Panariagroup chooses technology from System Ceramics for its Fiorano Modenese site

The Italian ceramics group has renewed its more than decade-long partnership with System Ceramics focused on technological innovation and sustainable development

For the extensive plant upgrade project at the Fiorano Modenese facility carried out during 2021, Panariagroup Industrie Ceramiche once again chose System Ceramics as its technology supplier, building on the more than decade-long partnership between the two companies. For this latest investment, Panariagroup was looking for innovative solutions that would guarantee the highest levels of performance in terms of production, management and sustainability.

The first project involved the installation of a Superfast 21000 press complete with cutting system and a feeding tower for the production of thin laminated porcelain slabs. These technologies are capable of revolutionising the traditional tile production process and achieving the new levels of excellence sought by Panariagroup for the brands Kerlite from Cotto d’Este, Slimtech from Lea Ceramiche and Zero.3 from Panaria Ceramica. These superior quality products combine record large sizes with extremely small thicknesses (3.5 mm, 5.5 mm, 6 mm and 6.5 mm) while guaranteeing extremely high levels of strength, flexibility and versatility.

Superfast, the mouldless ceramic press which uses a single-belt system, allows for unprecedented levels of flexibility in the production process. With its advantages in terms of time, space and consequently cost, it offers real benefits to ceramic producers pursuing sustainable development. Superfast eliminates production changeover times and allows excess raw materials from the cutting stage to be fully recycled.

The Fiorano Modenese plants also adopted innovative logistics solutions such as LGVs and a slab sorting line from System Ceramics company Studio 1. The layouts for slab processing were also completely reorganised.

“Our collaboration with System Ceramics is the result of a team effort focusing on quality and innovation. Through a relentless search for improved solutions that are compatible with the latest market needs, we aim to deliver the innovative, sustainable and high-quality products our customers are looking for,” said Giuliano Pini, CEO of Panariagroup.

A leading player in the premium segment of the ceramic tile market, Panariagroup has an extensive portfolio of porcelain and laminated porcelain stoneware solutions produced in six factories (3 in Italy, 2 in Portugal and 1 in the United States) under its own brands (Panaria Ceramica, Lea Ceramiche, Cotto D’Este, Blustyle and Maxa in Italy, Margres and Love Tiles in Portugal, Florida Tile in the United States and Bellissimo in India). The group generates 81% of its turnover from exports to 130 countries.