GANDHINAGAR: Indian Ceramics Asia 2026 opened on 28 January at the Helipad Exhibition Centre, marking the 20th edition of the trade fair with a clear and realistic outlook. This year, the focus has shifted from rapid expansion to improving efficiency, controlling costs, and making smarter technology choices.
Organised by MesseMuenchen India in partnership with Unifair Exhibition Service Co. Ltd., the three-day B2B exhibition features over 300 leading brands. The exhibitor mix spans ceramic raw materials, machinery, processing equipment, and allied technologies, underlining where current industry conversations are concentrated improving efficiency, managing energy costs, and ensuring consistent product quality rather than pursuing aggressive capacity expansion.
International participation remains strong, with exhibitors from eight countries Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, and Slovenia. Dedicated country pavilions from Germany and Italy highlight continued interest from European technology suppliers in the Indian ceramics market.
Bhupinder Singh, President – IMEA, MesseMünchen& CEO of MesseMuenchen India, said in a statement that the industry has entered a more disciplined phase of decision-making. “Manufacturers today are looking closely at where technology can deliver measurable savings in energy, consistency, and output. Indian Ceramics Asia has always reflected the industry’s priorities, and this edition clearly shows a shift towards smarter, more sustainable manufacturing choices,” he said.
HareshbhaiRamjibhai Bopaliya, President (Wall Tiles Division), Morbi Ceramic Association, said, “For MSME and mid-sized units in Morbi, the priority today is to reduce cost per tile and improve consistency without taking big financial risks. Indian Ceramics Asia 2026 is useful because it shows a variety of technologies that can be adopted in stages. This makes the exhibition highly relevant for Morbi companies planning careful, ROI-driven upgrades.”
One of the key highlights of the 2026 edition is the Innovation Exchange Forum built around the theme “Ceramics for Tomorrow: Sustainable, Smart, and Advanced.” Sessions cover energy management, raw material optimisation, digitalisation, alternative fuels, and environmental compliance, areas that are now central to day-to-day operations. Alongside this, a live demonstration area allows visitors to see machinery and processing technologies running under real conditions, helping buyers assess performance before making investment decisions.
Robert Schoenberger, Global Industry Lead at MesseMünchen GmbH, emphasised that India’s ceramics industry continues to attract the attention of global suppliers despite near-term challenges. “The focus is no longer solely on expanding capacity. There is a clear interest in automation, digital process control, and energy optimization. These developments bring Indian manufacturing closer to international benchmarks and make the market strategically important for global technology providers,” Schoenberger said.
Ken Wong, General Manager of Unifair Exhibition Service Co. Ltd., highlighted the growing importance of knowledge exchange alongside sourcing. “Indian companies are increasingly asking detailed questions about lifecycle costs, process stability, and long-term returns. Platforms like the Innovation Exchange Forum and live demo areas support more informed and cautious investment decisions, especially for mid-sized manufacturers planning gradual upgrades,” he said.
With domestic demand stabilising and export markets remaining selective, Indian Ceramics Asia 2026 presents a clear picture of an industry in transition. The emphasis is firmly on efficiency, sustainability, and smart manufacturing choices that deliver measurable business outcomes.
(India CSR)
