While trade is impacted by the sanitary emergency and the ensuing slowdown in international transport and logistics, with a decrease in tile exports and imports, despite the negative expectations brought on by the COVID pandemic and factory lockdowns in the world, global wall tiles production and consumption figures increased in 2020 after declining in the previous two years. But as we go deeper into the data, we see that numerous distinctions can be drawn.
This is the reason we continue to recommend a thorough analysis of the current state of affairs and its development over the past ten years, both at the macro-area level and at the level of individual countries, with analysis by volumes in square meters as well as by values in euros, in this ninth edition of our best-selling report. The final numbers for 2020 reveal surprise growth in both global tile production (+1.6%), even greater than the average CAGR of the previous ten years (+1.1%), and consumption (+2.3%), still higher than the average growth rate since 2011 (+1.4%). In contrast, international trade experiences a decline (-2.1 percent compared to the prior year, whereas the CAGR from 2011 to 2020 is +1.9 percent). With over 70% of the global market, Asia continues to be the top manufacturer and consumer of ceramic tiles. However, the non-EU nations have the most intriguing growth rates, with double-digit increases of more than +11 percent in terms of output, consumption, and exports. However, the European Union and the entire continent of America suffer. We must underline straight immediately that there has been a significant modification to both the global volumes for 2020 and the entirety of the historical statistics for tile manufacturing in China and Asia. Our study center has conducted a deeper and more in-depth analysis of Chinese tile manufacturers (see MECS, "China ceramic tiles & slabs" 2021), which allowed us to update the information on the installed Chinese manufacturing capacity. China alone accounted for 52.7% of the world's tile production, with 8.47 billion sqm and a 3% growth between 2019 and 2020, following two years of production reductions and contrasted to a CAGR of -0.3% over the previous ten years.
However, India (1.3 billion sqm, +8.8% average annual growth), Turkey (+25 percent in 2020), Iran (+12.8%), Algeria (+32%), and Bangladesh (+14.1%) are now fascinating producing nations in terms of dynamism and volumes. Europe stands ahead in the rankings if we look at the market in terms of value: Even though it lost 1.8 percent compared to 2019, Italy is still the world's top exporter of tiles, with Spain coming in third. Germany and France continue to be the top two importers, only being exceeded by the United States, whose demand is declining (in value). With price lists ranging from an average of 1.1 euros/sqm for exported Ugandan tiles to 13.6 euros for Italian exports, the average price per square meter reveals significant disparities in the major markets. In contrast, China imports largely luxury tiles, which cost an average of 19.5 euros per square meter, as opposed to 2.3 euros for Paraguay's imports. In order to give the reader a document that can be used as a work tool immediately and easily, this study presents the data straightforwardly and understandably.
World Production of Ceramic Tiles
Global productivity has decreased as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, which has also impacted various economies worldwide. The production pace has declined due to the stillness of manufacturing facilities. Lockdowns, temporary closures of non-essential industries, and a drop in consumer demand have all contributed to a recession and impacted the market. Due to the introduction of limitations, construction work and government infrastructure projects were suspended. The pandemic also harmed investments in residential buildingemic. According to Edi.cer (S.p.a.), investments in the residential construction sector decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 by 10.3%. Concerns about the environmental impact of ceramic and porcelain tile manufacture are among the significant obstacles that are adversely influencing the market. One of the major sources of air pollution is this industry. During the production of a product, polluting substances like suspended dust particles, smoke, unburned fuel particles, aerosol particles, and paint and glazed tiles spray particles are released. The price of producing these tiles has increased due to laws governing the use of raw materials, post-industrial recycling, the use of low-emission manufacturing tools, and the development of technologies to reduce harmful emissions. Therefore, it is anticipated that increased government regulations will limit market expansion. Important businesses are making sizeable investments in ceramic tiles. To increase their visual appeal, companies in the market are concentrating on incorporating a variety of shapes, sizes, designs, and styles. Due to a large number of players present at the moment, the global market is fragmented.
Production capacity, brand recognition, product offerings, and creative, strategic alliances and acquisitions all play a role in key players' dominance. The corporations have been prompted to adopt these tactics by the increase in tile demand as well as the expansion of the building and infrastructure development industries in developing economies.
- List MOHAWK INDUSTRIES INC. (U.S.)
- SCG CERAMICS (Thailand)
- Grupo Lamosa (Mexico)
- Grupo Cedasa (Brazil)
- RAK CERAMICS (UAE)
- Cerâmica Carmelo Fior (Brazil)
- PAMESA CERÁMICA SL (Spain)
- Kajaria Ceramics Limited (India)
- STN Cerámica (Spain)
- Dynasty Ceramic Public Company Limited (Thailand)
- Cersanit Group (Poland)
- Somany Ceramics (India)
- PT Arwana Citramulia Tbk (Indonesia)
- Vitromex USA, Inc. (U.S.)
- Kale Group (India)
- LASSELSBERGER Group (Austria)
- Elizabeth Group (U.S.)
- Grupo Celima Trebol (Peru)
- White Horse Ceramic (Malaysia)
- Ceramic Industries Group (South Africa)
World Consumption of Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles that have been digitally produced are a current trend in the world market. Due to their detailed designs, which assist in improving the aesthetic appeal, consumers choose digitally printed tiles. Additionally, producers have been able to preserve design uniformity thanks to creating and applying new technology for printing designs on tiles. Digitally printed tiles are becoming increasingly popular due to rising consumer spending and the demand for cutting-edge interior design. One of the key drivers is expanding the building industry in developing nations—the increase in government spending on infrastructure construction and renovation for the benefit of the people. Product consumption has increased as a result of the growth of public leisure areas, schools, hospitals, and public transportation. Demand has increased as a result of an increase in government spending to upgrade public spaces like train stations and airports to reach premium standards. This improves the infrastructure's outward appearance as well. They will also grow throughout the predicted period due to the developing countries increasing commercial building development and industrialization activities. Over the past few years, the population has been increasing tremendously. To supply homes for the expanding population, the governments of various nations are collaborating with private businesses to upgrade the residential sector's infrastructure. The demand has also grown as smart city construction has begun. Additionally, the demand for multi-story residential buildings over single-family homes has increased product consumption per unit of land, boosting the ceramic tiles market. 
The flooring sector among them has the largest market share. The demand for flooring products has increased due to the expanding construction of homes and businesses. In addition, the increased demand for granite tiles in a range of patterns, hues, and textures to enhance aesthetic appeal will foster market expansion during the projection period. The wall section will expand faster if more wall tiles with various patterns, colors, and textures are used to enhance the room's appearance and aesthetic appeal. The tiles are also water-resistant and simple to clean, making them ideal for use on walls in bathrooms and kitchens. Additionally, the residential area remodeling projects will boost other industries' expansion. In 2020, the Asia Pacific market had a value of USD 22.47 billion. During the prediction, the Asia Pacific is expected to overtake other regions as the world's largest producer and consumer of ceramic-based tiles. Additionally, the region's thriving building industry will be a big factor in the rise in consumption there. China is primarily responsible for the market expansion in the Asia Pacific region. Benefits include the accessibility of raw supplies, labor affordability, and contemporary infrastructure expenditures that will favorably impact market expansion.