Confindustria Ceramica Signs Memorandum w/ Germany to Increase Clay Imports

June 23, 2022 from Floor Focus

Sassuolo, IT, June 23, 2022 – A memorandum of understanding was signed today in Munich, Germany between Confindustria Ceramica, the Italian association of ceramic manufacturers, and BKRI, the German association of producers of raw materials for ceramics and industrial minerals (Bundesverband Keramische Rohstoffe und Industrieminerale).

This agreement, which has been signed at Ceramitec, an international fair for the sector of ceramics and raw materials, calls for an increase in mineral flows-of clay, in particular-to the Italian ceramic industry of up to +10% by the end of August and up to +30 % by December 2022

The events in Ukraine urge to strengthen the strategic relationship between the Italian and German associations; therefore, Confindustria Ceramica and BKRI have expressed mutual interest in consolidating and strengthening their historic partnership. The Italian ceramic tile industry has been importing about one million tons/year of German minerals, and, in particular, clay, for many years. The raw material is transported predominantly by rail, with dedicated trains, which also ensures that the environmental impacts associated with such a mode of transportation are contained.

Integral to the Memorandum of Understanding, which is endorsed by 20 companies of the two associations, is a commitment on both sides to work together so that the current critical conditions on the Germany-Italy rail route can quickly find with DB Cargo the proper operational solutions and/or alternatives. There is, in fact, an urgent need to resolve these important logistic issues in order to ensure not only the effectiveness and continuity of the already planned flows, but also that of additional flows, envisaged by the Memorandum of Understanding.

Related Topics: CERAMICS OF ITALY