A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to ramp up the supply of German clay to the Italian ceramic industry.

The agreement was signed between The German association of products of raw materials for ceramics and industrial minerals BKRI (Bundesverband Keramische Rohstoffe und Industrieminerale) and the Italian association of ceramic manufacturers Confindustria Ceramica.

Signed at the international fair Ceramitec, the agreement calls for an increase in mineral flows – of clay, in particular – to the Italian ceramic industry of up to 10% by the end of August 2022 and up to 30% by December 2022.

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Strengthening of this historic partnership follows the cancellation of Spanish exhibition Cevisama which highlighted a “critical” situation in the ceramics industry.

Organisers of Cevisama cited the energy crisis, majority of clay coming from the Ukraine and Russia as  the 12th largest export market for Spanish tiles, as impacting the show.

The Italian ceramic tile industry has been importing around 1million tons per year of German minerals, in particular clay.

It is transported predominantly by rail to constrain the impact on the environment.

Integral to the Memorandum of Understanding, endorsed by 20 companies of the two associations, is a commitment to work on a solution with DB Cargo for the current “critical” conditions on the rail route or seek alternatives.

According to the BKRI and the Confindustria Ceramica, there is an urgent need to resolve the logistic issues to ensure the effectiveness and continuity of supply and additional supply.

Present at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding were BKRI’s chairman Guido Faber and chairman of the Transport and Raw Materials Commission of Confindustria Ceramica Mario Roncaglia.

They were accompanied by the association’s general directors Matthias Schlotmann and Armando Cafiero.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of DB Cargo, as well as the Italian Consul General in Munich, Minister Plenipotentiary Enrico De Agostini.