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HomeFeatured ArticlesSpanish tile manufacturing in 2024

Spanish tile manufacturing in 2024

As 2024 heads into its fourth quarter, ASCER, the association of Spanish ceramic tile manufacturers, reflects on a notably difficult period in the industry, whilst remaining cautiously optimistic for the future.

With a continued commitment to innovation and sustainable production, as well as exciting technological advances and product launches, there is much to be hopeful about within the Spanish tile sector, both at a national and international level.

The Spanish tile sector
The third biggest contributor to the country’s trade balance, the Spanish tile sector makes an important contribution to the economies of the Valencia region (where 94% of all Spain’s tiles are made and where 80% of the sector’s companies are located) and Spain as a whole.

The main supplier of ceramic tiles to the UK with exports reaching €208.2m in 2023, international relations remain a strong focus for the sector going forward. From New York to Bologna, the Spanish tile sector’s continued commitment to its international trade events is spearheading a hopeful turning point for the market, with early data for 2024 indicating an uplift in exports to the United States.

With energy prices falling, the industry anticipates a moderate recovery in demand and is still very much focused on innovation and product differentiation, as well as a commitment to a more sustainable future.

International success at Cevisama 2024
Held in February, the 40th anniversary edition of the international trade fair Cevisama, at Feria de Valencia, provided a positive outlook on international exports and relations for the sector. With a higher percentage of international visitors than the previous year, 20,000 of the 70,000 attendees were from outside Spain, rising from 25% to 28% of the total visitors. Three out of every ten buyers were international, coming from 156 different countries, and with the participation of almost fifty company members of ASCER, international relations are high, marking a notable continued investment and interest in the Spanish tile sector and its latest technological and product innovations.

Cersaie
One of the most important ceramic tile events in the world, 2023 saw 75 companies and members of ASCER exhibit in Bologna showcasing their latest products. Attracting almost 100,000 visitors, 47,000 of which were international attendees, this year is expected to be just as busy, and Tile of Spain will be present with 72 stands showing new products from around 80 different brands. As one of the most significant trade show dates of the year, the high participation in the event is proof of the Spanish tile sector’s commitment to export markets, with three out of every four ceramic tiles manufactured in Spain sold abroad.

A more sustainable future
With the European Union wanting to be climate neutral by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, the Spanish ceramic tile sector is determined to adapt its production processes to also achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Its aim is to do this by making technological and innovative improvements to the production processes that focus significantly on the idea of the circular economy.

Leading the way, the Spanish ceramic tile industry has headed up the development of a sectoral EPD for ceramic tiles at the European level, on the basis of a representative sample of Spanish tile production. ASCER has spearheaded this sectoral environmental performance declaration, developed in 2019, with a significant number of ceramic tile manufacturers also developing EPDs for their products.

The Spanish ceramic tile industry is a sector committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products and is working hard to keep innovating in order to achieve this, without losing sight of the fact that any solution must allow for its competitiveness. To reach the European Union’s goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 2050, the manufacturing stage as well as the entire life cycle of ceramics and how it can be improved will need to be taken into account.
Within the factories, efforts will continue to increase the percentage and use of recycled materials, optimise energy demand and increase the use of renewable energies, while improving and adapting their facilities and technologies.

Representing 125 ceramic tile manufacturers, Tile of Spain promotes the incredible quality, innovation and values worldwide of the Spanish tile industry. All Tile of Spain products are covered by an industry wide EPD (environmental product declaration) which has been developed with the help of ASCER.
www.tileofspain.com

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