Raw Material Supplies and Ceramic Tiles
The clay tiles industry relies on key raw materials like clay, feldspar, quartz, and other mineral oxide pigments for production. In the last year, clay and feldspar supplies from major exporting countries like India, Brazil, and Turkey remained stable. This has ensured steady raw material prices for tile manufacturers. However, global supply chain and logistical issues caused by the pandemic led to a 10-15% increase in feldspar and quartz prices from March to June 2020. Most tile companies had sufficient inventory to avoid any major production disruptions. As supply chains stabilize in 2021, raw material prices are expected to remain flat or see marginal increases of 3-5%.
New Tile Designs and Embossing Technologies
Tile manufacturers have invested heavily in new tiles design and embossing technologies. Large-format tiles that resemble marble and granite but are more scratch and stain-resistant are becoming popular in residential and commercial construction. 3D embossing on tiles that create intricate textures and shadows are also gaining traction. Companies like Johnson Tiles, Marazzi Tiles, and Arrow Ceramics have launched entire collections inspired by stone, wood, and metallic surfaces but created using ceramic tile technology. These new tiles have opened up ceramic usage in premium projects and widened share. Manufacturers plan to launch at least 4-5 new design series every quarter to sustain consumer interest.
Automation and Industry 4.0 Investments
To improve productivity and efficiencies, major Ceramic Tiles makers have automated their plants using robotics, automated guided vehicles, and IoT sensors. Indian Ceramics, Pvt. Ltd. installed robotic arms and conveyors at its Dadra plant that reduced manpower requirements by 30% while increasing annual capacity by over 20%. Other plants are also automating glazing, packing, and quality control processes to minimize manual labor. Greenfield tile units now being set up incorporate Industry 4.0 principles with integrated digital systems from raw material handling to finished goods warehousing. The next phase of automation will focus on predictive maintenance of plant machinery using analytics. This will optimize changeover times and equipment uptime. By 2023, at least 60% of total tile production is expected to be from automated facilities.
Export Growth
Despite disruptions in 2020, tile exports from India, Brazil, and Turkey recovered sharply in the second half of the year as major opened up after lockdowns. Proximity to raw materials, availability of skilled labor at competitive rates, and aggressive of new product lines drove double-digit export growth for these countries. India exported over 150 million sqm of ceramic wall and floor tiles worth $700 million in 2020 compared to $550 million in the previous year. Large export orders from the Middle East, African nations, and South Asian countries are leading this growth. In 2021, a free trade agreement between India and the UAE is likely to boost tile shipments further. Manufacturers are also focusing on penetrating the huge untapped construction in the US, copyright, and Australia through exhibitions, online, and tie-ups with local distributors and retailers. Exports are forecast to increase 25-30% annually over the next 3 years.
Expansion into Decorative Ceramic Tiles
While functional clay tiles continue to dominate, decorative tile usage is growing fast in residential builds and commercial interior spaces. Companies are launching new glazed porcelain tile series with intricate relief patterns, metal finishes, and luxury material emulations that can be used on walls, floors, pillars, vanity tops or custom feature walls. Prominent manufacturers like RAK Ceramics, Kajaria Ceramics, and Somany Ceramics now have separate decorative tiles divisions catering to premium retail, hospitality and office fit-out projects. Smaller tile makers are also entering this space. Decorative tiles currently account for 15% of total ceramic tile demand globally but are expected to reach 20-25% in 5 years based on evolving consumer preferences for unique wall décor and statement areas.
Raw Materials and Renewable Energy
Clay, feldspar, quartz, and other mineral pigments needed for glaze mixes in tile production have a finite global reserve that is coming under increasing pressure. Alternative raw materials from industrial wastes and recycled construction debris are slowly being adopted. tile companies. However, using these still pose operational challenges in terms of consistency and color matching. Tile manufacturers are working on upgrading their plants with renewable sources like biomass fuels, solar energy and waste heat recovery systems. This will help reduce dependency on fossil fuels and carbon footprints substantially in the coming years. Tile zone in southern India is expected to be powered completely using solar and biomass by 2025 as part of the state government's sustainability initiatives.
In with technology innovations, new product development, growth in exports, rising disposable incomes, and urbanization globally, the ceramic tile industry seems well-positioned for strong growth over the next 5 years if raw material supplies remain stable. Automation, renewable energy adoption, and expansion to new large formats and decorative category will further strengthen manufacturing competitiveness.
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About Author:
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)
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