Sustainability and Innovation at Cersaie 2024: New Frontiers of Ceramics in Interiors and Furnishings
Sustainable Materials: New Frontiers
The 41st edition of CERSAIE, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tiles and Bathroom Furnishings, has recently concluded in Bologna. At Materially, we seized the opportunity to explore emerging trends and innovative solutions in surfaces, bathroom furnishings, and architectural finishes.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the trend of three-dimensional ceramic surfaces rich in decoration has been reaffirmed. Notably, the bathroom furnishings sector is witnessing a vibrant explosion of color, with shades of blue, pink, and green—often paired with soft, rounded shapes—replacing the traditional white ceramics.
The 2024 edition of CERSAIE also placed a significant emphasis on sustainability. Companies showcased innovative solutions, through the use of sustainable materials, aimed at reducing environmental impact, while events and discussions focused on European directives, decarbonization, and sustainability within the ceramic industry.
In this context, the Centro Ceramico introduced the CCS4CER project, which stands for Carbon Capture Storage and CO2 Mineralization for the Ceramic Industry. Funded by the European Union and the Emilia-Romagna region, this project aims to utilize CO2 generated during ceramic tile production to mineralize waste materials, creating secondary raw materials for carbon-negative cement and mortars. This initiative contributes to a circular economy. The project officially commenced in February 2024 and will span 30 months, with results expected by 2027.
Solutions with Sustainable Materials
Some solutions developed by companies are already available on the market. For example, one company has launched a new brand that identifies collections based on the principles of reuse and recycling. Their regeneration process combines 39.8% raw materials in their natural state, 48.6% manufacturing waste, and 11.6% materials that have completed the firing cycle, resulting in a total of 60.2% pre-consumer recycled content. These collections are suitable for both interior and exterior flooring and wall cladding and come with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
Continuing the theme of reuse and recycling, we highlight a collection of ceramic mosaics that incorporates glass recycled from cathode ray tubes used in monitors and television screens. This collection was awarded the ADI Ceramics & Bathroom Design Award on September 25th.
Sustainability and Innovation
In addition to waste reuse and CO2 emission offsetting, companies are researching and developing solutions to reduce the thickness of ceramic slabs. A notable innovation in this area comes from a company that has introduced the thinnest slabs currently available on the market, measuring just 2 mm in thickness. This ultra-thin design optimizes the entire product life cycle: the firing process is faster and conducted using fully electric kilns powered by photovoltaic energy, while transportation is minimized due to the significantly lighter weight.
Thus, CERSAIE has reaffirmed its role not only as a showcase for the latest design trends but also as an important platform for addressing the environmental sustainability challenges in the construction and interior design sectors.