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[July 2005]
Italian Ceramic Tile Sales Hold Up Well
Production of Italian manufactured ceramic tiles in 2004 totalled 589.2 million sq.m. which represented a slight drop - down 2.4% - compared to 2003. The figures released in the 25th National Statistical Survey of the Italian Ceramic Tile Industry (Assopiastrelle) confirmed the leadership of porcelain stoneware technology which now accounts for 61% of total production - some 360 million sq.m. per year.
After that, single fired tiles account for 25% of production and double fired 8.8%. The heaviest production is centred around the districts of Modena and Reggio Emilia - accounting for fully 80% between them - while the remaining provinces of Emilia Romagna account for another 10%.
Sales in 2004 corresponded to a production level of 583.7 million sq.m. which was down on 2003 by just 0.7%. By the end of 2004, the Italian ceramic tile industry had invoiced sales to the tune of 5.3 billion, representing an increase of 3% over 2003. Sales in Italy itself were worth 1.5 billion (up 3.1%) while exports amounted to 3.8 billion (up 3%).
ENDS