The economic recovery opens up new areas of growth for ceramic tiles | by Andrea Serri

Increased interest in home renovation and all relevant building products and materials is giving a boost to the international construction market and opening up major new areas of growth for the Italian ceramic tile industry. This explosion of energy and dynamism will be fully in evidence at the next Cersaie, when almost 600 exhibitors from 25 countries showcase their latest products in the fifteen fully occupied halls of the Bologna exhibition centre.

The construction sector is in a good state of health both in Italy and abroad. After coming through the difficulties of 2020 in much better shape than many other sectors, the ceramic tile industry has seen sustained growth in demand since last autumn, with Italian tile collections in particular offering the perfect solutions for projects the world over. This is largely due to the sheer breadth of the available ranges, which cover everything from mosaics through to large slabs and thicknesses from just a few millimetres up to 2 cm or 3 cm thick worktops, all available in an almost limitless array of aesthetic effects and surface finishes.

Much more attention is now being devoted to outdoor areas than in the past. Being forced to stay at home for long periods of time has led people to rediscover and redevelop spaces such as balconies, terraces and private and communal gardens. The unique characteristics of ceramic tiles such as durability and resistance to frost, stress and chemicals have made them the ideal choice for these applications, and they are now available in building stores alongside other materials traditionally used for these areas.

Outdoor design will be one of the major trends at the next Cersaie, the week-long exhibition devoted to ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings to be held in the Bologna Exhibition Centre starting Monday 27 September. The segment will take the spotlight in a dedicated area in the Contract Hall (Hall 18) along with other areas of real estate such as lighting, interior finishes and indoor and outdoor kitchens. As discussed at an event held in Palazzo Re Enzo in early July, all the institutional and economic players involved in hospitality are committed to ensuring the highest standards of health and safety for exhibitors and visitors during their time at the exhibition and in Bologna. These efforts have also led to the production of a poster providing comprehensive, up-to-date information.

 

July 2021