Roca, Kohler, Geberit and Toto lead the rankings of the world ceramic sanitaryware manufacturers by volumes of production in 2020. See who is next.

Acimac Research Dept. / MECS updates the yearly analysis of the world ceramic sanitaryware imports/exports flows. In 2020, the first year of the pandemic, global sanitaryware exports suffered a 5% contraction on 2019, a downturn observed in all geographical areas of production.

According to preliminary figures published by Confindustria Ceramica and Prometeia, total sales reached 458 million sqm, up 12% on the pre-Covid year 2019. Exports climbed by 15% against 2020 and by 13% with respect to 2019, while Italian domestic sales returned to growth after 20 years (+9% compared to 2019).

According to the preliminary figures compiled by the MECS - Acimac Research Centre, the sector’s year-end turnover will rise to €2,145 million, 45% up on 2020. Almost 6 months of production is guaranteed in 2022

According to Cresme, in 2021 the global construction market will reach the record level of €8,807 billion (+6,4% on 2020) and will continue to grow at an yearly rate of around 3% through to 2025.

Mohawk Industries, Lamosa and SCG lead the rankings. All leading groups are confirming growth forecasts this year, while 2021 rankings will see some changes in positioning due to the major acquisitions completed recently.

ACIMAC research Dept/MECS anticipates to Ceramic World Review the key figures of the 9th edition of the annual report “World production and consumption of ceramic tiles”.

Sales grew by 9% in Q1 2021 (+7% compared to 2019). Italian sales were up 19%, exports 7.3%. Business leaders are concerned about sharp rises in the costs of energy, finished product packaging and sea freight to the USA.

The sanitaryware, tableware and refractory sectors experienced a sharp decline in both production volumes and turnover in 2020. The brick and roof tile sector proved more resilient.

In 2020 total ceramic tile sales in the USA were down 3.5% to 263.6 million sq.m. While domestically produced tile continued to grow, imports were the most damaged, decreasing by 5.3% to 183 million sq.m