Key trends in ceramics at the Cersaie 2023 exhibition - ZS Spain

We are once again participating in Cersaie alongside our colleagues from Zschimmer & Schwarz Ceramco. The 2023 edition is marked in the calendar by receiving the prestigious ADI Booth Award for the stand design and its ability to clearly and attractively convey the role of chemistry in ceramics.

After experiencing this and many other emotions at the exhibition, we have prepared an article about the most striking ceramic trends of 2023. But before diving into the news of technical and design innovations, we want to ask you a question: what word would you use to describe this year's ceramic trends? Immerse yourself in the news of technical and design innovations in ceramics from Cersaie 2023, and we will tell you which word, in our opinion, encompasses all these exciting trends.

Technical trends in ceramics in 2023

Let's start with the technical ceramic trends focusing on the product and its application. As you will see in this article, the offerings continue to align with the principles of sustainability and well-being observed in 2022.

Large-format ceramics

One of the main ceramic trends of 2023 is the growing popularity of large-format ceramics, which present many challenges. One of the key issues is achieving thin products of high technical quality and exquisite appearance with minimal energy consumption. Producing such ceramics requires special attention to mechanical strength, as even the weight of the product can cause it to break. Therefore, the use of temporary binders has become significantly important. Their ability to increase mechanical strength during the molding process allows tiles to withstand more movement during production. To create refined ceramics, options are being developed that add value to these products. One example is the use of special adhesives for each application. Options such as granule adhesive allow tiles to have the necessary technical characteristics according to their purpose and use. Finally, when producing large-format ceramics, it is extremely important to use high-quality materials that ensure technical excellence. The reason is that, naturally, not as much material is consumed as in the case of smaller products, so losses when creating large-format items are more costly.

Creation of digital structures

In the realm of ceramic trends, there is a significant increase in the creation of structures using digital ceramics (digital structures). There are several alternatives to achieve this effect. One option is to create a hydrophobic effect with digital effects. Additionally, one can choose to use digital adhesives or glazes. The added value lies in the flexibility that modern technology offers, allowing for the imitation of forms and surfaces found in nature. Furthermore, the conditions for firing and glazing are no different from traditional ceramics, meaning that no changes are required in the ceramic production process. In this context, we recommend our family of digital adhesives, TRUBOND (solvent-based) and AQUABOND (water-based). Both solutions will provide a variety of finishes that will add aesthetic and technical value to ceramic tiles. However, if we want to look into the future, we cannot help but recommend the water-based adhesive AQUABOND, not only because of its environmental value but also because its higher viscosity slows down the adhesive absorption, which helps improve clarity in the application of granules. There is another alternative for creating digital structures: digital glazing.

Among its advantages, the most notable is the lower amount of glaze waste. While analog systems exceed the tile limits when applying glaze, digital systems can adapt to the tile surface. Additionally, in non-piezoelectric glazing systems, glazes with particle sizes similar to traditional glazes (and larger than those in piezoelectric heads) can be used. As a result, this allows for energy savings during grinding.

Other technical trends in ceramics include the versatility of ceramic tiles, the use of various materials and textures, as well as the prevalence of granules and hyper-realistic design.

Trends in ceramic design

In addition to technical trends, Cersaie is also a platform for new ceramic design innovations. Following last year's theme, we highlight three main points that define the evolution of ceramics: a connection with nature, the coziness of home, and classic luxury. Based on these points, we have identified four key concepts that encompass what ceramics currently convey to us.

Calmness and light

As the main ceramic trends, we see brightness and shine. Both elements harmoniously blend with natural resources, among which wood stands as a symbol of sustainability. Wood is expressed through rustic textures with knots and rich colors, complemented by other natural textures like bamboo. Additionally, we see a wide range of cement that, moving away from its traditional urban nature, transforms into noble materials that evoke spirituality. These cements represent shades of earth and gray, harmonizing with nature. All of this is combined with stones that, by blurring their light and oxidized contrasts, can merge with the surrounding nature.

The warmth of the earth

As we have seen, this ceramic trend is making a comeback with textured and vintage effects, offering a natural and handcrafted charm. The designs feature warm and vibrant colors, emulating the look of clay, crafts, and Mediterranean landscapes. Inspired by the past, the new Cotto style experiments with material and color. Both are combined with a more modern vision of hydraulic tiles that resemble classic Venetian terrazzo.

The splendor of luxury

Classics are firmly established over time, and the next trend is proof of that. Marble is once again becoming dominant in its most refined variations, such as Onyx, Calacatta, oceanic travertine, and Rapolano, but this time in its purest form, radiating whiteness, light, and an unmatched shine. Moreover, they are combined with designs inspired by Eastern culture, characterized by luxurious fabrics. This revival of marble is paired with the geometric aesthetics of modern style, where metallic surfaces and matte oxides play a significant role.

Natural surfaces

As we saw in the first section of the article on technical trends, digital technology is in vogue and stands out for its ability to reproduce various materials. As a result, we can find a wide range of natural elements in the home. Additionally, there is a desire to imitate handcrafted art, for example, through watercolor, delicate botanical patterns, and monochromatic finishes that help maintain harmony in spaces.

Color and materials in ceramic trends

Regarding the color palette, to convey tranquility, beige and gray shades dominate the ceramic products. This year's novelty features purple tones that resemble the color schemes of recent years from Pantone and convey energy inspired by nature.

The uniqueness of ceramic trends in 2023 lies in the materials and shapes. We mentioned a variety of materials such as marble, precious stones, concrete, soft stones, and wood. They are combined with geometric patterns, floral elements, and watercolor imitations, evolving towards Eastern motifs, with a significant influence from Japanese culture.

As you may have noticed, condensing all these ceramic trends into one word is a challenge. The 2024 Surface Trends Report, conducted by the Housing Trends Advisory Council, defines it as a "reboot." We are leaving behind the resistance of 2020, the resilience of 2021, and the revival of 2022 to connect all these trends into one source of inspiration and creativity - ceramics.