High-quality Italian ceramic tiles on display at Saie in Bologna
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The Italian ceramic tile industry once again took part in the building industry exhibition SAIE from 28 to 31 October this year in the Bologna exhibition centre. Under the Ceramic Tiles of Italy banner, Italian tiles were displayed to visitors at this exhibition which for more than forty years has been showcasing the latest novelties in the fields of materials, equipment, plants and machinery for the building industry. The event has become a key forum for the industry, attracting large numbers of exhibitors and visitors from Italy and abroad who are keen to discover the latest technological solutions placed on the market. It is also an important opportunity for the various players in the building industry to meet and hold discussions.
The Italian tile industry’s participation at Saie was part of the programme of activities organised by Confindustria Ceramica to promote high-quality ceramic products in Italy and worldwide under the Ceramic Tiles of Italy mark. Last year the institutional stand designed by architects Dante Donegani and Giovanni Lauda attracted a great deal of interest and saw 700 registered visitors. Similarly in 2009 large numbers of Italian and international professionals and trade journalists visited the stand, which was located in a strategic position in the Services Centre. The stand showcased the latest Italian products for conventional interior uses as well as for paving large exterior surfaces, an application that is becoming increasingly popular due to the modularity of the tile sizes and the continuous technological advances that are being made in the field of materials. The stand also featured an info point where visitors could obtain news and technical information on the Italian ceramic tile industry.
Technological innovation and visions for construction are two key aspects of SAIE, where more than 1700 companies showcase their products and systems to over 180,000 industry professionals each year. The aim of SAIE is to promote discussion about design and technology solutions for building the future and this year focused on energy saving and anti-seismic technologies. Particular attention was devoted to innovation and research through long-term cooperation between BolognaFiere and cultural scientific institutions such as the ArTec laboratory at the University IUAV of Venice, Material ConneXion, CRESME and the major trade associations.
A range of conferences and events were held in the Services Centre, including an exhibition of works as part of an Europe-wide competition for young architects and students entitled “Low Cost & Low Energy sustainable housing”, organised in cooperation with the European ArchiEurope portal and Edilio. “Technologies for protection from seismic risk: strategies and prospects” was the title of a focus event that explored methods, techniques and systems for constructing anti-seismic buildings, for repairing earthquake-damaged buildings and for improving the performance of existing buildings in an exhibition organised in cooperation with the DISTART Department of Bologna University’s Engineering Faculty.
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