Since the 1990s, Natucer has been pioneering fast-fired extruded ceramics. The company has evolved to its present position through non-glazed products, introducing its first glazed extruded tiles 20 years ago.
In 1999, Natucer introduced a seven-station Rotocolor glazing line into its production system which allows the extruded pieces to be screen printed to what was then high definition. The record of innovation has continued, as shown by the launch of a new outdoor ceramic tile concept called Filter Floor.
By 2007, Natucer had developed extruded porcelain floor tiles for both interior and exterior surfaces and, in 2011, Natucer’s added digital inkjet printing in its production system. In 2015, Natucer innovation was globally recognised when the company received the Alfa de Oro at Cevisama for its special ceramic tiles and custom pieces.
Today, Natucer is particularly well-placed to meet the market’s thirst for unusual shapes, textured surfaces and alluring glazes. At Coverings 2017 Natucer showed off the ultimate aesthetic possibilities of extruded ceramic wall tile with its Escama collection comprising the Art, Caprice and Riad designs.
Designed to be a playful collection full of interplay between different reliefs and volumes, Escama tiles can evoke the movement of waves, provide a visual and tactile effect with its ramp installation or emulate sculptural fish scales.
The Art range is available in three colours and four textures. The scratch-resistant gloss surface offers sublime glaze quality. The seven design options are Moon; Rope 10, 20 and 30; and Aluminium 10, 20 and 30. The formats are 127 by 62, 75 by 300, 130 by 114, 163 by 310, 65 by 57 and 340 by 326mm. The eight texture options are Miro, Monet, Klimt, Dali, Picasso, Goya, Bosco and Greco.
The Caprice design is available in three neutral colours: bianco, note and grigio. The formats are 127 by 62, 130 by 114, 150 by 500 and 455 by 200mm in wall tiles; and 122 by 122, 167 by 167 and 170 by 170mm in floor tiles. A choice of plain and relief surfaces is available.
Riad comes in seven gloss colours: cotto, marfil, gris, cendra, blau, verd and beige. The format options are Lagima in 110 by 80, 400 by 435 and 72 by 222mm; and Escama in 127 by 62mm.
Escama is a very striking concept ideal for feature walls, sculpted splashbacks and a wide range of other creative interior applications. The surface finishes, forms and glaze depth are among the very best on the market: so this is a collection that deserves to be seen and handled in the flesh.
Further coverage of the design trends at Coverings 2017 can be found in Tile & Stone Journal May 2017, Pages 48-65, or online at www.tileandstonejournal.com.
Further coverage of the design trends at Cevisama 2017 can be found in Tile & Stone Journal March 2017, Pages 44 -50 and April 2017, Pages 74-76, or online at www.tileandstonejournal.com.
A new post by Joe Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, April 2017
