BRAZIL HOSTS THE WORLD FORUM OF CERAMICS MANUFACTURERS

Created in 1994, the World Ceramic Tiles Forum (WCTF) brings together ceramic tile manufacturers from all over the world every year. The Forum is an opportunity to discuss global issues in the sector, such as world statistics, market trends, threats and competition with other tile products, ways to encourage the use of ceramics, sustainability, among other relevant topics.

ANFACER (National Association of Manufacturers of Ceramic Tiles, Sanitary Ware and Congeners), which represents the Brazilian ceramics industry nationally and internationally, has participated in all editions of the Forum and is promoting the meeting in Brazil for the third time. The 2018 edition will take place from November 7 to 10 at the Palácio Tangará in São Paulo and will be attended by representatives from various countries such as Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, England, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Kenya, Sweden, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States.

Brazil is one of the main players in the world ceramic tile market, ranking third in production and consumption. Based on data from January to September 2018, 590 million m² were produced for an installed capacity of 794 million m². Total sales (domestic market + foreign market) in this period amounted to 585.4 million m², of which 514 million m² were sold domestically and 71 million m² exported. It is worth noting that world production has grown by 85% in the last ten years, with China accounting for more than half of the world's supply of ceramic tiles.

"It will be an honor for Brazil to once again host this event, which is so important for the evolution of the world ceramics industry. The international market as a whole points to a slowdown in business expansion. This slowdown in the economy, however, will not stop the ceramics industry from continuing to advance around the world, with new players expanding their market share, associated with the consolidation of new technologies appropriate to the sector, as well as the growing incorporation of sustainability concepts," says Antonio Carlos Kieling, ANFACER's superintendent.

For Mauricio Borges, General Director, "civil construction is the fifth largest industry in Brazil, representing 5.2% of the national GDP and responsible for around 8,000 direct jobs in the country. This is an important time to debate and draw up future guidelines, expand business opportunities and strengthen the market."

On the same occasion, between November 12 and 14, the International ISO TC 189 - Ceramic Tiles Committee will meet. The meeting of the body that draws up and revises standards related to the ceramics sector worldwide will be attended by around 50 representatives from the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, England, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Kenya, Sweden, Turkey and the USA.

At the ISO meeting, the ceramics sector will be represented by Ana Paula Menegazzo (CCB - Centro Cerâmico do Brasil Superintendent), Amanda Neme (ANFACER Technical Consultant) and Laura Paiva (Secretary of the Brazilian Ceramic Tiles Committee for tile - ANFACER). The meetings will cover ceramic sector standards related to testing methods, special thin tiles, product specifications, antimicrobial properties of ceramic tile surfaces, sustainability, among other subjects.

PRESS INFORMATION
Tel: 55 11 3192-0600

BRISA MOURA
imprensa@anfacer.org.br
Tel: 55 11 96488-6042

‍