Italy's ceramics makers fear an "invasion" of cheap Chinese imports if European Union anti-dumping duties are abolished in September next year, according to the chief of the sector's main business association.
"We risk seeing a new invasion of cut-price Chinese ceramic products," said Vittorio Borelli, president of Confindustria Ceramica.
"The anti-dumping duties are due to end in September next year and if we fail to pressure the EU to extend these and preserve fair trade, we could be flooded with cut-price Chinese ceramics as early as next year."
Since the anti-dumping duties were introduced, trade in cut-price Chinese ceramics had fallen by 60 percent," he stated.
"This has freed up a very important shares of the market for European producers, including Italian ones, which are major players in the sector," said Borelli.
He called on the Italian government to help the country's flourishing ceramics sector compete through "innovation and excellence".
Borelli was speaking at the 33rd International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings, taking place in the northern Italian city of Bologna from Tuesday to Friday.
Exports to Asia and the United States are fuelling the expansion of Italy's ceramics sector, which will grow by some four percent this year and turn over more than five billion euros, according to Confindustria Ceramica.
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