Ceramic Tile Industry

U.S. ceramic tile consumption grew by 9.9% to 289 million sq.m. Imports reached their highest level in fifteen years: 207 million sq.m with a total value of US$ 2.5 billion, up 13.6% and 25% respectively on 2020.

According to preliminary figures published by Confindustria Ceramica and Prometeia, total sales reached 458 million sqm, up 12% on the pre-Covid year 2019. Exports climbed by 15% against 2020 and by 13% with respect to 2019, while Italian domestic sales returned to growth after 20 years (+9% compared to 2019).

2020 closes for the Italian tile industry with sales down 3.9% to 391 million sqm. Exports held up, scoring -2%. Production collapses.

Preliminary estimates point to 2020 sales of between -1% and +2% of the 2019 figure thanks to exports to the USA, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

The Italian ceramic industry, considered a sector of “strategic importance as it is strongly export-oriented” has been given the go-ahead to resume production activities as of 27 April.

Confindustria Ceramica and the trade unions have already signed a protocol to guarantee the resumption of ceramic production in complete safety. Industrialists call for factories to be reopened as soon as possible.

In 2019, U.S. ceramic tile consumption declined for the first time in a decade to 273.2 million sq.m. (-5,4% on 2018). This affected both the domestic production (83 million sq,m, -4.8%) and imports (193 million sq.m, -5.5%), with China dropping by 36.4%.

The Spanish ceramic tile industry recorded a 4% growth in turnover in 2019 to 3,740 million euros, thanks to the strong performances both on the domestic market (+8) and on the exports markets (+3%). Production fell to 503 million sq.m (-5%)

Tile production dropped to 415 million sq.m (-1.6%), while the sector’s turnover fell by 3% to 5.4 billion euros. Investments in technology remained very high at more than 500 million euros.

The Mexican Group’s CEO confirms good progress last year, as well as a growing interest of the US customers for Vitromex USA’s ceramic tile range.

The company, which started its facility in Lebanon (TN) just 2 years ago, is installing new lines for the production of porcelain tiles.

According to Victor D. Almeida (Chairman & CEO of the Mexican Group) the US market should offer good opportunities for growth in 2019 and over the coming years.

Coverings 2019 will be the venue for the US market launch of the social media and web campaign entitled “The values of ceramic”.

Despite the moderate contraction in sales, in 2018 Del Conca USA invested in the expansion of the range with new technical products aimed at the commercial construction sector.

With an investment of almost $70 million, StonePeak (Crossville) started up the production of 300x150 cm porcelain slabs with various thicknesses.

The Italian group (in the USA with Florida Tile) is confident that their US Business Unit will see moderate growth this year after a disappointing 2018.

Mohawk Group has launched the new Panoramic Porcelain Slabs, and started a new plant in Tennessee for the production of Quartz Slabs.

According to TCNA forecasts, in 2019 overall sales of US ceramic tiles will be flat or experience low, single-digit growth.

Confindustria Ceramica Chairman Giovanni Savorani describes the various factors that have contributed to the slowdown of the sector as well as the measures that have been put in place to exploit new opportunities.

Ceramic World Review anticipates the key figures of the third edition of the publication “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles” produced by the Acimac Research Department and due to be released in November.