The first sanitaryware survey

May 28, 2007

28/05/07 - - The first national statistical survey of the Italian ceramic sanitaryware industry was unveiled at the annual press conference organised by Confindustria Ceramica. According to this survey, the 51 industrial companies making up the sector produced a total of 9,123,316 pieces of sanitaryware in 2006.
The 39 companies located in the Civita Castellana district, Italy’s main production cluster, accounted for 3,903,510 of these, 42.8% of the total.

Vitreous China and Fine Fire Clay products (40% produced in the Civita Castellana district) accounted for 74.9% of the total, while Fire Clay products accounted for 25.1% (equally divided between Civita Castellana and other areas of Italy).

The sector closed 2006 with a turnover of 449 million euro, comprising 308 million euro from sales in Italy and 141 million euro from exports. In terms of quantities, total sales came to 8,849,617 pieces. WCs and washbasins accounted for 50% of total sales, a figure that rises to more than 80% if shower trays and bidets are also included.

Italian consumption amounted to 8,209,011 pieces, consisting of 71.7% Italian production and 28.3% imports.

Exports totalled 2,964,336 pieces (33.5%). The main outlet area was the European Union, which accounted for two-thirds of all exports. The leading European market was Spain (22.24%), followed by Great Britain (8.25%), Germany (6.90%) and France (4.92%). Asia accounted for 6.96% of total exports, while only small amounts were exported to the Americas (2.59%).

Vitreous China and Fine Fire Clay accounted for 41.4% of total exports (including almost 70% in the European market), while Fire Clay accounted for 58.6% of exports (two-thirds in European Union countries, particularly Spain).