Gandhinagar: The 20th edition of Indian Ceramics Asia 2026 opened at the Helipad Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, presenting a pragmatic view of the ceramics industry as it navigates a cautious investment climate. This year’s edition marks a shift away from rapid capacity expansion toward improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and adopting future-ready technologies.
Organised by Messe Muenchen India in partnership with Unifair Exhibition Service Co. Ltd., the three-day B2B exhibition brings together over 300 leading brands. Exhibitors span ceramic raw materials, machinery, processing equipment and allied technologies—reflecting the industry’s current priorities of energy efficiency, cost management and consistent product quality.
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 underscore continued European interest in India’s ceramics manufacturing ecosystem.
Bhupinder Singh, President – IMEA, Messe München and CEO of Messe Muenchen India, noted that the sector has entered a more disciplined phase. “Manufacturers are now closely evaluating where technology can deliver measurable savings in energy, consistency and output. This edition clearly reflects a move towards smarter and more sustainable manufacturing choices,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Hareshbhai Ramjibhai Bopaliya, President (Wall Tiles Division), Morbi Ceramic Association, said MSMEs and mid-sized units are prioritising ROI-driven upgrades. “Technologies that can be adopted in stages are especially relevant for Morbi-based manufacturers seeking cost reduction without major financial risk,” he said.
A key highlight of the 2026 edition is the Innovation Exchange Forum themed “Ceramics for Tomorrow: Sustainable, Smart, and Advanced.” Sessions focus on energy management, raw material optimisation, digitalisation, alternative fuels and environmental compliance. Live demonstration zones further allow buyers to evaluate machinery performance under real operating conditions.
Robert Schoenberger, Global Industry Lead at Messe München GmbH, said India continues to attract global technology suppliers. “The growing emphasis on automation, digital process control and energy optimisation is bringing Indian manufacturing closer to international benchmarks,” he observed.
Ken Wong, General Manager of Unifair Exhibition Service Co. Ltd., added that knowledge exchange is becoming as important as sourcing. “Indian buyers are increasingly focused on lifecycle costs and long-term returns, and platforms like this support more informed investment decisions,” he said.
With domestic demand stabilising and export markets remaining selective, Indian Ceramics Asia 2026 reflects an industry in transition—one firmly focused on efficiency, sustainability and smart manufacturing for measurable business outcomes.