The Ceramic Industry in Spain: Challenges and Opportunities in Times of Crisis

Abstract

In the last few years, the Spanish ceramic industry has gone through a severe crisis, which has led to great market loss and reduction in profi ts. Nevertheless, the ceramic industries in Spain have always characterised themselves as an innovative sector, highly predisposed to changes. It is precisely in times of crisis that the industries most seek to break new ground in their quest for new innovations that will give them an edge over competitors. This study provides an overview of the advances that have recently materialised in the ceramic tile industry. Various technological issues are thus highlighted, such as tile decoration by inkjet printing, laser technology, physical vapour deposition (PVD) technology, fi ring using laser technology (laser­fi ring project), etc. These techniques are being used to develop innovative products, thus obtaining tiles with bactericidal capability, conductive glazes, anti­electrostatic tiles, etc.