Economics and markets

In 2024, the Chinese ceramic tile fell by 12% to 5.91 billion sqm, representing just 48% of the installed production capacity. The exit from the market of less solid and efficient companies is intensifying.

The export volumes fell by a further 2.5% in 2024, but China remains the world’s top tile exporter by volume, ahead of India.

Final end-of-year figures confirm earlier forecasts: Italian manufacturers close 2024 with revenue of €1.82 billion after the previous year’s record high. Chairman Lamberti warns: “Unfortunately, the results were entirely expected. Tariffs and wars are already weighing on 2025.”

The ceramic tile segment closed 2024 with revenues of €6.1 billion, 1.8% lower than in 2023. Investments slumped by 19.4% as a result of high energy costs and an ETS system that continues to drain vital resources. We also take a look at the industry’s four other segments: sanitaryware, tableware, heavy clay and refractories.

MECS has published the updated report “Indian Ceramic Tile Exports 2024”, which analyses Indian tile exports by volume, value and average price from 2015 to 2024, broken down by the 135 countries of export. It also provides an analysis focusing solely on exports of porcelain stoneware, as well as a chapter on the 30 top Indian exporters over the period 2023-2024.

The country is launching a major new public housing programme called AADL3 with a special care to sustainable construction.

Tile consumption in Africa will be close to 2 billion sq.m in 2028, 500 million sq.m more than 2023 levels.

According to forecast analyses by the MECS Research Center, tile consumption in Asia-Far East could rise to 10.8 billion sq.m in 2028 with an average annual growth of 1.8%. Production expected at 11.6 billion sq.m (CAGR +1.6%).

Total U.S. ceramic tile consumption in 2024 was 250.9 million sq.m, down 5.1% from the previous year. Imports fell by 3.5% to 179.4 million sq.m.

Canadian ceramic tile consumption last year was 31.8 million m2, up 1.8% from 2023.

In 2024 the U.S. residential construction decreased for the third consecutive year. Total new home starts were 1.36 million, down 3.9% on 2023. The outlook is negative also for the year 2025.

According to forecast analyses by the MECS Research Center, tile consumption in South America could reach 1,280 million sqm by 2028, with an average annual growth of 4.8%.

By 2030, the Indian construction sector is expected to account for 15% of the country’s GDP and employ more than 70 million people.

The MECS Research Centre has published the new forecast report entitled Ceramic Tile Market Forecast Analysis: TRENDS 2024-2028. Tile production and demand are set to recover gradually over the next five years, with projected annual growth rates of +2.2% and +2.5%, respectively.

Euroconstruct estimates a 2.4% decline for the construction activity in Europe in 2024, followed by a slight growth of just +0.6% in 2025.

Total tile sales reached 376 million sqm in 2024, a 1.9% increase over 2023 largely driven by exports. Production continued its downward trend with a 2% contraction.

Ceramic World Review updates the 2023 rankings of the world ceramic sanitaryware manufacturers by volumes of production. Roca, Kohler and Geberit confirm their leading positions. See who is next.

Acimac Research Dept. / MECS updates the yearly analysis of the world ceramic sanitaryware imports/exports flows. The figures confirm a second consecutive year of decline in 2023, a downturn observed in almost all geographical areas of production.

According to preliminary figures compiled by Mecs - Acimac Research Centre, Italian ceramic technology sector sales fell by 24% in 2024. Chairman Paolo Lamberti commented: “This result had been entirely expected and was caused by multiple factors. We are looking ahead to a recovery in 2026.”

ACIMAC research Dept/MECS anticipates to Ceramic World Review the key figures of the 12th edition of the annual report “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”. In 2023 world tile production and consumption fell by 5.5% and 5% respectively. World tile import-export flows also saw a decrease, down 2.3% on 2022.