Sept. 23-27, Bologna: CERSAIE program inspires the use of ceramic and porcelain tile in commercial spaces
Programming and events at CERSAIE, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings, are shaping up quickly. CERSAIE will take place in Bologna, Italy, the heart of the Italian ceramics industry, September 23-27, 2024. With over 600 international exhibitors, trade professionals at this year’s show can expect to see thousands of debut tile products that offer new design possibilities. See below for an outline of the benefits ceramic and porcelain tile offer to healthcare, education, government, and commercial spaces.
CERSAIE program features renowned architects
Wednesday, September 25, 3 pm, David Van Severen. Belgian architect David Van Severen is one of the founders of the Brussels-based studio OFFICE. Committed to the idea of architecture as a cultural endeavor to improve the human environment, Van Severen sees the issues of sustainability and responsible sourcing as increasingly urgent catalysts for shaping our urban and social reality and architectural form as part of the solution.
Thursday, September 26, 11 am, Keynote Speaker, Riken Yamamoto. Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto, a 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize winner, will deliver this year’s Keynote as part of CERSAIE’s “Building, Dwelling, Thinking” cultural program. Riken Yamamoto will be the 13th Pritzker Prize Laureate to deliver the prestigious and eagerly anticipated lecture at CERSAIE. This event solidifies the show’s reputation as a premier venue for the world of international architecture.
Thursday, September 26, 3 pm, Rudy Ricciotti. Guest speaker French architect Rudy Ricciotti has been described by French designer Philippe Stark as “a clairvoyant, untamable wild animal,” a compliment intended by Stark as the highest form of praise. Rudy Ricciotti’s presentation will be an opportunity to hear from a bold, visionary architect renowned for pushing the boundaries of architecture and redefining our perception of space. This event-within-an-event reaffirms CERSAIE’s role as a venue for dialogue among industry professionals and leading international architects.
Educational programming
An important new area for this year’s CERSAIE is a focus on education and career guidance, with a dedicated meeting and seminar space in the Gallery between Halls 21 and 22. Seminars include:
Tuesday, September 24, 10:30 am, Human Factors and Safety in Complex Organizations. Procedures for migrating aeronautical models to industry. Geared towards professionals working in complex organizations, this seminar is worth two educational credits for participating engineers. This seminar aims to enhance the value of human resources in advanced manufacturing systems and safety within the context of Industry 5.0.
Tuesday, September 24, 3:00 pm, Decarbonization, Circular Economy, and Digitalization in the Ceramic Industry: the CCS4CER and BLOCH4MAT Projects. Presented by Centro Ceramico. The themes of decarbonization, circular economy, and digitalization are fundamental to the ecological transition that will have to be implemented by numerous industrial sectors over the coming years to comply with European sustainability goals.
Wednesday, September 25, 3:00 pm, Emilia-Romagna Territorial Innovation Ecosystem – PNRR – Mission 4: Case Studies in the Ceramic Sector. To maintain the region’s international leadership role, the project aims to support the ecological transition of the regional economic and social system by engaging all sectors, technologies and skills. It seeks to combine digital transition and sustainability with workforce well-being and environmental protection, aligning with the Agreement for Work and the Climate objectives and integrating with regional, national and European programs.
Tiling Town: a look at the human-machine relationship
Hosted in Hall 32, the 12th Tiling Town will stage ceramic tile installation showcases led by Assoposa’s master tile layers. The concept behind this year’s event is the relationship between humans and technology and how they can collaborate to generate value and create a more sustainable, safe and inclusive working environment.
Tiling Town will focus on the evolving role of tile layers while placing the safety and well-being of industry professionals at the center of the production and installation process. An area will be devoted to the Assoposa Academy training courses and will feature an exhibition of tiled spaces and furnishings created using ceramic products of all sizes. The conference area will host technical seminars on large ceramic slab installation aimed at architects and designers. The workshops will earn professional training credits for participating architects, engineers and surveyors.
Benefits of ceramic and porcelain tile
Along with stunning aesthetic quality, ceramic and porcelain offer durability, versatility, and inherent sustainable qualities, making these materials especially appealing for commercial use. The knowledge that these materials can withstand the wear and tear of high-traffic environments, combined with the availability of durable, large-format sizes, makes ceramic and porcelain tile an ideal choice for large commercial, healthcare, education and government spaces.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are naturally hygienic and easy to sanitize and clean. They are ideal, long-term surfacing materials that are inherently nontoxic and better for indoor air quality (IAQ). Ceramic and porcelain tiles are made of natural raw materials and do not contain PVC, phthalates, or vinyl chloride. These natural materials do not emit harmful volatile organic compounds or chemical off-gassing, making them one of the most sustainable and healthy surfacing choices on the market.
Additionally, many Italian manufacturers consider sustainability when developing their production methods. They implement rigorous measures — such as reusing and recycling 100% of production waste products — to reduce natural resource consumption and minimize environmental impact. This effort has led to many new products receiving EPD, LEED, and Greenguard certifications, as well as B Corp certification for a growing number of Italian tile companies.
About CERSAIE
Founded in 1983, CERSAIE attracts 100,000+ visitors from over 160 countries annually. It offers design and building professionals an incomparable window into the newest trends, formats, innovations and cutting-edge installation techniques in ceramic tile and sanitaryware and the opportunity to cultivate meaningful connections. With hundreds of exhibitors showcasing thousands of products, CERSAIE offers the latest design and color trends in ceramic and porcelain tile products.
Learn more at CERSAIE or register here to attend.