US ceramic tile companies filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission to impose antidumping duties on Chinese imports.

The new study by Acimac Research Department examines the 2015-2017 economic and financial data for 345 companies, of which 75 operating in Italy, 72 in Spain and 198 in other countries worldwide.

Confindustria Ceramica Chairman Giovanni Savorani describes the various factors that have contributed to the slowdown of the sector as well as the measures that have been put in place to exploit new opportunities.

While carpet and hardwood are suffering a decrease of their market share, the US floor covering market experiences the strong advance of LVT.

According to the 86th Euroconstruct Conference report, building production in the area will grow until 2021 (+2.8% in 2018).

The 26th CRESME Outlook and Forecast Report reveals a sector-wide recovery that is expected to continue at least until 2022.

US tile consumption grew just 1.2% in 2018 to about 288 million sq.m. Domestic sales of US tile dropped to 84 million sq.m, while imports rose to 205 million sq.m (+5%), mainly from China, Spain and Brazil.

Canadian imports and consumption of ceramic tiles decreased to 41 million sq.m in 2018.

New home starts in the U.S. achieved 1.26 million units in 2018, but 2019 will be flat after nine consecutive years of growth.

The funds will be used to build social and low-cost housing for the poorest sections of the Nigerian population.

Major real-estate and urban development projects will upgrade the city’s image over the next few years.

The Kenyan government’s housing plan involves investments of around $13 billion.