Welcome

Welcome to 2026 and to the first issue of Asian Ceramics for the new year. A new volume offers an opportunity to reflect on the direction of our industry – and to look ahead with clarity. The global ceramics sector enters 2026 facing a more complex operating environment. Slower construction cycles in some regions, energy and raw material volatility, shifting trade flows and intensifying competition are reshaping market dynamics. 

Yet across Asia in particular, the industry remains resilient and forward-looking. As the world’s largest production base for tiles, sanitaryware, tableware and heavy clay products, Asia continues not only to supply global demand but increasingly to set benchmarks in efficiency, technology and design. The pressures are significant – but so too are the opportunities for those willing to invest and adapt. 

Our cover story focuses on Malaysia, where the ceramic tile industry is navigating one of its most demanding periods in recent years. Rising input costs, growing competition from low-priced imports and signs of softer construction demand are forcing manufacturers to rethink established business models. Beneath these pressures, however, a structural shift is under way. Capacity expansion, automation, improved energy management and a strategic move towards higher-value products reflect an industry repositioning for long-term competitiveness. As Rohan Gunasekera reports, Malaysia’s tile producers are responding to adversity not by retreating, but by investing in future growth. 

From Southeast Asia we turn to India, where the ceramic tableware industry is undergoing a decisive transformation. Over three decades, the sector has evolved from a largely utilitarian and domestically focused base into a design-led and increasingly export-oriented industry. Fine porcelain and bone china are gaining ground over traditional stoneware and have emerged as the fastest-growing segments. Rising disposable incomes, the expansion of organised retail and a buoyant hospitality sector are driving demand, while exports continue to strengthen India’s international presence. Yogender Singh Malik examines the structure, drivers and future prospects of India’s rapidly developing porcelain tableware segment. 

We also examine the heavy clay sector – long characterised by continuity rather than disruption. Bricks, roof tiles and structural clay products remain fundamental to construction across Asia. While urbanisation, infrastructure spending and housing demand continue to underpin consumption, producers now face mounting pressures linked to energy costs, environmental compliance, raw material constraints and labour availability. An industry historically built on local resources and incremental change is being reshaped by regulatory expectations and efficiency demands. Our regional feature explores how heavy clay manufacturers are adapting to this more complex industrial landscape. 

In Country Focus, we assess the rapid rise of Saudi Arabia as the largest ceramic tile consumer in the GCC. Within a decade, the Kingdom has shifted from heavy reliance on imports to aggressive domestic capacity expansion, altering regional supply dynamics. For machinery suppliers, raw material producers and tile manufacturers, Saudi Arabia represents a time-sensitive opportunity shaped by localisation policies, mega-project timelines and rising quality expectations. 

Innovation remains central to Asia’s ceramic narrative. As urbanisation accelerates across mature and emerging markets alike, digital printing has become indispensable in delivering scale without sacrificing design sophistication or consistency. At the same time, ‘smart’ ceramic tiles incorporating advanced surface treatments, eco-efficient processes and features such as antibacterial coatings and self-cleaning properties are moving steadily into the mainstream. Together, these technologies reinforce Asia’s position not only as the largest global producer, but increasingly as a leader in ceramic innovation and manufacturing excellence. Jahir Ahmed analyses these trends. 

We are also pleased to launch our Leadership Conversation series. In this issue, Rajesh Nath, managing director of VDMA India, reflects on the evolution of India’s ceramics industry, the deepening Indo-German partnership and the role of advanced engineering in building sustainable, globally competitive manufacturing. 

As the industry moves into 2026, the themes are clear – adaptation, investment and strategic repositioning. We hope this issue offers insight, perspective and confidence for the year ahead.