Durst, the industrial inkjet specialist is profiting from the increasing demand for premium tiles in the Indian ceramics market. Durst, in cooperation with the local distribution partner CERADECOR, has already implemented more than 30 Gamma-installations in New Delhi, Morbi and Ahmedabad since entering the Indian market and establishing a service network in 2012. The economic boom in India has created a wider middle class and has advanced the process of urbanization. The real estate market as well as industries dealing with interior design are benefiting from this trend. In India, tiles are considered aesthetically pleasing decor objects that serve to embellish the home and draw attention to the quality of the fittings. Therefore, every Indian metropolis features showrooms of ceramics producers, to present their latest range and designs. Today, India is the world’s third-largest ceramic tile producer. The national production only supplies the home market, which is estimated to grow by 15% in 2014. Exporting producers from China and the Asian-Pacific region are increasingly pushing into this market. To prevail in the struggle against international competition, India is currently undergoing a consolidation process among ceramics producers, to create larger players by means of mergers and acquisitions. A further measure to counteract international competition is a strong investment in digital inkjet technology to satisfy the demand for premium designs and customization while achieving differentiation.
'India is an incredibly dynamic market, where all factors such as globalization, social change, competition, growth and consolidation interact with each other', says Christian Harder, Global Sales Manger, Durst Phototechnik AG. 'No other market has provided us with such rapid growth. We already have ten local service technicians and an experienced service manager, to support our customers around the clock. There is a high investment confidence for inkjet technologies in India. This is illustrated by the market leader Kajaria and Group Ceramics, who already operates several Gamma-systems, and who will also invest in our latest digital ceramics printers of the Gamma-N series, to retain the competitive edge.'
Durst at the Indian Ceramics 2014
2014 will be the third time for Durst to showcase its products at the Indian Ceramics trade fair. This year, Durst will present the Gamma 75 HD-R, the fastest digital ceramics printer on the market, with a linear production speed of 90 meters/h. Another featured highlight is the new N-series with the digital ceramics printers Gamma 75 HD-R and Gamma 75 HD-NRS. The modular N-series combines many new technologies to affect production more efficiently and with low-maintenance.