In 2013, the ceramic tile industry once again faced a wave of uncertainty, raising a series of pressing questions: Is the production capacity of ceramic tiles currently overbuilt? How long will it take for the industry to transition from rapid growth to more stable development? And after this shift, will there still be an oversupply? These concerns were no longer just theoretical—they had become real issues facing the entire sector.
Throughout 2013, the overall trend of the ceramic tile industry remained relatively stable. According to data collected in the first ten months of the year, China’s ceramic tile output reached 8.08 billion square meters, marking a 5.57% increase compared to the same period in 2012. This was slightly lower than the 5.8% growth recorded in the first half of the year. Despite the minor decline, the industry generally followed its initial projection: a year of steady growth with a modest increase of around 5%.
While the annual figures didn’t show major fluctuations, industry insiders noticed a clear contrast between the first and second halves of the year. According to reports from Jiuzheng Building Materials Network, the first half of the year saw strong demand, with shortages of both materials and labor. However, by the second half, the market began to slow down. In the third quarter, several factories in Jiajiang, Faku, and Zibo reported production halts. The financial crisis in June, marked by a “money shortage†in China’s banking system, seemed to act as a turning point for the industry.
The upstream sector of the ceramic tile industry also showed mixed performance in 2013. Equipment manufacturers, particularly those producing presses and kilns, experienced a boom. Many new production lines were either launched or under construction, leading to a surge in orders. However, not all regions were equally affected—some areas, like Jiajiang, saw nearly one-third of their production lines idle, while 24 new ones were still under construction. This surge in capacity would have a significant impact on the industry in 2014.
Meanwhile, traditional color glaze companies struggled. They faced declining demand due to the rise of ceramic inks and a sharp drop in pigment consumption. Additionally, falling prices of chemical raw materials and heavy stock depreciation led to reduced profitability for many firms.
In December 2013, the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine released the national quality report for ceramic tile products. Out of 180 sampled products from 17 provinces, only 11 were found to be non-compliant, resulting in a pass rate of 93.89%. This was a significant improvement compared to previous years, with pass rates rising from 73.55% in 2009 to 81.62% in 2010, 86.10% in 2011, and 89.59% in 2012. Several provinces, including Guangdong, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Shanghai, and Henan, achieved pass rates above 90%, while Guizhou lagged at 75%. Overall, these results reflected the continuous improvement in product quality across China.
Export data for 2013 also revealed some positive trends. From January to October, China exported 930 million square meters of ceramic tiles, a 5.3% increase compared to the same period in 2012. The export value reached $6.236 billion, up 27.83%, with the average unit price rising to $6.71 per square meter—a 14.8% increase. While the volume growth had slowed from double-digit to single-digit percentages, the jump in average pricing was largely attributed to the RMB’s appreciation.
In 2012, ceramic tiles accounted for 12.08% of China’s total output, but this dropped to 11.51% in the first ten months of 2013. This decline aligned with the national "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" goal of controlling annual exports to 500 million square meters. However, it became evident that this target would likely not be met during the five-year period.
One of the most notable events in 2013 was Brazil’s anti-dumping investigation into Chinese ceramic tiles. The country announced plans to use Italy as a surrogate for calculating normal value, which raised concerns about potential trade barriers. As the global market grew more competitive, the industry was forced to adapt, innovate, and find new ways to remain sustainable in an evolving landscape.
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