The Centro Ceramico seminars at Cersaie 2007

Alongside its customary role as an exhibition and commercial and cultural event, Cersaie is also an opportunity to analyse the state of technology, standards, research, installation and energy saving in the ceramic industry. For this purpose, the Centro Ceramico in cooperation with Confindustria Ceramica has organised a packed programme of technical and scientific meetings with the foremost Italian experts in their respective sectors, which will be held in the Services Centre during Cersaie.

Please note that the seminars will be held in Italian and an interpreting service will not be provided.

Ceramic tiles: CE marking two years on
Almost two years since obligatory CE marking for ceramic tiles was introduced, a number of changes to the reference standard (EN 14411) have been made and a process of revision of Directive 89/106 (the framework document for CE marking) has been launched. Specific implementation decrees have also been published in a number of European countries.
The seminar aims to provide an up-to-date picture of reference documents, to take stock of developments in the standards and to provide an opportunity for participants to exchange opinions and share experiences.

Ceramic sanitaryware: international standards and CE marking
The seminar will provide an up-to-date picture of European EN standards on ceramic sanitaryware and will analyse trends and development prospects and their implications for the Italian industry. Special attention will be focused on CE marking, on past experience and on the implications of the revision of Directive 89/116 and the respective implementation decrees. The seminar will analyse the current situation, outline future obligations, and discuss the commercial and technical implications of this mark for the ceramic sanitaryware sector.

Ceramic tiles and sanitaryware: the frontiers of research
The Italian and European ceramic building materials industry, especially the floor and wall tile and sanitaryware sectors, is exposed to competition from both emerging countries and alternative products. Product and process research and innovation are the only effective means of addressing this situation and reinforcing the competitiveness and technological and manufacturing leadership role that the Italian industry still holds. The seminar will discuss objectives and strategies, necessary and available resources, research and development projects, and the main areas in which the industry and research organisations are focusing their efforts through national and international research support programmes such as the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme.

Ceramic tiles and energy efficiency in building: innovations for the building shell
The Centro Ceramico, with co-funding from Regione Emilia-Romagna, has set up a laboratory to develop ceramic tiles with innovative functions compared to their traditional role as a floor and wall covering and thus increase their potential and added value.
The need for innovative building materials capable of reducing the energy requirements of buildings has spurred the development – using nanotechnologies and other cutting-edge technologies – of ceramic tiles that can be installed on ventilated facades and are capable of reducing energy expenditure for the management of buildings.
The integration of newly developed materials in buildings is therefore a factor of the highest priority that must take account of the characteristics of both the buildings and the external shells that can be created by the installation of these materials.
The seminar is aimed in particular at architects and designers, who will have the opportunity to exchange opinions and discuss their needs in order to ensure that research activities are more closely tailored to their requirements.

Ceramic tile standards from the tile-setter’s perspective:
from the tile Technical Specifications to the quality of tiling
This seminar aims to provide ceramic tile setters with the knowledge, concepts and technical tools they need to be able to relate the characteristics of tiles as indicated in the Technical Specifications (written in accordance with applicable standards) with the quality and durability of tiling in various areas and conditions of use according to the design solutions and methods of installation adopted. It will address themes such as dimensional characteristics, bulk mechanical characteristics (breaking load and modulus of rupture) and surface mechanical and chemical characteristics and will provide a presentation and critical analysis of a number of specific cases.