Asian tile output grows, whilst global output falters

摘要

The slowdown in the world economy in 2009 inevitably affected the ceramic sector. According to data collected in an exclusive survey, world tile production actually fell for the first time in the sector's industrial history. World output dropped to 8,515 million sq.m, 0.1% down on the 8,520 million sq.m of 2008, compared to an average annual increase of 6-7% in the period 2004-2007 and a 3.2% increase in 2008. The overall fall was limited by the positive trend in Asia (+7.1%) and Africa (+11.9%). Asia produced 5,542 million sq.m (366 million sq.m more than in 2008), bringing its share of world production to 65.1%. All the top producer countries in the Asian continent increased their national production: in particular the two giants of the area, China (+200 million sq.m) and India (+100 million sq.m.