The epidemic in India continues to worsen. According to data released by the Ministry of Health of India, there were 412,262 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India on May 6, setting a new high in the number of new cases in a single day since the outbreak in India. As of May 10, the number of new cases in India in a single day has remained above 300,000 for 19 consecutive days, with a total of 22,662,575 confirmed cases and 37,20,695 existing confirmed cases.
According to media reports, the COVID-19 positivity rate in New Delhi, the capital of India, has recently reached an astonishing 36%, while a month ago, the rate was less than 3%. Even experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the severity of the epidemic in India has been underestimated, and the actual number of infections may have reached a staggering 350 million to 530 million.
As the world's second largest producer of ceramic tiles, the development of India's ceramic industry has attracted much attention. According to people familiar with the matter, as the epidemic rages again, more than half of the ceramic factories in Morbi, India's main ceramic production area, have suspended production, mainly wall tile manufacturers.
▲The picture shows the Morbi ceramic production area in India
Many Chinese ceramic machine glaze suppliers who are familiar with the Indian market recently told "Ceramic Information" that many of their Indian friends who work in ceramics have been "succumbed" to the epidemic amid the raging epidemic. The situation in Morbi, the main ceramic production area in India, is even more severe. Not only are the local medical facilities rudimentary and treatment capabilities low, but the local people do not take the epidemic seriously.
An exporter of Chinese colored glazes said: "Due to the epidemic, many customers were unable to receive their goods, and some customers even died of the disease due to COVID-19 infection. We can only temporarily cancel orders."
Lack of work, lack of work!
More than 50% of the ceramic factories in Morbi have ceased production
According to local insiders, as of May 6, more than 50% of ceramic factories in the Morbi ceramics production area in Gujarat have stopped production.
As of now, there are about 800 wall and floor tile manufacturers in the Morbi production area. Almost all of the wall tile manufacturers that have stopped production this time, and fewer floor tile manufacturers have stopped production.
Some insiders pointed out that the epidemic in India is now very serious, and many local cities have been blocked. In addition, the domestic demand for ceramic tiles in India has dropped significantly, coupled with the lack of labor and vacancies in key positions, some ceramic factories have had to suspend production.
▲The picture shows shops with locked doors on the streets of India
It is worth mentioning that despite the sluggish domestic sales in India, the impact on exports has been relatively small, which is one of the key reasons why floor tile and ceramic factories still insist on production. Moreover, from the perspective of stronger floor tile manufacturers, this may be a good opportunity to seize the market, and they are willing to "take a gamble."
At present, some ceramic factories that have ceased production still require workers to stay in the factory as much as possible and arrange corresponding food and accommodation. On the one hand, we are considering epidemic control, and on the other hand, we are preparing for the resumption of production. We are worried that workers who will resume production will not be able to arrive in time.
However, many industry insiders predict that the epidemic in India is likely to worsen further, and a complete shutdown of production is not ruled out. Currently, there are voices saying that the Morbi Ceramics Industry Association is considering and recommending that ceramic factories "completely suspend production." However, local insiders said that no relevant notification has been received yet.
A customer died of infection
We can only temporarily cancel the order
India, as the world's second largest ceramic producer, is one of the major export markets for China's ceramic machinery equipment and chemical materials. A Chinese colored glaze exporter told Ceramic Information that the current export volume of colored glazes has increased compared with the same period last year. "At this stage, our shipments are relatively normal, but many customers cannot receive their goods, and some customers have even passed away. We can only temporarily cancel orders."
“Of course the customer’s death is just an individual case we encountered.” said the above-mentioned glaze exporter.
Another Chinese ceramic machine exporter also said that many of his Indian friends have been "succumbed to the scam", and the situation in Morbi is even more serious. Not only are the local medical facilities rudimentary and treatment capabilities low, but the local people do not take the epidemic seriously.
Two weeks ago, the vast majority of locals felt good about themselves and believed that the epidemic had improved and they could start working and socializing normally. They did not wear masks in crowded public places and even joked, "NO PROBLEM" "!
The above-mentioned insider said that when Indians go to densely populated shopping malls, they will only wear masks when the security guards remind them. Once there are many people inside, they will take off their masks. "About 9 out of 10 people will do this!"
According to reports, the most advanced protective measures for front-line workers in most of the ceramic factories in Morbi are:"Wear a mask."
Of course, there are also some ceramic factories and people who strictly implement relevant protective measures. Office staff must not go to the company to work and work from home. If they do not have to go to the company, they will not go to work with full staff, but work at staggered peak hours.
More than 70 “new lines”
Delay in production
In 2020, COVID-19 broke out across the world, but it did not seem to affect the development of the ceramic industry. Especially in the second half of 2020, production gradually got back on track, and the suppressed consumer demand for ceramic tiles was slowly released.
According to incomplete statistics, more than 70 production lines have been newly signed in the Indian market in the second half of 2020, mainly producing glazed tiles of 600×600mm, 600×1200mm, 800×800mm and other specifications. The daily production capacity of a single line is about 15,000 square meters. , and 2 of them are large/rock slab production lines.
It is reported that due to factors such as the surge in global sea freight and the overall increase in raw materials, the shipment time of many ceramic machines has been delayed; at the same time, due to the impact of the epidemic, many containers arrived at relevant ports in India but no one took delivery. Even if the goods can be picked up smoothly, normal installation and debugging cannot be carried out because many key positions are vacant.
As a result, many industry insiders predict that this part of the new production capacity will be released as soon as the end of 2021 and the first half of 2022.
Local optimists believe that the epidemic in India will be effectively controlled in the next two or three weeks; while pessimists believe that Indians’ lives and work will not begin to gradually return to normal until the end of 2021 at the earliest.
In any case, as the world's second largest ceramic producer, India still has broad prospects for future development. The key at this stage is to take relevant measures to control the epidemic and stabilize production.
As of press time, many domestic ceramic machinery and chemical companies told Ceramics Information that they have withdrawn all staff from their Indian offices and will no longer arrange staff to travel to India until the epidemic in India is stable and safe. .
(This article is reproduced from Ceramic Information)
