Bologna, Italy—The 43rd edition of Cersaie concluded Sept. 25, bringing together manufacturers, designers and industry professionals from around the world. The international exhibition highlighted the latest developments in ceramic and porcelain surfaces, bathroom furnishings and architectural design.
The five-day event attracted 92,352 visitors and featured 595 exhibitors, including 233 international companies representing 24 countries. The show reinforced its role as a global platform for design innovation, manufacturing advancements and emerging industry trends.
Exhibitors showcased new applications for ceramic surfaces across countertops, cooktops, vanities, tabletops and sanitaryware. Outdoor applications also gained attention, with manufacturers highlighting products for patios, facades and other exterior spaces.
Across the show floor, earthy and blush tones emerged alongside deeply textured surfaces, grooves and bold graphics. Manufacturers also displayed increasingly large-format slabs and advancements in sustainable production.
Architecture and design take center stage
Beyond the exhibition halls, Cersaie’s “Building, Dwelling, Thinking” cultural program attracted considerable interest.
More than 800 attendees participated in keynote lectures featuring Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alejandro Aravena of ELEMENTAL and architect Annabelle Selldorf, founding principal of New York-based Selldorf Architects.
Throughout the week, press cafes, technical seminars and live installation demonstrations at Tiling Town gave attendees additional opportunities to explore industry developments.
The annual Ceramics of Italy International Press Conference brought together journalists from around the world to discuss emerging industry trends. Global trend consultant Cristina Faedi shared key design directions for the season.
The program also recognized achievements in architectural journalism, presenting Elle Decor with the 29th Ceramics of Italy Journalism Award.
Competition recognizes design excellence
Cersaie also announced the winners of the 2026 Ceramics of Italy International Tile Competition. The competition recognized four winners and five honorable mentions across the Residential, Commercial, Outdoor and Design & New Applications categories. The honored projects demonstrated the versatility of Italian ceramic and porcelain surfaces in architecture and interior design.
North American firms earned several distinctions. Florida-based 610 Interiors won the Residential category for its Spoonbill project. Brooks Design Studio received an honorable mention in the same category.
Space & Forms earned an honorable mention in the Outdoor category, while Design Continuum received recognition in Commercial. Canada’s Studio Maggs also earned an honorable mention in Design & New Applications.
Architect and journalist Donatella Bollani moderated the awards presentation. Participants included jury chairman Steve Clem, principal at TVS and architect Alfonso Femia, founder of Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia. Filippo Manuzzi, president of promotional activities and trade fairs at Confindustria Ceramica, also participated.
The event highlighted the growing range of applications for ceramic surfaces and the industry’s continued emphasis on design, performance and innovation.