ASCER, the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Associaton, recently held an international press conference in the framework of the Cevisama trade fair. Backed by ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones, the event was an opportunity to present the latest innovation and design trends from the exhibiting companies, before ending with the presentation of the 23rd edition of ASCER’s annual Tile of Spain Architecture and Interior Design Awards, says the organisation.
ASCER’s president, Vicente Nomdedeu Lluesma, gave the provisional industry overview for 2024, which closed on a positive note in terms of production, domestic sales and employment.
Total turnover for the sector in 2024 reached €4.819bn, reflecting a moderate year-on-year drop of 0.9%, with international markets accounting for 72%, a continuation of the negative trend. Conversely, the domestic market experienced slight growth. Exports to 186 countries amounted to €3.479 billion (-2.4%), whereas domestic sales grew by 3.1%, reaching €1.34 billion, according to the organisation.
Geographically, Europe remains the primary market for Tile of Spain, with six countries ranking among the top 10 export destinations and concentrating 51.1% of all exports (40.2% in the EU27). The United States leads the ranking of countries, with sales totalling €470.2 million, 13.5% of total exports, says the company.
At the press conference, ASCER’s president highlighted: “A significant part of our business is generated in highly demanding markets, where customers seek products with high levels of innovation, design, and quality. These are mature markets that appreciate the added value of Spanish ceramics”.
Nomdedeu reiterated the messages of the industry-wide communication campaign “The Secret Ingredient”, funded by the Generalitat Valenciana regional government: “Choosing Spanish ceramic tiles means opting for a material that meets the highest standards, produced with respect for the environment, people, ideas, and our customers. In Europe, we incorporate a secret ingredient that sets us apart and is not immediately visible: respect.”
www.portal.ascer.es/en
