The birth of a new ceramic tile product requires a long period of design, research and development and continuous experimentation in the early stage. Although the arrival of an epidemic in 2020 disrupted the plans of various ceramic construction companies to resume work and production, it did not prevent new ceramic tile products from being launched one after another in 2020. Companies have also relied on these "king-fried" new products to shine at this year's Guangzhou Construction Expo, Foshan Tanzhou Exhibition, Foshan Ceramics Expo, Guangzhou Design Week and other exhibitions.
In 2020, domestic exhibitions of various sizes will continue, but the Bologna Exhibition in Italy was unexpectedly absent. Many Chinese ceramics people lamented that the world's architectural ceramics has lost a "trend" this year. In fact, we don’t need to belittle ourselves or be overly superstitious about imported products. New domestic ceramic tiles can also lead the world’s ceramic construction trend. Next, the author will take a closer look at the five major trends in new architectural ceramics products in 2020.
1
Replicate texture
Probably no one in the world can stop ceramic tile products from imitating the textures of various materials, from stone, wood, cloth, metal, cement, fur, shells... As long as you can’t imagine, there is no ceramic tile that cannot be imitated. The reproduction of various textures by ceramic tile texture is not a simple imitation and copying, but a discovery of the beauty of the world and the introduction of natural art into thousands of homes.
Since beautiful textures are distributed in every corner of the world, how can ceramic tile companies obtain them? In 2020, Nobel Tiles started the "Searching for Patterns", and the journey passed through Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Dachaidan, Emerald Lake, Mangya, Dunhuang, Qilian Glacier... The Pattern-Searching Team searched for every gift from the creator. Discover creative inspiration in miracles, and absorb color textures from mountains, rivers, lakes and other landscapes.
Passionately collecting, sorting, deconstructing and reshaping precious natural textures, and then integrating, experimenting, and developing ceramic products with them, there are many companies in the ceramic industry that are so dedicated to innovation.
This year, the "Natural Dance" series of new products launched by Shunhui Ceramics won the "Annual Original Product Award" of the 6th International Decorative Material Application Design Competition "Golden Brick Award". The departmentThe new products integrate many forms of nature with culture and art, extending into five colors: Dragonfly Wings, Love in Lushan Mountain, River and Mountain Painting, Smooth Wind and Water, and Drunken Smoke. They have received praise for their strong expressiveness in home spaces.
Marble tiles, wood grain tiles, cement tiles, carpet tiles... there are still endless wonderful textures in the universe waiting for human exploration, and new ceramic tile products will continue to innovate and break through in this direction.
2
Dense seams
A large part of the reason for the popularity of large-sized ceramic tiles is that "large slabs reduce brick joints", which also makes the decorative effect of ceramic tiles one step closer to natural stone. The only drawback is that large-area splicing and paving of large slabs still has a sense of fragmentation and lacks the overall coherence of natural stone textures, making it difficult to describe it as "high-end". Therefore, infinite joint patterns and sealed paving have become the "good medicine" to solve this shortcoming of large slabs.
For some time, whether it is a big brand or a small brand, almost 90% of the new products of brands in the industry have the attribute of continuous patterns, and most of them are free continuous patterns, arbitrary continuous patterns, and unlimited continuous patterns. Since its development, continuous ceramic tiles have even covered all categories and specifications. From porcelain tiles to medium boards to large boards and even rock slabs, the patterns are moving towards continuity.
In order to provide more eye-catching decorative effects and spatial expression for high-end home decoration and public spaces, the texture of ceramic tiles not only needs to extend infinitely, but also pay attention to the naturalness and integrity of the connection between bricks. To this end, marble tile brands such as Jianyi, Dajiulu, and Tongli have launched close-seam paving technology, which makes the tiles look like one piece no matter how many pieces are laid, truly restoring the natural beauty of the natural texture of marble.
Tight seam + continuous pattern products can be called the "best" among new ceramic tile products in 2020. By strictly controlling the porcelain seams within 0.5mm, the visual sense of fragmentation is eliminated; horizontal or vertical arrangement and combination can achieve continuous lines, making the decorative effect more natural and unified. It can be expected that in the future, dense seam paving + unlimited joint patterns will definitely become a bonus for new products of various brands.
3
Solid color returns
Solid color ceramic tiles have always been regarded as niche products in the field of building ceramics because they test the aesthetic level of consumers and the application capabilities of designers. Most of the existing solid-color tiles in the industry are through designer channels and engineering channels, and there are fewer cases of solid-color tiles being used in large areas in ordinary households.
During this year's Foshan Ceramics Expo, Mati Ceramics grandly released new MA series products at the "Mati Night". This new product continues the "sexy elegance" of Mati ceramic tiles, using bright inkjet technology + high-definition image texture processing to create full and tense colors of Armani red, high-end gray, mint green, clear water blue, soft pink, and pearl. White, magic black and other solid color tiles.
In addition, Ferona launched the Concrete U series color tiles composed of 12 basic colors, which is also a surprise among the new solid color tiles this year. At first glance, this series of products seems to be just solid-color tiles with soft tones, but if you look closely, you will find that the base is still the texture of cement tiles, and cement tiles have always been known for their delicate textures. To sum up, the new solid color ceramic tile products in 2020 can be summed up in one sentence: although they are solid color, they have a unique texture.
In the production process, solid color ceramic tiles have a series of harsh and rigorous processes and techniques in manufacturing, and the selection of equipment and raw materials is also very particular. In practical applications, solid-color ceramic tiles also put forward higher requirements for the flatness of the paving. A single color is more likely to expose subtle unevenness. It can be seen that solid color ceramic tiles are not niche because of shortcomings, but there is a certain technical threshold. In today's fierce market competition, breaking through technical difficulties means that the brand has a differentiated advantage that is difficult to shake. This is certainly not a good development trend.
4
The Rise of National Style
From the Chinese high-end women's clothing brand "Legend of Gaia" to stunning Paris shows, to the domestic makeup brand Huaxizi selling well at home and abroad, behind the bursts of national style IP trends, we can see the revival and development of traditional national culture and oriental aesthetics. rise.
Dongpeng Group has a high-end sub-brand for designer channels - World Impression. This brand combines traditional oriental artworks and techniques, and integrates the essence of oriental classic art and culture for product development and space application, just to bring ceramic tiles to the market. beatCreate works of art with oriental feelings. From the original colors and expanded application of Chinese cultural traditions, to the aesthetic expression of Eastern cultural artistic conception, to the revival and changes of Asia's outstanding craftsmanship, World Impression has launched a series of pleasing 2020 new Chinese style ceramic tiles.
When it comes to "thoughtful" ceramic tiles, most ceramic people will think of Jin Yitao. The series of new products launched by Jinyitao in 2020, such as Qingpingle, Qingshuying, Jinfengyulu, Jiangnan'an, Qingyunzhi, Qingluozhi, etc., are upgraded from a thoughtful and textured ceramic tile to a poetic and picturesque one. A Jiangnan scenery. It is reported that each new product of Jinyitao has corresponding poems and stories, with warmth, texture and "cultural soul". In practical application, it shows the beauty of Chinese style everywhere.
A melodious song "Blue and White Porcelain" sings the profound heritage of Chinese culture and the grace and charm of blue and white porcelain, the famous Chinese porcelain. The inspiration for the new Eagle brand 2086 image blue and white series comes from blue and white porcelain. The blue of the blue and white on the ceramic tiles, the charm of ink, the industrial texture, and the simple high-end gray, Eagle Brand 2086 has an unprecedented combination of oriental elements and modern trends, and then uses the dry grain soft polishing process on the surface to create a bright and elegant blue and white surface. The non-dazzling texture embodies the Chinese style in modern life.
What belongs to the nation belongs to the world. The cultural essence of various countries is a unique color of world culture, and the Chinese national culture, which has been passed down for five thousand years, is definitely the most colorful one among them. Incorporating national style elements into the research and development of new ceramic tile products also plays a positive role in promoting Chinese culture to the world.
5
Health Features
In addition to pursuing stable quality, unique design concepts, distinctive innovative features, and high-end aesthetic taste, the research and development of new ceramic tile products also needs to be combined with the practicality of the product itself. As all mankind pay more and more attention to life and health, ceramic tiles have also added various new functions on the basis of their original use as decorative materials.
The functionality of ceramic tiles is different from decoration. It is more of a physical concept, which generally refers to changing the structure or physical and chemical properties of objects to achieve ergonomic requirements for safety, comfort and health. An epidemic in 2020 has further stimulated consumer demand for functional ceramic tiles, and major brands have begun to intensively and vigorously promote new ceramic tile products with healthy functions.
In 2020, brands such as Tete, Dongpeng, Asia, Champion, and Huiya launched ceramic tiles with formaldehyde-reducing functions. Brands such as Nobel, Jianyi, Oceano, and Gold Medal Asia launched ceramic tiles with antibacterial and sterilizing functions. AutoNavi , Zhuoyuan and other brands have launched far-infrared energy bricks, brands such as Guanzhu, Samit, Jinyitao and other brands have launched graphene heating tiles, and brands such as Hongyu, Qianghui, Eagle, Wrigley and other brands have launched anti-slip tiles...
Although it is certain that health functional ceramic tiles have encountered the most rare opportunity in history, in the face of opportunities, companies must take one step at a time, strive for technical excellence, and optimize products around the actual needs of customers and user experience.
As a building material product, ceramic tiles bear the important responsibility of creating a beautiful home for consumers. The key to achieving a century-old brand is to insist on continuous innovation in the professional field with a persistent spirit of research and craftsmanship.
What are the other product trends in the building ceramics industry in 2020? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area!
Author: Hong Xiaochun
