The Italian sanitaryware, tableware, refractory materials and brick and roof tile industries (2020)

The sanitaryware, tableware and refractory sectors experienced a sharp decline in both production volumes and turnover in 2020. The brick and roof tile sector proved more resilient.

Along with the results for the ceramic tile sector, at its annual meeting held on 8 June Confindustria Ceramica also presented the 2020 results for Italian producers of sanitaryware, tableware and porcelain, refractory materials and bricks and roof tiles.

The ceramic sanitaryware sector (30 companies, including 27 located in the Civita Castellana cluster in the province of Viterbo) produced 3.1 million pieces (down 22.5% on the 4 million pieces of 2019) and posted revenues of 306.2 million euros (down 9.6% on 2019), of which 45% was generated by exports (137.8 million euros). The number of people employed in the sector fell by 20 to 2,652.

The production of refractory materials also dropped to 276,000 tonnes (-23%). The segment’s turnover fell by 21.6% compared to 2019 (down from 407 million euros to 319 million euros), including a 30.5% contraction in the Italian market and an 11.5% decline in exports. The Italian refractories industry is made up of 31 companies employing 1,704 people (down 1.7% on 2019).

The ceramic tableware sector suffered an even greater contraction. The 9 companies operating in Italy with a workforce of 644 people reduced their output from 11,600 tonnes to 8,400 tonnes (-27.6%) in response to the sharp decline in sales from 10,000 tonnes to 7,800 tonnes (-22%). Domestic sales made up 80% of the total. The 2020 turnover amounted to 32.8 million euros (-34.1%), 70% of which was generated in Italy.

Finally, the brick and roof tile industry saw the closure of 4 companies in 2020, down from 72 to 68, and the loss of 200 jobs to a total of 3,000 workers. The sector began encountering serious difficulties in 2008, since when it has seen a steady decline in production year after year. In 2020, output volumes fell from 4.4 to 4 million tons (-9%), about half of installed capacity and more than 80% below pre-crisis production levels. However, the sector’s turnover remained steady at 2019 levels of 380 million euros, mostly generated in the Italian market.

The Italian sanitaryware industry / L’industria italiana dei sanitari

The Italian tableware industry / L’industria italiana delle stoviglierie