Ceramics Industry in Distress [Apr 2012]

According to Sudhir Malesha, CEO of RAK Ceramics India, “Global meltdown has started hitting ceramics industry, cheap import is adding salt into the injury”
Being a representative of Rs. 10,000 crore ceramics industry, what is your outlook on the recent performance of this industry today as far as Indian market is concerned? Could you share the roadblocks that are affecting the ceramics business today?Global meltdown has started hitting ceramics industry, cheap import is adding salt into the injury. I see a tough time for all vitrified manufacturers for next six months.
In addition, no relaxation or benefits by the Government of India for ceramic manufactures, increase in petroleum product, logistics, manpower cost, raw materials cost so on and so forth.
In India, many ceramic units have been closed due to rise in raw material and fuel costs…Yes, this is a tough time. The Government of India has to take appropriate action. Only to benefit small groups in the China markets they are really hurting the whole lot of manufactures in India. It should be to save a lot of Indian manufacturers and they should oversee the benefits of Chinese manufacturers.
What is your opinion on the dumping of cheaper ceramics products in the Indian market? What actions can be initiated by Govt. to counter this?The Government of India should start anti-dumping duty irrespective of any preservation, and it should be implemented immediately.
RAK has recently introduced new definition tiles using Nanopix technology. Could you brief us about this technology in detail?This is an amazing form of tile; one can print any natural design on it. As it expands its wings to move to a finer technology and bigger size the more it will replace many natural stone market.
Apart from providing elegant appearance, what are the unique features of this technology?Easy to make, effective control on number of tile to be manufactured, no wastage of colours, not much variation in shades and can have number of shade in one day without the hassles of changing the screen.
What are your expansion plans? Are you planning to set-up a production facility in India to meet the increasing demand? We are tying up with companies which match RAK standards of manufacturing. We will be fulfilling the market demands mainly from outsource materials but strictly under RAK’s supervision and quality control.

Picturesque on the wall Leading producer of ceramic wall & floor tiles, vitrified tiles and sanitary ware brand RAK ceramics launched latest digital printing technology based tiles, Nanopix Tiles in India.
RAK's new Nanopix Tiles collection is inspired from high-end stone materials and world class buildings, with high artistic taste; it is a rare art treasure. This is available in sizes 60 x 60 cm & 45 X 90 cm with 40 different shades.
These richly detailed tiles are created by infusing artwork, digital image or photographs into ceramic & vitrified tiles. Now, one can have interesting shapes, images and your favorite photographs in tiles by using latest technology. These tiles can be placed in indoor and outdoor applications on floor as well as wall.RAK Ceramics specialises in new high definition Nanopix technology which is distinct from other prevalent printing techniques in the market in that it can present high definition and multi-layer decorative effects on ceramic surfaces. This allows RAK Ceramics to create vivid high definition designs that provide more authentic natural marble stone replication.
High-tech three-dimensional design technology gives the tiles the high definition to make pictorial surfaces as fine as nanometer-grade, further, the printing quality  is extremely clear with vibrant colors and vivid effects. RAK offers three stunning but different marble effects within this range – New Diano, Travertino and Statuario.

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