Sacmi supplies new plant to ABK for the production of large-format tiles

After investing 20 million euros at its two facilities in Finale Emilia and Solignano (MO) in 2014 and 2015, ABK Group is continuing its investment strategy with a new 10 million euro project, which CEO for Sales & Marketing Alessandro Fabbri believes "will allow the Group to join an exclusive elite of large-format ceramic tile manufacturers".

The new plant was supplied by Sacmi and consists of a Continua+ line and a 185 metre length kiln with an entrance width of 2.95 metres, currently the kiln with the largest internal surface area installed in Italy. It will begin operation at the Solignano facility by the summer.

With its production capacity of 11,000 sq.m/day, the new plant will raise the factory’s daily output to more than 20,000 sq.m and will enable ABK to produce tiles in sizes ranging from 80x80 cm to 160x320 cm, as well as thicknesses of between 6 and 20 mm.

In addition to its high flexibility, the new line also assures exceptional finished product quality thanks to Continua+ technology which overcomes the productivity limitations of large sizes, allowing for naturally varied aesthetic effects and leaving plenty of scope for customisation.

The kiln likewise has outstanding characteristics, including advanced technical solutions for reducing environmental impact (20% lower flue gas volumes compared to a conventional kiln) and energy consumption (25% less consumption during gaps in production). It is equipped with self-recovery burners and precise firing curve control to minimise temperature variations inside the firing chamber.

ABK Group closed 2015 with a turnover of 115.9 million euros, 11% higher than in 2014 and 20% more than in 2013.