LIVE REPORT: Cersaie 2010 kicks off in Bologna, Italy

BOLOGNA, ITALY -- Celebrating its 28th edition in Bologna, Italy, day one of Cersaie 2010 – the largest International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings -- revealed leading trends and cutting-edge products from more than 1,000 exhibitors across 34 countries. The day concluded with the annual Ceramic Tiles of Italy International Press Conference – giving a full report on the tile industry’s market trends and statistics.

Trends

Once again obtaining a sold out exhibition space of approximately 1.9 million square feet, touring the show floor uncovered the latest in innovation and design for ceramic tiles. Noteworthy trends this year can be found in designer-made inspirations, enhancements to ongoing trends, including wood and stone looks, and a continued devotion to tile with green and sustainable design.

Mutina once again displayed its Dericher collection by designer Patricia Urquiola and added a new collection called Phenomen by designer Tokujin Yoshioka. Phenomenon comes in Honeycomb A, Honeycomb B, Rain A, Rain B and Rain C, and each feature different textures for the name which it bares. Yoshioka describes his inspiration for this design as “sensational beauty.” “I wanted something natural looking without looking so digital,” he said. The collection comes in colors white, gray and moka.  

Rex has introduced a new marble and a new wood look, I bianchi di rex. The company describes these collections as having the visual properties of very precious stones and woods that in their own form cannot be used for surfaces.

Also enhancing of existing trends, specifically slim tile -- which in itself builds on green design, lowering environmental impact due to the reduction in energy consumption, raw materials and transport costs -- can be found in new collections across many manufacturers. The latest in technology have allowed for larger tiles and more surface options. Laminam’s 3-mm Filo combines material innovation with a 3-D textured metallic surface.

Companies additionally continue to embrace green and sustainable designs in general with the usage of recycled glass from television screens and cathode tubes for its ceramic tile collections, including Refin – one of the first to pioneer this notion. Newer concepts stem from companies such as Cerdisa’s Ceramic Interiors collection that holds heat or cold air in interior spaces. The company reports the tiles to be easy to clean and also easy to switch the tiles, as the company provides the tiles with a mounting system. Furthermore, Panaria’s CityLife collection features tiles incorporating Microban protection, an antibacterial shield with a registered trademark that cuts on bacteria growth.

International Press Conference

The first day concluded with the annual Ceramic Tiles of Italy International Press Conference, which is promoted by Confindustria Ceramica and the Italian Trade Commission, and organized is by Edi.Cer.  The presentation gives a forecast of the international tile market, with an emphasis on Italian trends.

Although down 18 percent in 2009, Italian tile exports have seen a steady increase in 2010, according to statistics provided by Franco Manfredi, President of Confindustria Ceramica. In lieu of the troubled economy, Manfredi disclosed that Italian enterprises will take advantage of what Asian, African and Middle Eastern markets – countries that have seen recent economic growth -- have to offer.

A focus, however, will remain on U.S. markets, which the presentation revealed as still being a strategic market, in that statistics have shown an increase in the past eight months.