Large-format panels: an Italian-led revolution The spread of large-format tiles and panels seems to be unstoppable. And the speed with which manufacturers have succeeded in producing ever larger sizes over the past few years is impressive: 60x60, 80x80 and even 90x90 cm tiles are now commonplace, and in many cases 60x60 cm has become the smallest size in the range. That s a real revolution compared with just 10 years ago, when 30x30 cm tiles still accounted for 42% of Italian production, as against just 5% for 60x60 and 90x90 cm formats! So if people now talk about minimum and standard formats, it s because there really has been a revolution. That s why, year after year, growing numbers of stands at the biggest international trade shows are displaying magnificent porcelain panels in widths of over 3 metres, all the way up to 4.8 metres. It s a response to changing design trends, which now favour extra-large, continuous coverings that can t be manufactured by means of traditional pressing, despite the fact that high-tonnage presses are used to make tiles of up to 120 and 180 cm in width. The first chapter in the all-italian history of production plants for large-format panels was written in 2002 by System Lamina, when the company developed the first forming technology as an alternative to traditional pressing for producing 1x3 metre panels with a thickness of 3 mm. Over the years, other companies embarked on technological research programmes aimed at producing extremely large formats, and it s now possible again thanks to Italian technology to produce porcelain panels in widths of up to 4.8 metres. The thickness of these panels varies, but the range of surface decorations that can be produced, thanks to digital technology, remains infinite. Italy leads the field in the production of large-format panels too. Many companies are engaged in this type of production, and the pages that follow provide an incomplete, but nonetheless varied and interesting, showcase of their products. 80 photo: Gigacer
ARIANA Countertop: Horizon Beige collection (120x240 cm) Floor covering: Concrea Bone 120x120 cm 81
FMG FABBRICA MARMI E GRANITI CityStone MaxFine collection ( 300x100-100x100 cm - thickness 6 mm), Natural finish. Available in four colours: from City Pearl, the lightest, to City Brown, the darkest, via the intermediate City Grey (photo 1) and City Dove (photo 2). 82
COOP. CERAMICA D IMOLA Genus collection with a high-gloss lapped finish (120x120 cm), in single-calibre, edge-ground through-body porcelain. 83
REX Wall covering: I Classici di Rex - Nero Marquinia 30x120 cm; Extra Light mosaic circle - ochre Ø 1.8 cm Washbasin: I Classici di Rex - Calacatta Gold Floor covering: I Classici di Rex - nero marquinia 120x120 cm 84
PECCHIOLI MAXXI - Manufatti Artistici del XXI secolo - The name is a tribute to one of Italy s most important museums of art. This very large format is born of a combination of state-of-the-art technology and authentic ceramic art, whose colour is created by means of an entirely manual sequence of procedures. Pictured: MAXXI Foliage green, size 1000x1300 mm, thickness 3 mm. 85
FONDOVALLE Dream collection (120x240 cm): the Woods decorative project - inspired by the weave of linen and the natural landscape - is made with four different subjects, which can be installed individually or as part of a composition, to create a wallpaper effect. Unlike classic wallpapers, however, Woods offers impermeability, strength and unprecedented tactility. 86
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FLAVIKER Wall and floor covering: Hangar Coal collection (120x240 120x120 cm) 92 88
NUOVO CORSO 1.Calacatta Oro (160x320 cm thicknesses 6 and 12 mm), available with four different patterns, with either a natural or polished finish 2.Statuario (160x320 cm thicknesses 6 and 12 mm), available with four different patterns, with either a natural or polished finish 89
LAMINAM The Seta collection (1000x3000 mm - thicknesses: 3 and 3+ mm) has the same vibrant iridescence as silk itself, and comes in four colours - Glacé, Gris, Liquorice and Or - which intercommunicate with the power of delicacy. 90
LAPITEC Kukbo Design chose Lapitec sintered stone for the flooring of the lobby and lecture rooms of the University of Science and Technology in Pohang, South Korea. They opted for large-format panels with a thickness of 12 mm in the colour Bianco Polare with Lux finish. This is a mirror-polished finish that reflects a high degree of light. 92
DEL CONCA Superface line, collections: Orto Botanico, wood-effect floorboard 20 and 26.5x180 cm (photo 1) Pandora, concrete-effect panel 80x180 cm (photo 2) 93
FIANDRE ARCHITECTURAL SURFACES Marmi Maximum collection ( 300x150-150x150-150x75-75x75-75x37.5 cm - thickness 6 mm), Polished finish, Glam Bronze colour: tentative black and white grain patterns show through the warm, velvety shade of bronze. Maximum is the ideal covering for all types of surface, including floors and walls, both indoors and outdoors, and cut to measure for covering furniture and countertops. 94
EDILGRES BY KALE Folio 6.0: a new low-thickness collection (6 mm) made in sizes 80x240 and 80x80 cm, with various surface finishes, from metal to concrete and marble to stone. Pictured: the Faber finish with its characteristic metal effect. 95
COTTO D ESTE The Exedra series is now available in a new colour, Rain Grey, in a thickness of 14 mm, and in Kerlite5plus with a thickness of 5.5 mm in sizes 50x100, 100x100, 100x300 and 100x250 cm. The distinctive Glossy finish (pictured), reproduces the full reflective glory of mirror-polished marble. 96
13 16 March 2018 São Paulo, Brazil Brazilian Exhibition of Coverings, Sanitary Ware, Faucets and Finishing Materials exporevestir.com.br Promoted by Supported by Co-located Events Organization design ps.2
ABK Wall covering: Crossroad Chalk Smoke (320x160 cm); Crossroad Wood Grey (26x200 cm) collection. Floor covering: Crossroad Chalk Smoke (160x160 cm). 98
PANARIA Trilogy, available in two finishes: Soft (satin) and Lux (polished). Sizes: 60x60 and 60x120 cm with a thickness of 10 mm; 100x300 and 100x100 cm with a thickness of 5.5 mm; 35x100 cm in a single-fired porous version for wall coverings. Available in five colours: Calacatta White (pictured), Onyx Light, Moon Beige, Sandy Grey and Sky Smoke. 99