Italian ceramic industry expands design awards and launches new Tiles Lab

The Italian ceramic industry has announced several major developments regarding design recognition and technological advancement. Confindustria Ceramica and the Italian Trade Agency revealed the winners of the 2026 Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition during the Cersaie 2026 event. This year marked the competition's first global expansion, receiving entries from various countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and several European nations. The awards recognized excellence in commercial, residential, outdoor, and design categories based on functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability.

In a separate industrial development, Sacmi has inaugurated its new Tiles Lab, an innovative ceramic laboratory designed to serve as a pilot factory for experimentation. The facility focuses on integrating advanced technologies, automation, and digital management into the ceramic production process. According to Sacmi President Paolo Mongardi, the lab is intended to provide a space for clients to test materials and processes under industrial conditions, supporting the global evolution of the ceramic industry through high-productivity forming, decoration, and robotic end-of-line solutions.