All posts by fatemeh sheykhani

World demand for countertops to reach 503 million m² in 2018

July 4, 2015News, Reportsfatemeh sheykhani

Global demand for countertops is forecast to rise 4,2 percent per year to 503 million square meters in 2018. Demand for countertops will benefit from improved building construction activity throughout much of the world. Gains will also stem from continued efforts to expand and modernize the building stock in developing areas that are constructing large numbers of housing units and nonresidential structures to accommodate the needs of their growing populations.

In 2013, laminates accounted for nearly half of all countertop surfaces in the US. By contrast, in China, laminates accounted for only two percent of countertop surfaces. According to analyst Pam Safarek, „in China, solid surface materials accounted for more than 40 percent of countertop demand in 2013, due to a very competitive regional production base which keeps prices low.” These and other trends are presented in World Countertops, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.

The Asia/Pacific region was the largest market for countertops in 2013, with 47 percent of the global total. This region is generally an immature market in which freestanding furniture, pedestal sinks, and other low-cost alternatives are more common than conventional countertops. Through 2018, the Asia/Pacific region is expected to achieve the fastest gains in countertop sales, with growth driven primarily by trends in China, where demand will be boosted by rising standards of living and continued projects aimed at modernizing housing and nonresidential building stock.

India, the region’s second fastest growing market, will see gains stemming from the current low level of countertop sales per capita, as the country’s economy continues to expand, consumer incomes improve, and distribution networks expand.

In 2013, North America was the second largest regional market for countertops. Gains in the region will be supported by the continued recovery in US building construction and, in particular, growth in single-family housing completions, which will further benefit from ongoing consumer preference for spacious kitchens and multiple bathrooms that require more countertop area.

Growth in Western Europe will benefit as rebounds in new housing construction in much of the region will boost countertop demand relative to the declines experienced between 2008 and 2013.

The Study „World Countertops” (published 02/2015, 430 pages) is available for US-$ 6300 from The Freedonia Group, Inc.

Source: The Freedonia Group

Interview session of ‘You-stone’ representative with Ms. Maria, Director of the ‘Expo Stone’ exhibition

July 4, 2015Interview, Newsfatemeh sheykhani

Excerpts from the interview session of ‘You-stone’ representative with Ms. Maria, Director of the ‘Expo Stone’ exhibition

What is the purpose of the ‘Expo Stone’ exhibition?

The ‘Expo Stone’ exhibition is a completely specialized exhibition, with mine owners, manufactures and traders being in attendance and stone products and machinery and equipment available to be visited. This exhibition is highly welcomed by the visitors. This year another exhibition titled as ‘Expo Center 2015″ also in this field, with wider dimensions and at several-fold expense was held in Moscow. As well as the attendance of stone activists, also construction companies, manufacturers and traders of building materials, designing and Interior decoration companies attended ‘Expo Center’; Whereas the current exhibition is completely specialized and is highly specific to stone and visitors merely search for stone or pertinent machinery. This exhibition is a golden opportunity for stone market activists from different countries to visit and start interacting with each other.

What is your idea about (How do you see) Iran’s stone’s place in the Russian market?

Iran’s stone is not common (is rare/scarce) in Russian market, but I know, with diverse and special colors, it can attain a good place in Russian market. On the other hand, Russian market is extremely wide.

I have already traveled to Iran; I have seen astonishing architecture of Takhte Jamshid in close proximity. Iran enjoys (possesses) rich mineral resources and longstanding background of a specific architecture. Hence Iran can attain a higher place in the arena of stone world trade.

How did you conduct the dissemination of information?

We conducted the dissemination of information using common methods such as ‘ Expo Stone’ website, communicating with mine and stone unions in different countries and also using media; we were well-received too.

About Iran, regarding this exhibition, I wrote a letter to one of the pertinent organizations in Iran to ask for cooperation and dissemination but unfortunately received no reply and in the following efforts I did not achieved any result.

We also corresponded directly with some companies; however they asked for a quotation, but we did not receive any official request for participating in the exhibition.

In your idea, what is the reason for the low turnout (attendance) of Iranians in this exhibition?

High expense of this exhibition may be a decisive factor; perhaps Iranian exporters take the cost of transportation into consideration too. This matter, regarding the type of stone and its destination in Russia, can be discussed.

However, I think that dissemination of information is a deciding factor too.

In some of the countries such as Turkey, manufacturers and exporters enjoy governmental support; certainly these circumstances are provided in Iran too. That is where timely dissemination of information, both in terms of adequate time for interested people to arrange to attend the exhibition and, if possible, in order to conduct timely consultations to enjoy governmental support, can be efficient to use.

You know that ‘ You Stone’s ‘ purpose is to support stone activists, facilitate and promote Iran’s relations in stone world trade and to provide required services. What is you suggestion for ‘ You Stone ‘?

We are very happy to become acquainted with ‘You Stone’ in this exhibition. After your yesterday interview with my assistant, Ms. Natalia, we held a meeting about this matter. She illustrated your activity; that you have drawn up a directory including up-to-date information of Iran’s mines.

In Russia, even the chamber of commerce will not provide such information. In fact, we hope that big steps will be taken; we are fully interested in this cooperation; we will sign a memorandum of understanding for future cooperation which its details will be discussed after the exhibition. We hope to see that Iran participates actively in the next year exhibition.

Nematzadeh : We are negotiating with the foreign investors to work in mines

July 1, 2015News, Newsfatemeh sheykhani

Nematzadeh: Mines should be exempted from income-tax

Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh states in a press conference:

“Tax exemption is a major motivation for the development of mining and mineral processing industry and we are trying to open ways for the mining boom.” Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade says:

“We tried to overcome obstacles in the way of mines and, for example, 100 percent of the country’s areas were locked; and we ordered to free 80 percent of these areas to facilitate others contribution and we will see its impacts in the future.” He adds that the cases we were responsible for were completed.

He asserts:

“A number of obstacles are in regulations, which must be resolved by the government; in addition, some of the regulations are in reform process and now we are working on mining rules.” Nematzadeh indicates rate of bank loans is related to the mining industry problems and he says:

“We are trying to raise capital for mining investment insurance, while these resources are spent for mine machines procurement.” He adds:

“We are negotiating with the foreign investors to work in mines, and some of the investors are already working in mines.”

According to the World Mine

A Short Talk with Parviz Zol.Ala, CEO to Alvand Stone Company

June 29, 2015Interview, Newsfatemeh sheykhani

On the last day of Expostone 2015, in spite of his limited time and the crowd of attendances and customers around him, Mr. Zol-Ala, CEO of Alvand Stone Company as the only Iranian participant in the exhibition, devoted some minutes to us, sharing his experiences.

How do you evaluate Iranian stone trade in Russian market?

Russia is a grand country with great markets and diverse opportunities. So far, Iranian stone has not reached its proper status within Russian market.

And what is the reason, you suppose?

The reason is the lack of knowledge about Iranian stone. If branded as Italian, Iranian stone can well be sold right here in this exhibition three times more than its current price. An Italian brand is all they lack. Russians do not know Iranian stones. They worry the stones may include radioactive elements. We have not been successful in making our stones known to the world.

Except for an Iranian counterpart which last year participated at the exhibition, it is now three years that Alvand is the only Iranian participant in the exhibition. During these three years, we managed to make our products known to the global market. Russian great brands of stone, to which communication was not formerly possible even with prior appointments, are now becoming fans of ours and strongly demanding for our products.

Success in Russian market has its own difficulties, including relation-related issues and influence of Mafia networks on this trade; I feel, however, that Alvand has reached where he hoped to do.

Based on your experiences, what stones are probably more successful at Russian market?

We have numerous good stones; marble, granite, and onyx, however, are the ones which are of larger use to Russians.

We know that Russia has rich granite mines, and there are many Russian companies right here selling Russian granite. Chinese granite and granite of other countries are as well present in the exhibition. Now, would you consider it probable that someday Iranian granite be a great name of the field?

Yes, it is possible. As you know, Moscow is one of the most expensive cities of the world, and our final price at Russia is competitive.

Furthermore, due to Iran’s multi-climate conditions, Iranian stones are variously colored, which is unparalleled around the world. Diversity in color is one of the strengths of Iranian stones, making them well distinguished.

And about granite from other countries, yes, you are right. There are other countries, including China, who are active in the field. However, just put stones of ours and china beside each other and see how even in the appearance, Iranian stone shows its high quality when compared with those of China. And recognition of this difference does not need specialized knowledge on stones; every person can tell the difference with a mere look.

And what are your advices to other stone producers who are interested in entering Russian market?

This market can be an especially productive one regarding the two countries being neighbors, good political relations between the two, and Iranian stone capabilities.

We should set principles, the first and most important of which is to make our stones known to Russian market. I, once again, emphasize that due to its high quality and diverse colors, Iranian stone can well be a rival to world’s greatest brands.

Proper advertisement, through participating in such exhibitions, for example, is one of the means to achieving the aforementioned goal.

Worldwide Demand for Natural Stone on the Rise

June 15, 2015News, Reportsfatemeh sheykhani

Markets: Worldwide Demand for Natural Stone on the Rise

January 24, 2013

World-wide demand for stone is on the rise. There is a strong concentration on a small number countries that produce stone, and big stone companies in the Euro-Financial-Crisis-Zone have mastered the difficulties by increasing exports. Those are the core statements in the current Statistical Yearbook, XXIII Report Marble and Stones in the World published in Italian and English by Aldus Publishers, Carrara.

Some 1.265 billion square meters of natural stone were used for construction in 2011. The meters square value is based on stone slabs 2 cm in width. That represents an increase of over 3.9% in comparison to the previous year. In relation, the 2001 demand was 709.5 million meters squared.

To get a realistic idea of what this means, the author compared the figures to those of the ceramics industry, which sold some 8.75 billion meters squared in 2011 – nearly 7 times more.

China leads the list in demand with 24.2 % of the market followed by India (7.5%), the USA (5.6%), Italy (4.5%), South Korea (4.2%), Brazil (3.9%) and Germany (2.9%).

The size of the population plays an important role: the per capita demand in Belgium takes on the front runner position followed by Switzerland, Taiwan, South Korea, Italy and Portugal.

The author concludes that the potential for growth rests mainly in the former Newly Industrializing Countries (NIC) with a high population density and new middle class. The market, in short, is still far from being saturated.

Many of the NICs are already big players in terms of production of raw material in quarries: China alone produces 31% followed by India (12.1%), Turkey (9.1%), Iran (7.3%), Italy (6.5%), Brazil (6.3%) and Spain (4.7%).

In total, these seven countries are responsible for 77% of the world-wide production. Meanhwhile, Europe’s role is insignificant.

With 27.3% of the world’s stone exports in 2011, China was the undisputed winner with a monopoly in South Korean and Japanese markets and a strong position in US and EU markets.

With respect to US demand, Brazil’s $565 million worth of imports puts it in a firm first position supplying mostly kitchen worktops. It was followed by China with a volume of $411 million, Italy ($321 million), Turkey ($304 million), and India ($248 million).

In analysis of the individual countries, the author notes that large companies in Greece, Spain and Portugal have successfully battled the break-down of local markets by increasing their exports of raw stone blocks destined for China.

Italy is still the world’s leader in manufacturing of heavy machinery for quarries.

Refrence: