For example, in Catania, Cotto Furnò creates terra-cotta products using the clays and basaltic lava sand from Mt. Etna. The presence of basalt in the mixture creates a tile of considerable hardness, according to the company, along with a unique tone and hue. Products include tiles, pavers, copings and stair treads.
The typical mixture is 70% clay and 30% sand, and colors include Rosato, which is a salmon tone, as well as a yellow/tan variety. In addition to machine-made tiles, artisans at Cotto Furnò carefully create hand-made tiles by pressing the mixture within wooden molds. This process has remained unchanged over centuries.