Mumbai 5/8/2013 11:42:15 AM
Decorative Tiles Market Demand Will Expand through 2017
US demand to rise 6.7% annually through 2017
US demand for decorative tile is forecast to rise 6.7 percent per year through 2017, reaching 3.2 billion square feet. Gains will be driven by a rebound in building construction spending. The new housing market will register double-digit demand advances as housing completions grow from their low 2012 base. Tile demand in nonresidential building construction applications will also increase at a fast pace, spurred by strong growth in office and commercial construction spending and increasing use of tile as a low-cost, low-maintenance flooring alternative to carpets and rugs.
Natural stone to be the fastest growing tile material. Of all tile types, natural stone tile is projected to grow most rapidly through 2017. Natural stone tiles are expected to overtake porcelain to be the secondlargest type in area demand terms by 2017. Gains will be spurred by strong residential demand for natural stone flooring. Homeowners increasingly opt for granite tile flooring because it is an attractive, durable material that increases home values. Moreover, because of its appearance and durability, natural stone flooring is suitable for utilization in nonresidential structures -- such as hotels, high-end resorts, and shopping malls.
Alone among tile materials, porcelain saw demand increases between 2007 and 2012. Porcelain tile demand will expand about nine percent per year thru 2017, gaining share in both residential and nonresidential building markets. Porcelain tiles are durable, slip-resistant materials that can be made to resemble such materials as hardwood and natural stone, but for much less cost. Many homeowners will install porcelain tile flooring as an inexpensive way to enhance the appearance of their homes. Gains will also come from increasing usage of the product in nonresidential structures. Unglazed porcelain tile offers users durability and slip resistance, boosting its use as a flooring material in areas with heavy foot traffic, such as shopping malls, office buildings, and health care and educational facilities. However, more rapid growth will be checked by competition from natural stone flooring, particularly in the residential market, as more affluent homeowners opt for stone based on its more luxurious appearance. Decorative Tiles market
US producers competitive in porcelain tile segment. Foreign trade plays a crucial role in the industry. Such countries as Brazil, China, and Turkey supply large quantities of stone tile, taking advantage of low labor costs and good access to inexpensive raw materials. Italian tile dominates the high end ceramic and porcelain tile market segments, while Mexico and China supply low-cost ceramic tile to US consumers. However, imports of decorative tile in area terms fell from 83 percent of demand in 2002 to 74 percent in 2012. As domestic demand for decorative tile has risen, US manufacturers have worked to expand production capacity, especially in the porcelain tile segment. US producers face intense competition in the ceramic tile segment from low-cost producers, while foreign firms with superior access to stone supplies make it very difficult for US manufacturers to offer low-cost, highquality products. However, greater usage of low-cost shale gas has reduced production costs, making it possible for US-based manufacturers to offer high quality porcelain tile at prices competitive with foreign suppliers.
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