Since it was formed in the 1990s, Natucer has always stood out from the crowd. This Spanish tile manufacturer dares to be different; utilising the capabilities thrown up by Spain’s expertise in tiling technology, but adapting them to a very specific business model.
Natucer began by producing unglazed products, and now is one of the leaders in exploring the full capabilities of digital ceramic printing. Perhaps the key date in the company’s evolution was 1997, when Natucer began to produce extruded ceramic wall tiles, subsequently launching what are often billed as the first extruded ceramic wall tiles with gloss glazed surfaces.
Natucer’s high quality, extruded porcelain products have an on-trend hand-crafted look. The subtle variation in size and surface texture is an inherent and desirable characteristic of this highly specialised production method and adds to the appeal of the company’s tiles.
At Cevisama, Natucer showcased its vast expertise in rustic finishes, special shapes and 3D tiles, with classic hexagons and hot chevrons; a wide range of new designs augmented by special pieces that not only guarantee a perfect finish, but also enable aesthetic excellence in architectural installations, such as edges of pool surrounds or stairs.
But above all, at Cevisama, Natucer explored geometry through different formats, combining irregular with traditional forms; adding value while delivering new decorative options.
There were a vast range of new and updated designs on display, from fish-scale tiles through to brick formats and hexagons. The revival of traditional terracotta effect-tiles was writ large in Cottobello: a range that incorporates the essence of this traditional product in a contemporary context to create timeless spaces with real personality.
This is available in 75 by 150, 75 by 300 and 200 by 200mm formats in 30 different designs. With the Cottobello Paglia, Cottobello Terra ranges, plus a good selection of special pieces, Natucer has delivered a very versatile portfolio to capitalise on demand for this most traditional of looks.
Ferro di Boston offers a fusion of clay and stone in 360 by 360, and 150 by 300mm, plus 360 by 415mm hexagons and 185 by 420 Naveta chevrons, which can be used together to create complex and enticing patterns, finished by a range of special pieces. The colour options include crema, rosso and ombra: subtle earth tones with singular natural appeal
The on-going popularity of timber-effect tiles is drawn out in Wood Look. The Eterna range delivers dramatic wood looks, with irregular borders, naturally tones and colour harmony; the surfaces featuring light relief and a warm chromatic range.
The Vintage range offers a wood-effect full of industrial spirit; its wide tonal variety allowing the creation of cool contemporary spaces. The Regles range can create dynamic spaces full of colour and rhythm. These gloss tiles come in white, storm, ivory and sky colour options. The formats are 150 by 250, and 72 by 222mm. The Top range is available in Titani, Cobalto, Caqui, Menta, Vermell, Turquesa, and Tabac colour options in 72 by 222 and 150 by 250mm.
Stow is defined by the range of modular formats and incredible tonal variation. The results are installations offering unique and authentic looks. The colour/design options include Bianco, and Bianco décor, Acqua and Acqua décor, Bone and Bone décor, Grey and Grey décor, Capuchino and Capuchino décor, Grafito and Grafito décor, Turchese, and Mix Olive. The modular formats are 100 by 100, 200 by 200, and 200 by 600mm. This is a chromatic contemporary range with decors full of delicate reliefs, making up an elegant collection that offers extensive decorative possibilities.
London offers gloss finishes in a range of deep and contemporary plain colours: white, jeans, bone, sage, cement, olive, coal, and rain; complemented by white matt and six really delicate decors: Victoria white, Camden bone, Circus sage, Piccadilly cement, Royal rain and City white matt. There are also two decorative listelli: London Chelsea, and London Arsenal and a Tira London Arsenal strip; as well as special pieces.
Other notable range on display at Cevisama included Dynamic; a collection intended to offer innovative solutions and design in architecture and urban spaces that works with light, shape and volume, to deliver a collection of porcelain tiles that have the surface characteristics and specific features that provide depth and space.
Natucer also offered a number of exterior ranges, such as Step120; a collection of large step tiles that combine great aesthetic beauty with high technical performance while avoiding the need for cuts and joints.
But the outstanding offer was D’Anticatto; a collection oozing character across six colours, six formats, two surfaces and 12 special pieces. Suitable for interior and exterior applications, D’Anticatto comes in bianco, grigio, notte, marrone, muschio, and azzuro colour options. The formats are 225 by 450, 225 by 225, 110 by 225, 70 by 450mm, plus 285 by 325mm hexagon and 140 by6 325mm chevron. This range offers R9 or R11 slip resistance ratings.
If you want to explore Natucer’s new ranges further, Tile Addict would recommend Tech Rail, Tech Geo, and Eterna: the latter a excellent timber-effect tile in 105 by 60o0 and 70 by 300mm formats in arce, wengue, roble, and cerezo design options. Finally, Vintage, with its well-balanced range of colours and versatile choice of formats and special pieces, offers more of the design versatility that made Natucer’s Cevisama stand so memorable. To see all of Natucer’s new ranges, download the 2018 catalogue here.
A new post by Joe Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, February 2018.