How has the ceramic tiles industry become a foreign exchange earner for India?
The Indian Tile industry has attracted the attention of the world in the ceramic tiles segment as a global participant. Ceramic tiles are widely used for flooring and wall cladding in residential and commercial buildings, and the global demand for these tiles has been increasing due to the growing demand for interior design and renovation. India is one of the largest producers of ceramic tiles in the world and is well-positioned to meet the growing global demand. This has allowed India to export ceramic tiles to several countries, thereby generating foreign exchange through exports. Additionally, the Indian ceramic tiles industry has also attracted a number of foreign investments and technology transfers, which has further helped to increase its foreign exchange earnings.
What are the transitions that the ceramic industry has experienced over the last 5 years?
Not too long ago, Indian households would upgrade their flooring to tiles as a reflection of their own growth. With time, the functional usage has moved from providing a sturdy and easy-to-clean surface to becoming an integral part of décor and interiors given their potential to land an impactful and refreshing outlook to the existing setup. Tiles have become the go-to option for flooring due to the range of options available to choose from, low maintenance and durability, and ease of installation. With a wide variety of tiles available in the market, ranging from ceramic, porcelain, vitrified, stone, mosaic, and glass, the choice of flooring has become more complex than ever.
With the pandemic bringing heightened awareness for health hygiene, we saw a demand for innovations in the bacterial-resistant tiles segment. Furthermore, the growing popularity of eco-friendly tiles and digital printing technology has brought a transition in the industry.To look at it even further into the future, tiles would be technologically modified ones. Those technologically modified tiles would be able to act as other gadgets: the tiles with integrated screens showing holographic visuals would act as your mobile phones, laptops, and televisions too. Also, there would be real concept homes with user-control interfaces which would work through the tiles.
No matter what the situation would be in the coming times, tiles would obey their role of protecting walls, providing an edge to the beauty of the floor and maintain the essence of the well-being of everyone.
Mr Sudhanshu Pokhriyal CEO, Bath & Tiles, Hindware Limited
Where are we placed vis-a Vis international markets?
India is one of the largest producers of tiles in the world and is among the top five exporters in the global tile market. India also holds a significant share of the international tile market, accounting for more than 10% of global tile exports. It exports ceramic and porcelain tiles to the US, Europe, the Middle East, and other regions. The Indian tile industry is expected to grow steadily in the coming years due to the rising demand for tiles from both domestic and international markets.
Is it a sustainable option for making recycled tiles with debris from construction materials?
Yes, it is a sustainable option for making recycled tiles with debris from construction materials. India has a large number of tile manufacturing units using advanced technology to make tiles from recycled materials, such as glass, ceramic, and other construction waste. Moreover, many manufacturers are also using green technologies to reduce the environmental impact of their production processes.
Please tell us about your future plans to survive in this highly competitive industry.
The category market is expected to surpass USD 1.77 billion at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2021 to 2027. The market is driven by the increasing demand for tiles in the residential and commercial sectors. Additionally, the increasing investment in the infrastructure sector is expected to create a positive outlook for the industry, and with only a few organised companies, the growth opportunity in tier II & tier III cities is still relatively untapped. Backed by our strong R&D capabilities, innovative product offerings, wide distribution channel, and intelligent marketing and branding campaigns across platforms, we are confident of tapping the demand present in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
