GCC Ceramic Tiles Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Glazed Ceramic Tiles, Porcelain), By Application, By End-use (Residential, Commercial), By Country, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2028

Report Overview

The GCC ceramic tiles market size was estimated at USD 7.8 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2020 to 2028. Rapidly rising construction expenditures in the regional economies to boost tourism and other industries are expected to drive the market in the region. GCC is one of the least impacted regions due to the COVID-19 outbreak, thus did not witness a severe halt in the 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.

China and India are the major exporters of ceramic tiles to the GCC economies, thus the severe impact of COVID in these countries halted the manufacturing and transportation activities. This in turn disrupted the ceramic tiles supply chain in GCC, thus creating a product shortage for a brief period in 2020 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 the development of new sports stadiums, hotels, airport terminals, and affordable housing complexes, for the preparations for the FIFA world cup 2022, and Qatar National Vision Program 2030.

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.  

The recent developments in the ceramic tiles industry include the imposition of anti-dumping duties on the import of tiles from India and China in June 2020. An average dumping duty of 41.26% has been imposed on Indian imports and 23.05% on Chinese imports to regulate the market prices in GCC countries and increase market competitiveness for local players.

Product Insights

The porcelain tiles segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of about 60.0% in 2020. This is attributed to strength and durability compared to general ceramic tiles as they are fired at extreme temperatures and made from ultrafine and denser clays. These tiles are primarily used in floor coverings owing to their high mold and fungi-resistance properties.

Porcelain tiles do not fade and are easy to maintain. Moreover, they are chemical and stain-resistant and, therefore, highly suitable for use in commercial spaces such as hotels, shopping malls, and institutional buildings. The rising utilization of sustainable construction materials is expected to positively influence the growth of porcelain tiles as their manufacturing process is also environmentally friendly.

The glazed ceramic tiles segment is expected to witness a CAGR of 7.9% over the forecast period, on account of the superior water and stain resistance offered by the product. Scratch-resistant tiles are primarily utilized for high footfall areas, such as landscapes, pathways, parking, and shop floors, to cater to highly stressed usage conditions.

The production process of glazed tiles includes an additional firing process to add a layer of liquid glass to unglazed ceramic tiles. Glazed ceramic tiles are less robust, in terms of thickness and density, as compared to unglazed tiles. However, this type of tile is available in a wide variety of colors and styles and is more resistant to stains owing to the presence of a protective layer of glass.

End-use Insights

The commercial end-use segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of about 72.0% in 2020, owing to rising demand for highly durable and cost-efficient ceramic tiles-based floorings for use in high-traffic commercial and industrial sectors. In addition, the development of new products and hassle-free installation techniques has considerably driven the segment growth in recent years.

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.

The demand for ceramic tiles in residential end use is expected to increase over the forecast period owing to the growth in residential construction activities in several GCC countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. Initiatives by governments such as cheap home loans and the construction of affordable housing are expected to benefit the residential construction industry, thereby driving the segment growth.      

The residential end-use segment includes residential buildings, apartments, complexes, and small houses. Ceramic tiles are majorly used in residential applications on account 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.

Application Insights

The floor tiles application segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of about 72.3% in 2020, as these tiles are stain-resistant, maintenance-free, and less costly as compared with stone and marble-based flooring tiles. In addition, increasing adoption of micro-crystal technology for making tiles with smooth surfaces, clear texture, aesthetic appeal, and high durability is expected to benefit the segment growth in the coming years.

Consumers are rapidly shifting from traditional marble and stone floors to low-cost and maintenance-free ceramic tiles. Technological advancements such as the enhancement of digital printing processes are further driving the demand for ceramic floor tiles. Newly developed printers offer excellent features such as high resolution and nanometer-grade and multi-layer printing on flat, curved, or textured surfaces.

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.

Country Insights

Saudi Arabia dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of about 37.0% in 2020. This is owing to high investment by the government for the development of several infrastructural projects such as power generation, railways, water treatment, and sewerage treatment. In addition, various schemes by the government to provide housing for the expanding population are expected to drive the market in the country.

Major ceramic tile manufacturers in Saudi Arabia include Saudi Ceramics, ARABIAN-CERAMICS, FORSAN CERAMICS, RAK CERAMICS, and Riyadh Ceramics. These companies offer ceramic and porcelain tiles for both internal and external applications in varying sizes, colors, finishes, applications, and shapes. They offer tiles for flooring, walls, and decorative applications.

In UAE, the GCC ceramic tiles market is expected to witness a CAGR of 7.6% from 2020 to 2028, owing to high investments by the government and private players for the construction of new residential and commercial complexes as per the initiatives for the development of affordable housing, educational institutions, and advanced healthcare facilities.

The growth of the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is attributed to the growth in the public and private sector investment in the development of several commercial and residential infrastructure projects. The government has launched several initiatives over the past few years for infrastructural and economic development including the Strategic Plan 2021, Dubai Tourism Strategy 2020, and National Strategy for Higher Education 2030.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is characterized by strong competition on account of the presence of prominent manufacturers serving major geographies in the GCC region. In addition, these manufacturers have established their production capacities in non-GCC countries with low production costs, which in turn scale up their profit margins.

The major market players are working on expanding their distribution channels to meet the growing demand for ceramic tiles from construction companies in different parts of the GCC region and gain a competitive edge. For instance, in March 2019, Porcelanosa opened its showroom in Dubai featuring luxury tiles, natural stone and mosaic, sanitary ware, bathroom furniture, and kitchen fixtures. The highly attractive building and construction sector in the U.A.E. are likely to provide a growth platform for the company. Some of the prominent players in the GCC ceramic tiles market include:

•  RAK Ceramics

• Porcelanosa Dubai

• Al Jawadah Ceramics

• Forsan Ceramics

• Al Anwar Ceramic Tiles Co. SAOG

• Al Maha Ceramics

• Al Khaleej Ceramics

• Saudi Ceramics

• Niceramics

• Arabian Tile Company Ltd.

GCC Ceramic Tiles Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at regional and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the GCC ceramic tiles market report on the basis of product, application, end-use, and country:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Glazed Ceramic Tiles

  • Porcelain Tiles

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Wall Tiles

  • Floor Tiles

  • Others

• End-use Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Residential

  • Commercial

• Country Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Saudi Arabia

  • UAE

  • Kuwait

  • Bahrain

  • Oman

  • Qatar