60 years of history: visions and pathways

(December 2024) | A recently published book entitled “L’argilla non è tutto. Visioni e percorsi dell’industria ceramica italiana e della sua Associazione (1964–2024)” (“Clay Is Not Everything: Visions and Pathways of the Italian Ceramic Industry and Its Association (1964–2024)”) tells the story of six decades of innovation, history and progress in the Italian ceramic industry. The book starts out from clay – the material at the heart of the sector – and explores its diverse applications, from ceramic tiles and slabs to sanitaryware, tableware, bricks, refractory materials and technical ceramics. Through its pages, it offers a detailed account of the people, decisions and events that have shaped the industry, both in Italy and on the international stage.

The book covers a wide range of topics including the economic landscape, trade fairs, energy and environmental challenges, infrastructure, labour relations, product development, industrial manufacturing and the evolution of the Sassuolo ceramic cluster. It was written by four distinguished authors, each bringing their own expertise: Franco Mosconi, professor of economics and industrial policy at the University of Parma; Massimiliano Panarari, a lecturer in the sociology of communication at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; Ilaria Vesentini, correspondent of Il Sole 24 Ore for Emilia-Romagna; and Alessandro Di Nuzzo, editor-in-chief of Aliberti Editore. The narrative draws from a wide range of sources, including Cer il giornale della Ceramica, which celebrated 50 years of publication in 2024.

Based on these extensive research efforts, the authors have created a detailed and insightful account of the six decades of the Italian ceramic industry. The text is complemented by a timeline of major decisions and events, as well as a comprehensive list of the Association’s Chairmen and Boards of Directors since 1964. An engaging iconographic approach brings the narrative to life, combining evocative images with QR codes that provide links to television reports and archive videos. An appendix offers a fascinating retrospective of all the Association’s advertising campaigns from the 1970s through to the present day. This ambitious project was made possible thanks to the dedication and hard work of my colleagues in the Association’s Communication and Editorial Activities department, to whom I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation.

The book not only tells the story of an industrial association and its companies but also pays tribute to the local communities and the people who have worked in the industry. To ensure broad access, the book will be available for consultation at the Ceramic Tile Industry Documentation Centre at Confindustria Ceramica’s headquarters in Sassuolo and for purchase through major online bookstores.