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Despite ongoing sanctions against Russia’s oil and gas, energy markets remain a focal point of international discussion as the Ukrainian war enters its fourth month. European gas prices are on the rise due to these sanctions, and it is putting pressure on ceramics and glass industries.

There are additional forces at play in the ceramics industry apart from disruptions in the energy market. Ukraine’s legendary clay, which has gained a reputation around the world for its purity, is in short supply due to this conflict – and the ceramics industry can simply not do without it.

It might have to though, given the war’s impact on clay exports from Ukraine, which dominates the market. Ukrainian suppliers say they cannot export clay at the moment. Within the next few months, European tile manufacturers expect to run out of Ukrainian clay.

Imagine this scenario, and you might be able to discern that we are witnessing the onset of a perfect storm. On the one hand, you have Ukrainian clay, which dominates the global market, and on the other hand, you have Russia, the main supplier of natural gas around the world.

For more insight into how this war has led to a clay shortage, see Matthew Grandage’s article in Comment & Analysis, page 28.

In recent years, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)/Clean India Mission has contributed significantly to the growth of the Indian ceramic industry, particularly that of sanitaryware. Since the announcement of the welfare programme in 2014, sanitaryware manufacturing and consumption have risen sharply in India. While the ceramic tile industry has benefited from the project, the sanitaryware industry has seen the greatest effects. Yogender Malik’s article in this issue, pages 32-38, describes how this unique programme continues to positively impact the country and its billion-plus people, as well as the ceramics industry in that region.

Come June, come ceramitec. On 21-24 June 2022, the ceramics industry will once again converge at one of its premier platforms – ceramitec 2022. The event is expected to feature over 600 exhibitors showcasing their latest offerings in raw and refractory materials, technical ceramics and powder metallurgy as well as manufacturing machines, systems and devices, as well as services and research.

You can expect a wide range of ceramic industry branches to come together in one location, offering a detailed view of the market to visitors. This, we feel, makes the event a great platform for industry members to find new business partners, attract customers, and learn about the best solutions for their enterprises.

Indeed, ceramitec 2022 will undoubtedly be an event of significance for the industry this year, considering what we have gone through in the last two years. Asian Ceramics will be exhibiting at C3.128 – please feel free to join us for a coffee or just a pleasant exchange of greetings. I’m looking forward to being back on the road again and to welcoming some familiar faces and meeting some new ones.

See you there.