- Charudutt Patil, Director, Ceramics, Infra.Market What are your areas of focus and why? What technologies have been incorporated in the products?Increasing urbanisation, rising disposable incomes and evolving consumer preferences for aesthetic interiors have boosted demand for high-end, design-oriented tiles like glazed vitrified tiles (GVT), polished glazed vitrified tiles (PGVT) and digital wall tiles. To stay competitive in both quality and cost, we are investing in newer technologies, automated production lines, digital printing and advanced kilns to enhance consistency, design and operational efficiency. Product differentiation calls for multiple technological incorporations in manufacturing, including digital inkjet printing, glazed vitrified technology (GVT and PGVT), nano-polishing technology, double-charged tiles manufacturing, anti-bacterial glazing, and hydrophobic and easy-clean coatings. Demand for bespoke designs, anti-bacterial, anti-skid, solar-reflective and smart tiles (e.g. temperature-regulating tiles for outdoor use) offers scope for differentiation and premium pricing. As the world’s third-largest tile manufacturer, India exports significantly to the US, Middle East, Africa and Europe, offering higher margins and scalable growth opportunities.How do you see the tiles industry in India evolving over the next decade?Valued at Rs 595 billion in 2023, the ceramic tiles market in India is expected to reach Rs 707 billion by 2025. Growth is driven by rising real-estate activity, premium renovation demand and infrastructure development in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. India has emerged as a global manufacturing hub, ranking as the third-largest tile exporter. The market is shifting from price-led competition to design, speed and fulfilment. Our multi-brand strategy and digital-first distribution give us a strong edge, moving from commoditised products to value-engineered, design-led ceramic solutions, where scale and innovation define leadership.What are your long-term growth plans?Our long-term vision is to largely expand our presence in the premium and value-added product segments, focusing on high-margin categories such as GVT, PGVT, large-format slabs, porcelain tiles and designer wall tiles. We are looking to invest in bespoke collections through collaborations with interior designers and curated concepts for residential, commercial and hospitality spaces. Expanding company-owned experience centres across metros and Tier-1 cities, we are enhancing our presence on B2C e-commerce platforms and developing AR/VR-based visualisation tools, allowing customers to digitally preview tile layouts in their spaces. We will unlock new avenues for growth into complementary categories like sanitaryware and bath fittings. Our brand-building efforts will position us as a lifestyle brand, not just a construction material provider, through collaborations with celebrity designers, architects and influencers for curated collections and exclusive launches. Globally, we plan to strengthen exports in high-growth markets such as the US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. This includes establishing exclusive distribution networks, pursuing local partnerships and participating in international trade shows with a focus on certification-led market entries. Capacity expansion and product diversification remain key to our journey ahead.