From 24th to 28th September, visitors to the ABK space at Cersaie will have a chance to view the company’s many new products combining the benefits of ceramic surfaces with the requirements of contemporary design. One example is Wide.12, the expanded range of large-size slabs produced using Continua+ technology. With their thickness of 12mm, these new 1,600 by 3,200mm slabs are ideal for use as custom-made tops – particularly kitchen countertops – offering strength, durability and ease of cleaning.


In recent years, porcelain has increasingly established itself as an extremely high quality alternative to natural surfaces. As a result, the enormous range of material effects available in the ABK range – including numerous kinds of marble, natural stone, concrete and metals – have become an invaluable resource for creating meticulously designed, customised spaces.

ABK also used the Wide range as the starting point to develop its Bath Design collection, which was unveiled at this year’s Furniture Show in Milan. Ideal for creating tailor-made bathrooms, this collection of co-ordinating floor and wall elements includes elegant suspended shelves, washbasins and shower trays with a minimalist design; all of which can be made to measure in accordance with the company’s Mix & Match philosophy.

The ABK range will also be expanded with the launch of Play, an on-trend collection that marks a return to the most playful and decorative spirit of ceramics. The 200 by 200mm square format is the centrepiece of this collection, which features patterns, graphic effects and colours inspired by the tradition of majolica and cement tiles, alongside elements with a more modern and sophisticated design.

Play is a versatile solution suitable for many different applications in public and commercial spaces in combination with the main collections in the ABK catalogue, such as the latest Nest wood effect planks.

So, it seems, many of the dominant trends at Bologna are already beginning to become clear: it’s going to be the little and large show.
A new post by Joe Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, July 2018.