by Simone Ricci17   Settembre   2014

China: unlimited growth with an eye to the green economy

At a global level, speaking of ceramic tiles, the Chinese one is the largest market in the world, totalling around 4.5/5 billion square metres in 2013, with average growth rates being over 7% since 2000. In 2013 imports totalled just 5.6 million sq m, of which nearly 40% came from Italy, with an average price topping 17€/sq m. China is also the largest exporting country in tiles hitting 850 million sq m in 2013.


As to the real estate industry, investments in the construction sector topped 1,700€ billion in 2013 making up about 25% of the GDP (6,883.9€ billion), over half of the country’s total investments (3,365.5€ billion) and about 40% of 2013 government’s revenue. These figures confirm the importance of the building industry in China. In 2013 total investments in China reached 1,746.3€ billion divided between  
residential property (32.4%), commercial (31.7%) and civil engineering (35.7%). According to forecasts until the year 2017, civil engineering is expected to be the most dynamic sector with an annual growing rate of 6-7%, thanks to a boost in transport infrastructure such as the high-speed rail network and the “7918 Network” motorway system but also power plants and water pipes. According to experts, residential housing will rise 6.8% until 2017, thanks to higher individual incomes, urbanization and enhanced efforts made by the government to improve the working classes’ living conditions. A 6.7% rise is expected also in commercial property thanks to a huge increase in consumer goods and services, which stimulates investments in factories, warehouses, buildings and shopping malls. 


The Country Report China ends with six Italian leading companies in the tile industry sharing their views and considerations on the green economy, the last frontier of the Chinese tile. The six firms operate at different levels in the ceramic chain but have all chosen to keep their productive and technological heart in Italy They are present on the Chinese market through local commercial and production plants or through liaisons with local dealers. Some of them are strengthening their presence in the Far East, especially Indonesia.  
The whole Country

Report China is published on 'Cer il giornale della ceramica' n. 346 (july-august 2014), downloadable from the application ‘Ceramica’ (free on App Store) for iPad.