Despite the challenges arising from geopolitical instability and rising raw material costs, Leonardo Tavani, Vice President of Marketing, Customer Service & Distribution at Marazzi, expresses optimism about the future of the ceramic sector. Tavani believes that the quality and intrinsic value of Italian products will continue to stand out.
What were Marazzi’s expectations for this year’s Tile Week, considering the current economic climate? What trends can you observe?
Expectations are positive, and we anticipate a high turnout of professionals and customers interested in the latest innovations and technologies. The trends we observe vary across markets, but generally, high-value products with innovative features, like the Premium 3D Ink technology, which represents an advancement for surface aesthetics and tactile experience, are where customer attention converges.
Sustainability is increasingly important in the construction sector. What are Marazzi’s efforts and innovations in this area? Will we see new developments at Tile Week?
Marazzi has long been committed to reducing the environmental impact of its production processes and developing sustainable products. This is evidenced by a series of certifications and recognitions, starting with the Quality Management System Certification according to ISO 9001 standards from 1994 and the Environmental Management System Certification according to ISO 14001 from 2003. More recently, the company was among the first globally to obtain the ISO 17889-1 certification, the first international standard assessing the sustainability of ceramic tiles based on 38 qualitative and quantitative criteria of environmental, social, and economic performance. Our “The Open Circle” project transparently documents all our activities online in this area. At Tile Week, we will present several innovations, including new collections made with a high percentage of recycled materials and advanced low-impact production processes.
How have geopolitical instability and rising raw material costs affected the sector? How is Marazzi addressing these challenges?
They have impacted the supply chain and production costs, particularly concerning raw materials that the entire industry has had to replace. At Marazzi, we have invested in innovative technologies to improve production efficiency, strengthened our supplier relationships, and are constantly monitoring the market to adapt quickly to changes. We have managed to face these challenges while maintaining the quality and reliability of our products.
In your view, what are the main opportunities and challenges the sector will face in the coming years?
Italian ceramic products are still the most appreciated worldwide, recognized for their tangible value: beauty, technology, and sustainability, in a comprehensive sense, both environmentally and socially. Continuing to assert this difference and maintain leadership in product innovation, while continuing to invest in people’s skills and new technologies, is, I believe, both a great opportunity and a significant challenge.
