 units in 2006, was 923,000 in 2013, and large margins for growth are forecast for 2014. Sales of existing homes, on the other hand, reached 5.09 million units (+9% compared with 2012), the best result since 2006.

In 2013 investments in residential renovation work were around 130 billion dollars (+3% compared with 2012) and further, rapid growth is expected in 2014.

In the first three months of 2014 the construction sector, like the USA economy as a whole, slowed down because of the particularly bad winter in the northern part of the

country and in parts of the south-eastern states, and the heavy rainfall in the northwest. The slowdown in investments is thought to be only temporary, however, and analysts believe that in 2014 the residential building sector (including both new buildings and renovation work) and the private non-residential building sector will continue to grow, while the outlook for the public non-residential sector is a less rosy.

Double-figure growth is forecast for investments in singlefamily homes, residential complexes and commercial buildings.

The United States ceramics market has reaped the bene-

HOUSING STARTS AND U.S. TILE CONSUMPTION

CERAMIC TILE CONSUMPTION BY SECTOR IN THE USA: PREVIOUS YEARS' PERFORMANCE AND FORECASTS FOR 2014 Sector

2006

2011

2012

2013

2014

New residential construction

40%

20%

24%

27%

29%

Residential remodelling

29%

43%

41%

41%

41%

Non-residential construction and remodelling

31%

37%

35%

32%

30%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

TOTAL

The graph shows the evolution of new constructions in the United States and its close correlation with the national ceramics consumption, and forecasts quite high growth of both values for the two-year period 2014-2015.

Source: U.S Department of Commerce and Donato Grosser & Associates Ltd.

Source: Donato Grosser & Associates Ltd.

Tile International 3/2014

42

Economy & markets

fits of the recovery in the residential sector. 2013 saw growth in tile consumption of almost 14% compared with 2012, a continuation of the growth trend that has been ongoing since 2010. For 2014 further growth in the demand for tiles has been forecast, albeit lower than before (+6%).

Analysts believe that new residential buildings account for 29% of ceramic consumption in the USA, renovation of residential buildings for 41% and the construction and renovation of non-residential buildings for 30%. The main driving force behind the growth in the ceramics sector will be the development in the market for new residential buildings.

There are good prospects, therefore, for manufacturers of tiles and construction materials, as well as for distributors and construction companies.

Canada The macro-economic climate in Canada is also positive and, according to a survey carried out by the Bank of Canada, most companies now have a more positive outlook for the coming months, are planning to take on new employees and reported increases in sales and orders last year. 42,900 new jobs were created in March, bringing the level of unemployment down from 7% to 6.9%.The real estate

sector is also burgeoning and the forecast increase in house prices is 2.2% in 2014 and 1% in 2015. Tile consumption reached 38.6 million sq.m, an increase of 1.2% compared with 2012. The growth in this sector has undoubtedly been more moderate compared with the United States, and this figure can be partly explained by the fact that the recession in Canada was never as serious as in the USA and that tile consumption had already returned to pre-crisis levels by 2012.

economy should develop at a sustained rate in 2014-2015, and estimated average GDP growth for this period stands at over 3%. The construction sector (and the residential sector in particular) should benefit from the improved macro-economic picture. The ceramics market, amounting to an estimated 184 million sq.m, was basically stagnant in 2013, but a marked recovery is expected for the period 2014-2015 when annual growth in consumption is expected to be around 6%.

Mexico

South America

After recording moderate growth in 2013, the Mexican

South America recorded a 2.7% increase in GDP in 2013

CONSUMPTION OF TILES (millions of square metres) IN THE NAFTA COUNTRIES

CONSUMPTION OF TILES (millions of square metres) IN SOUTH AMERICA

The graph shows the trend in the ceramics market in the NAFTA countries (United States, Canada and Mexico) and highlights how, since 2010, the recovery in the United States has influenced consumption figures in the entire NAFTA area.

Source: Confindustria Ceramica

The graph shows how the overall consumption of ceramics (1.2 billion m 2) in 2013 in South America followed a trend of constant, sustained growth lasting many years.

Source: Confindustria Ceramica

43

Tile International 3/2014

Economy & markets

and similar average growth is expected for 2014-2015.

Economic growth in Brazil reached 2.3%, but even better results were achieved by Argentina (+4.3%), Chile and Peru (both reporting GDP growth of between 4% and 5%). Venezuela did less well than the others, with GDP increasing by just 1%.

The South American construction market overall recorded a growth rate of almost 4%, continuing and improving on the previous year’s positive trend (+2.5%).

Positive growth is also forecast for the two-year period 2014-2015. Brazil took the lion’s share in this area with around 170 billion euros invested in the building sector, thanks in part to projects connected with the 2014 Football World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, and the dynamism of the residential sector. For the twoyear period 2014-2015, estimated average annual growth in the ceramics market will be between 4% and 5%. This should confirm the positive trend set in 2013 (over 4%), when total consumption amounted to almost 890 million. The outlook is therefore bright in what is currently the 10th largest construction market worldwide. Argentina saw growth in investments in the building industry in 2013, thanks particularly to the develop-

Tile International 3/2014

ment of the residential sector.

Tile consumption reached approximately 67 million sq.m, and for the period 2014-2015 average annual growth is expected to be just under 3%. Colombia, Chile and Peru were just as encouraging: growth in these markets was around 5% or more in 2013. In Colombia more than 60 million sq.m of tiles were sold in 2013, an increase of 4.7% compared with 2012, while growth of around 5% is forecast for 2014-2015.

In Chile the ceramics market closed 2013 with an increase in consumption of over 4%, equating to more than 34 million sq.m, and growth of around 5% is expected over the following two years. In Peru, lower volumes in the consumption of ceramics (more than 24 million sq.m) have, however, led to an increase of more than 9% in the market for 2013 and an increase of around 6% is expected for the period 2014-2015. The less fortunate macro-economic situation in Venezuela, due to social disorder and political instability, have had a negative influence on the construction sector in this country, with 2013 closing with a fall of almost 2% in the consumption of ceramic tiles, to 43 million sq.m. An upturn of more than 2% is forecast for 2014-2015. » »

*This article was published in Realtà Mapei International No. 48/2014 and Realtà Mapei no. 124/2014

44

Economy & markets

Mapei’s strategy for the Americas Luigi Di Geso, President and CEO of Mapei Americas Because cold weather across the U.S. put the brakes on economic growth during the first quarter of 2014, Mapei Corp. (the Group’s US subsidiary) sales – as well as industry sales across the board - were growing at a lower rate than budgeted; but the company’s revenues are still above last year.

Going forward, the outlook is strong. There is pent-up business that will open up in the second quarter of the year.

Our customer, both contractors and distributors, are very optimistic that the remaining three quarters of 2014 will show increased revenues.

Mapei is going to support the market with new products, new market entries and new acquisitions to reach its growth goals in 2014 and beyond.

The Tile and Stone Installation Systems, Floor Covering Installation Systems and Wood Flooring Installation Systems categories in Mapei Americas’ portfolio are still strong and growing at a steady rate.

Mapei has begun providing products for underground construction, a new category for us in the Americas.

We are receiving active sup-

Tile International 3/2014

port from our colleagues at Mapei SpA in Italy and around the world as we enter this market in the Americas. As the construction industry is flexing its muscles and preparing for

a new round of project developments, Mapei also stands poised to supply customers with products and services that will meet their needs now and in the future. Mapei Amer-

icas is advancing product knowledge in our traditional categories and opening up new markets that will contribute to our continuing growth.

5

expansion north into Canada and south into Mexico as well. GRT will also supply Mapei Americas with a number of raw materials for products in our other categories, leading to vertical strengthening of our supply chain.

Family-owned since it was founded in 1993, General Resource Technology markets concrete admixtures and auxiliary products for the concrete industry in the

central United States.

The company’s products are routinely used to produce high-performance concrete mixes that are called upon to perform in all weather conditions.

As our global Underground Tunneling Technology division expands, GRT will provide an important source of highly specialized products or this market as well.

A NEW SUBSIDIARY On May 7, 2014, Mapei Americas has entered the admixture business in the United States with the strategic acquisition of General Resource Technology, Inc (GRT).

We will be expanding GRT’s footprint east and west from its base in the Central United States.

Strategic plans include future

From left: Luigi Di Geso shakes hands with Travis Collins, GRT’s General Manager, on the day of Mapei Corp’s acquisition of GRT.

46

Economy & markets

MAPEI FIRST LANDED IN THE AMERICAS In 1976 (in Quebec, Canada), the year when it supplied products for constructing and restructuring facilities designed to host the Montréal Olympic Games. Shortly afterwards, in 1978, the Group opened its first manufacturing plant in Canada in the city of Laval, as a first step in a process of internationalising the company that has never stopped since then. Mapei Corporation was established in 1983, the US subsidiary in charge of the Group’s operations on the American continent whose headquarters are based in Deerfield Beach in Florida (in the photo below). Year after the year the company has gradually spread further and further across the Americas, opening up new manufacturing plants, creating new subsidiaries in different nations (as well as Mapei Corp. in the USA and Mapei Inc. in Canada, other subsidiaries like Mapei Argentina, Mapei de Venezuela, Mapei Construction Chemicals Panama S. A. and, most recently, Mapei de Mexico and Mapei Brasil have also

been set up), constructing Research & Development Laboratories (1 in Laval in Canada, 2 in Deerfield Beach and 1 in Dalton, USA), and setting up a highly efficient commercial and

distribution network capable of meeting the needs of customers all over the continent.

These pages provide a brief overview of Mapei’s manufacturing plants in

47

the Americas without describing the Group’s operations in Mexico, Panama, Brazil and Argentina (•) which are directly managed by the mother company Mapei SpA.

Tile International 3/2014

Economy & markets

by Poola Giacomini

Brazil forges ahead

Edson Gaidzinski Jr.



On 13 March during Expo Revestir (São Paulo, Brazil), the largest exhibition of floor and wall coverings, architecture and building in Latin America, the Annual General Meeting of Anfacer elected Edson Gaidzinski Jr. as president of the Brazilian association of manufacturers of ceramic tiles, sanitaryware and allied products for the second time. Edson Gaidzinski Jr. (president of Eliane) will lead the Brazilian ceramic manufacturers’ association for the next four years, taking over from Michael Rumpf Gail (president of Gail).

We met Mr Gaidzinski in April at Coverings in Las Vegas, where each year Anfacer is responsible for organising the Brazilian pavilion. The picture he described of the Brazilian ceramic industry is that of a sector in a good state of health, buoyed by strong domestic demand but at the same time showing growth rates in all key indicators, including a resurgence in exports.

Tile International: Brazil saw its economic growth slacken in 2013 compared to previous years. What are the key indicators and forecasts for 2014?

Edson Gaidzinski Jr.: Brazil’s growth

Tile International 3/2014

over the last 5 years has largely been sustained by the double-figure growth of China, which buys raw materials from us. The slowdown of Brazil’s economy is therefore in part a direct consequence of the slower pace of Chinese growth. Another factor is the reduced availability of credit.

Although the rate of GDP growth is just 2%, however, inflation is under control, the exchange rate is stable and unemployment is dropping. But there is still a lot to be done. To be able to consider itself “developed”, a country needs four things: education, infrastructures, technological innovation and a global brand.

48

Brazil still has to work a lot on these four factors. We have seen a dramatic rise in the standard of living of the population over the last 10 years.

Some 40 million Brazilians (out of a total population of 200 million) have migrated from Class D to Class C, in other words from working class to lower middle class. This rapid emergence of such a large and varied middle class is naturally driving equally rapid growth in demand for highquality services and infrastructures, which the government must be capable of meeting.

Tile International: What is the trend in the building industry?

E. Gaidzinski Jr.: The infra-

Economy & markets

THE BRAZILIAN CERAMIC TILE INDUSTRY AND MARKET 2012

2013

2014 (est.)

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Production capacity % var. on previous year

672.4

712.3

782.0

817.0

875.2

986.6 1,004.0 1,023.4

3.3

5.9

9.8

4.5

7.1

12.7

1.8

1.9

1.5

Production % var. on previous year

594.2

637.1

713.4

714.9

753.5

844.3

865.9

871.1

917.2

4.5

7.2

12.0

0.2

5.4

12.1

2.6

0.6

5.3

Domestic sales = National Consumption * % var. on previous year

483.6

534.7

605.4

644.5

699.6

774.7

803.3

837.5

875.2

9.4

10.6

13.2

6.5

8.6

10.7

3.7

4.3

4.6

Exports % var. on previous year

114.4

102.1

81.4

60.7

57.2

60.1

58.8

63.3

67.4

0.5

-10.7

-20.3

-25.5

-5.7

4.9

-2.0

7.2

6.5

Total sales * % var. on previous year

598.0

636.8

686.8

705.1

756.8

834.7

862.1

900.8

942.6

7.5

6.5

7.9

2.7

7.3

10.3

3.3

4.5

4.6

Exports in value (million US$) Mill. sq.m

430.2

393.9

364.9

249.6

265.4

280.2

270.7

279.8

298.0

14.3

-8.5

-7.4

-31.6

6.3

5.6

-3.4

3.4

6.5

1,038.7

Values in million sq.m . Source: Anfacer (*) The values for “Domestic sales” and “Total sales” include products manufactured abroad and imported by Brazilian producer companies, equivalent to 41 million sq.m in 2011 and 2012 and 50.5 million sq.m in 2013 and 2014. structure projects ahead of the 2016 Olympics are well under way, while 6% annual growth in the residential building segment is forecast for the period 2013-2018, supported by the Government’s measures to facilitate access to credit on the part of families and individuals. We should not forget that Brazil’s housing deficit is estimated at around 7 million dwelling units.

Tile International: And this growth will have a positive effect on demand for ceramic tiles.

E. Gaidzinski Jr.: Yes, Brazil’s tile production capacity is continuing to increase. The leading companies in the sec-

tor, such as Eliane, Portobello, Cecrisa and Incepa, have been making numerous investments and a further 120 million sq.m of installed capacity may be added over the next two to three years.

Tile International: Apart from the increase in production, what are today’s most critical factors in your investment choices?

E. Gaidzinski Jr.: Certainly the need to cut Brazil’s very high manufacturing energy costs.

Environmental, economic and social sustainability are further key issues we are working on at Anfacer. The Santa Gertrudes ceramic cluster is investing heavily in product

49

quality, in many cases combining traditional dry grinding technology with wet grinding production lines.

Tile International: What new product types are most in demand in Brazil?

E. Gaidzinski Jr.: We are seeing strong demand for polished unglazed and low-thickness glazed porcelain tile.

Large sizes are very popular, as are wood effect surfaces.

Digitally decorated products are gaining ground and there is also growing interest in functionalised surfaces (water-repellent or antibacterial).

Tile International: What is the state of Brazilian exports?

E. Gaidzinski Jr.: In 2013 ex-

Tile International 3/2014

Economy & markets

BRAZILIAN CERAMIC TILE PRODUCTION BY PRODUCTION PROCESS 2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Dry grinding

395.4

437.1

494.5

495.4

525.2

609.7

632.4

638.3

Wet grinding

198.8

200.0

219.0

219.5

228.3

234.6

233.5

232.8

Total

594.2

637.1

713.4

714.9

753.5

844.3

865.9

871.1

Values in million sq.m. Source: Anfacer

BRAZILIAN CERAMIC TILE PRODUCTION BY TYPE OF PRODUCT AND DESTINATION 2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Floor tiles

411.0

432.4

483.9

497.8

519.8

586.6

584.2

588.4

Wall tiles

141.2

154.5

168.9

151.0

151.2

162.3

171.5

165.8

9.3

11.5

14.8

17.9

22.5

23.6

24.0

23.9

Porcelain tiles

32.7

38.7

45.9

48.2

60.1

71.9

86.3

92.9

- glazed

21.2

24.8

31.3

33.9

45.7

58.6

72.9

78.0

- technical unglazed

11.5

13.8

14.6

14.4

14.4

13.3

13.4

15.0

594.2

637.1

713.4

714.9

753.5

844.3

865.9

871.1

Facades

Total Values in million sq.m. Source: Anfacer ports once again grew by 7% to 63.3 million sq.m. Paraguay, the United States and the Dominican Republic confirmed their positions as the three largest export markets and all three showed good rates of growth. The current Real-dollar exchange rate of 2.20 (compared to 1.57 two years ago) is also more favourable for our companies.

Tile International: What are the main challenges facing the Brazilian ceramic industry today? What are its strengths and weaknesses?

E. Gaidzinski Jr.: Energy and labour costs are undoubtedly

Tile International 3/2014

the biggest difficulties facing the sector. On the other hand, I believe the Brazilian tile industry has strong creative potential and is capable of adapting to the needs and demands of the market.

Tile International: Revestir 2014, held in SĂŁo Paulo last March, was once again a big success. What is your assessment of the exhibition and of the growing interest on the part of Italian and Spanish ceramic tile producers?

E. Gaidzinski Jr.: With its 51,000 visitors, 6% up on last year’s show, Revestir 2014 chalked up another all-time

50

Economy & markets

THE MAIN BRAZILIAN EXPORTS MARKETS FOR CERAMIC TILES Country

Exports 2012

Exports 2013

% var. 2013/2012

% share on total 2013 exports

Paraguay

9.77

12.13

24.2

19.2

USA

7.48

7.93

6.0

12.5

Dominican Rep.

5.21

6.31

21.1

10.0

Uruguay

3.75

4.15

10.7

6.6

Peru

2.21

3.45

57.2

5.5

Colombia

2.60

2.67

2.5

4.2

Argentina

2.49

2.23

-10.4

3.5

Trinidad and Tobago

2.15

2.27

3.2

3.5

Panama

1.75

2.09

19.6

3.3

Venezuela

2.92

1.92

-34.3

3.0

Other countries

18.51

18.20

-1.7

28.7

Total Exports

58.83

63.31

7.6

100.0

Values in million sq.m. Source: Anfacer

51

record. The participation by increasing numbers of Italian and Spanish exhibitors each year provides a clear indication of the show’s good organisation and of the strong appeal it has for Latin America’s top professionals and buyers.

Brazil is the world’s second largest ceramic tile market and it is natural that it should attract the leading international producers and exporters such as the Italians and Spanish. This high-quality presence brings benefits and advantages for the Brazilian ceramic industry itself by encouraging the industry to raise the level of quality and design of its products and by helping to keep selling prices high. But in order to be successful, European producers entering the Brazilian market must take account of the high costs of logistics and the importance of having local distribution centres. The creation of joint ventures with local producers would be desirable.

5

Tile International 3/2014

Economy & markets

By FEP - Press Release June 2014

Adding value to products



A touch more optimistic than the January forecast of the FEP (European Federation of the Parquet Industry) issued at the start of the DOMOTEX fair in Hannover, the consolidated data provided by member companies and affiliated national associations indicates that the market underwent only slight changes. The general picture is, as expected, not uniform with considerable variations from country to country.

Compared to 2012, the overall consumption figures in 2013 point to a decline of 2.6%. As far as production is concerned, the trend already witnessed in the previous years,

namely the strategic choices made by several producing companies to relocate their production in European countries outside the FEP territory, was once again confirmed and further amplified. The production in FEP territory went back by 1.81% to 67 millions square meters, while the European production outside FEP countries reached an additional 10 millions square meters.

While the total production in FEP territory went down by 1.8% to a volume of 67,027,450 m², the total production in Europe (FEP countries + EU outside FEP) is estimated to reach just over 77 million m².

Consumption in the FEP area

declined by 2.6%, to a level of 82,681,000 m². This somewhat better result than initially forecast at the Domotex in January can be explained by the good performance of certain markets towards the end of 2013 as well as some requested updates to the 2012 consumption figures.

The 2013 total parquet production per type remains similar to the picture already presented from 2010 onwards, whereby multilayer comes in first with 78%, being followed by solid (including lamparquet) with 20% and mosaic at 2% of the total cake.

In absolute production figures by country, Poland is consolidating its top position and ap-

GRAPH. 1 - Production and Consumption 2002-2013 (Sqm)

Tile International 3/2014

52

proaching the 20% threshold (19.81)%, Germany still ranks second with an improved score at 15.48% and Sweden completes the usual podium with 13.1%.

Consumption in the FEP area lost 2.6% to reach 82,681,000 m² compared to 84,888,000 the year before.

In terms of consumption per country, Germany maintains its first position with 23.91% and is still followed by France which is losing some more ground to 14.03%. Italy was able to maintain its third position with 9.39%, performing slightly better than last year.

The per capita parquet consumption is now the highest in Switzerland (0.79 m²), followed

Economy & markets

GRAPH. 2 - Production per types

GRAPH. 3 -Total FEP Production Percentages For 2013

TAB. 1 - Production and Consumption 2002-2013 (Sqm) 000 s.qm

+/-%

Country

Year

TAB. 2 Consumption Development (%) 10/09

11/10

12/11

13/12

2002

76,741

1.48%

2003

81,039

5.60%

AT

0.27

14.24

1.97

0.63

2004

91,453

12.85%

BE

-3.00

-5.01

0.41

1.36

2005

95,977

4.95%

CH

4.51

5.77

-0.65

10.16

CZ

2006

97,911

2.02%

-33.33

-5.00

-25.94

3.55

DE

22.30

6.68

1.55

-5.80

2007

100,334

2.47%

ES

-10.70

-12.64

-25.75

-14.32

2008

84,725

-15.56%

FR

9.42

-6.46

-4.24

-7.42

2009

67,523

-20.30%

HU

-26.53

-27.78

-10.58

62.01

2010

70,500

4.41%

IT

0.00

0.00

-15.00

-4.90

NL

-3.05

-13.48

-17.49

-0.60

2011

71,630

1.60%

PL

0.72

-7.77

-1.73

-10.11

2012

68,266

-4.70%

RO

-5.59

0.69

0.00

26.07

2013*

67,027

-1.81%

SK

29.07

-6.11

-5.97

2.56

DK/ FIN/ NO

43.59

-19.87

-5.13

5.56

SE

11.32

15.59

-6.89

-0.79

6.81%

-1.65%

-5.88%

-2.60%

*According to estimates, about 10 millions sqm of wood flooring were produced in EU countries that are not FEP members, thus increasing total production of wood flooring in Europe to 77 millions sq.m

FEP Total

53

Tile International 3/2014

Economy & markets

by Austria (0.77) and Sweden at 0.65 m². In the total FEP area, the consumption per inhabitant lost one point at 0.21 m² in 2013.

Use of wood species The usage of wood species in 2013 as shown on the above graph indicates that oak is advancing further and passed the 70% threshold for the first time, to reach 70.9%.

Tropical wood species continue their downward trend and now show a mere 5.8%. Ash and beech remain the two other most common chosen species with 5.1% and 4.6% respectively.

Outlook for 2014 & 2015 After nearly 7 years of a lingering economic & financial crisis, the overall picture is generally somewhat brightening up.

It seems that the positive impact it also beginning to be felt in some southern EU countries, traditionally large and important markets for the par-

quet industry. One can only hope that this trend will continue in the months to come.

The impact of the financial turmoil unfortunately also had negative influence on some crucial instruments of stability & prosperity with a huge impact on the sound financial development & functioning of a variety of companies, not in the least SME’s: the access to finance. Loan applications without feedback are hurting SME’s and the EU economy.

Small SME’s, moreover, are more likely not to receive feedback on why their loan failed than larger SME’s. This conclusion derives from a recent evaluation published by the Centre for Strategy and Evaluation Services. This is a large problem considering that the SME’s need vital financing which they are often unable to obtain. It is hence crucial to revive the dialogue between the financial sector and SME’s, as the former has had problems channelling funds to the real economy ever since the crisis and the latter is the engine that will allow Europe to exit

GRAPH. 4 Total FEP Consumption Percentages for 2013

the crisis.

Together with a more flexible housing loan policy towards young people, the above problem needs to be addressed urgently to fuel the housing –and construction – business which is still awaiting a healthy rebound to a pre-crisis level.

Several market studies in the EU have convincingly demonstrated that parquet is THE desired flooring solution in the eyes of the end consumer - often and increasingly copied,

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but never equaled. So, why are potential buyers not investing more in acquiring a floor with all the inherent advantages of parquet – made out of the only sustainable and renewable raw material, wood?

Solving this puzzle by coming up with the correct & convincing message and finding the right ways & channels for a successful communication will undoubtedly be one of the major future challenges for the European Parquet Industry.”

5

www.desvres.com

Cersaie 2014 - Hall 32 Stand A34

Pavimento in gres porcellanato, collezione Exence, colore Gris, formato 15x90

In the spotlight

A premium manager for Petracer’s too

Graziano Verdi



Primavera Romana was undoubtedly the most refined new product unveiled at Cersaie 2013. But at Petracer’s, the most significant news was announced a few weeks before that, and concerned the company's acquisition by Koramic Chemicals & Ceramics, the Belgian multinational that appointed Graziano Verdi as its Chairman and Managing Director in April 2013.

The Group – with consolidated turnover of almost one billion euros and about 500 million euros of its own resources – is majority-owned by Christian Dumolin, a well known financier and former ViceChairman of the Bank of Belgium.

Koramic Chemicals & Ceramics, a multinational manufacturer of ceramic floor and wall tiles and products for the construction industry, owns Desvres and Sphinx, as well as Petracer’s, but also owns several companies that manufacture chemical products for the building industry, such as Cermix France, Cermix Switzerland and Cermix Turkey. It also owns Resiplast, which has headquarters in Belgium and the United States (the new HQ opened in October 2013) and specialises in the production of latestgeneration resin flooring and in structural

Tile International 3/2014

56

In the spotlight

work in support of architectural projects.

But the Koramic Chemicals & Ceramics Group's full portfolio includes a whole array of companies, which employ a total of over 2,500 people, operate manufacturing facilities worldwide and have interests in business sectors as diverse as property, finance, textiles, telecommunications, plastics processing and metallurgy.

In our interview with Graziano Verdi, we focused on the world of construction.

"Primavera Romana" by Petracer's "Primavera Romana" by Petracer's

57

Tile International: It must be quite a challenge to head a Group with such diverse interests: did you feel the need for a change after so many years dedicated almost entirely to the ceramic industry, apart from your experience at Technogym?

Graziano Verdi: “My experience at GranitiFiandre was vitally important, and even more so, the opportunity I had to work with someone of the professional know-how and standing of Dr. Romano Minozzi.

We certainly achieved some great results together, and my experience at Technogym was also important and formative, but now I am totally committed to this new project, which gives me the opportunity to put myself to the test in an even more international arena.

Tile International: Was it past experience that prompted you to take over Petracer’s almost immediately?

G.Verdi: “The acquisition of Petracer’s has proved to be a winning decision: suffice it to say that the company saw a 15% increase in

Tile International 3/2014

In the spotlight

turnover in the first half of 2014, despite the slowdown that has been affecting the Russian market since the last quarter of 2013. Petracer’s achieved its best results in China and the USA, but even in Italy, its growth was almost in double figures.”

Tile International: The Petracer’s name is synonymous with Italian luxury. It represents the absolute benchmark in that combination of creativity, stylistic research and craftsmanship that can only be found in Italy. What are your expectations in the short term?

G. Verdi: “Petracer’s art department is still headed by Angelo Marchesi. Some would describe his capability as nothing less than visionary, and that's why the company has always been a trendsetter in the tile industry. Just think of the challenge thrown down by the first animal-pattern collection unveiled at Cersaie 2003, and the upset, embarrassment and interest that it triggered.

As for the future, we see Petracer’s tripling its current turnover to almost 30 million euros over the next five years. Petracer’s is stepping up its Research & Development of new products and embarking on the process of establishing a number of distinct business lines, such as Originali Interni Italiani, which offers genuinely outstanding interior design complements, and Petracer’s Antique, which covers antique and hence unique pieces, re-

Tile International 3/2014

worked from a contemporary perspective.

Under my more general plans, Petracer’s will be floated on the stock exchange five years from now, together with the entire Koramic Chemicals & Ceramics Group.”

Tile International: The Belgian Group also includes Desvres and Sphinx, a French and a Dutch company respectively, which will also be at Cersaie with their own stands. Has each company been assigned its own separate space in order to emphasise the fact that the brands and production chains are clearly distinct from one another?

G. Verdi: “Definitely. Each brand caters for a clearly defined market: Petracer’s is the essence of Italian luxury, and Sphinx is aimed at the world of architecture and contract design. Desvres covers the middle ground, and our efforts over the past year have focused particularly on repositioning the Desvres brand. The results have been good: both Desvres (with annual output of 6 million sq.m) and Sphinx have increased their overall turnover by about 10%.”

Tile International: And you dedicated your new 2000 sq.m showroom in Sassuolo, Italy (pictures in the article, ndr) to Desvres and Sphinx…

G. Verdi: “Yes, and next to the showroom we have a 5000 sq.m warehouse, which we use not only for products by Desvres and Sphinx, but also

58

In the spotlight

by Cermix, a manufacturer of adhesives and chemical products for the construction industry. The new showroom represents a necessary investment, made here in the heart of the world's most important ceramic cluster, in order to optimise our service to all European customers, by harnessing the many benefits of having a hub in Sassuolo.”

Tile International: How many countries does Cermix operate in?

G. Verdi: “Cermix includes

G.Verdi: “Resiplast has worked in Belgium for over 40 years, developing and manufacturing synthetic resins for the construction industry.

It distributes its products worldwide and is acknowledged as a leading player in the field.

The imminent opening of its new facility in Texas is the result of increased demand caused by an upturn in the United States construction industry.

What's more, Resiplast has specific solutions for industrial and residential resin flooring, and supplies different prod-

Cermix France (three production sites), Cermix Switzerland (one site) and Cermix Turkey (two sites), which recently reported consolidated turnover of over 100 million euros, representing a rise of 7% on the same period in 2013.”

Tile International: The Koramic Group also includes Resiplast, a manufacturer of latest-generation synthetic resins for construction applications: what prompted Resiplast to open a new production site in the USA?

59

ucts for use on different substrates, and this is an important factor on the American market.”

Tile International: Do you have any regrets about your Research & Development efforts aimed at the production of the world's largest tiles or at anti-bacterial treatment?

G.Verdi: “No, I have no regrets, in the sense that I believe more than ever that innovation and excellence increase companies' profitability and enhance their image.”

5

Tile International 3/2014

In the spotlight

Mauro Vandini: "We need new technological advances"

Mauro Vandini

The plant in Casiglie, Fiorano (Modena, Italy)



The North-American group Mohawk Industries Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is the world’s leading manufacturer of products for the flooring industry, offering a complete range of carpets, rugs, laminate flooring, natural stone tiles and ceramic tiles. When it acquired the Marazzi Group in 2013, it also became the world’s leading manufacturer of ceramic tiles.

The total profit earned by Mohawk solely from the manufacture of ceramic tiles produced by the brands Marazzi, Ragno, Kerama Marazzi and Dal Tile - was 2,677 million US dollars in 2013.

To put this in context, it must be pointed out that the Marazzi Group’s total turnover for 2012 was over 857 million euros, 81% of which was generated by sales outside of Italy, and that the combined production area of the company’s plants in Italy, Spain, France, the USA and Russia stretched over more than 97 million square metres. The Mohawk Industries, Inc. Group earned a total of 1,616 million US dollars from the ceramic sector in 2012.

We interviewed Mauro Vandini, who was appointed CEO of Marazzi Italia by its new owners immediately after its acqui-

Tile International 3/2014

Woodliving - Marazzi 60

In the spotlight

sition, asking him what results can be seen at a global level just over a year after the merger of the two groups and what investment plans are being developed both in Italy and abroad.

Tile International: Let’s start with Italy. Is the confirmation of spending in Italy an important indicator of confidence in and recognition of Italy’s supremacy in product innovation?

Mauro Vandini: I think that the fact that we are currently working not only on doubling the production capacity of our plant in Fiorano (Modena) from 4 to 9 million square metres but also on upgrading the production processes there pretty much answers your question.

The supremacy of Italian products is dependent on and very closely tied to technological innovation. I think that applies to other sectors, too, not just ceramics. In the textile industry, for example, the only companies who have retained their leading positions are those that have been able to combine product aesthetics and beauty with the use of new technologies for making different fibres. Architecture is another industry in which designers can only design buildings that are truly original if they employ innovative technologies. There is still a lot of work to be done in this respect.

Tile International: What new

production lines are you going to install in the Fiorano plant and what types of products will they make?

M. Vandini: The new lines will be devoted to manufacturing high-quality porcelain floor tiles and they will be extremely versatile in terms of producing medium- and large-sized tiles.

Once fully operational, the plant will have new, highly automated production lines featuring presses, kilns and numerous state-of-the-art digital technologies for decorating, colouring, grinding and squaring ceramic products.

The new facilities have been designed to reduce the environmental impact of production and increase the comfort and safety of workers in the plant. There will be a cogeneration system, heat recovery systems and state-of-the-art safety systems, and work stations will be organised in accordance with the company’s Productive Excellence Programme.

We aim to put the first line into operation before the end of the year, while the plant as a whole is scheduled to be fully operational next year, without stopping production. There is work underway to increase efficiency and improve product quality at our other sites too.

Tile International: Which Marazzi plants are you increasing spending on abroad?

M. Vandini: We are currently increasing the production ca-

61

Blend - Marazzi Tile International 3/2014

In the spotlight

pacities of all our production sites, both in the US and Russia, as well as upgrading the technologies used in various processes there. This will consequently improve the quality of the products sold in these markets.

Tile International: Is the demand for ceramic tiles increasing in the USA? In terms of volume, how big a role are competitors like China playing in this market?

M. Vandini: The US demand for ceramic products has start-

ed to increase again, together with the positive trend of the building industry. Ceramic tiles are mostly manufactured in the Midwest and in the south of the country, and competition from the Chinese is not particularly strong in these areas. It is a different story in other parts of the US, however, where there are different competitors in the market and not just China.

Tile International: Speaking of China, how do you rate your performance in the Chinese

market?

M. Vandini: We believe our position in China gives us a valuable insight into the world’s largest ceramics market and will enable us to grow within that market.

Tile International: What is the situation like in Russia with regard to the market and production?

M. Vandini: Kerama Marazzi, the market leader, is doing very well, as are Italian exports to all the Eastern European markets where there are very

dynamic areas, especially in terms of consumption of premium products.

Tile International: How do you see the future of the Italian ceramics sector in the market?

M. Vandini: The sector is making a huge collective effort to innovate new products and, in some cases, new technologies too. That said, I also think ceramic tile producers, equipment manufacturers and other players in Italy, including institutions, need to re-enter into

Block - Marazzi Tile International 3/2014

62

Concurrent with Feria Habitat Valencia

In the spotlight

a spirit of collaboration and driving growth through innovation.The history of the sector, which is its greatest strength, is built on technological advances and marketing strategies that have enabled Italian manufacturers to retain a leading position, such as tinglazed earthenware, stoneware, glazed terracotta tiles, single-fired tiles and porcelain.

However, innovation has focused on creating new dimensions and new aesthetics for many years now and these are not enough to maintain our supremacy. Aesthetics and formats are easier to transfer than a new product that revolutionises a process, changes the purpose or function of something or does it on a large scale.

This kind of technological advancement has been lacking for a while now and I think it is one of the reasons, if not the most important reason, why the share of the global market held by Italian ceramic tiles has fallen. This loss has affected not only companies’ profitability but also their ability to invest. So I think the future of the sector will depend on its ability to develop strong, new technological advancements, which will enable its products to retain a leading position in the market.

The supremacy of Italy and Italian products in terms of beauty and aesthetics is universally acknowledged, but the supremacy of our innova-

Tile International 3/2014

tions and technological innovations is not always recognised to the same extent.

I think the real strength of “Made in Italy� lies in combin-

ing beauty with technology and expertise, a combination that is much harder to transfer and makes us stand out.

5

Pictures above: Detail of the "Kitchen" installation by artist Paolo Gonzato inside the The Art of Living exhibition at the Triennale di Milano design museum, sponsored by Living magazine and the newspaper Il Corriere della Sera as part of the Salone del Mobile [Milan Furniture Fair] in 2013. The installation interpreted the kitchen space as light and airy, with precise geometries and warm, vibrant colours, combining wood-effect Treverkchic Marazzi stoneware slabs with polished SistemC Marazzi solid-colour tiles.

Handmade - Ragno 64

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In the spotlight

Franco Manfredini “My vision of the future”

Franco Manfredini



Franco Manfredini, Chairman of Casalgrande Padana and Riwal Group (6 plants all in Italy and a total of 1042 employees) also held the position of President of Confindustria Ceramica [Confederation of Italian Ceramic Industry] in the two-year period 2009-2010 and then, reelected with 100% of the votes, in the following 2012-2014.

“From this position - comments Manfredini - I witnessed first the effects of the “financial” crisis of 2009 on the entire sector and then the structural crisis caused by the excessive national debt which is suffocating many countries including ours.”

The Casalgrande Padana group has also been through the crisis, of course: in 2009 it recorded the most “limited” downturn in turnover in the entire sector and, after the slight recovery in 2010 and 2011, a new balance deficit in 2012. In 2013 the turnover remained stable (272.7 mil/euros against 275.05 in 2012). These results were obtained without staff cuts and without internationalization: Casalgrande has all 6 of its production plants in Italy, it exports 72% of its production worldwide, and of this, 80% goes to Europe.

Tile International 3/2014

Creative Centre by Casalgrande Padana

Tile International: Have you ever thought of setting up a new production plant in the USA? Franco Manfredini: “Obviously you can never completely rule out anything in life, but as I see it, so far, it’s not in Casalgrande Padana’s interests either to “emigrate”, by relocating its business abroad, or to “internazionalize” by setting up plants in distant countries with a better property market, because the investment would not automatically result

66

In the spotlight “Pinnacle� by D. Libeskid, Bologna Water Design 2013 during Cersaie 2013 Picture by: Valeria Portinari

67

Tile International 3/2014

In the spotlight

in new synergies. What I mean is this: western European countries form the core of our market and, since I personally believe they will continue to do so in the future, it is here, in Sassuolo, that we have the best possible synergies, offered by the district, and the best possible hub for international shipping.”

Tile International: But what differentiates Casalgrande

Padana, ranked fifth out of the most important Italian ceramic tile manufacturers, from the 4 groups above it which all have production plants in the USA and/or Russia ?

F. Manfredini: “It’s a question of size, not only at financial level - Casalgrande Padana is overcapitalized and in this sense it could be accused of being excessively prudent but also in terms of human

capital, which certainly cannot be improvised.

I appreciate and admire those who have invested abroad, because they deal with and manage much more complex business situations, the success of which is certainly partly responsible for their positive financial performance.

However, I have always preferred to focus on good com-

MAST, Bologna

Tile International 3/2014

68

pany management, I believe the real thermometer of the company is the profit and I am happy to return 50% in the form of taxes, on condition that the money is well spent. In this sense, as I said, I’m not interested in emigration; I hope this country improves, does its homework and finally becomes a little more public spirited.The Casalgrande Padana group is already international,

In the spotlight

69

Tile International 3/2014

In the spotlight

because we sell all over the world.”

Tile International: Do you think the European market will remain stable?

F. Manfredini: “We’re still feeling the aftermath of the crisis and not only Italy but the whole of Europe is a low growth area. In 2013 even Germany consumed approximately half the volume of tiles compared to the records achieved in 2000/2007, and the situation will remain difficult in the medium term. So in 2014 we should be satisfied if we “maintain” the volumes produced and sold, with a slight increase in turnover, because it’s the higher price paid for the Italian products that confirm our leadership.

In the advanced markets, western Europe and the United States - Casalgrande maintains a good capability for exporting products overseas that are not available locally where there is a great demand for innovative materials with high added value, we don’t necessarily need to sell much larger quantities, the important thing is to maintain profit margins that allow companies to continue doing research and development on their products and production technologies. Of course, the world is big and we could certainly do more, but in the nonEuropean areas we are penalized by the overvaluation of the euro against the dollar…

This is another problem which

Tile International 3/2014

I can’t see being solved in the short term but, as soon as the conditions are right, we’ll be there: all that needs to be done is to bring the euro/dollar exchange to 1.2 and remove the duties … Let’s compete under equal conditions and then we’ll see who wins!”

Tile International: Does the lack of global market regulation significantly penalise companies?

F. Manfredini: “It penalizes Italian companies, and also Spanish companies, a great deal. There can’t be any competition on the global market when there are powers that use dumping.

It’s like competing against a doped player. It’s not globalization that’s wrong, it brings new opportunities for everyone, it’s the lack of rules that has caused it to degenerate.

The WTO itself defines China as an “anomalous country.”

Tile International: You are bound to be proud of the staying power of the Group, but what’s the secret?

F. Manfredini: “Casalgrande’s staying power is due to management continuity and constant attention to the reference market which, for us, is represented by the developed countries where the demand is for advanced products. This means a high level of innovation, carefully assessing the

costs and rationality of the investments.

Casalgrande Padana, the first company to produce porcelain tiles, has never stopped searching for new applications in ceramics and we now produce customised lines. We were ahead of our times when we focused on communication and the needs of architects and designers. My son has just told me that China will use our Bios Self Cleaning porcelain tiles, in the collection designed by the architect Daniel Libeskind and previewed at Cersaie 2013 with the Pinnacle installation, to clad its pavilion at Expo 2015 in Milan: this gives us incredible satisfaction!”

Tile International: What are the Group’s results for the first quarter of 2014?

F. Manfredini: “The export results are positive, showing growth, in some cases in double figures, in the demand from advanced European countries. Since there is no equivalent increase in building work in these areas, it is legitimate to assume that Italian ceramic products are “robbing” shares from the competitors.

However, it’s too early to make a valuation: we must wait for confirmation from the second quarter figures before we can say whether it’s a stable trend.”

70

Tile International: And what sort of help is fundamental at central government level?

F. Manfredini: “This is a country that needs to kick-start its economy.

One simple question springs to mind: why doesn’t the government find a way, if not to facilitate, at least to stop penalizing companies that have export potential?

With the home market at a standstill, these are the only companies that can revitalize the allied industries, and kickstart employment and the economy.

Then there’s the cost of energy - which we pay 30% more than our competitors and we’re then taxed on it - and the regasifiers that have never been constructed: today we could buy methane from the best bidder, stock it and then re-sell it to the neighbouring countries. There’s the simplification of bureaucracy, a judicial system - above all civil justice which needs to be speeded up and the fight against corruption to safeguard a fundamental asset of our country, the manufacturing sector.

And we should never forget that manufacturing is a friend of democracy: history - also recent history - teaches us that countries who obtain their wealth only from raw materials always share it between the few, whereas manufacturing guarantees work and distributes wealth.”

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In the spotlight

Ascot returns to Cersaie with Keith Haring



For over 30 years, the Ascot Group – which markets its products under the Ascot and Dom brands – has had its headquarters, laboratories and production facilities in the heart of Italy's ceramic cluster. The company has always been committed to research into raw materials and the development of the most suitable technological processes for the production of its two product families: floor and wall tiles. This year it will be

Tile International 3/2014

back at Cersaie with the Ascot brand, to unveil an exclusive collection dedicated to Keith Haring, the icon of pop art.

We asked Ades Frederic, who became Sales Director for the Ascot brand roughly a year ago, to tell us about what prompted the company to return to the world's largest trade fair for floor and wall coverings.

Tile International: First of all, when were you appointed as Sales Director for Ascot?

Ades Frederic: “I have had the honour of directing Ascot's sales force for about a year. It all happened largely by chance: I met the company's owners at an event that we were all taking part in, and we all developed an interest in exploring the possibility of building a mutually profitable relationship, on the basis of our respective qualities and the company's production capabilities. By the time I received their offer, I was already totally convinced by the idea

72

In the spotlight

and had come up with a strategy for relaunching this established brand that has a presence in almost every market, so I decided to accept.�

Tile International: Ascot's turnover started rising again in 2013: how was this achieved?

A. Frederic: “2013 was the year in which the substantial investments made by the Group in recent years started to bear fruit in terms of manufacturing and logistics. Those investments, accompanied by a profound strengthening of customer loyalty, enabled us to close 2013 with increased sales, and I am certain that this turnaround will find further confirmation in future years. With specific regard to the Ascot brand, which, as Sales Director, I am tasked with repositioning, one of the most positive facts to emerge over the course of the past year is that we have achieved sales growth in almost all the are-

73

Tile International 3/2014

In the spotlight

as in which Ascot had already been continuously present for many years.

It is also worth noting that the Ascot range derives from three different manufacturing technologies that ensure that performance requirements are met in full: through-body porcelain tile provides maximum strength and universal usability, glazed porcelain tile combines strength with aesthetics, while Bitech® porcelain ceramic accentuates the elegance and beauty of Italian styling.”

Tile International: Are there any signs of an upturn on the Italian market?

A. Frederic: “Unfortunately, we are still not in a position to talk about a palpable upturn

Tile International 3/2014

in the domestic market, but Ascot has remained present and supportive of its distributors throughout this protracted difficult patch, and I am still convinced that it would be a serious mistake to limit investments in Italy. Even in these difficult times, our coherent and respectful attitude towards all those dealers who have contributed to the company's success over the years, is reaping rewards in the shape of results that are distinctly against the flow of play. On the international market in 2013, however, Ascot achieved its best results in the USA, Canada and Germany, where it recorded significant increases in terms of both coverage and turnover.

But our other export markets,

like our home market, have also shown promising signs.The first half of 2014 saw an increase in turnover of almost 20%, which we expect to maintain or improve upon over the rest of the year.”

Tile International: What are the main factors that prompted Ascot to return to Cersaie after an absence of several years?

A. Frederic: “Over the past two or three years, as I mentioned, Ascot had to concentrate on a number of major internal restructuring initiatives.

Once these were completed, the company embarked on a new approach to its sales and marketing – which coincided with my appointment – aimed at repositioning the Ascot brand. Needless to say, there is

74

no better time or place than Cersaie to showcase this new departure. At Cersaie, furthermore, our new ranges of wall tiles – first and foremost the collection dedicated to Keith Haring – will come into contact with the international clientele at which they are aimed.”

Tile International: What are the origins of your partnership with the Keith Haring Foundation?

A. Frederic: “The idea emerged from our work with Sartoria, a Modena-based communications agency, which helped develop our repositioning of the Ascot brand.

A key step in this process was the creation of the new line of wall tiles known as “Game of Fifteen”, which draws inspiration from the top names in

In the spotlight

KEITH HARING - BORN IN PENNSYLVANIA (USA) IN 1958 At the age of 19 he moved to New York to attend the School of Visual Arts and pursue his dream of becoming an artist.

In New York's streets, subways and nightclubs, he discovered the world of street art, which was rapidly expanding at the time. Haring soon became one of the best-known artists associated with the urban culture of the 1980s. He made his name by drawing in white chalk on the black paper used at the time to cover up out-of-date advertising billboards on the subway, and soon developed a vocabulary of images that was to become his hallmark: the radiant child, barking dog and running man.

By 1982, Haring was already exhibiting his work in galleries and museums worldwide, and taking part in public projects such as literacy campaigns and AIDS awareness initiatives.

From the outset, he had the ability to use a wide range of media to convey his ideas on fundamental topics such as birth, death, love and war, thereby increasing his audience exponentially.

Keith Haring died in 1990 as a result of AIDS-related complications. Since his death, he has been the subject of numerous international retrospectives, and his works are included in major private and public collections. Although his career was brief, his imagery has become a universally recognised visual language of the 20th Century. contemporary art.

In this project, the ceramic tile becomes a vehicle for art, and provides a medium for the reproduction of works of art, thus becoming a work of art in its own right.

The name “Game of Fifteen” refers to the number of artists involved in the project. Each collection in the series will represent a full immersion in the style and poetics of a single artist.

The series kicks off with a tribute to Keith Haring, the master of pop art, which will pave the way for the younger artists due to be presented later.”

Tile International: What form will the collection dedicated to Haring take, and how do you intend to present it at Cersaie?

A. Frederic: “By agreement

with the Keith Haring Foundation, which granted the rights, we will present nine artworks in a 20x20 format, four patterns in a 20x60 format and one original work reprinted in a limited edition of 300 numbered copies, consisting of 16 tiles in size 20x20. It's quite an endorsement for Italy's ceramic cluster, don't you think?

Since this collection is a strategic asset that we will be investing heavily in over the coming years, we are giving it pride of place on our stand at Cersaie.

But we have plenty of other new products too, for both floor and wall tiling, which we are sure will be widely acclaimed.”

Tile International: What advantages can double-fired tile still offer in a market that's now almost totally dominated by

porcelain tile?

A. Frederic: “The decorative potential (colours above all) offered by the manufacturing technology used in the production of our double-fired tile (Bitech®) cannot be achieved in any other way.

I think we need to make it clear to the market once again that the two categories of ceramic tiles (floor and wall) differ from each other, and each has benefits over the other in its respective sphere. In recent years, partly through the fault of manufacturers themselves, we have concentrated exclusively on the technical and aesthetic characteristics of porcelain tile, while forgetting the incredible decorative possibilities of white-body wall tiles made with Bitech® technology.

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Let me be clear: it is a mistake to say that one is better than the other. The production systems are different and both are perfect for their specific application, provided they are properly interpreted, as they certainly are by Ascot.”

Tile International: So would you say that double-fired tile is still capable of expressing the best design and production qualities of Italian ceramic?

A. Frederic: “We are firmly convinced that Italian doublefired wall tiles will play a decisive role in the years to come, when we expect to see a return to rich colours and textures.

There's no doubt that this is a difficult market, but that's what makes it so stimulating and potentially gratifying.”

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Tile International 3/2014

In the spotlight

Ceramiche Gambarelli Group and Tonino Lamborghini

Giuseppe Pozzi



A new strategy is at work within the Gambarelli Group. The new direction, which the company's chairman Giuseppe Pozzi describes for us, involves one of the world's most established Italian luxury brands: Tonino Lamborghini.

Tile International: This is clearly a major change of direction, especially for a Group that, until now, has always marketed its products under its own brand.

What chain of circumstances brought you into contact with Tonino Lamborghini?

Giuseppe Pozzi: “Rather than a “chain of circumstances”, to be honest, this is the result - and it's certainly a significant result - of the meticulous research that we have carried out over the past two years aimed at finding solutions and partnerships that would enable us to position ourselves at the absolute top end of the market.”

Tile International: What are the reasons behind this decision?

G. Pozzi: “As a manufacturer of ceramic ties, the Gambarelli Group was already generating an extremely high percentage of its turnover from exports, half of which are absorbed by emerging mar-

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In the spotlight

kets such as Russia, China and the Middle East. We know from direct experience, therefore, that in those parts of the world, Italian products are recognised and sought after within a luxury market that knows no limits. This strategy prompted us to set up a meeting with Tonino Lamborghini and to forge a partnership that then led to the creation of “Tonino Lamborghini Tiles & Style”.”

Tile International: So “Tonino Lamborghini Tiles&Style” is a brand established for the distribution of a specific line of ceramic tiles?

G. Pozzi: “Yes, but that's not all.

Alongside our tiles, which we manufacture in-house, the Tonino Lamborghini Tiles&Style catalogue includes sanitaryware and taps and fittings made in partnership with prestigious Italian companies, so that we can present ourselves as suppliers of total bathroom solutions. The project will be rounded off with an extremely high-end parquet series. We have already created three series of porcelain floor and wall tiles, which draw inspiration from classic Tonino Lamborghini design, and are manufactured with absolutely

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top-quality materials. These ceramic collections will be on display in the Lamborghini Lounge at our stand at Cersaie, alongside a selection of prototype sanitaryware and taps and fittings. The entire project will be presented during the course of Cersaie 2014, at a special event on the fringe of the trade fair, held at the new Forum Tonino Lamborghini in Bologna.”

Tile International: Did you experience any “difficulties of approach” in relation to such a major company?

G. Pozzi: “There's no doubt that this is a major new chal-

lenge for us. Over the past 30 years, Tonino Lamborghini has built up a reputation for painstaking research into materials and products that stand out for their unique design. So we are joining a team whose objective is to create an authentic Italian luxury brand experience for worldwide export.

The future aims for the project include using our products in the construction of high-profile areas of the Tonino Lamborghini Luxury Hotels that are due to open shortly (such as bathrooms, Spas and ceramic and wood flooring) and that will be built in partnership with the architect Renzo Costa.”

Tile International: How many Tonino Lamborghini hotels have been opened to date?

G. Pozzi: “So far, Tonino Lamborghini has opened three hotels in China with different hospitality formulae: a boutique hotel in Suzhou, a City Centre Hotel in Kunshan and a Lakeside Hotel in Huangshi.

The project involves the construction of at least five hotels in the next two years and ten more in the subsequent five years.”

Tile International: Which markets are you targeting with the new Tonino Lamborghini Tiles&Style brand?

G. Pozzi: “The sole rights apply worldwide both for the tiles and for the sanitaryware and taps and fittings sold under the Tiles&Style brand, but our priority is to launch the project Del Conca "Fast" in the emerging markets,

Tile International 3/2014

In the spotlight

which are very appreciative of goods that are made in Italy and backed up by prestige brands, so we will be starting in Russia, China and the Middle East, but worldwide coverage will follow shortly afterwards.”

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RENZO COSTA Architect, painter, sculptor.

Renzo Costa holds a diploma in aeronautical construction and teaches design, aerotechnics and the mechanics of flight. After gaining a degree in architecture from the University of Rome, he took off on a series of ventures abroad. In 1980, he formed the firm Studio Costa Progettazioni in Rome. In 1989, he designed the Grand Hotel Leon D’Oro in Verona.

In 1994, he won the international competition for the design of the Ritz Hotel in Moscow, and became a hotel design consultant for a number of major hotel chains, including: Una Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels, Valadier Group, Italia Turismo and Barcelò Hotels & Resorts. In 1999, Miami City Council assigned him the 1999 Building of the Year Award for Brickell Bay Beach Tower.

In 2001, he won the tendering procedure launched by UNA Hotels & Resorts for the new UNA Hotel Malpensa. He then designed the new UNA Hotel Roma for the same chain.

In 2004, he designed the new conference centre, the Politech multiplex auditoriums and the Condotti Gallery for the Hotel Cavalieri Hilton in Rome.

In 2011, the Italian Embassy in the Principality of Monaco appointed him to design and set up the display space for an exhibition entitled “Italian Style: 150 Years of Art and Design” and the “Made in Italy Forum” in partnership with Studio Ambrosetti.

For Agusta Westland, he designed the Vergiate Auditorium and the new Delivery Hangar. In the private building sector, he has developed a number of high-profile residences between Rome and London. In the Olgiata residential centre: Butterfly House and Villa Sabina; country homes in Umbria and residences on the Côte d'Azur.

Renzo Costa recently produced the conceptual design for a series of “Tonino Lamborghini” luxury hotels in Asia, Russia and the Middle East.

THE TONINO LAMBORGHINI GROUP The Tonino Lamborghini Group was founded in Bologna in 1981 by Tonino Lamborghini, the son of Ferruccio Lamborghini, who established the prestigious Lamborghini automotive brand.

The creative design workshop from which Tonino Lamborghini's lifestyle products originate is located in the magnificent “Palazzo del Vignola”, a Renaissance villa just outside Bologna built by the famous architect Jacopo Barozzi, who was also known as “Il Vignola”.

Drawing inspiration from his previous experience in the field of engineering and design, for over 30 years Tonino Lamborghini has been extending the concept of luxury to products that evoke a world characterised by passion for mechanical engineering and uncompromising style. Watches, sunglasses, mobile phones, fragrances, furnishing complements, clothing, sports accessories, Italian gastronomic delicacies and branded 5-star boutique hotels, lounges and restaurants: the overall result is a coordinated universe of style complements that express Pure Italian Talent.

All products are distinguished by the Tonino Lamborghini Group's logo: the charging bull against a red background.

The Tonino Lamborghini Group is a fully fledged lifestyle experience brand with a very clear vision: to export the passion and spirit of Italian culture worldwide in the form of unique, distinctively designed products inspired by the world of Italian art and industrial design. www.lamborghini.it Tile International 3/2014

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In the spotlight

Ceramiche Piemme and Quality



Founded in 1962 on the entrepreneurial spirit of eight friends, Ceramiche Piemme rapidly established itself on the Italian market with a highend product, designed as of the mid-1970s by one of the most prestigious names in international fashion, Valentino.

The partnership with the Valentino, which came to an end in 1977, was not the only union forged by Piemme at the time. The company also worked with names like Pierre Cardin's Maxim's de Paris and Pratesi, a long-established, luxury home linen brand. In later years, the company consolidated its position on international markets and helped

Tile International 3/2014

spread the image that all Italian ceramics still enjoy today on the world stage.

Our interview with Dario Renato Paganelli, Managing Director of Ceramiche Piemme, confirms that the company is still devoted to high-quality production, while keeping a close eye on environmental considerations.

Tile International: How are Ceramica Piemme's manufacturing operations structured these days?

Dario Renato Paganelli: “Manufacturing has been concentrated at our production facility in Solignano di Modena. This occupies an area of over 100,000 square

metres and produces spraydried body, glazed porcelain tile and white-body monoporous tile. The decision to concentrate production in a single facility was dictated by the need to streamline processing operations in order to maximise product quality through “one-roof” control of the entire cycle. Our production capacity now stands at about 7 million sq.m per year, comprising 6.5 million of porcelain tile and 0.5 of white-body monoporous tile.”

Tile International: Are Piemme products still aimed at the top end of the market?

D. R. Paganelli: “Ceramiche Piemme has written some important pages in the history of

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Italian ceramic, such as the first hand-painted flowers and our Valentino tiles, but the story does not end there. Piemme creates and produces designer coverings and large-format tiles in-house.They play a leading role in some of the top architectural projects and are increasingly aimed at customers looking for a combination of design and high quality. We are talking about discerning customers in search of topend, luxury products, and of course architects and designers. The latter, in fact, are our new strategic target, and are set to become more and more important, alongside our traditional channels of Italian dealers and international dis-

In the spotlight

tributors, who we continue to support with specific services.”

Tile International: What initiatives have you taken to establish closer relations with the world of architecture and contract design?

D. R. Paganelli: “Piemme is forging links with the world of architecture and major construction projects through a strategy involving a new group of promoters, who have been specifically trained and equipped with dedicated tools by our marketing department. In order to raise awareness of Piemme and its potential, we also plan to step up our presence at international professional events, while at the same time enhancing our

internal structure tasked with monitoring major projects and international contractors.”

Tile International: How does your company interpret the concept of quality?

D. R. Paganelli: “As testimony to the reliability that Piemme has built up in the course of over 50 years in business, Tuv Austria Cert Gmbh, a certification body, awarded Piemme two international certifications, namely ISO 9001 (process quality management system) and ISO 14001 (environmental management system), thereby testifying to the conformity of our company's organisation with the requirements established by the International Standards Or-

ganisation.

So in answer to your question, as far as Piemme is concerned, quality means product quality, but also process quality and respect for people and the environment.”

Tile International: How much attention do you pay to energy-efficiency?

D. R. Paganelli: “Saving energy makes sense from a commercial as well as an environmental point of view, because the fewer resources we use the less impact we have on our environment.Thanks to our latest investments in the installation of energy recovery systems on our kilns, dryers and spray-dryers, for example, we have achieved natural gas

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savings of approximately 25%.

This is a win-win strategy that combines economic benefits with a significant reduction in emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere. As well as the savings themselves, there is the added incentive of white certificates, which amount to fully fledged property rights that can be traded on the energy market.”

Tile International: During the summer break, you completed work on doubling the capacity of your polishing and edge-grinding plants. Do you have plans for any new investments? D. R. Paganelli: “The one you mention is simply our most recent investment, and it was

Tile International 3/2014

In the spotlight

dictated by consistently high demand for polished and edge-ground materials. Our investments in fully upgrading our manufacturing technology started in 2011 and have so far involved various production lines, including pressing, kilns and surface finishing.

In particular, we have made efforts to extend the range of formats that we can produce, and shifted towards large sizes such as 80x80 and 60x120.

As for decoration, we have invested in two latest-generation digital printing plants, which have enabled us to produce a wide range of outstanding products, including the most precious marbles in the world. We now believe that our efforts should focus on

Tile International 3/2014

strengthening our identity in the eyes of major specifiers, such as renowned designers and international architects, who recognise the new potential of Piemme products, so we will certainly be making further investments in this direction.�

Tile International: What can you tell us about market performance in the first half of 2014?

C. A. Vincenzi: “First of all I should point out that Ceramiche Piemme closed 2013 with consolidated turnover of 85.1 euros, representing a rise of 6.5% on the previous year. This consolidated figure is worth twice as much if you take account of the international economic climate. Over 80% of

our revenues are generated from exports to more than 70 countries. The most receptive of these lie across the Atlantic, as we saw over the first six months of the year. The USA and Canada are generating stable growth, while the former Soviet republics and the Middle East have seen a slowdown because of the social and political instability that is constantly in the news. We believe that Europe and North America will remain the most consistent markets, with fewer peaks and troughs, so we intend to focus on these areas in the short-to-medium term, without taking our eye off the opportunities offered by the Far East.

As for the internal market, the

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first half of 2014 was pretty flat, in line with the negative trend that has been prevailing for some years now, and it is very difficult to make forecasts until the government puts clear economic development programmes in place. A recent international survey ranked Italy in first place for fiscal pressure.

A review of this situation would be a good starting point for getting Italy out of its impasse.

Personally, we believe in our country's potential and we have demonstrated this by channelling all our technical and manufacturing investments into this country. So at least we can be satisfied that we have played our part in giving the Italian economy the boost that it deserves.�

5

In the spotlight

Large formats underpin Fondovalle relaunch

Maurizio Baraldi

ď ‘

Numerous Italian tile manufacturers have invested in the latest manufacturing technologies for large formats, but one of the front-runners among these is Ceramica Fondovalle, based in Maranello. At the end of August, Fondovalle fired up a new Sacmi Continua+ line at its Marano facility (in the province of Modena), which will form the cornerstone of the brand's latest upgrade.

With Cersaie just a few days away, we met Maurizio Baraldi, Fondovalle's Chairman since 1991, to talk about this recent initiative and the company's plans for the future.

Tile International: What prompted you to go ahead with such a substantial industrial investment?

Maurizio Baraldi: I am firmly convinced that the future of the Italian ceramic industry – and our company is no exception – depends on upgrading our products constantly, to give them the necessary competitive edge. There are two basic reasons for this. On the one hand, running a business in Italy now involves such prohibitive costs that we have no chance whatsoever of competing on price, so we need to equip our-

Tile International 3/2014

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In the spotlight

Collection ASK, Cream

selves with increasingly flexible and efficient technologies in terms of production costs. On the other, we must not lose sight of the fact that Italian tiles now account for just 3% of world tile production, or maybe even less, so the only way we can stand out on the market is to differentiate our products by means of unceasing stylistic and technological innovation.

For Fondovalle, which is by no means a large group, the impact of this latest investment is obviously high, and to date, we are probably the only Italian ceramic company of comparable size to have taken such a step. However, in the

wake of our last round of investments in 2011-2012, we decided to carry on down the investment path and take up this new challenge.

Tile International: The past 15 years of Fondovalle's history is marked by a long series of technological transitions, isn't it?

M. Baraldi: Yes, because as recently as 1991, Fondovalle was producing nothing but white-body tiles in size 10x20 cm for the Italian market.There was a clear need to take the brand abroad (not just because I am a natural xenophile), but to do this we had to transform our product. First we experimented with different

formats, then we switched from single-fired to porcelain tile, before making our first major investment in 2003, when we became the first Sassuolobased manufacturer to adopt double-pressing technology with multiple filling and blends of coloured bodies: that plant spawned the Bi+Fusion range of porcelain tiles made in size 60x60 cm. Other technological upgrades followed in 20052006 and again in 2012, with the start-up of our plant for producing 80x80 and 60x120 cm tiles, which reached completion in June 2013 with the installation of a cutting, edgegrinding and polishing line.

Tile International: How will

Collection RUG, Party

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Tile International 3/2014

In the spotlight

you integrate the new Continua+ line with your existing production plants?

M. Baraldi: The new line will replace the machines and equipment installed in 2005 and will work alongside the plant commissioned in 2012, complete with PH 7500 press.

The BMR edge-grinding and cutting line for products made with Continua+ will come into service at the same time. Here we will produce sheets meas-

uring 120x240 cm, from which we will make tiles in sizes 120x120, 60x120, 60x60, 80x80 and 40x80 cm (and all the possible sub-formats demanded by the market), with thickness of 6.5 to 7 mm.

The aesthetic finishes can be produced using dry digital decoration (Sacmi's DDD system), double filling and other applications that give the product texture.

For the time being, our pro-

duction capacity is still dictated by our kiln (6,000 sq.m per day), and we will use either the press line or the Continua+ depending on our production requirements.

Tile International: How was business in 2013 and what are your targets for this year?

M. Baraldi: 2013 was a fairly positive year, which saw an increase in overall turnover, and more especially our network turnover, in other words direct

Collection RUGHOME, Ecru and Square Light

Tile International 3/2014

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sales under our own brand, as against production under outsourcing agreements, which is more sensitive to contractions in the market.

For 2014 we forecast a further increase of 50% in direct turnover.

These developments stem from the complete overhaul of the company's management structure, which got under way when Mr. Paolo Lugli took over as Sales and Marketing

In the spotlight

Collection RUG, Inox Details of the new plant

Collection ASK, Shadow Mood Director, and continued with a series of new appointments in the IT, logistics, quality control and marketing departments.

Tile International: In view of falling demand in Italy, how have you gone about expanding on export markets in recent years?

M. Baraldi: To be honest with you, the quantitative importance of the Italian market has been marginal for some time now, because we have shifted 90-95% of our turnover onto exports, chiefly within Europe, but also in other major markets to some extent. In the contract segment, for example, we have been involved in construction projects for a chain

of wellness centres in the German-speaking markets, airports in Germany and hotels in Greece and Cyprus.

We have also achieved good contract results in China, Taiwan and the United States, where we are planning to take part next year in several trade shows aimed specifically at architects, as well as Coverings.

In view of good performance on our export markets, however, we feel that the time is now ripe for reorganising ourselves on the Italian market too, which remains important to us and warrants much more effort on our part.

Tile International: So Cersaie will be even more important

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for you this year. How does your company plan to present itself in Bologna?

M. Baraldi: We'll be revealing a new look for the company in Bologna this year, both for our stand and our brand image, and the spotlight will obviously be on our new 120x240 cm tiles, with the related sub-formats, such as the 120x120 cm). We'll also be unveiling three new series: a marble made with a distinctive matt surface finish, a more traditional series in sizes 40x80 and 80x80 cm, and a decidedly more futuristic product, that words cannot do justice to, but which I can guarantee will be worth a visit.

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Tile International 3/2014

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Surface treatment

by Paolo Zannini

Treatments for ceramic surfaces It is no longer enough for a company’s top products to possess the classic standards of excellence set out in ISO 10545, such as resistance to surface abrasion, frost resistance, chemical resistance, dirt and stain resistance, and slip resistance.

The ability to give Paolo Zannini ceramic surfaces additional ancillary Technological ad- functions by introducing optivancement in the mum process parameters or production of ceram- subjecting them to post-firing ic tiles has come on leaps and treatments has also become bounds in the last few dec- a deciding factor. These inades: from the ability to work clude: with increasingly larger for- • Superhydrophilicity = selfmats and increasingly smaller cleaning thicknesses to the possibility of • Antibacterial properties decorating surfaces using • Photocatalytic effects = contactless techniques, and self-cleaning, self-sterilising, many more besides. as well as a greater friction coAt an equal pace with this technological advancement 1 - and thanks to or even because of it - the aesthetic characteristics of products have also undergone significant development, something that has been further accelerated by the now widespread use of mechanical treatments on fired tiles (mainly polishing and lapping).

The fact that the majority of companies have been able to improve the quality of their ceramic tiles has also increased their eagerness to be able to offer ceramic materials that not only have excellent aesthetic characteristics but also extra functions.



Tile International 3/2014

efficient, electrical conductivity, etc.

Yet it is a well-known and undeniable fact that mechanical post-firing treatments cause some of the physical characteristics of ceramic surfaces to deteriorate.

This is because treatments remove a layer from the tile, a layer that may be crucial depending on the material.

This opens the pores beneath the surface of the fired tile, which has a serious effect on its stain-resisting properties.

This is why surface treatments to block these pores, thereby preserving the tile’s gloss and the stain resistance of its surface, are becoming increasingly popular and more widely used.

In order to assess the effectiveness of such treatments, an experiment has been car-

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ried out on 12 sets of fired tiles - including a non-treated piece, a polished or lapped piece, and a piece subjected to a different commercial treatment designed to restore stain resistance (or at least resistance to conditions on the building site). Four different types of products were used in this experiment: • Surface conditioners, which are typically products with a dry residue of 10% to 40% of their mass; • Anti-staining treatments, which are typically products with a dry residue of less than 10% of their mass; • 2-in-1 surface conditioner and anti-staining treatments, which are latest-generation products designed to fill pores while protecting the surface against stains and dirt, and which require repeat applications of different products;

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Tile International 3/2014

• Surface conditioners made of bicomponent resin with UV cross-links.

The surfaces of these tiles were examined using a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (SEM-EDS), a confocal microscope, a laser profilometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and a gloss meter.

The contact angle was also measured using the Sessile Drop Technique.

The samples were then subjected to stainability tests, which were also repeated after abrading the surface of tiles in accordance with ISO 10545.7 (modified). The persistence of the stain was tested using colorimetry.

Large volumes of data were collected. Some of the most interesting results are given below.

A) Chemical analyses of the composition of the material used to fill the pores of the tile (i.e. the surface conditioner) revealed the presence of silicon and oxygen (silicon dioxide SiO2) in every single one, and occasionally potassium, bromine and calcium too.

B) The surfaces of the tiles, the appearances of which were examined using a confocal microscope capable of imaging both in two (xy) or three (x-y-z) dimensions, are shown in Figure 1.

C) Examining the samples treated with pore-filling suspensions under an electronic microscope proved to be even more interesting. Figure 2 shows images magnified 300 times and 2,500 times. These enable us to see how the pore opened by the mechanical treatment is more or less completely filled by the treatment material, and how the same material often fails to fill the smaller pores (approx. < 30 μm).

D) Other types of treatments, however, as shown in Figure 3, manage to fill every kind of pore more effec-

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tively.

E) The results of the stainability tests, which were carried out using permanent marker, potassium permanganate, olive oil and chromium oxide (the abraded area is shown by the red circle in Figure 4) were extremely varied. They did, however, show that none of the treatments were very durable, in that they ceased to be effective after as few as 100 cycles.

Conclusions To summarise, the most “technological” conclusions that can be drawn from this experiment are: • Pore size is very important; • The way in which pores are filled is also important; • The crystalline phases of the glazing process affect the way the surface reacts to chemicals; • Mechanical surface treatments lower a tile’s resistance to chemicals and staining; • Surface treatments designed to restore the functionality of a tile’s surface are not very abrasion-resistant but they are quite stain-resistant; • Defects caused by excessive treatments or inefficient removal are very common; • The numerous treatments tested are extremely similar; • Bi-component resins and more complex treatments that require repeat applications, such as surface conditioners, are the most effective at filling pores; • Careful preparation of the surface after subjecting it to machining is of the utmost importance; • Water-based treatments change the contact angle differently to wax-based treatments; • Many of the treatments tested proved to have low resistance to 5 wear”

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Surface treatment

by Maria Soranzo

Adding value to products the production process. It is FilaTech’s job to work alongside floor and wall tile manufacturers to create safe and effective custom solutions that not only add value to the finished product but can also be fully adapted to any existing production Maria Soranzo line.

The task of choosing the most suitable product Pre-laying and laying is given to the Fila laboratory, are the most critical which works in cooperation phases when working with the technical departwith materials that have a ment of the ceramic manulow level of absorbency. This facturing companies and is because making a miswhose highly specialised staff take, even a minor one, can take great care to use the irreversibly tarnish the surface best raw materials. of the tile, thereby comproThe team starts by carefully mising the quality and the studying samples of ceramic look of the product. tiles supplied by the manuPre-treating a material is facturing company. therefore essential in order to The samples are subjected to improve its properties, protect morphological analyses usit during the various phases ing various spectroscopic on the building site and the and optical techniques, as future use, and facilitate subwell as tests to determine how sequent maintenance. easily they stain, their resistance to treatment, the drying Drawing on 70 years’ experispeed of the product and its ence in developing, manuability to be spread in a profacturing and distributing sysduction line. tems for treating surfaces, Fila has created FilaTech, a specific division that specialises FilaTech products in researching technologies for treatment in the that can be used to apply so- production line lutions for protecting the surFilaTech uses the latest polyfaces of all types of ceramics mer-based products in its – and other materials – range of anti-staining and against dirt and stains during

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Tile International 3/2014

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anti-tarnishing treatments for ceramic surfaces.

These treatments can be applied during the production process and their composition both complements and is compatible with other Fila products created for successive post-laying and maintenance treatments.

The protective effect of the treatments lasts an extremely long time (well beyond the building stage); they are also resistant to UV rays, to surface ageing and to washing after being laid.

The products are easy to spread and have been developed to enable quick and easy application.

They do not form a film (or sacrificial film) over the surface of tile, but rather they react chemically with the ceramic substrate to become part of the tile.

They do not contain dyes and they respect and enhance the materials without changing their aesthetic characteristics, which means that they do not alter the look or the original smoothness of the tile and they do not turn yellow.

Fila’s great attention to the green aspects of production means that all its products do not contain any substances that pose health risks or environmental hazards, neither they can damage the equipments.

Although FilaTech almost always develops custom solu-

tions for its clients, the following products feature in its catalogue: • Fila FT576: Natural-effect anti-stain, anti-tarnish and anti-scratch protective treatment; specifically designed to be applied to porcelain tile and stone materials during the production process. Penetrates deep down and is certified as suitable for use on surfaces that come into contact with food.

• Fila FT01: Natural-effect anti-stain and anti-scratch protective treatment; specifically designed to be applied to polished porcelain tile during the production process.

• Fila FT877: Natural-effect anti-stain, anti-tarnish and anti-scratch protective treatment; specifically designed to be applied to lapped porcelain tile during the production process.

• Fila FT200: Anti-stain and anti-tarnish protective treatment for use on building sites.

• FTDEK: Acidic detergent specifically for pre-washing tiles during the production process before applying a protective treatment.

Application The chosen product is applied after other machining work, such as polishing and lapping, has been carried out.

Surface treatment

The reaction with the ceramic substrate does not require a heat source. It is best to dry the surface of the tile with hot air before applying the prod-

uct; however, the product can still be used if there is residual moisture left over from the polishing phase.

The protective treatment can

Morphological analysis carried out using an environmental scanning electron microscope, showing the surface of a polished porcelain tile before (left) and after (right) being treated with Fila FT576. The image on the left shows an untreated area where open pores are visible.

The image on the right shows the treated area where the pores are closed by the product.

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Surface treatment

be applied with a roller, a percolator, a spray gun, and with all the usual application methods available in production lines. It is then spread across the entire surface of the tile using nylon brushes (usually three), which ensure that the surface is even and enable any excess residue to be removed.

A few seconds after the product has been applied and spread, the tiles can be packaged according to the standard procedure of the production lineâ&#x20AC;?

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FILA CONSULTING CERAMIC DIVISION OPENS IN FIORANO MODENESE (MODENA, ITALY) The new FILA Consulting Ceramic Division in Fiorano Modenese was inaugurated on 16th June with a special event held at the Ferrari Museum in the nearby town of Maranello.

The opening of the new office will place Fila right in the heart of the Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest ceramic tilemaking district and enable them to offer even faster technical advice and assistance to manufacturers. The new office, which will also support the FilaTech division, houses a training centre and a laboratory for carrying out analyses and tests on the surfaces of ceramic products manufactured by companies in the district. As the President of Fila, Beniamino Pettenon, explains, the investment aims to further strengthen the collaborative relationships and numerous partnerships that the Paduan company already has with ceramic tile manufacturers: In fact, over 200 manufacturers all over the world recommend Fila products.

Collaborations with research institutes belonging to the National Research Council of Italy, such as the Istituto di Chimica Inorganica delle Superfici (ICIS-CNR [Institute of Inorganic and Surface Chemistry]) in Padua and the Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologia di Materiali Ceramici (ISTEC-CNR [Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics]) in Faenza are also very important. Fila, which is headquartered in San Martino di Lupari (Padua), has six branches around the world in France, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, United States and United Arab Emirates, as well as a sales network covering over 60 countries.

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Surface treatment

Starlike Defender: a milestone in the Starlike story ®

®



The ongoing innovation in the Starlike® range of RG-class epoxy grouts has reached a new milestone with the development of the anti-bacterial properties of Starlike® Defender, a two-component, anti-acid, anti-bacterial, antimould epoxy mortar with very low VOC emissions.

Suitable for the bonding and grouting of ceramic tiles and mosaics in environments where high standards of hygiene are required, Starlike®

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Surface treatment

Defender is the perfect accompaniment to anti-bacterial ceramic tiles, because for anti-bacterial floor and wall covering systems to be fully effective, both the tiles and the grout have to be antibacterial.

In conjunction with the Microbiology Section of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Litokol has created Starlike速 Defender, the first grouting compound capable of eliminating up to 99.9% of bacteria, represented chiefly by Staphylococcus Aureus and Eschirichia Coli.

How does the antibacterial function work?

Cleaning surfaces with ordinary disinfectant eliminates microbes instantly, but the slightest contact after disinfection contaminates those surfaces again.

Starlike速 Defender, by contrast, provides continuous protection against bacteria thanks to the anti-bacterial active ingredient incorporated into the grout, which works by direct contact and eliminates colonies of bacteria.

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The anti-bacterial function therefore works both with and without light.

Anti-bacterial systems When used in conjunction with anti-bacterial ceramic, Starlike速 Defender produces a totally anti-bacterial floor and wall covering system for environments where high standards of hygiene and safety are a must.

Even using this anti-bacterial product for grouting the joints between ordinary tiles, however, yields a marked improvement in the anti-bacterial conditions of the tiled surface, especially if the tiles are small or the joints between them are wide.

Applications and suitability for contact with foodstuffs: Healthcare facilities, analysis laboratories, kindergartens, schools, changing rooms, gyms, public swimming pools, canteens, agri-food processing plants and warehouses, and fitness centres.

In residential building, where Starlike速 has been successfully used for years, its antibacterial properties guaran-

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Surface treatment

tee superior hygiene, which enhances the safety and comfort of the homes in which it is used.

Tests of resistance to fungal growth in accordance with BS 5980.1980 prove that Starlike® Defender drastically reduces the proliferation of mould.

Tests also show that Starlike® Defender is suitable for contact with foodstuffs in class 0102-03-04-05-06-07-08 (reference numbers for the classification of foods as per Italian Health Ministry decree No. 2 of 26.04.1993, Annex II) in conditions of prolonged contact (temperature +5° to +40°).

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1 – Tile and grout without anti-bacterial agent.

2 – Anti-bacterial grout

3 – Totally anti-bacterial system

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come, join us & explore THE R IGHT D I ME NSI O NS

C E RSAI E 2014 路 22-26 September 路 Ha l l /Area 14 路 Sta nd C31-D32

NI RO CER A M I C GR OU P w w w.n i ro g ra n i te .c o m www.z irconio.es n i ro g ra n i te @ n i ro g roup.com z irconio@ nirogroup.com

TOOLS AND ANALYSES

TO UNDERSTAND

THE CERAMIC SECTOR . CERAMIC MACHINERY&GLAZE

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF BUDGETARY DATA More than 200 companies analyzed.

English and Italian text.

• BALANCE SHEETS according to international standards • 15 different RANKINGS • historical analysis of the last three years • 40 budgetary indexes and economic ratios • 3 different financial stability ratings • performance rankings

. WORLD PRODUCTION AND

CONSUMPTION OF CERAMIC TILES

world production and consumption of ceramic tiles

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

25/02/14 11:40

• Ten-year historical trends (from 2003 to 2012) for 66 countries, both individually and as aggregates per macro-geographical regions.

English or Italian text.

• 216 pages of sheets and tables on: production / consumption / import / export / market shares

VISIT US @ CERSAIE Service Center stand no. 4

INFO: ACIMAC Research Department mr. Luca Baraldi www.acimac.it studi@acimac.it tel. +39 059 510 336

Project

Sillen&Makrillen, a restaurant on the Öresund



The Sillen & Makrillen restaurant is located on the seafront of the Swedish city of Helsingborg, overlooking the Öresund at the shortest stretch of sea – just 4 km – that separates Sweden from Denmark.

The city is also connected to the Danish port of Elsinore, across the water, by a highly efficient ferry service, while the Öresund Bridge is just a few kilometres away, and connects Sweden to Denmark in the vicinity of their respective capitals Malmö and Copenhagen, by a 16 km motorway and rail link.

In reality, the Öresund Bridge is a connection system consisting of a 7.845 km bridge,

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which starts from the Swedish city of Lernacken, south of Malmö, and runs to the artificial island of Peberholm, which is the access point to an underground tunnel that re-emerges on the Danish side in the vicinity of Copenhagen.

This is Europe's most advanced connection system, and it stands in a harsh, unspoilt environment that reflects the sense of civic duty that is the hallmark of the Nordic peoples and binds them together, despite their cultural diversity whose origins lie in a periodically warlike history.

In fact Helsingborg itself whose seafront plays host to the Sillen&Makrillen restaurant - was actually founded by the Danes in 1085 and did not become Swedish until 1658, in the wake of one of the many wars fought between Denmark and Sweden. Helsingborg's architecture encapsulates the deep sense of history with which the town is imbued, and offers a view that combines the most historic stonebuilt structures and the Kärnan fortress – built in 1310 by King Erik Menved – with the most modern forms of architecture.

Against this backdrop so strongly marked by the power of nature on the one hand and the modernity of the most advanced technology on the other, the architect Lars Bourdette – of the Helsingborg-

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based firm Arkitektlaget SkĂĽne AB â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was appointed to design the Sillen&Makrillen restaurant, which naturally specialises in fish dishes. While remaining in harmony with its setting, the restaurant's design had to enable its clientele to enjoy the best possible view of their surroundings.

The restaurant was thus de-

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signed with a large expanse of glass overlooking the sea, so that even when the weather is not good enough for customers to eat outside on the terrace, they can still enjoy a magnificent view of the sea and coastline, and feel fully immersed in it.

This deeply appealing place is set between a sea of many iridescent shades of grey, and

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a rocky coast that takes on a completely different character depending on whether it is lit by bright sunlight or overshadowed by storm clouds.

For the restaurant's flooring, Lars Bourdette opted for Rondine Group's Golden Light Grey porcelain tile collection, in size 30.5x60.5.

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FROM TRIPADVISOR “Fantastic view” Reviewed on 3 June 2014 The location alone is worth the price of your meal. If you go in summer, book a table outside. You'll be eating practically in the sea, so don't forget a sweatshirt or lightweight jacket because the Swedish breeze can blow right through you after a while!

Food was good, I would recommend that you go with the fish. There's not a wide choice but all the dishes are well made and well presented.

Obviously they are authentically Swedish in style, so enjoy them on their own terms without making banal comparisons with Italian cuisine. Attentive, courteous and lively service.

Only a short wait between ordering and being served, despite the fact that the restaurant was fully booked.

The wine list is not particularly extensive, but not bad, and one or two of their wines are out of this world.

Cost in line with average Swedish prices.

“Good food, excellent position” Reviewed on 08 May 2014 I came here for dinner with friends on a beautiful, sunny evening, so we were able to enjoy the magnificent position of this restaurant to the full. It was too cold to sit outside, but with floor-to-ceiling windows, we still had a fantastic view of the sunset. The food was very tasty and well prepared, and the portions were surprisingly large.

Our waitress, Beatrice, was impeccable: very friendly and very knowledgeable about the wine list.

This is a really beautiful restaurant and I would love to come back when it's warm enough to take a table outside and just settle down with that view.

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

After the Canadian logistics centre in Montreal, also the new American centre of the multinational Schlüter-Systems - in McCarran, 15 miles east of Reno, Nevada - has obtained the prestigious LEED Gold* certification from the Green Building Council.

The new American logistics centre of Schlüter-Systems occupies premises totalling 9,100 sqm, built on 2 floors – approximately 2,100 sqm of which are allocated to offices and training centre – while the ground floor houses the warehouse and distribution centre (approximately 7,000 sqm).

In line with the requirements of

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Leed Gold for the new Schlüter-Systems American logistics centre the ownership, the design engineers paid great attention to the aspects connected with energy saving, protection of the environment and an appropriate level of interior comfort.

The project therefore featured the use of a multitude of ecoefficient elements such as an underfloor heating and cooling system, solar and thermal panels, a sensor-regulated lighting system, a rainwater recovery system, maximum exploitation of sunlight, etc..

The wide use of ceramic, not only to clad internal walls and floors but also for the ventilated facades, was a very important element in achievement of the Gold certification.

Ceramic tiles do not retain

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dust, they are easy to clean and do not produce harmful substances (Voc), all elements that contribute to improving air quality. The type of ceramic chosen is produced using a body consisting of a high percentage of recycled materials and this is also very important.

A large green wall, i.e. an inner wall covered with ornamental plants and waterfall on two levels, acts as an air bio-filter.

The plants oxygenate the air, increase the level of internal humidity, absorb noise and create a green environment which has a positive effect on the mood and wellbeing of the people working inside.

The lighting system is regulated by sensors, and large sky-

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lights direct the maximum amount of natural light into the warehouse, laboratories and offices. All the work stations are located along the glass panels of the building, so that the employees can benefit from optimal internal comfort with the lowest energy consumption.

Installation of the Schl端ter速BEKOTEC-THERM patented underfloor heating-conditioning system also helped to significantly increase the LEED rating; this system, thanks to its minimum thickness and the low delivery temperatures required to bring the system to full operating capacity, guarantees a reaction to thermal variations 4 times faster than traditional underfloor heating

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*LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a certification issued by the GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute), which indicates the overall environmental impact of the construction and running of a building. To define the construction class, the GBCI evaluates 6 parameters, each of which is assigned a score; the sum of the individual scores gives the building the overall value determining its category.

The Gold category is the top.

SCHLÜTER-SYSTEMS RENO, SUPPORTING THE WEST COAST Built to support mainly the West Coast market, from the southern tip of California right up to the western border with Canada, the strategic position of the new innovative logistics centre guarantees availability of Schlüter-Systems products throughout America and provides quicker service for customers in the west.

Udo Schlüter - CEO - commented: “With this new logistics centre, we are able to guarantee delivery throughout North America in a maximum of 3 days. The distances in the continent are huge and the logistics centre in Canada alone could not guarantee the rapid delivery also required by customers living in the south or centre of the United States.

The American market is a rapidly growing market for our Group and now represents our main foreign market.”

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systems. The underfloor heating-conditioning system has also been connected to a geothermal plant comprising 36 wells and a special air exchange system, called Canadian-tunnel, able to maintain the air temperature inside constantly warmer than the external air during the winter and colder during the summer. This drastically reduces energy consumption of the heating and cooling systems and guarantees a constant comfortable internal temperature.

According to official figures, buildings comparable to the new SchlüterSystems logistics centre in Reno in terms of dimensions, use, geographical position and climate, have a total energy consumption cost of between 1.35$ and 1.55$ per square foot, whereas a cost of 0.44$ per square foot is estimated for the new Schlüter-Systems logistics centre. The integration of geothermal heat pumps, underfloor heating and cooling system and ventilated walls in ceramic has therefore produced exceptional energy saving: approximately 7075% compared to the traditional heating systems.

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design_zeromaggio.it

100% MADE IN ITALY SINCE 1965

www.stile.com

2014

CERSAIE

Cersaie 2014

Cersaie 2014: the showcase of surface coverings



When in January 2014 Confindustria Ceramica and BolognaFiere confirmed the Bologna exhibition centre as the show’s venue for the three-

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year period 2015-2017, they announced a series of measures designed to promote further interest in Cersaie on the part of the world of architecture.

This included the announcement that in 2014 the international show – already the largest event in the world in terms of participation by ceramic companies (482 at last

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year’s event) and bathroom furnishing firms (269) – would expand its product sectors to include leading producers of other floor and wall covering materials, such as marble,

Cersaie 2014

The Cersaie 2014 poster image Valentina Algeri For the competition “Beautiful Ideas” for Cersaie 2014, I wanted to create an image that would highlight the bond between humans and ceramics.

A union of utterly different materials that come together to harness energy capable of generating forms and projects of all kinds. The image of two hands clasping is the clearest expression of the meaning of “bond”.

It denotes different bodies merging together, just as the texture and matter of ceramics merge with human skin. The growth, development and evolution of human beings reflects that of ceramic, an age-old material that is nonetheless capable of modelling itself into increasingly

natural stone and wood.

Cersaie has thus become a complete showcase where visitors can discover a full range of surface covering materials. It allows them to make

contemporary and modern forms.

Thanks to the use of bright colours in the image, the observer’s gaze is drawn immediately to the hands, which stand out from the white background for their texture.

Born in Bresso in 1991, Valentina Algeri attended the Liceo Artistico Caravaggio high school in Milan. She has always had a passion for painting and graphic design and from a very young age has contributed to the creation of logos, coordinated images and packaging, taking part in numerous competitions. In 2011 she enrolled at the Arte & Messaggio school, where she is studying for a

a direct comparison between the various products and their respective benefits, instructions for use and technical and aesthetic characteristics.

career in the world of graphic design, publishing, advertising and web design.

It is an excellent opportunity for the new exhibitors located in Hall 22 who can benefit from the show’s well-established international appeal.

Last year’s event, Cersaie 2013,

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was attended by 100,769 registered visitors, including 46,535 international visitors from 157 countries, 4.2% up on Cersaie 2012.

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Cersaie 2014

What's new at the trade fair: new spaces for new initiatives Hall 22: Cersaie opens up to new sectors In addition to the core sectors of ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings, as of this year Cersaie is extending its range of exhibited products.

Leading companies in the field of floor and wall coverings

made of wood, natural stone, marble, resin, glass, natural fibres and wallpaper are displaying their very best products in Hall 22.

Hall 33: Cer-Sea Lightweight constructions integrated into the environment, the use of low-maintenance materials resistant to salt spray, designer furnishings that enhance the beach experience, and ideas enabling businesses to operate throughout the winter months are the key proposals put forward by Cer-Sea as ways of safeguarding one of Italy’s most important natural and economic resources.

The exhibit recreates two emotionally-engaging threedimensional beach resort scenarios, one in the summer and the other in the winter, in which a number of different businesses are envisioned as relocating to the coast to take advantage of the beauty of the natural landscape.

Bookstores, spas, gyms and fashion boutiques are just a few of the businesses that can help TILE EDIZIONI boost the coastal economy throughout the year, • Centro Servizi, press area as already occurs in various parts of the world.

• Pav. 19, press area The theme of the exhibition is of interest to all players in the domestic and international markets, including producer companies, retailers, construction firms and beach resort and hotel operators, as well as the general public who will use the new facilities. The exhibiting companies represent some of the key production sectors renowned for Italian style, including floor and wall tiles, furniture and bathroom furnishings.

The exhibition features a number of events allowing for further discussion of the topic while celebrating happy hour. On the evenings of Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 the exhibition will stay open longer and will host performances by some of the best known entertainers on the Adriatic coast.

A 1,200 sq.m concept event exploring the potential future development of beach resorts and marinas.

Aimed at both industry professionals and the general public, this visionary exhibition takes the impending deadline set by the European Union’s Bolkestein directive on state concessions as the starting point to explore the potential for future development of beach resorts. By examining the issue of the duration of concessions and necessary investments, we may be able to rethink our concept of beach resorts and the businesses that operate there.

This key issue for the national economy is explored at a major event showcasing Italian design and lifestyle.

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Hall 34: Tiling town The 8 apprentice tile layers at the school offer an outstanding example of what can be done to introduce young people into the labour market through a combination of vocational training and fieldwork. This success was based on close cooperation between professional organisations and the institutions, an area in which the province of Bolzano is the undisputed leader in Italy.

The demonstrations will be held from Monday 22 to Friday 26 September, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This is a demonstration and workshop space used for promoting a knowledge of the correct methods of installing ceramic tiles.

This year a group of 8 young apprentices attending the vocational college of Silandro (Bolzano, Italy) will take the spotlight to demonstrate the technical skills they have acquired in a short space of time thanks to the combined programme of professional training and fieldwork adopted

by South Tyrol colleges, modelled on similar institutions in German-speaking countries.

Hall 34: Master tile layers - Assoposa the Italian national association of tiling companies and tile layers set up during Cersaie 2013 (ASSOPOSA), will be holding the 4th specialisation course for the qualifications of Tile Layer and Master Tile Layer directly at the exhibition.

The course will consist of theory and practice sessions and will feature the participation of numerous qualified tile layers with many years of experience from various regions of Italy.

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Cersaie 2014

Building, Dwelling, Thinking.

Cersaie events / CALENDAR 2014  MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER, 3 p.m.

CERAMIC FUTURES: FROM POETRY TO SCIENCE FICTION-V2 Speakers: Stefano Mirti, Marco Mancuso Architecture Gallery – hall 21/22

Stefano Mirti, lecturer in design at Bocconi University in Milan, coordinates the Id-lab (Interaction Design Lab) projects in Turin.

After graduating from Turin Polytechnic, where he also did his research doctorate, he moved to Japan to do his post-doctorate (Tokyo University, Tadao Ando Lab).

He subsequently taught at the Tama Fine Art Academy in Tokyo.

Since 2006 he has been responsible for the NABA design programme and worked as a consultant for Turin World Design Capital 2008.

From 2001 to 2005 he was Associate Professor at the Interaction Design Institute in Ivrea, an education and research institute created by Olivetti and Telecom Italia.

Mirti has won the European Architectural Prize three times (in 1995, 1997 and 2001).

In 2004 he won the Bronze Medal for Cultural Merits of the Republic of Italy. His work has been exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, at the Triennale in Milan, at the Biennale in Venice and at the Beijing First Biennale of Architecture.

Marco Mancuso is a critic and curator in the field of digital technologies applied to arts, design and contemporary culture.

Founder and Editor-In-Chief at Digicult and Digimag Journal (part of The Leonardo Affiliate Program), he teaches “Multimedia Arts Theory” at MAIND Interaction Design Master at SUPSI in Lugano,“Web 2.0 & Media Art Management” at NABA

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Academy in Milan and “Digital Publishing for the Arts” at the Academy of Fine Art in Bergamo. He is visiting professor at Transmedia-Postgraduate Program in Arts+Media+Design in Brussels.

He recently developed the “Digicult Editions” online openpublishing service.

He has lectured nationally and internationally and written critical texts for media art publications and catalogues, articles, interviews and essays for Digicult.

He also curated for the magazine MCD-Musiques et Cultures Digitales the publication “The Open Future” - Issue 66 in 2012 and the carte-blanche “Art Industries” - Issue 74 in 2014. He was included in the publication Cultural Blogging in Europe

by LabForCulture.org in 2010. - Twitter: @digicult – http://www. digicult.it/

***

 TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, 10 a.m.

THE PLACE OF SOUND Speakers: Higini Arau, Lorenzo Palmieri, Saturnino Architecture Gallery – hall 21/22

Higini Arau has a Research Doctorate in Physical Sciences from the University of Barcelona.

He is an external professor on the Masters course of Acoustics at the Ramón Llull (La Salle) University of Barcelona, at UEM (European University of Madrid), at UN (University of Navarra), at UIC (International University of Catalonia) and others.

He has taught masters courses in various universities and technology centres in Spain.

Higini Arau has worked for 40 years as an acoustics consultant for many of the world’s leading architects.

His contribution to architecture through sound is recognised worldwide.

His work can be consulted on his personal website www. arauacoustic.com.

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Lorenzo Palmeri, architect, works in the fields of design, architecture, art direction, teaching, composition and music production.

His teachers include Bruno Munari and Isao Hosoe, with whom he collaborated for a number of years.

As an art director he has supervised a range of projects, including Milanosoundesign (with Giulio Iacchetti); “16 designer per Invicta”, 2007; DesignRe (with Giovanni Pelloso); Lefel (design project for publisher Feltrinelli) 2009-2010; Arthemagroup, 2010; Stone Italiana since 2012.

His projects have won or been selected for major national and international awards, including Good Design Award and various editions of the ADI Design Index.

He is currently working on the launch of the new album entitled “erbamatta” and on various design and architecture projects.

Saturnino is regarded by critics as one of the top international bassists.

A composer of both cult and popular music, Saturnino made his solo recording debut in 1995 with Testa di basso, an album that reveals his exceptional technical mastery and a never self-serving virtuosity, as well as outstanding compositional skills and eclecticism. Saturnino wrote all the tracks on Testa di basso and alternates on bass, drums and guitar. His 1991 meeting with Lorenzo Jovanotti was a turning point. The strong rapport established between the two spawned such successful tracks as L’ombelico del mondo, Io No, Penso Positivo and Salvami. Saturnino also provided the powerful rhythmic base for "Il mio nome è mai più", a track recorded by Pierò Pelù, Jovanotti and Ligabue in 1999 to

 TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, 3 p.m.

THE ARCHITECTURE OF CARME PINÓS Speaker: Carme Pinòs Architecture Gallery – hall 21/22

Carme Pinós has been a member of the Architects Association of Catalonia since 1987, an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects since 2011, and a Council member of the National Museum of Architecture and Urbanism of Spain since 2008.

After gaining international recognition for her work with Enric Miralles in projects such as the Igualada Cemetery, Carme Pinós set up her own practice in 1991, continuing projects which she had begun in her previous capacity, such as the Boarding School in Morella.

A few of her recent projects include the urban planning scheme for the historic centre of Saint Dizier (France); a building on the new campus of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Vienna (Austria); and Cube Tower II in Guadalajara (Mexico).

In Spain, her projects include the CaixaForum Cultural Centre and the Zaragoza Exhibition Centre; the regional office of the Generalitat in Tortosa; a redevelopment project in the centre of Barcelona comprising Plaça de la Gardunya, the Massana school of art, a block of flats and the rear façade of the popular Boqueria market; and a large social housing building in the Vallecas district of Madrid.

Her award-winning works include the Pedestrian Footbridge in Petrer (Alicante), the Juan Aparicio Seafront in Torrevieja and the Torre Cube I in Guadalajara (Mexico), the models of which were acquired by MOMA in 2006. *** follows » »

support Emergency.

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Building, Dwelling, Thinking.

Cersaie events / CALENDAR 2014  WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER, 10 a.m.

THE ARCHITECTURE OF JAVIER CORVALÁN Speakers: Javier Corvalán, Francesco Dal Co Architecture Gallery – hall 21/22

Javier Corvalán was born in Asunción, Paraguay in 1962.

He studied architecture at the Faculty of Science and Technology of UCA. He moved to Rome to pursue a doctorate in Redevelopment of urban centres and in 1990 began working as a freelancer with his own studio.

He has won numerous competitions for public and private projects, including the experimental theatre at the Manzana de la Rivera architectural complex, the municipal theatre in Asunción and the Centro Cultural de España. He was a finalist in the Ibero-American Architecture and Urban Design Biennial in 2002 and 2004. In 2000 he won the Contemporary Architecture award and set up the Architecture Workshop located in the city of Luque. He works as a post-graduate lecturer at various schools of architecture in Latin America and is a visiting professor at the Institute of Architecture and Urban Design in Venice, Italy.

In Asunción he teaches at Taller E of FADA UNA, which he founded, and is thesis professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology of UCA. Francesco Dal Co graduated in architecture in 1970 from the University Institute of Architecture of Venezia (IUAV), where he is now Professor of History of Architecture.

He has also been a Professor of the History of Architecture at the School of Architecture of Yale University (1982-1991) and at the Architecture Academy, Università della Svizzera Italiana (1996-).

He has been a member of the editorial committees of various specialist international

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magazines since 1996.

He founded the Andrea Palladio architecture award.

He has been on the juries of numerous national and international architecture competitions.

Since 1981 he has directed the architecture section of the Electa publishing house in Milan.

***

 THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER, 11 a.m.

TOYO ITO KEYNOTE LECTURE Speakers: Toyo Ito, Francesco Dal Co Palazzo dei Congressi

Toyo Ito, Pritzker prize winner for Architecture 2014, was born in Seoul in 1941.

Between 1965 and 1969 he graduated from the University of Tokyo, Department of Architecture, worked at Kiyonori Kikutake Architects & Associates, and founded his own practice Urban Robot (URBOT) in Tokyo.

In 1979 he changed the name of his studio to Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects.

Honours and awards won by Toyo Ito: 1986 Architecture Institute of Japan (AIJ) award for Silver Hut 1992 33rd Mainichi Art Award for Yatsushiro Municipal Museum 1998 Ministry of Education Award for the Encouragement of Arts for the Dome in Odate 1999 Japan Art Academy Prize for the Dome in Odate 2000 Accorded the Title “Academician” by The International Academy of Architecture 2000 The Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize in Architecture from American Academy of Arts and Letters 2001 Grand Prize of Good Design Award 2001 from Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO) for Sendai Mediatheque

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2002 Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of the 8th International Architecture Exhibition NEXT at the Venice Biennale 2003 Architectural Institute of Japan Prize for Sendai Mediatheque 2004 XX ADI Compasso d’Oro Award for Ripples (furniture design) 2006 Royal Gold Medal from The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA); Public Building Award for Sendai Mediatheque 2008 ADI Compasso d’Oro Award for the Stand Horm 2005; 6th Frederick Kiesler Prize for Architecture and the Arts 2009 Medalla de Oro from Circulo de Bellas Artes de Madrid 2010 The Asahi Prize 2009; the 22nd Praemium Imperiale in Honor of Prince Takamatsu 2012 Golden Lion for Best National Participation for the Japan Pavilion 13th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize

***

 THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER, 3 p.m.

TOYO ITO KEYNOTE LECTURE Speakers: Paolo Portoghesi, Marco Franchini, Paola Matino Architecture Gallery – hall 21/22

Paolo Portoghesi, architect, has spent his professional and personal life demonstrating that Gustav Mahler was right when he said that “Tradition is not the worship of ashes but the preservation of fire”. He designed the large Mosque in Rome and theatre in Catanzaro, an urban park in Abano and a Piazza in Poggioreale, the Latin Quarter in Treviso and a tower at the Città della Speranza children’s hospital in Padua. Outside Italy, his projects include the palace of King Hussein of Jordan, a Tower

project in Shanghai, the Mar Azul tourist district in Argentina, the Great Mosque of Strasbourg, a square in Pirmasens and a cultural centre in Khartoum. He began his academic career in 1962, teaching Italian literature at the Valle Giulia Architecture faculty of the Sapienza University of Rome. In 1968 he was appointed dean of the faculty of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Milan, then in 1975 he returned to the Sapienza University in Rome to teach “geoarchitecture”, a subject he himself invented which has the aim of persuading architects to respect nature and to embrace a practice of “happy degrowth”. In 1980 he opened the Architecture section of the Venice Biennale with Via Novissima, a virtual street that was subsequently transferred to Paris and San Francisco. He served as the chairman of the Venice Biennale from 1984 to 1993.

Marco Franchini has a degree in Psychology from the University of Bologna, with Clinical and Community Psychology as his area of specialisation. After graduating, he went on to study at the Istituto Sullivan in Florence to become an interpersonal psychoanalytic psychotherapist. He is Chairman of ASP (Human Services Company) “Giorgio Gasparini” in Vignola. He has given expert presentations at numerous conferences and has edited a range of publications including “Psychoanalysis of architecture. Space as a dimension of the soul”. He has organised a number of cultural events and has co-created and co-organised the Festival of Psychology in Bologna. He has long been working to bring together the non-speculative overall vision of the public sector with the efficient practical organisation typical of the private sector.

From welfare to WELLfare.

Since graduating in business economics and completing an Executive Masters degree in Business Administration at MIP, Polytechnic University of Milan, Paola Matino has gained wide experience in the field of general services and public finance.

She has worked as a researcher and manager, including a direct role in public utilities administration. She has also led workshops, published essays and co-authored books on industrial and network services. She is currently working in the integrated water sector and is involved in projects in the field of social and welfare services.

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Building, Dwelling, Thinking.

Cersaie events / CALENDAR 2014  FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER, 10 a.m.

RICCARDO BLUMER, LESSON IN REVERSE Speakers: Riccardo Blumer, Fulvio Irace Palazzo dei Congressi

Riccardo Blumer studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where he graduated in 1982. From 1983 to 1988 we worked at Mario Botta’s architecture practice in Lugano.

Since then he has worked as an architect and designer, working with companies such as Alias, Artemide, Desalto, Poliform, Ycami, B&B and Flou. He has designed public and private interiors including those of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and several exhibition installations, such as those of the Triennale di Milano and the Musée du Président Jacques Chirac.

In 1997 he received the Design Preis Schweiz award and in 1998 the Compasso d’Oro. As an architect his fields of activity include residential, tertiary and industrial buildings. He focuses on creativity in research methodologies and has developed a series of Physical Exercises for Design and Architecture, which he is presenting at numerous conferences for public and private organisations.

In 2010 his Laleggera chair for Alias and Entronauta chair for Desalto were included in the permanent collection at MoMA in New York.

Fulvio Irace is Full Professor of History of Architecture at Milan Polytechnic, Visiting Professor at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, and a member of the Academic Board for the PhD course in History of Architecture and Town Planning at Turin Polytechnic.

He is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Vico Magistretti Foundation and is on the board of trustees of the Piano Foundation. In 2008-2009 he was a member of the jury for the Mies van der Rohe European Prize.

From 2005 to 2009 he was a member of the Scientific Committee of the Trienniale in Milan and curator of the Architecture and Territory sector. One of the founders of the national association AAI (Italian Architectural Archives), he is one of the promoters of the Architecture and Design section of CASVA (Centre for Higher Studies and Promotion of the Arts) of the Municipality of Milan.

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Cersaie 2014

3rd Bologna Water Design Bologna "immerses itself" in water-related design From 22 to 27 September, in conjunction with Cersaie, the fascinating Ex Ospedale dei Bastardini, in Via D’Azeglio 41 in the centre of Bologna will open its doors for a presentation of design devoted to water.

This will include installations and new projects aimed at industry professionals, a showcase of excellence embracing surfaces and the bathroom, the outdoors

and food,design culture and sustainability.

Attended by about 15,000 people in 2013, this year the event has a floor space of more than 5,000 sq.m and showcases projects created by leading sector companies, internationally acclaimed architects and designers, a selection of emerging young talents and students at leading Italian design schools.

Make a note:  TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, 6,30 p.m.

STALIN WASHED INFREQUENTLY AND MARAT WAS ASSASSINATED IN A BATH.

A conversation on changing habits and the desire for bodily freedom with Philippe Daverio, Mario Botta and Mario Cucinella.

Conference Hall Ex Ospedale dei Bastardini, Via d’Azeglio 41

 WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER, 4.30 p.m.

THE WATER KIOSKS

Curated by Architects’ Journal for TURKISH CERAMICS

Conference Hall Ex Ospedale dei Bastardini, Via d’Azeglio 41

 THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER, 9.30 p.m.

TRIBUTE TO CAROSELLO

The video will use a selection of sketches inspired by the theme of water and liquids to trace the history of the curious and innovative phenomenon of Carosello, a fifteen-minute commercial programme aired on Italian television between 1957 and 1977. Curated by Face Creative Link Cortile Ex Ospedale dei Bastardini, Via d’Azeglio 41

 FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER, 7.00 p.m.

EXPO 2015: DESIGNING THE FUTURE, A FOCUS ON FOOD

Conversation on initiatives curated by Bologna during EXPO 2015, with Alessandro Bonfiglioli, Director General of CAAB, which will host the project F.I.Co “Eataly World” Conference Hall Ex Ospedale dei Bastardini, Via d’Azeglio 41

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Cersaie 2014

Vittorio Borelli: Cersaie evolution generates value



On the eve of the opening of Cersaie 2014, we asked Vittorio Borelli, Chairman of Confindustria Ceramica, for his views on the evolution of the ceramic and bathroom furnishing trade fair that continues to confirm its status as the world's most important event for the industry. The main subject for discussion was obviously the decision to open the event up to new sectors, and hence to carefully selected manufacturers of covering materials other than ceramic tiles. This was a bold decision, and we entirely agree with the strategic reasons explained by the Chairman.

Tile International: What are the key figures for Cersaie 2014?

Vittorio Borelli: “Cersaie has again confirmed its position as the world's leading trade fair for the ceramic and bathroom furnishing industry. This leadership has been consoli-

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dated over many years, as testified by the complete sell-out of all available exhibition space in this and previous editions.

This 32nd edition of Cersaie will welcome 892 exhibitors from 38 countries (that's three more nationalities than last year), of which no less than 335 are from abroad.These figures point to marked growth, even compared with last year, against a backdrop of a continuous, steady rise in the proportion of international exhibitors at Cersaie, which has now reached 37.55%. This is probably a record, not just at a national but at a European level.”

Tile International: Cersaie has always been dedicated to ceramics and bathroom furnishing, but is opening its doors this year to other sectors. What are your feelings about this?

V. Borelli: “This is a significant new development, which has taken shape since the beginning of this year and has al-

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ready attracted a substantial following, despite the fact it has only been going on for a few months. For the first time in its history, Cersaie has extended the invitation to book exhibition space to manufacturers of floor and wall coverings made of materials other than ceramic, for residential and non-residential applications.

The aim is to inject new value into the event from the point of view of professional visitors, who are the essential other half of every trade event, by giving them the opportunity to explore and compare various categories of products – that now range from ceramic and bathroom furnishing to other covering materials – on a single occasion, under a single roof. In other words, with a single visit to Cersaie, representatives of national and international distributors will be able to see the latest worldwide offerings of all the products that they deal in – and which are already on display together in Italian and international showrooms anyway. This is something that no other trade event in Europe offers, and it also has the major advantage of optimising the time and money spent on business travel to trade shows.

The more inclusive structure of Cersaie has also generated value for the new sectors invited to take part in the

event, and their reaction has been very positive, which testifies to the fact that our strategy is correctly formulated and adds value to Cersaie as a whole.”

Tile International: The calendar of events at Cersaie 2014 includes Cer-Sea. What exactly is this?

V. Borelli: “The European Bolkestein Directive will raise the cost of state property licenses for beaches allocated for use as bathing establishments, and will force the management of such establishments to make investments aimed at increasing the income generated by the property they use under licence, in order to recoup margins and opportunities.

To do this, it is essential to increase the amount of time for which such facilities are used, in terms of both number of hours per day and number of months per year.

As a peninsula with over 5,000 km of coastline, furthermore, Italy sees tourism as an industry with the potential to sustain the country's economic development; and since the tourist industry is labour-intensive, it also has the potential to yield positive results on the employment front. It should also be added that manufacturers of ceramic and bathroom furnishing products, amongst others, produce materials that lend themselves well to this type of

Cersaie 2014

application, which despite attracting little attention, offers extraordinary economic potential. By bringing all these considerations together, Cersaie's organisers came up with the idea of Cer-Sea. Occupying an area of 1,200 square metres in hall 33, CerSea replicates a beach with two bathing establishments set up on it. The first is a summer version and the second is a winter version, to demonstrate how – by organising the various activities that can be undertaken in such locations – Italian and European beaches can be brought to life 12 months a year, for more hours per day.”

Tile International: Is Cer-Sea more of an exhibition or an event?

V. Borelli: “It's an event that generates events, in the sense that this area has many innovative aspects, both in terms of exhibiting products and using the space itself.To call it an exhibition would be to sell it short, because it will be displaying high-quality products

that will be introduced and explained by dedicated personnel, but the primary aim is to develop new ideas and stimuli for the hospitality sector. For this reason, the event includes products other than ceramic and bathroom furnishings, such as exercise bikes made by top-flight Italian manufacturers and cabins made of wood and other materials, because one of the fundamental ideas is to make the transition from displaying a product to enacting a situation and its environment.

Making this transition, which includes cultural aspects, means defining a new mode of networking between companies and the market, which is a first both for Cersaie and for the Italian and European trade fair sector.”

Tile International: What opportunities does Cersaie offer for shining the spotlight on tile installers?

V. Borelli: “Tile installers are among Cersaie's most important attendees, because

despite being a finished product, ceramic tiles need skilled tradespeople to install them to high professional standards if those tiles are to realise their full potential. The subject of tile installation is therefore extremely important, and for the third year running, Cersaie is organising "Città della Posa", the area where work in progress and professional training converge to demonstrate the potential of the work of professionally qualified tilers. A conference between the European and North American tile associations will be held on Thursday 25 September, to provide a forum for a transatlantic exchange of ideas. Lastly, this year marks the first anniversary of the foundation of Assoposa, the association that brings together the best tradespeople and provides continuous training, and we will have a chance to find out about their future development goals.”

Tile International: What is on the cultural programme "Building, Dwelling,Thinking" this year?

V. Borelli: “In step with the evolution of ceramics from products designed primarily for residential building applications to products aimed at a vast range of other architectural applications, Cersaie's conferences have developed to embrace topics relating to design and great architecture.

So for the sixth consecutive year, Cersaie's guests will include a Pritzker Prize winner, and this year's keynote lecture will be given by Toyo Ito (Thursday 25 September).

A wide range of other interesting conferences will be held as part of "Building, Dwelling, Thinking", and will involve highprofile Italian and foreign contributors, all of whom play a leading role in architectural design all over the world.

An important new development this years is that all of the "Building, Dwelling, Thinking" conferences entitle members of professional architects' associations to training credits, thus testifying to the acknowledged quality and value of the conferences held.”

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ProFessIonAl DIAmonD Tools Cutting...

Porcelain ...no problem!!

Drilling...

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From 22 to 26 september Welcome to:

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CERSAIE 2014 Gallery

Cersaie 2014

DECO D’ANTAN

Tagina

Déco D’Antan is a true “ceramic system” for adding a fresh touch of elegance to residential spaces and is ideal for contract projects with a

Tile International 3/2014

strong, individual character.

With an artful mix of contrasting glazes, the geometric patterns and textured floral motifs enhance surfaces and

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turn them into a veritable design feature that is soft to the touch and striking to the eye.

The combination of colours, patterns and contrasts – the

Cersaie 2014

three distinctive elements of the Déco d’Antan collection – gives interior designers maximum creative freedom and creates a dramatic visual impact.

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INSTALLATION SYSTEM FOR SLIM, LARGE-FORMAT TILES Raimon

di

1

2 The market’s embrace of slim ceramic tiles in sizes that were unimaginable until a few years ago has highlighted the importance of offering comprehensive systems.

These innovative materials need an all-new (or almost) installation system and the equipment to go with it. There can be no denying the fact that now more than ever, the success of a ceramic product is inextricably linked with the necessary equipment to install it correctly.

That’s why Raimondi SpA’s R&D department devotes so much effort to the design of specific tools for slim ceramic tiles (and the large formats that these tend to come in), which provide a practical solution to the problem of handling, cutting, finishing and installing such materials. So these days it’s more appropriate to talk about systems rather than stand-alone products.

• For handling smaller formats (60x60cm/120x120cm) Raimondi SpA offers standard two- and three-suction-cup systems and “vacuum” suction cup systems, the latter of which are essential for handling textured surfaces. For larger formats (up to 320x160cm), the Modena-based company’s R&D department has developed various types of frame for pick-up

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and positioning (such as “EASYMOVE” with cross-members), and the brand new “CAM300” trolley, which is ideal for transporting one or more tiles and facilitating the safe spreading of adhesive on the back of the tile (1).

• The “FREE-CUT” guides and accessories, meanwhile, offer a complete solution for the cutting of large-format tiles (up to 426 cm in length), either by splitting or with a diamond-tipped disc. The all-new “FREE-FLEX 90° TILTING” and “FREEFLEX 35°/55°” cutting units warrant special attention. Fitted in “FREECUT” guides, they enable you to make dry cuts with diamond-tipped discs, breaks in the middle of the tile and bevels (mitre cuts) with angles of 35° to 55°. All this can be done on materials up to 25 mm thick and 426 cm long (2).

• The system is completed with a wide range of other products, including the “BM180” (3) modular bench designed specifically for large-formats, the adhesive spreaders with inclined notches for optimum coverage, and the R.L.S. levelling system that now includes a 1mm-thick base for even narrower joints (4).

Further info and details: www.raimondispa.com/freeline/

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4

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SISTEM N20 ca i n c e zzi T a r a M

SistemN20 by Marazzi Tecnica is a range of 60 x 60 cm porcelain tiles that is available in five neutral colour tones. The fact that the tiles

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are 20 mm thick means that they can withstand high loads and stress, which makes SistemN20 ideal for laying outdoors both in pub-

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lic and in private spaces (in gardens, terraces, gazebos, etc.). The tiles are also frostproof, fire-proof, weather-proof, and highly chemical-resist-

ant. SistemN20 tiles are quick and easy to lay, and can be walked on immediately after being put down. The dry-lay flooring system is quick and

Cersaie 2014

clean as it does not require the use of adhesives or grout.

The large porcelain tiles can be easily removed and reused.

The raised-floor system helps to reduce unevenness and structural movements while increasing heat and sound insulation. The space be-

tween the flooring and the ground can be used for laying piping and cabling, which are then very easy to inspect.

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Cersaie 2014

DURABASE DD 80++ Dural

Dural brings a breath of fresh air to outdoor environments. Using specific, new products for the sealing and drainage of coverings, the German company offers a dependable basis on which to design aesthetically attractive

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floors with no complications: Durabase DD 80++ drainage matting was developed as a stable and totally sealed substrate for coverings with high levels of permeability.

The low overall thickness of the matting (8 mm), makes it easy to handle, without com-

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promising the high drainage performance that facilitates quick drying of the floor surface. The system is suitable for fixed installation on screeds (drainage screed or reaction resin screed) or as a substrate for direct installation on a gravel bed.

www.topcer.com

The Penny Hill Lounge, Dublin - Eire

St. Patrick’s Church, Lisburn - N. Ireland

SPA Hotel Aulanko - Finland

Private House in Oldtown, Dublin - Eire

EXPORT OFFICE: Largo da Estação, 8-2° Fte 2750-340 Cascais Portugal Tel. +351 214 844 788/9 - Fax +351 214 841 091 E-mail: lx@topcer.com FACTORY: Zona Industrial de Oiã 3770-908 Oiã Portugal Tel. +351 234 722 395 - Fax +351 234 722 397 E-mail: av@topcer.com

Singer Building, St. Petersburg - Russia

Cersaie 2014

GRAN GALAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

r s e c a Petr

Capturing the wild dimension of beauty and reproducing it in the form of high-level decoration: this is the aim of Gran GalĂ , the new collection designed by Angelo Marchesi, which is a triumphantly original development of one of the most recurrent themes in design and fashion, namely animal motifs.

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Subjects like the leopard, eagle and snake, with their untamed beauty and indifference to human affairs, are some of the most symbolic emblems known to man, and are deployed here as fully fledged interior visions, giving a glimpse of a primordial world that has been lost and rediscovered.

Cersaie 2014

The sober and understated colour treatment, which involves black, white and grey only, has been embellished with the worldly brilliance of glitter, which underscores and defines the textures of the designs with an entirely unexpected effect.

Attenuated by the elegance of the colouring, the wild nature of these animals is illuminated by reflections and highlights.

Designed for use in a uniform or lined pattern, the large animal subjects can be further accentuated with an outline of coordinated strips or with the striking new

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tattoo accent, which pays homage to an ancestral idea of tribalism that never ceases to win new adherents.

Captured, tamed and celebrated in the great feast of decoration: such is the beauty of wild nature, in the elegant form of Gran GalĂ .

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Cersaie 2014

36B3 - 36C3

Sigma

• 36B3 Tile edge machining system: Designed for precision chamfering on large-format porcelain tile (such as Laminam or Kerlite) and other materials.

Makes use of patented solutions to ensure the uniformity of the chamfer along the full length of the machined edge.

Produces flat chamfers at any angle from 22° to 90°. Also produces round, bullnose chamfers. Can also be used for finishing

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the sides of the tile.

• 36B3+36C3 Tile edge machining system.

The 36B3 machine, in conjunction with kit 36C3, is suitable for the same machining processes as the 36B3. It must be fixed to a bench and is recommended for machining long, narrow tiles such as skirting boards and strips with a thickness of 3-20mm.

Extremely high definition.

Skirting tiles have been around for a long time.

To keep pace with the latest developments in the ceramic tile market, we have created products in new sizes (up to 60 cm) and with unique decorations.

How have we achieved this?

By investing in a state-of-the-art production facility that uses extremely high definition digital printing technologies.

Turning yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dreams into todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s realityâ&#x20AC;Ś With Ceramica Incontro, the future of skirting is already here.

Cersaie 2014

CROWN - SEQUOIA HIMBA E S ge

erami

k

â&#x20AC;˘ Crown - HD Inkjet Digital Porcelain - is a new collection that draws inspiration from the elegance of genuine natural stone.

The wide variety of sizes is available with a matt surface finish, in grey and beige, and is enriched with mosaics.

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Sizes: 30x60; 45x45; 33x33 and mosaics. â&#x20AC;˘ The Sequoia series features a textured surface like natural wood, with warm colours such as oak, ice, smoke and walnut.

The 15x60 size is made using the mould

for R10 non-slip tiles for indoor and outdoor use. â&#x20AC;˘ Himba collection - HD Inkjet Digital Porcelain - combines the strength, durability and high performance of glazed porcelain with the natural charm of wood

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effects.

Available in beige, grey and brown with R10 non-slip surface for indoor and outdoor use.

The 15x60 format is made using the mould for mosaics.

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Cersaie 2014

MEGABROOKLYN, XAMURAY, PERFETTO

Monto

lit

Brevetti Montolit has extended its Brooklyn range of water-cooled electric tile saws with the new Megabrooklyn series of outstandingly precise, robust machines. Their frames are made of tubular steel to ensure rigidity and stability, two absolute imperatives for obtaining precise cuts on large formats, and the frame also undergoes a special rust-proofing treatment before powderpainting. All the components are made of stainless steel, galvanised steel or aluminium.

Other distinctive features of the Megabrooklyn series include: bridge structure, ultra-flat 3HP motor for tackling even the toughest materials with thicknesses of up to 10 cm, linear guide in anodised aluminium with a special profile for ensuring maximum precision even for mitre cuts, “Instinct” patented protractor guide for making measuring quick and consistent at all angles, and “DNA line” super-professional diamond disc for porcelain tile, marble and granite.

The majority of the wiring for the electrical components is housed in the tubular sections of the frame so that it does not get caught on things during use or transport.

Special attention has also been paid to maintenance and handling: the water tank, which is made of indestructible ABS, can be removed easily to facilitate cleaning, and the legs, which are also made of tubular steel, fold away easily beneath the table.

Available in cutting sizes 133, 163 and 193 cm, Megabrooklyn is the perfect weapon for tackling all the latest-generation materials.

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Montolit’s diamond cutter programme pays particular attention to tools for machining ceramic, and in the field of water-cooled cutting tools for bench-top saws, the company has developed two new diamond discs: Xamuray and Perfetto The two discs are made in the most widely used diameters.

They look similar but in fact they are based on two specific and totally different techniques: Xamuray is designed for maximum

performance in terms of speed, whereas Perfetto is aimed at totally clean cuts with zero chipping.

What the two new discs both have in common, though, is their extreme versatility, which makes them ideal for all types of ceramic, from the most delicate double-fired products to the toughest slimline porcelain tiles, via the various types of single-fired tile, terracotta, klinker and vitrified or textured tile.

celebrate the past create the future

M A D E I N I TA LY

Cersaie 2014

HOLLAND BLUE Sphinx

Holland Blue is a collection of floor and wall tiles from the catalogue of the historic “Dutch Tiles” company, better known by the trademark “Sphinx”.

The purity of the colours and finishes of this new Holland Blue series accentuates the

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sober, elegant, right-angled finish of the edge of these tiles, which are manufactured in the traditional 15x15 cm format.

Despite its contemporary, minimalist appearance, the product actually derives from the centuries-old tradition of Delftware, which is

famed throughout the world for the originality of its blue decorations, that earned fame as early as the 17th Century.

Holland Blue can also be combined with the tones of the Spectrum collection, which is available in countless colours and suited to

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the widest imaginable range of styling requirements and installation techniques.

In order to meet market demand for future restoration and renovation work, Sphinx guarantees the availability of the Spectrum collection until 2040.

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Cersaie 2014

DRAIN SYSTEM c e t i l i f Pro

1

Drain-System is a shower system comprising three products dedicated to professional installers.

1. Linear Drain is a linear drain system for flush-mounted showers, which is ideal for modern, design-focused environments. Available in a comprehensive range to cater for all types of customisation, Linear Drain is compatible with the characteristics of latestgeneration ceramic coverings in terms of both format and thickness.

2. Square Drain is a square drain outlet for use in conjunction with Linear Drain, for indoor and outdoor applications. Square Drain stands out for its strategic features, such as its height of just 5.6 cm and its steel monobloc construction. It is equipped with three different grilles: the minimalist Plano, the high-tech Star and the built-in Tile

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version for tiling.

3. Foiltec is a water-repellent membrane certified by the French institute CSTB, that is capable of containing water and damp beneath both floor and wall coverings. Compatible with adhesives for ceramic, it also serves as a separator.

The Drain-System, comprising Linear Drain, Square Drain and Foiltec, is complemented by the introduction of three new profiles for the installation of wall tiles in showers. Designed to simplify the task of tiling, they act as a transition piece between sloping tiled shower trays and the surrounding floor and/or wall coverings.

The technical solution takes the form of two tapered profiles, each with a left-hand and right-hand version, plus a front profile for installation parallel to the shower drain.

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DISPLAYS & SHOWROOMS - CONCEPT, DESIGN & MANUFACTURING 22 路 26 Settembre AreA 44 路 StAND 55

Marocchi s.r.l.

Via G. Di Vittorio, 3 40020 Casalfiumanese (Bologna) Italy

tel. +39 0542 666136 Fax +39 0542 666762

marocchi@marocchi.com www.marocchi.com

Cersaie 2014

FLORENCE Top

Cer

Florence, together with Kaliningrad, Bucharest, Sofia, Poznan and Budapest, are the latest additions to Topcerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extensive collection of Victorian designs and borders.

The pattern on Florence 15x15 cm tiles

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includes lozenges, triangles and strips. The pieces, including edges and corners, are back-sheet-mounted for accurate joint alignment and easy installation.

The Florence collection of unglazed

porcelain tile. Size (mm): modular sheets 393x196 These new products can be seen at Cersaie, Stand C-66, Hall 36, and at www.topcer.com /Victorian designs

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CLIP

ica v i o n Eter

â&#x20AC;˘ Vertical Edge Clip is designed to solve a problem that affects all outdoor flooring, namely knocks to the edge of the covering when there is no perimeter wall. Vertical Edge Clip is an innovative system for easy and elegant closure of the perimeter space that forms around raised flooring. The solution consists of two

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special, stainless steel clips. Positioned over the top and under the base of the Eterno Ivica support, these create a seat with jaws that grip the portion of flooring trimmed to fit the space to be filled, while also preventing slippage of the horizontal plates thanks to the locking mechanism located at the end of the floor edge clip.

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â&#x20AC;˘ Plate Edge Clip is designed to prevent contact between plates and the perimeter wall in outdoor raised flooring.

Made entirely of stainless steel, it acts as an absorber for longitudinal and transverse expansion of the flooring. It also creates elegant, linear perimeter joints, while at the same time enhancing the stability of the flooring.

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AMARCORDG Rondin

e

roup

Like the famous film by Federico Fellini from which it takes its name, the Amarcord series looks back in time and recalls familiar colours and flavours.

And around these colours, Amarcord is designed as a covering system for the entire

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home, with the appearance of concrete-terracotta and varnished wood.

The tiles proudly display signs of age, with marked variations in tone that emphasise the natural beauty of the reproduction of both the concrete-terracotta and the

Cersaie 2014

parquet.

Amarcord is available in the following combinations: - wood effect, in a pressed 15x100 cm format, in four colours that can be coordinated with those of the concrete-terra-

cotta: White Wood, Turtledove Wood, Brown Wood, Lead Wood - terracotta effect, in sizes 60.5x60.5 60x60 - 30.5x60.5 - 30x60, in Sand, Burnt, Brown, Turtledove, Lead and White.

Like all Rondine products, the Amarcord

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series complies with the principles of eco-compatible industrial production, in accordance with UNI EN ISO 14001 standards, using clays made up of 40% recycled material.

Tile International 3/2014

Cersaie 2014

PRODESO le i f o r ss P e r g Pro

The innovative Prodeso Heat System is a time-saving, cost-effective way of installing warm, high-comfort flooring. The Prodeso Heat Membrane is a polypropylene separating, crack-isolating, waterproof membrane with rounded square reliefs.

With its low-profile design - the height of the membrane is only 5.5 mm (Âź inch) Prodeso Heat is the perfect solution for remodelling projects where the new floor needs to transition over an existing surface.

Thanks to its separating and crack-isola-

Tile International 3/2014

ting properties, furthermore, it is possible to install tile and floor heating over a variety of difficult substrates and to eliminate some of the otherwise necessary expansion joints.

The Prodeso Heat Cable can be installed only in the areas where heat is required, reducing the running costs of the overall system while increasing the comfort and value of your home. Tiles are installed directly on top of the heating cable: the heat will transfer rapidly and efficiently to the tiles above for instant comfort and enjoyment.

The thermostat allows you to program and

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control your floor heating cycles, thus optimising comfort and minimising running costs.

The entire Prodeso Heat System - membrane, floor heater and tiling - can be installed in a single day.

The patented Prodeso Heat System by Progress Profiles brings you the comfort and convenience of under-floor electric radiant heating, without the extra time and cost associated with conventional systems.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, it can be used as primary or secondary heat source in an endless variety of applications.

s

beFAST be

14814 Visual Comunicazione - Venezia

Easy, light and quick...

in a click!

MEGAMART is the new support for external raised flooring which can be used with all types of flooring without demolition thanks to its wide millimetrical adjustment.

Installation speed. Innovative MEGAMART system allows to reduce time of laying always guaranteeing excellent results.

Easy inspection without demolition. Raised flooring is laid directly on supports.

Perfect levelness of the final flooring thanks to the regulation nut and slope corrector which allow millimetric heights movements.

APPOINTMENTS IN 2014 CERSAIE BIG 5

Bologna 22>26 september

Dubai 17>20 november

IMPERTEK Srl | Via Po 507 | 30022 Ceggia | Venezia Tel. +39 0421 322 525 | Fax +39 0421 322 756 info@impertek.com | www.impertek.com

Cersaie 2014

CEMENTO - EASY PORTO R ako

â&#x20AC;˘ Cemento is a new floor tile that perfectly replicates cement screed.

Modern digital printing technology is used to produce the precise surface texture of Cemento.

With R9 and R10B slip-resistance, the series is suitable for outdoor areas and other wet areas. Mosaics and accents lift the otherwise restrained tone of the surfaces. The interaction with Deco,

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another new series, creates an exciting contrast in both floor and wall coverings.

The Cemento bathroom series comprises the following: calibrated tiles in sizes 30x60 cm and 60x60 cm, accents in 30x60 cm, mosaic in 5x5 cm (mounted on 30x30 cm mesh), stair tiles in 30x60 cm and skirting tiles in 60x9.5 cm.

Colours: light grey, grey and light beige. â&#x20AC;˘ Easy: Fresh colours make many things

Cersaie 2014

appear lighter. Floral motifs in white, beige and grey provide the range with an elegant look.

To complement the plain-coloured field tiles, you can choose from a range of lively stylistic devices, including striped accents, mosaics and strips.

Field tiles 20x40 cm, accents 20x40 cm, strips 40x2 cm, mosaics 5x5 cm (mounted on 30x30 cm mesh).

Colours: White, beige, grey, yellow, violet and orange. Matching floor tiles from the Trend series in size 45x45 cm. â&#x20AC;˘ Porto is a youthful series of tiles with a lot of freshness and interesting details.

Conspicuous: The full-surface, tone-on-tone accents with a printed effect.

Vertical stripes alternate irregularly with horizontal ones.

The white accents with two horizontal

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slashes are equally distinctive, and visually divide the 20x60 format into three narrow strips.

The Porto bathroom series comprises the following: Field tiles 20x60 cm, accents 20x60 cm, strips 60x3.5 cm. Single colours: White, light beige, brown-grey, grey-beige, red and yellow-green.

Matching floor tiles from the Trend series in size 60x60 cm.

Tile International 3/2014

Cersaie 2014

S.A.P.3 A

ste y s l a nd

Produced by Andalsystem, a specialist manufacturer of products for the installation of floor and wall tiles, the S.A.P.3, 1 mm levelling spacer is an all-new system for installing large-format, edge-ground tiles. Innovative and multi-functional, the S.A.P.3levelling spacer is the ideal solution to problems of height differences between tiles. It speeds up the tiling process, delivers first-class results and minimises the scope for complaints.

Tile International 3/2014

m

S.A.P.3 is also an ideal levelling spacer for the installation of ultra slim products, such as Kerlite and Slimtech. Thanks to the tie-rod that reduces joints between tiles to 1 mm, and the longer levelling wedge (10 cm) than other wedges on the market, it produces a totally flat surface.

The S.A.P.3 levelling spacer is easy to use and does not require any additional tools for fitting and removal: simply place two or more tie-rods beneath the tiles, about 10 cm

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from the corners and insert the wedge into the tie-rod, pushing it in until the tiles are aligned. Once the adhesive is fully set, simply kick the tie-rod in line with the joint to remove it.

The S.A.P.3 levelling spacer is essential equipment for professional tilers faced with the difficulty of delivering perfect installation results when external factors are against them (adhesive shrinkage, uneven tiles, etc.).

MADE IN ITALY

DESIGN YOUR SHOWROOM

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing better than being recognised by our clients all over the world. Our brand represent our character and personality first and foremost; it describes who we are in just a few words.

Casetti Evolution SRL - Via De crescenzi 40, 48018 Faenza (RA) - ITALY Tel +39 0546 43172 Email: commerciale@casettievolution.it Web: www.casettievolution.it

Cersaie 2014

MORE&MOREC

rso o o Nuov

More&More is an extruded porcelain floor tile with incredible physical flexibility, produced in an innovative 20x180 cm format and inspired by the latest trends in

Tile International 3/2014

wood parquet with their high degree of tonal variegation.

The series is available in two colours, grey and beige, which can also be used in con-

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junction with one another, to create a combination of multiple nuances that give a strong sense of character to interior designs.

Despite their large size, the typical flexibility

Cersaie 2014

of the material makes these tiles extremely easy to install.

For NuovoCorso, More&More is the perfect example of a new dimension for living-spaces, characterised by design, functionality, aesthetics, technology, comfort and quality.

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Cersaie 2014

MEGAMART I mpert

Megamart is an innovative system for dry-installation of raised flooring, with Impertek supports, that makes all types of flooring quick and easy to produce and ready for immediate use.

Porcelain tile, marble, granite, wooden floorboards, wooden composite (WPC) and any type of plate of any size: there is no limit in terms of material or size for the wide range of fixed and adjustable Impertek supports that always deliver an end-result of a lightness that would

Tile International 3/2014

ek

have been unimaginable until now.

Ideal for outdoor installation in terraces, gardens, gazebos, poolsides, patios, etc., Impertek supports enable you to create perfectly flat floors every time, by eliminating uneven surfaces and slopes.

They allow quick run-off of water from the spaces used to accommodate various types of technical system, which also remain easily accessible for inspection and repair.

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Capable of withstanding and absorbing both the low-intensity footfall associated with private outdoor areas and the high-intensity traffic of public environments, the raised system enables you to create a cavity between the finished floor and the base that promotes thermal and acoustic insulation and facilitates normal structural movements, thereby preventing cracking and breakage, even in harsh climates.

Cersaie 2014

ROMANED

esvre

s

Romane is a collection of edge-ground porcelain tiles made in sizes 60x60 and 30x60 cm.

They are available in four colours: Aulnay, Talmont, Solignac and Pons.

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Cersaie 2014

SCHLÜTER LIPROTEC S ®

Schlüt

The Schlüter-Systems products on display at the world’s leading trade fair for the tile industry will include new complete sets for elegant accent lighting of stairs, mirrors and decorative areas. As logical comple-

s ystem

er

ments to the illuminated Schlüter®LIPROTEC profile technology, these sets will be displayed in attractive show installations at the company’s stand at the Bologna trade event. The company’s entire portfolio

of elegant, illuminated profile technology will, of course, be on display as well. Pictured: : Schlüter®-LIPROTEC illuminated profile technology will feature prominently at the company’s stand.

SCHLÜTER TREP-EFK ®

Schlüter-Systems will also be displaying new solutions in Cersaie’s “Technology and design with profiles” area. These include Schlüter®-TREP-EFK, an elegant stainless

Tile International 3/2014

steel profile that is either glued into the appropriate milled groove using installation adhesive, or fixed onto the stair treads at a later stage. The special non-slip tread

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ensures secure grip on stairs.

Pictured: Schlüter®-TREP-EFK is a new stainless steel profile for stair steps with non-slip tread.

Cersaie 2014

HAVANA

AMICHE R CE FAP

The non-ground Havana range, which is available in the traditional 20 x 50 cm format in six different colours, features textures and motifs inspired by maiolica tin-

Tile International 3/2014

glazed pottery from the Italian Renaissance.

The collection is completed by a range of exclusive square 30.5 x 30.5 cm mosaic tiles, to which two new de-

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signs have been added: “Esagoni”, which features a sophisticated two-tone pattern of grey hexagons, and “Maiolica”, which has a deliberately irregular motif.

Cersaie 2014

The elegant “Folk” inserts are available in the colours Cacao, Amaranto and Avio, and are offered with two different designs: Insert A has a floral motif and Insert B features an

original mixture of maiolica-inspired patterns.

The 20 x 100 cm “Natural Mix 2” insert is also new and alternates the rich, intense tones of Havana with white stripes

of differing widths.

Havana wall tiles can be paired with various FAP porcelain floor tiles, such as those in the “Docks” and “Nuances” ranges.

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Cersaie 2014

WILD WOOD C

ercom

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Cersaie 2014

Wild Wood is a new series of fine glazed porcelain tile produced in size 15x90 cm with a thickness of 9.7 mm.

Designed for residential and light commercial use, the Wild Wood series is available in grey, sand and brown, and includes an extensive range of accents/mosaic:

• 30x30 cm sheet of mosaic • Retrò, 15x90 cm • Retrò Glitter fascia, 1cm 5x90 • Reflex strip 1.5x100 cm • Iron strip 1x100 cm The series also includes skirting board (7.5x90 cm) and the “Square” step (36x118 cm).

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Exhibition Calendar Links BUILD ASIA Karachi, Pakistan – 23/25 September 2014 SAIE Bologna, Italy – 22/25 October 2014 THE BIG 5 SHOW Dubai (EAU) – 17/20 November 2014 ARCHITECT@WORK-ITALY Milano, Italy – 19/20 November 2014 BEST 5 ALGERIA – DECOR EXPO Algiers, Algeria – 20/23 November 2014 DOMOTEX Hannover, Germany – 17/20 January 2015 BAU 2015 Munich, Germany – 19/24 January 2015 CEVISAMA Valencia, Spain – 9/13 February 2015 UNICERA Istanbul, Turkey – 24/28 February 2015 REVESTIR São Paulo, Brazil – 3/6 March 2015 ISH Frankfurt, Germany – 10/14 March 2015 MADE expo Milan, Italy – 18/21 March 2015 KERAMIKA Jakarta, Indonesia – 19/22 March 2015 DOMOTEX ASIA/CHINAFLOOR Shanghai, China – 24/26 March 2015 BATIMAT RUSSIA Moscow, Russia - 31 March/3 April 2015 MOSBUILD CERSANEX Moscow, Russia – 14/17 April 2015 COVERINGS Orlando, Florida (USA) – 14/17 April 2015 STONE+TEC Nuremberg, Germany – 13/16 May 2015 DOMOTEX TURKEY Gaziantep, Turkey – 25/28 May 2015

Tile International 3/2014

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in text

Media planning and advertising.

→

Media relations.

→

Direct e-mail Marketing.

Restrained Measured

G e n t l e FORCEFUL a c c o m o d a t i n g

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Familiar

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Content for websites, blogs and social media.

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Database creation.

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Dignified

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R e s p e c t f u l

Economic and technical articles, case histories, interviews and product data sheets.

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EMPHATIC Restrained F i r m L i v e l y Determined CONSIDERATE

Sincere

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National and international press office.

Forceful

Passionate Discreet

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Diplomatic

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INFORMAL LOFTYS o l e m n

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Passionate

informal

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Choose the TONE of your communication.

Organisation of events, technical conferences, open houses, workshops and educational initiatives.

INtono Comunicazione offers the services of Villa Marchetti, an eighteenth-century villa in Baggiovara (Modena) that has rooms equipped for any kind of event. www.villamarchetti.it

INtono Comunicazione S.r.l. - Via Martinella, 71 - 41043 Maranello (MO) - c/o Omniadvert S.p.A.

ufficiostampa@intonocomunicazione.it www.intonocomunicazione.it

A Trusted Leader Around The

World

Snap for more information.

LATICRETE is a worldwide manufacturer and marketer of globally proven construction solutions used in residential, commercial and industrial applications.

For nearly 60 years architects, engineers, and contractors across the globe have relied on the proven, innovative and permanent installation of LATICRETE technology. Offering a broad range of products and systems covering substrate preparation, tile & stone installation and maintenance, concrete construction chemicals and decorative flooring, LATICRETE offers the products, systems, warranties and technical support to ensure the success of your projects.

www.laticrete.com | +1.203.393.0010 ©2014 LATICRETE International, Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners.

‡Flag indicates LATICRETE headquarters.

A-5626-0714 ©2014 LATICRETE International, Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners.

| +44.871.284.5959

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lamborghini.it Tonino Lamborghini Tile & Style is the new exclusive collection made by the Ceramiche Gambarelli Group in partnership with the Tonino Lamborghini Group. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a collection of porcelain stoneware floor and wall tiles, in addition to sanitary fittings and taps & faucets, in which the essence of the lifestyle created by Lamborghini expresses Made in Italy character and design.

Info@lamborghini-tiles.com

*Dedicated to people with charisma

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