GCC Ceramic Tiles and Sanitary Ware Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

GCC is one of the least impacted regions due to the COVID-19 outbreak, thus did not witness a severe halt in construction activities. In addition, the strong economic condition of the countries in the region further led to a quick recovery from the minor impact of the pandemic on the construction sector, thus accelerating the demand for ceramic tiles in the region

The construction sector in GCC is expected to be driven by the launch of multiple government-funded and privately-funded infrastructure projects as part of efforts by GCC governments to diversify the oil-based economy. For instance, the government of Qatar has been spending heavily on developing new sports stadiums, hotels, airport terminals, and affordable housing complexes to prepare for the FIFA world cup 2022 and Qatar National Vision Program 2030.

The expansion of modern offices and workspaces, growing renovation activities in commercial spaces, and rapid industrialization in developing economies are further expected to propel the segment growth over the forecast period. Ceramic tiles are highly durable, well-suited for high-traffic commercial applications, cost-efficient, available in versatile designs, and require low maintenance. As a result, their demand for commercial spaces is projected to increase in the coming years.

Ceramic tiles are mainly used in residential applications because of their low cost, highly durable nature, and resistance to shock, stain, and dirt. The flooring is available in various patterns and shades, thus making it a perfect choice to create patterns resembling natural stone and wood.

The market for ceramic tiles in Saudi Arabia and the UAE is dominated by imports, which account for more than 50% of the total supply from countries such as China, India, and Spain. The rest is fulfilled by regional manufacturers, such as Al Maha Ceramics, Saudi Ceramics, Al-Jawdah Ceramic, and RAK Ceramics, who have operations in multiple countries.

Key Market Trends

The Floor Tiles Segment is Leading in the Market

In 2020, the floor tiles application segment led the market, accounting for over 72.3 percent of total revenue, as these tiles are stain-resistant, maintenance-free, and less expensive than stone and marble-based flooring tiles. In addition, the growing use of micro-crystal technology to create tiles with smooth surfaces, clear textures, aesthetic appeal, and high durability will likely boost the segment's growth in the future.

Low-cost, maintenance-free ceramic tiles are rapidly replacing traditional marble and stone floors. Ceramic floor tiles are becoming more popular as a result of technological improvements such as the improvement of digital printing methods. Newly developed printers have exceptional qualities such as high resolution and nanometer-grade printing on flat, curved, or textured surfaces, as well as multi-layer printing.

The demand for ceramic tiles in wall tiles application is expected to rise over the forecast period as these tiles are a cost-effective and durable alternative for conventional stone materials in several residential and commercial constructions. In addition, rising consumer preferences for personalized tiles using 3D printing techniques are expected to create new growth opportunities in the market for ceramic tiles.

Other application areas of ceramic tiles include their use as outdoor and indoor pavements, wall coverings, cladding, and countertops. Technological advancements have facilitated the production of tiles with natural effects such as stone, marble, and wood. Brick-type tiles are emerging as one of the most popular materials for cladding applications.

Expanding Construction Sector is Driving the Market

The construction sector in the region is fast expanding, mainly driven by government-backed investments. The oil-based markets are rapidly diversifying their economy to reduce oil dependence. Fluctuations in global oil prices make the market extremely volatile.

However, with increasing investments in construction, several other industries like banking, hospitality, and tourism are flourishing. It is estimated that over USD 3 Trillion worth of projects is under construction or in the design and planning stage.

The construction industry is growing at the rate of more than 5% year-on-year (Y-o-Y), despite the regional political unrest, which has upset investor confidence. Thus, the construction industry is the foremost driving force for the tiles market.

Competitive Landscape

The report covers the major players operating in the GCC ceramics tiles and sanitary ware market. The market has comprised both manufacturers and distributors. However, distributors that import products from other countries have been dominant in the market. In terms of market share, the regional companies compete heavily with each other through innovation and creativity to meet the dynamic behavior of the consumers in the region.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support

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