Articles

Total U.S. ceramic tile consumption in 2022 was 285.4 million sq.m, down 1.3% from the previous year. Imports by volume decreased, too, down 2.3% to 202.7 million sq.m, while national production grew by 2.3% reaching 87.3 million sq.m. Read More

The global flooring market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.77% during 2022-2028. The flooring demand is mainly concentrated in countries such as the US, Japan, China, the UK, Germany, and France. However, developing Asian economies such as India is witnessing increased adoption of flooring products owing to developing industrial or non-residential sector. Read More

Ceramic tiles stand out for their limitless visual potential, their versatile applications and properties such as their durability and resistance. But what contributions does this material make to the environment and to the current economy? Read More

Three weeks remain until Coverings, and we hope you’re getting as excited as we are. To share our enthusiasm and continue our National Tile Day celebration, we’re highlighting yet another 2023 tile trend. This week’s trend: statement stones. What makes a “statement” stone look? In design, we are seeing a significant effort toward individual expression as people are choosing materials that speak to them personally instead of falling back on safe-for-resale designs. And when porcelain provides a multitude of options, including floor-to-ceiling sizes, why go small? Floor-to-ceiling stone-look porcelain exudes sophistication and will make a lasting impression. And thanks to its superior durability, it doesn’t require the regular maintenance or upkeep marble, granite, or other natural stones do to stay looking its best. This material selection will also be much nicer on your budget than thick slabs of stone. Inspired by precious and rare marbles from classic calacattas to linear zebrinos, porcelain stone looks can be understated, elegant and neutral or bold, rich in movement and in attention-commanding colors. A statement stone look can elevate a run-of-the-mill room into a well-appointed work of art. Read More

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY During the Tile of Spain Press Conference, held on the first day of the fair, Vicente Nomdedeu, President of The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER), echoed the strength of Spain’s ceramic sector, reporting on 2022 production, sales and exports figures. Read More

Rising energy costs and an increased average price of tile products spurred a boost in sales growth for Spanish tile in 2022, according to Vicente Nomdedeu, president of The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers' Association (ASCER). Sales rose 16.2% up to 5.5 billion eros [U.S. $5.95 billion]. Exports from 185 countries represented 77% of total sales and reached 4.2 billion euros [ U.S. $4.59 billion] (+16.6%), a new sector record. Exports to the United States, which ranks first on the list of Tile of Spain’s export markets, rose 15% to €516 million [U.S. $554 million] in 2022. European market growth rose by 15% and is estimated to reach €1.265 million [ U.S. $1.36 million] by the close of 2022. Read More

Our countdown to Coverings continues with another 2023 tile trend. This week, we’re highlighting not a tile design, but a new type of tile: 2 cm gauged porcelain tile pavers. Increasingly more tile collections are including 2 cm thick pavers to match their thinner indoor counterparts, allowing for indoor-outdoor transitions with stylistic continuity. Connecting the interior and exterior living spaces this way blurs the line between the built environment and nature and encourages us to make better use of available space. To further blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces, we often see tile pavers in biophilic designs and natural looks. These are just a few of our favorites. Read More

Following higher than expected growth in 2021 (17.3% up on 2020), Mohawk Industries reported a slight slowdown in the 2022 financial year. This is hardly a surprise given the inflationary pressures present in many markets coupled with higher energy and raw materials prices and rising interest rates. Read More

When trying to develop a forecast for the US building market, there are three indicators that tell the story with the most accuracy. The first is housing starts, which historically has always influenced the ceramic tile industry. With the increasing interest rates, we are already experiencing a decline in new home starts. Read More

Tile of Spain will be heading back to Valencia, Spain in just a few days for the highly anticipated return of CEVISAMA, International Fair for Ceramic Tiles and Bathroom Furnishings. Read More