Cerame-Unie is an umbrella organisation representing the European ceramic industry structured in nine ceramic sectors. Cerame-Unie holds the secretariat of both the umbrella association and seven of its sectors. The secretariats of the remaining three sectors are in Hagen (EEA), Paris (FEPA), and Brussels (EXCA).
Our members and associate members, both federations of national associations and direct members, are established in 30 European countries, including 27 EU Member States. The ceramic industry is reported as gathering about 2000 companies in the EU, including not only large international groups but also a large proportion of SMEs (80%) from nine different sectors, truly embodying the European motto, “United in diversity”.
According to article 5 of the Cerame-Unie by-laws, "the association is open to European Federations bringing together National Federations or National Federations interested in ceramic industry, or, for lack of those, private companies active in the ceramic industry or whose business is linked to the ceramic industry".
Tiles & Bricks Europe (TBE) was founded in 1952 in Zürich and registered as an international non-profit organisation (AISBL) under Belgian law in 2008. TBE represents industry associations and companies from 21 EU Member States and Switzerland. The association promotes interests of clay bricks and roof tiles industry in Europe. It provides a forum for its members to exchange information on technical development, sustainable construction, climate change, resource efficiency and other emerging issues. It represents over 700 companies, which employ around 50,000 people and generate a production value of around €5.5 billion. In Europe there are around 1,300 production sites located near quarries which provide local jobs and keep transport emissions low. Please consult the TBE website for more detailed information on the association and its products.
Wall and floor ceramic tiles constitute the biggest sector in terms of turnover among European ceramic industries with total sales in 2009 estimated around € 9 billion. Although Italy and Spain are by far the two biggest producers in the EU, significant production also exists in Poland, Portugal, Germany, France, Bulgaria, the UK, Romania, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Hungary. One third of the production in ceramic tiles is exported outside of the EU, resulting in a largely positive trade balance with exports representing in value around four times the EU imports in ceramic tiles. At international level, CET holds the secretariat of the World Ceramic Tiles Forum.
The European Federation of Ceramic Table- and Ornamentalware (FEPF) is a member association of Cerame-Unie. It was founded in 1959 and its secretariat is based in Brussels. Its membership currently covers producers in France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Croatia and Hungary. FEPF developed contacts with the industry in other countries e.g. in Czech Republic as well as in countries where no national associations exist (e.g. Austria, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovenia.) The sector employs 25,000 skilled people.
Established in Geneva in 1954, the European Sanitaryware Producers Federation (FECS) promotes the interests of the ceramic sanitaryware industry in Europe. Today it represents seven national trade associations and ten companies from 15 countries (European Union, Turkey and Switzerland). FECS directly employs approximately 22,000 people and has an annual turnover of € 4.5 billion. To learn more and to find detailed information, please consult the FECS website.
The European Refractories Producers Federation (PRE) is the representative organization of the European refractory industry, founded in 1953. PRE unites members from 16 countries, from Sweden to Italy, from the UK to Poland. Four multi-national companies, namely Calderys, Magnesita, Refratechnik and Vesuvius, are also direct members. PRE represents an annual turnover of € 3.5 billion and employs nearly 20,000 people. PRE has a sector specific website where you can find further information on its members, standardization, REACH and raw materials.
The European Technical Ceramics Federation (EuTeCer) represents the technical ceramics industry in Europe, with members in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Romania and Turkey.
The European Vitrified Clay Pipe Federation (FEUGRES) represents the vitrified clay pipe industry in Europe and was founded in 1957 in Switzerland. FEUGRES has members from Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland. Further information can be found on the FEUGRES website .
European Expanded Clay Association (EXCA) was established in 2007 as an asbl, a non-profit making organisation, under Belgian law. EXCA represents and promotes the interests of the European producers of expanded clay. Today, 10 companies operating 11 plants in 10 European countries (Norway, Denmark, UK, Poland, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland) are members. Through its members, EXCA represents more than 90% of the production in Europe. Visit the EXCA website to find out more.
The Federation of European Producers of Abrasives (FEPA) represents the European abrasive industry since its inception in 1955, encompassing four product segments, bonded & coated abrasives, superabrasives and grains. FEPA members cover 90% of the European production of abrasive products. Visit the FEPA website to find out more.