Economics and markets

Acimac Research Dept. anticipates to Ceramic World Review a preview of the key figures of its new study “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”.

According to the 24th National Statistical Survey conducted by Acimac, the industry reported the highest turnover in its history in 2015 at 1,982 million euros. This included growth in both exports (+9.1%) and the domestic market (+4.3%).

Also up were production (+3.4%), exports (+5.1%) and investments (+22.7%). The domestic market remained stable.

The three sectors have a total of 6,000 employees and reported a combined turnover of 721.5 million euros.

2016 may see further consolidation of the growth reported in 2015, with domestic sales returning to positive territory (+2.7%) and exports showing a further increase (+3.6%). Domestic output is also expected to grow by 3.8%.

Italian companies saw growth in average profitability in 2014. The international companies analysed showed good financial ratios.

An initial fall of 1.1% in 2014 was followed by a further 1.7 percentage point decline in exported volumes last year to a total of 1.065 billion sq.m.

Russian construction output fell by 7% year-on-year in 2015. Ceramic tile production went against this trend, growing by 2.2%.

According to the report of the 80th Euroconstruct conference, total construction output in 19 member states set a positive trend, with growth of 1.6% compared with the previous year.

In 2015 U.S. ceramic tile consumption grew by 10% on 2014 to reach 2.74 billion sq.ft. (254.6 million sq.m), bringing consumption back to its highest level since 2006. Imports growth was +9,8%.

Spanish tile industry closed 2015 with a turnover growth of +6%. +10% the growth of domestic market and +5% for exports.

After a sharp and sudden decline of the sector in 2014, preliminary figures for 2015 show a further decline in output volumes and domestic consumption. A recovery in exports is likely.

The Spanish tile industry maintained its recovery through 2014 and the first half of 2015, again driven by exports.

In 2015 total sales amounted to 401 million sq.m (+1.4%). Exports grew (+1.8%) while the Italian domestic market remained stable (-0.3%).

According to data processed by ACIMAC Research Dept., world sanitaryware production has grown by 61.3% from 216.6 to 349.3 million pieces over the decade 2004-2014, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%.

Based on preliminary figures published by the Acimac Research Department, the sector’s turnover has risen by 11.7% to a record high of 2.05 billion euros.

Ceramic World Review anticipates the key figures of the third edition of the publication “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles” produced by the Acimac Research Department and due to be released in November.

Antonio Carlos Kieling, secretary general of Anfacer, describes the economic, political and social context in which the world’s second largest ceramic industry operates.

The 23rd national Statistical Survey conducted by ACIMAC reveals an industry turnover that has returned to pre-crisis levels at 1,836 million euros.

    According to the Confindustria Ceramica - Prometeia Forecasting Report updated to May, the industry will see a steady recovery in 2015 followed by a rapid acceleration in 2016. Italian tile production is expected to increase during these two years by 1.1% and 3.4% respectively, as are total sales (+1% and +3.2%). Sales continue to be buoyed by the strong performance in international…