23   Giugno   2022

Agreement with BKRI

Memorandum of Understanding signed to increase the flow of German clays to the Italian ceramic industry

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today in Munich between Confindustria Ceramica, the Italian association of ceramic manufacturers, and BKRI, the German association of producers of raw materials for ceramics and industrial minerals (Bundesverband Keramische Rohstoffe und Industrieminerale). Present at the meeting were BKRI’s Chairman Guido Faber, and Mario Roncaglia, Chairman of the Transport and Raw Materials Commission of Confindustria Ceramica, accompanied by the associations' General Directors, Matthias Schlotmann and Armando Cafiero The meeting was also attended by representatives of DB Cargo, as well as by the Italian Consul General in Munich, Minister Plenipotentiary Enrico De Agostini.

This agreement, which has been signed at Ceramitec, an international fair for the sector of ceramics and raw materials, calls for an increase in mineral flows – of clay, in particular - to the Italian ceramic industry of up to +10% by the end of August and up to +30 % by December 2022

The dramatic events in Ukraine urge to strengthen the strategic relationship between the Italian and German associations; therefore, Confindustria Ceramica and BKRI have expressed mutual interest in consolidating and strengthening their historic partnership. The Italian ceramic tile industry has been importing about 1 million tons/year of German minerals, and, in particular, clay, for many years. The raw material is transported predominantly by rail, with dedicated trains, which also ensures that the environmental impacts associated with such a mode of transportation are contained.

Integral to the Memorandum of Understanding, which is endorsed by 20 companies of the two associations, is a commitment on both sides to work together so that the current critical conditions on the Germany-Italy rail route can quickly find with DB Cargo the proper operational solutions and/or alternatives. There is, in fact, an urgent need to resolve these important logistic issues in order to ensure not only the effectiveness and continuity of the already planned flows, but also that of additional flows, envisaged by the Memorandum of Understanding.