The clay brick market - Italy (2023)

1.1 Definition and presentation

Brick has been a product used in construction since ancient times (for about 10,000 years). Bricks can be made from different materials. Terracotta ones are made from a mixture of clay, earth, sand, and water, mixed with a binding material (for example, rice fibers can be used). The final product is then left to dry in the sun for about 25 days. The latter is a figure that can vary depending on the characteristics one wants to impart to the final brick. In Italy, you refer to brick by the word laterizio from the Latin word "latericius," meaning brick [Treccani]. In the coming sections, clay brick will be referred to either by the term lateritious or by the term ceramic or clay brick. All refer to the same building material.

Globally, the clay brick market can be described as growing. In 2023, the size of the global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8 % compared to 2021. The growth is supported by the many advantages that these tools bring to construction and new demand trends. Some of these benefits, sought by consumers, include energy efficiency, reduction of their environmental impact, and resistance to weathering. These are all properties that make clay materials environmentally sustainable solutions.

In Italy, the use of clay bricks is widespread, with factories producing them scattered throughout the country. However, the market has recently experienced a downturn in sales of the manufacture of terracotta building products. Specifically, there was an 8 % decrease in turnover in 2020 compared to 2016 values. However, future growth is expected due to the many innovations introduced in the field of sustainable construction and government aid.

An important fact to keep in mind for this type of market in Italy is the decrease in the number of plants used to manufacture brick products. This trend, however, is taking a positive turn as there is a general restructuring and optimization of plants in the market toward a circular economic model and the reuse of products in industrial processes.