Cevisama, the International Ceramic Tile and Bath Furnishings Show, opened its doors this year to yet again, showcase the world’s finest in ceramic products, innovations and architectural applications. The products, news and trends that emerge from Cevisama set the tone for the year in ceramic tile. Now in its 27th year, Cevisama 2009 was no exception.

Tile of Spain branded manufacturers unite form and function with innovation and ingenuity to make ceramic tile the material of choice for today’s architect and designer. Following is a selection of the cutting-edge technology unveiled at Cevisama

Bionictile
BionicTile by Ceracasa earned the 2009 Alfa De Oro Award for Most Innovative Product. This ceramic product continuously decontaminates the air, filtering harmful nitrous oxide, the air contaminant responsible for acid rain and a leading cause of climate change and pulmonary diseases. Nitrates left inert on the tile surface are washed away by rain, fog and humidity leaving the surface ready to destroy more nitrous oxide molecules.

Ceracasa developed the product in collaboration with FMC FORET and the Institute of Chemical Technology from the Valencia Polytechnic University (Spain). One square meter of BionicTile is able to decompose 31.2 mg of nitrous oxide each hour. An urban core of 200 buildings covered with BionicTile would remove 82 tons of nitrous oxide each year.

SlimmKer
Inalco has designed a light, versatile product called SlimmKer. At less than a quarter of an inch thick, it’s easy to cut or perforate. Because it is lighter weight, it is also easy to handle and lay and easily meets all technical and sustainability requirements. SlimmKer combines technical innovation with the latest trends in design. Using IPLUS digital printing technology, it can achieve unlimited decorating potential including a variety of design, more natural-looking tiles and greater realism.

SlimmKer also represents a new landmark in environmentally friendly design. Maximum energy savings are realized during the manufacturing process and fewer resources are used, reducing emissions and pollutant substances. Lighter weight also eases the environmental footprint left in shipping practices. Its new dry anchorage system allows tiles from the SlimmKer range to be replaced without having to throw away the old material, avoiding the inconvenience and rubble generated during building work.

The first five series in the SlimmKer range are available in an 18” x 35” format. They include: Elisia, subtle embossed patterns, colored with lines in darker shades; Ethnic which shows randomly distributed scratching; Facet, a series with different surface reliefs for creating avant-garde settings; Foster, inspired by polished cement surfaces; and Ginza, a series inspired by modern wood.

Top Green
Roca Ceramica displayed its most creative and groundbreaking “green” styles to date at this year’s Cevisama. The Top Green Collection includes the Green Earth and Green Urban series, tiles produced with 80% recycled pre-consumer waste.

The Green Earth series reflects earth colors, including ochre-brownish tones. This porcelain tile is ideal solution for interior spaces with rustic character. Available in beige, crème and ocre. Formats include 17”x17”, 17”x29”, and 12”x12” tile.

The Green Urban series creates a concrete stone finish. This porcelain tile is available in anthracite and gray, and is suitable for floor space or wall covering as well as for technical purposes targeting both interiors and exteriors. Available in a 19”x19” format.

S3-TAU Ceramic Streetscape
Smart Surface Systems (S3), a TAU Group Company, unveiled the first recreation of an urban space created exclusively with ceramic materials. This street made with materials from the CIVIS’AGORA product line is an integrated high-tech proposal for public spaces with a safe and comfortable design. At Cevisama 2009, S3-TAU displayed a scene depicting more than 650 square feet of an outdoor urban setting, complete with sidewalks, horizontal and vertical signalling, urban furniture, as well as other elements that comprise an urban roadway.

The CIVIS’AGORA product line forms part of an integrated project called the CIVIS’SYSTEM, ceramics that improve the quality of life for all people. CIVIS’SYSTEM is the result of years of corporate research with the support of institutions such as the Generalitat Valenciana (Regional Government of Valencia), the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, and Commerce, the CDTI (Centre for Industrial Technological Development, and IMSERSO (Institute for Senior Citizens and Social Services). Likewise, it is the first building system recommended by the CVIDA Association that unites the major companies that are working to assure people’s quality of life.

Water-Jet Design
This technology uses pressurized water and added abrasives to make precise, smooth cuts allowing for a variety of custom designs.

Azuvi has merged water-jet technology into its work with ventilated facades resulting in Arquiteck•Polis – a mural incorporating ventilated façade, cutting and engraving by high-pressure water jet, backlit with LED lighting. The mural resembles a contemporary city and was created with the Urban series in Azuvi's Geotech Collection. Azuvi showed this project as an architectonic solution to display different technologies and possibilities available to architecture professionals.

Healthy Hospitality

Ceracasa utilizes Emotile digital printing technology.

A growing trend called healthy hospitality design sees architects and designers attempting to create balanced, rejuvenating hospitality spaces that also strive for hygienic superiority.

Inalco created an entire hotel room at its Cevisama booth, made completely from ceramic materials. It included louvered windows, flooring, headboard and furniture – proving that tile is an ideal building material for the hospitality sector.

Ceracasa introduced the Michael Banks Collection. Using Emotile technology, this collection this photographic artist uses a new medium to unite the world of art and ceramic tile. Banks has decorated hotels such as the Olivia Plaza in Barcelona, and Dubai.

Outdoor Living

Natucer introduces Filter Floor, a floating extruded ceramic.

With the increasing demand for stunning outdoor sanctuaries, pools and other water features - fountains, ponds and waterfalls - have gained priority status.

Natucer introduced Filter Floor, a floating extruded ceramic floor with a thickness of 3/4” that helps prevent stagnation of water in outdoor settings. Installation of the product is characterized by the absence of setting materials. This results in rapid drainage of water and guards against stagnant water. Ideal for use on terraces, around swimming pools, balconies and most external floor applications.

Dune unveiled the Petroglyphe Collection that includes designs inspired by the prehistoric engravings on rocks and stones. The result is decorated stone and natural slate in 12” x 24” with metallic finishes: gold, silver and copper, which can be combined with Dune’s recent collection of marbles and slates.

Weathered woods were the rage at Cevisama with many manufacturers introducing a new line paying homage to rough-hewn wood. Saloni introduced a series that featured end-cut wood. Vives introduced the Skandia line of 18” x 35” pickled planks.

Trend – Glimmer of Shimmer

Gres Catalan showcases the Puzzle Series.

Metallics are infiltrating interior spaces, residential and commercial alike. This trend seeks the shine and sophistication of precious metals and industrial materials.

Gres Catalan’s Puzzle Series was one of the most applauded in this show, not only for its original design, but also for its versatility in various applications. Puzzle is a synthesis of optical illusion, lighting and changing brightness all based on geometric shapes. Available in silver, black and white, and in formats 23” x 23”, 16.5” x 23” and 4” x 23”.

Dune introduced the Prisma Collection, 12” x 24 glass-based on a selection of precious fabrics and adaptable to varied spaces due to its different finishes. It can create elegant and differential spaces, where the shine and style of every piece can be duly promoted.

Dune also exhibited two ceramic series in 6” x 24”: Moon, which simulates moon craters, is available in iridescent black, white, gold and silver; the Medussa series entails pieces with geometric reliefs and is available in four colors: gold, silver, copper and pearl.

Decorative unveiled Terracota Glass – a new concept for interior flooring using hand-made terracotta as a backing for fluxed glazes and surface brushing at differing speeds. The result is a shimmering collection that includes Polar, Antracita, Blanco and Cuero, all available in 15.7” x 15.7”, 11.8” x 11.8”, 7.9” x 7.9”, and 5.9” x 11.8”.

Trend – Latest Revivals

Peronda reinvents the classic look of marble with Symphony.

Easily distinguishable from their contemporary counterparts, many older structures hold notable grace and provenance. A look so inspiring that many of today’s designers are attempting to capture this essence of the Old World in their newest building projects.

Peronda attempted to reinvent marble with new collections Clays and Symphony. Clays raises a solid concept where neutral and sober colors define bases. Symphony shows the beauty of stones such as Calacata marble, Daino travertine, Onice Ambar and Marquina to inspire a sophisticated environment emulating classical Greco-Roman culture.

Terra cotta is the cornerstone of the production at Decorativa. In addition to Terracota Glass, the manufacturer also introduced Terracota Colors, a chocolate floor tile, and the Tao series which features long ribs of terra cotta arranged in different patterns, available in a 10” x 10” format.

For more about tile produced in Spain, contact Tile of Spain Center at the Trade Commission of Spain by calling (305) 446-4387 or visit www.spaintiles.info.