Summary

The global ceramic market has experienced growth, driven by innovations within the industry, with the Asia-Pacific region exhibiting the fastest expansion due to local market players. As of 2020, the United States remains a significant consumer. In Italy, the market operates under Ateco codes 23.3 and 23.4, corresponding to the manufacture of terracotta building materials and other porcelain and ceramic products, respectively. The Italian market is fragmented with over 3,140 companies, predominantly small to medium-sized and specialized in niche offerings. Despite falling behind Europe and the U.S. in terms of 3D printing and other technological advancements, these innovations hold potential for market expansion and new applications moving forward from 2020.

Market Dynamics and Trends in the Italian Ceramics Sector

Delving into the Italian ceramics market, we observe a landscape marked by a contrast in growth between different segments. The market for terracotta building materials has seen a notable increase, with a growth rate of approximately 10%. On the contrary, during the same period, the segment for porcelain and ceramic products has experienced a decline of around 5%. Comprising over 3,100 companies, the Italian ceramics industry exhibits a highly fragmented structure predominantly composed of small to medium enterprises (SMEs), each demonstrating specialization in distinct types of ceramics or products. These businesses primarily cater to niche consumer segments, indicating a market characterized by focused and specialized offerings rather than mass-produced, generalized products. In terms of market geography, while the United States stands out as a leading consumer in the global ceramics landscape, the Asia-Pacific region, with its multitude of market players, represents the fastest-growing territory.

This growth is propelled by significant industrialization and urbanization within the region, particularly in emerging economies. Furthermore, innovation is emerging as a key driver in the ceramics sector, with advancements such as 3D printing technology gaining ground. Although Italy's market is perceived as somewhat lagging in the adoption of such innovations compared to its European and American counterparts, these technological strides have the potential to revolutionize the market, expanding both the capabilities of ceramic materials and their applications. The influence of regulation and its formulations is yet another factor contributing to the market dynamics, ensuring quality standards and safety measures for ceramic products. As regulations evolve, they could potentially open up new pathways for product and market development or establish constraints that might necessitate adjustments in production protocols and strategies. In summary, despite stabilization or decline in certain ceramic product categories, the Italian ceramics market demonstrates resilience and potential for growth, particularly through the adoption of innovative technologies and the stable demand for building materials. These trends depict an industry at the cusp of transformation, ready to embrace new opportunities that come with technological progress and changing market demands.

Key Ceramic Industry Players Shaping the Italian Market Landscape

Within the dynamic and innovative sphere of the Italian ceramics industry, several prominent companies stand out as market leaders, each contributing unique expertise and specialized products to the sector. While the market is characterized by a multitude of small to medium-sized enterprises, a few have risen to noteworthy prominence, helping to define the market through their offerings and strategic positioning.

  • Marazzi Group The Marazzi Group is a historical and influential player in the ceramic tiles segment. Established in 1935, it has since become a global ambassador for Italian style in the world of ceramic surfaces. Their wide array of products includes a diverse selection of tiles for floors and walls, showcasing innovative design and advanced technical solutions. These range from stoneware to porcelain tiles, suited for both residential and commercial applications. The Marazzi Group has been a trailblazer in adopting 3D printing technologies, enhancing its design capabilities and opening new avenues for tailored and bespoke ceramic solutions.
  • RAK Ceramics RAK Ceramics is recognized as one of the largest ceramics brands worldwide. With a strong presence in over 150 countries, their product portfolio spans from ceramic tiles to sanitaryware. Despite being headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, RAK Ceramics has a solid footing in the Italian market, marked by its offering of high-end luxury ceramic products. Their innovative approach includes eco-friendly collections and cutting-edge designs that appeal to both modern and traditional tastes.
  • Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti Serving as a conglomerate that houses several brands, Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti exemplifies the depth and versatility present in the Italian ceramics industry. Their brand portfolio covers a wide spectrum of the ceramics market, including floor and wall tiles that cater to a variety of consumer preferences. With a strong emphasis on design and sustainability, the group continues to invest in research and development to stay at the forefront of industry trends.
  • Ceramica Sant'Agostino Since 1964, Ceramica Sant'Agostino has been a respected manufacturer, specialising in high-quality porcelain stoneware. Their design philosophy integrates art, nature, and technological innovation, yielding a product line that is both aesthetically pleasing and performance-driven. The company prides itself on its eco-friendly processes and has made significant strides in producing sustainable and recyclable ceramic solutions.
  • Iris Ceramica Iris Ceramica has established itself as a visionary in the field of high-tech architectural surfaces. With a strong emphasis on research and innovation.
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  • Number of pages : 30 pages
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  • Last update : 24/08/2022
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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and scope of study

The term ceramics refers to a product made of argillous, inorganic and non-metallic material, which is made rigid through a process of cooking at high temperatures, and which takes its name from the material from which it is made. There are different types of ceramics:

  • compact paste ceramics: They have a low porosity, good impermeability and are very resistant. Examples of this are stoneware and porcelain.
  • Porous paste ceramics: They have a soft, absorbent paste that is more easily scratched. Examples are terracotta, majolica and terracotta.

Ceramics are used in various industries, such as the building, manufacturing and medical industries. In addition, various products can be made of ceramics, such as sanitary ware, abrasives, bricks and pipes, tiles and ceramics.

The global ceramic market is growing, especially thanks to the numerous innovations from operators in the sector. The United States is a major consumer of ceramics, while the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing region, mainly due to the presence of market players in the region.

In Italy, this market is registered with two Ateco codes, based on composition and destination:

  • Ateco 23.3: manufacture of terracotta building materials
  • Ateco 23.4: manufacture of other porcelain and ceramic products

It is interesting to note that the market for terracotta building materials grew by 10.9% from 2013 to 2018, while the market for porcelain and ceramic products fell by 5.2% in the same period.

The Italian market is very fragmented, with more than 3,140 companies that operate in the sector. In addition, most of these companies are small to medium sized companies specialising in one type of ceramic or product type, offered to a limited portion of consumers.

In recent years, the Italian ceramics market has witnessed the progress of 3D printing technology and the advent of numerous innovations, although lagging behind other European countries and the United States. These innovations could drive market expansion and create new areas of application for ceramics.

List of charts

  • Marché mondial de la céramique
  • Turnover of the ceramics industry
  • [Copy] [Copy] Number of enterprises and employees in the "Advertising agencies" sector
  • -
  • Commerce extérieur de céramiques, tous produits confondus
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Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Marazzi Group
Graniti Fiandre
Florim Ceramiche
T2D
Fornaci Briziarelli Marsciano
Wienerberger Italia
Thun
Iperceramica

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