Cevisama -- the Ceramic, Natural Stone and Bath Equipment Show held annually in Valecia, Spain -- opened its doors today and will run through Friday, February 11th. The 2011 edition includes hundreds of exhibitors who have vivid diplays of new product introductions. It is expected the exhibition with draw thousands of visitors from around the world to view these latest collections in stone and tile as well as product lines for stone and tile installation and maintenance, and bathroom furnishings.

On initial observation of the show floor, it is evident that innovation remains high among tile manufacturers. One particular eye-catching display is from the Spanish manufacturer Distrimat, s.l. The company specializes in an assortment of specialty mosaics, including glass, metallic, ceramic and tiles designed to look like stone. These mosaics, which are available in a range of shapes, sizes and colors, can be used as decorative accents or to clad entire walls. The brightly colored ceramic mosaics in the shape of pebbles would be ideal in creating a fun playful design.

Another Spanish manufacturer that illustrates the use of advanced technology is Hispania Ceramica. The company offers decorative prints on tile such as floral or geometric patterns. The tiles in this collection are available with complementary trim pieces as well as matching solid-colored tiles.

Always a leader in innovation, Ceracasa -- a Tile of Spain-branded manufacturer -- introduces ECOM4Tile, which can be used for both floor and wall applications. The main advantage of this tile is that it offers an energy savings of about 16 percent, reports the company. The tile consists of PCMs (Phase Changing Materials) that act like a buffer in the surface of the tile to absorb and then deliver energy. While the technology for this product is fully developed, ECOM4Tile is in the final process of completion and should be available in approximately six months, according to Ceracasa.

Cosentino, a Spanish manufacturer of natural stone and quartz surfaces, is also exhibiting with the environment in mind. The company's ECO collection is comprised of 70 percent post-consumer recycled material. This product, which is offered in 10 colors, is ideal for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities.

These products are just a few of numerous new introductions being showcased at Cevisama 2011. Another sampling of the latest innovations will be highlighted in tomorrow's report.