Italian ceramics, 7.5 billion turnover

There are 248 companies that produce ceramics in Italy, employing 25,980 people and with a propensity for exports that is among the strongest in the Italian manufacturing industry. Ceramic tiles, bathroom fittings, tableware, refractory materials and bricks had a combined turnover of €7.5 billion in 2024, 70% of it from sales abroad. These data emerge from the National Statistical Survey on the ceramic industry for 2024, which highlights an industrial production with a strong 'Made in Italy' connotation, and which, in all sectors, is affected by strong geopolitical uncertainty, as well as persistently high raw material prices. In terms of production, the Italian ceramic industry remains at levels similar to those recorded in 2023.

There are 122 ceramic tile manufacturers in Italy. 68 are located in the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 10 in the remaining provinces of the Emilia-Romagna region and 44 in the other Italian regions. Production takes place in 212 factories, while direct employment in the Italian tile industry stands at 18,009 units, down by about 400.

In 2024, 86.7% of Italian tiles were produced in the district between the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia, amounting to 369.8 million square metres, down 1.1% from the previous survey. Porcelain stoneware, with 343.6 million square metres produced, maintains its predominance in the product portfolio (93%), followed by single-fired tiles, with 12.3 million square metres (a 3% share) and 8.5 million of double-fired tiles (3%). Niche products account for just over 5.3 million square metres, with a share of around 1%.
In 2024, sales of finished products, a few million more than production, reached 378.3 million square metres, up 2.5% compared to 2023. Overseas sales rose in terms of quantity by 3.1%, and in absolute value exceeded 293 million sqm, accounting for some 78% of total sales. Total exports to European Union countries showed a limited change (+0.5% compared to 2023), while sales in the US and the main overseas markets, especially the Gulf area, recovered more significantly. Sales on the domestic market, accounting for over 20% of the total, increased slightly (+0.4%) to 84.7 million square metres, in line with the figure for the previous year.

 

In 2024, the total turnover of the Italian ceramic tile industry, achieved in factories on national soil, reached €6,062 million, down by 1.8%. This result is generated by exports of €4,979 million and domestic sales of €1,083 million. Foreign sales thus account for 82% of revenues, while domestic sales account for 18% of the total. Investments contracted sharply in 2024, falling by 19.4% to €382 million, but still accounting for 6.3% of turnover.

 

Outside Italy, there are also 17 foreign companies with production activities controlled by nine Italian ceramic groups. These foreign companies employ a total of over 3,000 people, and produced around 74 million square metres in 2024. Sales were close to 76 million square metres, of which 64 million on the respective domestic markets and about 12 million coming from exports to third countries, mainly bordering those where the plant is located (including inter-company sales). Total sales generated a turnover of €904 million (-7.2% compared to 2023), of which €487 million (-5.5%; 54% share) came from sales in Europe and the remainder, €417 million, from sales in North America (-9.3%). 85% of the total turnover comes from sales in the markets where the factories are located.

(Article by Andrea Cusi, pubblished in "CER il giornale della ceramica" magazine, No. 411)