Italian clay brick and tile industry suffers strong decline in production
The Italian clay brick and roofing tile industry registered another substantial drop in production in 2011. The around 10 mill. t clay bricks and roofing tiles produced in 2011 corresponds to the half of the production volume of 2007, the last year before the crisis. The sixth downward cycle of the clay brick and tile industry that began then is identical in its intensity, although preceded by a negative sign, to the boom of the post-war years. In this situation the industry is reorganizing itself, at present 171 plants are in still in operation, 41 have been shut down completely or mothballed.
Production in the year 2011
Reduction of the production volume continues: –11.4% compared to 2010 and –50.0% compared to 2007. In 2011, 10.25 mill. t clay bricks and roofing tiles were produced – the lowest ever recorded production volume of the Italian clay brick and tile industry.
All products registered a reduction of the production volume. In comparison with 2007, it can be seen that only in the case of roofing tiles, –30.8%, and thermal insulating bricks, –35.9%, the decline was smaller. In contrast, standard masonry bricks and ceiling blocks suffered –54%, and tiles and pavers –64%.
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