This year, Bologna, Italy’s annual trade show, a bellwether of tile trends, showcased the industry’s continual achievements—thicker formats, more responsive surfaces, and increasingly realistic patterns and textures. Click through the slideshow above to see some of the most notable new products.
The Best of CERSAIE 2019
Terrazzo MaxiMini
Fioranese Ceramica reimagined the classic paving in Mini and Maxi pattern (shown) for walls as well as floors in light commercial and residential settings. The tiles are available in 24" x 48" and 48"-square units, in white, black, and gray.
Ergon Medley Collection
In line with a trend celebrating terrazzo, Emilgroup’s Ergon brand has rolled out colorful, exaggerated porcelain versions in three styles: Pop, Classic, and Rock. These marble-and-concrete effects are digitally printed on backgrounds in white, gray, dark gray, blue, green, and pink. Tile sizes range from nearly 1' x 23⅝" to just short of a yard square, and a large-format 23⅝"x 47¼" tile in an optional thickness of circa ¾" suitable for outdoor applications.
Massive Stone
This collection of outdoor pavers is Coem’s interpretation of the ancient building blocks emblematic of archaeological sites, down to the simulated wear marks stamped on their unpolished rectified surface. Massive Stone is available in four sizes, including planks (24" x 36", 12" x 36", and 16" x 24") and four stone patterns— Desert, Ash, Ground, and Moon (shown).
Risseu
Inspired by pebbled walkways, Risseu is the latest addition to Refin Ceramiche’s Out 2.0 collection. The new 35"-square paver features a stamped texture to match its digitally printed 3-D graphic of stones in sand for an authentic appearance. Available in a light or dark version, the 1"-thick slab is engineered for outdoor applications.
Limpha
For cladding exterior walls, manufacturer CasalGrande Padana has designed largeformat 4' x 7' slabs of porcelain, which incorporate both photo-realistic imagery, such as roses or ivy, and a self-cleaning technology codeveloped with bath-fixture manufacturer Toto. Recommended for commercial and public buildings, Limpha (shown in Arborea) is available in four additional patterns: Coral Rose, Larix, Gelsomino, and Helix.
Blend
A new collection being rolled out next year by ABK simulates the art of combining materials—in this case, concrete, marble, and terrazzo fragments—on one tile face. Blend (shown in Concrete Grey Combo) will be available in 3'-square tiles. Check the manufacturer’s website for availability.
Trust
Designed for use around gardens and pools, Trust is a frost-resistant outdoor paver collection from Atlas Concorde that comes in a durable 1"-thick, 24"-square rectified format. What appears to be a naturally quarried stone is actually a pattern digitally printed on the tile.
Boutique
Fragments from different marbles fused into one is the concept behind the enlarged close-up graphics that distinguish Boutique, a new porcelain collection from Del Conca, shown here in Bloom. Manufactured in a large-format 4' x 8½', for maximum visual impact, the slabs are also available in 12" x 24", 24" x 48", and 24"- or 48"-square units. Additional styles include Calacatta Oro and Onice Fantastico.
Akoya
This line of 3"-thick rectified porcelain tile features the rich veining of the type of pearl it is named for, printed on a grand scale to add interest to walls and floors. Akoya comes in White, Ivory, Silver, and Ocean (shown) as slabs measuring 3' x 6' or in mosaic tiles, for design versatility as well as visual effect.
B&W Marble
To update its Floor Gres collection, Florim has rolled out B&W Marble, a line of porcelain floor tiles printed with exaggerated veining patterns and available in slabs as large as 4' x 9', 4' x 7', and 5' x 10½', and 2" thick. Eight colorways are available in a natural or high-gloss finish.
