Targeting India’s premium tiles market worth Rs 1,000 crore, tile-maker Asian Granito India Ltd will launch ‘double-fired’ tiles later this month.

These have an additional layer to protect the designs. The company says they are more durable and could replace imports from Italy and other countries.

The Ahmedabad-based listed company had, for the first time in India, launched the high-tech microcrystal range of floor tiles for the luxury segment last year, as a potential replacement for marble.

Earlier, it was importing this range from China. “We are now manufacturing 5,000 sq metres of this dust-free, stain-resistant product every month,” Bhavesh Patel, Director, told Business Line .

While marble costs Rs 300-Rs 800 per sq ft, micro crystal is priced at Rs 150-250 per sq ft.

“Demand for marble is now decreasing in India as cheaper, durable and aesthetic products are available to replace it,” said Patel.

The overall tile market in India is worth about Rs 14,000 crore, of which about half is in the unorganised sector, he said.

Asian Granito will initially manufacture 5,000 sq metres of double-fired tiles daily. Vitrified tiles currently account for nearly 30 per cent of the market of Rs 500 crore, which is expected to be slowly replaced by double-charge products.

The company also plans to introduce triple-fired products.

With the new product, the company’s capacity will go up from 82,000 sq metres to 90,000 sq metres per day. However, it has no immediate plans for any fresh investments, he added.

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