Tiles

The tile industry is one where India has a strong showing – the country is the third largest producer of tiles in the world, ranks fifth in exporting the product globally and is the second fastest growing market in the world, after China. Global tile production volumes clocked a healthy 7% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) over CY 04-14. China, with an approximately 48 per cent share, is the world's largest tile producer and consumer, followed by Brazil, which has 7 per cent of the market. The Indian tile industry, worth INR 225 bn (756 msm) follows at 6 per cent (Edelweiss 2016).

- Vaishnavi Uchil

The global tile export market is also led by China, followed by Italy, Spain and Iran, with India bringing up the 5th slot. Historically however, Italy has dominated in terms of value. The three biggest exporter countries, China, Spain and Italy, accounted for 66.1% of world exports in 2013 while Italy stood in third place, with 303 million sq m, but maintained the top position in export share (83.5%) and average price (€12.8 /sq m or $15.28 / sq m. [Source : ACIMAC]

Closer home, Vivek Talwar, CMD, NITCO Ltd., Mumbai, says, "The Indian tile industry continues to grow at a healthy 15 per cent per annum. Ceramic tiles as a product segment have grown to a sizeable chunk today, at approximately 680 million square meters production per annum."

Market growth is driven by economic factors, as always, and the fact of tiles being affordable and durable making them the best flooring option for the country’s climate and purse. Rakesh Agrawal, Managing Director, Elegant Marbles & Grani Industries Ltd, Mumbai, explains, "The unprecedented growth in this sector can be attributed to the increase in the number of earning individuals and their disposable income, and the boom in real estate. As lifestyles improve, the aesthetic sense of consumers also improves correspondingly, and that has a direct bearing on the demand for ceramic tiles." Amit Shah, Managing Director, Classic Marble Company, Mumbai, adds, "Apart from the residential sector, hospitality segments and commercial spaces, which are mostly driven by retail, and IT firms are the biggest consumers of tiles. Clients are also experimenting with tiles for the façades of commercial buildings and the latest varieties in thin and big size tiles are trending."

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