A trade fair is measured in numbers, but also in the relationships, ideas and stories it continues to generate after the doors close. A few days after Cersaie 2026, we look back at the key figures of the edition, the themes that emerged from the event and the publications dedicated to Gruppo Bardelli, Ceramica Bardelli, Ceramica Vogue and Appiani.
01 — Cersaie 2026, beyond the numbers
The 43rd edition of Cersaie closed in Bologna on 25 September 2026, confirming the international role of the exhibition in a complex economic and geopolitical context.
Across sixteen halls at BolognaFiere, covering a total exhibition area of 145,000 square metres, 595 companies took part. Of these, 233 came from abroad, representing 39% of the total, with 24 countries represented.
Over the five days, Cersaie recorded 92,352 visits. The overall figure was down slightly by 2.4% compared with 2025, while international attendance remained substantially stable: 44,500 international professionals, equal to 48.2% of total visitors.
The event’s international reach was also reflected by the presence of 684 journalists, including 284 from outside Italy.
In this context, the expression used to sum up the edition — “normality is a success” — takes on a precise meaning: maintaining participation, international relationships and the ability to attract professionals in a complex market is an important indicator of the vitality of the Italian ceramic sector.
Official source: Cersaie 2026 final figures ↗
02 — Gruppo Bardelli at Cersaie 2026
For Gruppo Bardelli, Cersaie 2026 was an opportunity to bring Ceramica Bardelli, Ceramica Vogue and Appiani together in a single narrative.
Three distinct identities and three different ways of interpreting ceramics, connected by a shared culture of design.
The stand, “Materia Ceramica in Contemplazione”, was conceived through subtraction: a bright, white and essential space in which the product could become the protagonist. Emptiness, light and distance became true design tools, allowing colour, material, decoration, three-dimensionality and modularity to shape the spatial experience.
Discover “Materia Ceramica in Contemplazione” →
03 — Surface, material, decoration
The new collections presented in Bologna highlighted several directions that run through the research of the Group’s three brands.
For Ceramica Bardelli, the ATELIER project opens a new chapter dedicated to Ceramic Wallpaper: the wall becomes a narrative surface through the dialogue between drawing, material and technology. Tulipani, designed by Ronald van der Hilst, and Searcus, designed by Riccardo Capuzzo, explore two different ways of using decoration as an architectural design tool.
Alongside decoration, the research increasingly focuses on surface depth. Lumina, Pantheon and Sofà explore light, texture and three-dimensionality, changing the perception of ceramics as the viewing angle shifts.
For Ceramica Vogue, geometry, colour and modularity remain key design tools. Flauti & Flautini interprets the small format as a three-dimensional surface capable of modulating light, offering compositional freedom for interiors, hospitality, retail and architecture.
Discover the Flauti & Flautini collection →
For Appiani, the Pastelli system expands the vocabulary of ceramic mosaic with the new Pietre, Tagli and Lamiere interpretations, where colour, structure and material can coexist within coordinated and customisable systems.
04 — When products enter the editorial conversation
A trade fair does not end when the halls close. A significant part of its value continues through images, conversations, publications and interpretations generated by products and projects in the worlds of architecture and design.
During Cersaie and in the days immediately following the event, several publications and industry platforms covered Gruppo Bardelli’s new collections.
Living · Corriere della Sera, in its special feature on the new surfaces presented at Cersaie 2026, selected Lumina – Scaglie di Luce by Ceramica Bardelli, focusing on the relationship between coloured aggregates, reflections, material and digital technology applied to three-dimensional surfaces.
Read on Living · Corriere della Sera ↗
PianetaDesign, in its analysis of the macro-trends emerging at Cersaie 2026, selected Tuli-Charme by Ceramica Bardelli as an example of decoration becoming a design element: the flower turns into a graphic sign engraved into the material and a module for creating vertical compositions.
Tile Italia told the story through a video interview recorded directly at the stand, with Gianmaria Bardelli presenting the new Ceramica Bardelli, Ceramica Vogue and Appiani collections and discussing the relationship between imagination, technology, industrial expertise, colour and modularity.
Watch the Tile Italia interview ↗
05 — Gruppo Bardelli in the press
Cersaie 2026 archive · last updated 2 October 2026
This section progressively collects articles, features, interviews, videos and editorial mentions dedicated to Gruppo Bardelli, Ceramica Bardelli, Ceramica Vogue and Appiani in connection with Cersaie 2026 and the collections presented during the year.
- 24 September 2026 · Living · Corriere della Sera
Cersaie 2026: le nuove superfici da guardare e toccare — Ceramica Bardelli / Lumina ↗ - September 2026 · Tile Italia
Video interview from the Gruppo Bardelli stand ↗ - 21 September 2026 · PianetaDesign
Ceramic coverings: the macro-trends of Cersaie 2026 — Ceramica Bardelli / Tuli-Charme ↗ - 23 September 2026 · Rassegna Business
Innovation and design in Gruppo Bardelli’s new ceramic collections presented at Cersaie 2026 ↗ - June 2026 · Ceramica.info · Ceramics of Italy
TULI — Ceramica Bardelli ↗ - June 2026 · Ceramica.info · Ceramics of Italy
PASTELLI 2026 — Appiani ↗ - 2026 · Ceramica.info · Ceramics of Italy
Spring–Summer 2026 Ceramics of Italy Trend Report — Flautini / Ceramica Vogue ↗ - 23 September 2026 · Lulop / Design Lulop
Gruppo Bardelli | Collections presented at Cersaie 2026 ↗
The selection includes independent editorial coverage, interviews and professional industry platforms. The archive is progressively updated as new online publications become available.
06 — From Cersaie to the project
Cersaie lasts five days. The ideas launched and presented during the fair have a much longer journey.
The collections seen in Bologna now enter projects, catalogues, showrooms, conversations with architects and interior designers, and the pages of publications following the evolution of contemporary ceramics.
For Gruppo Bardelli, this journey continues through three complementary identities: Ceramica Bardelli, where decoration and design culture transform the surface into a language; Ceramica Vogue, where colour and modularity become tools for architecture; and Appiani, where ceramic mosaic becomes a design system.
To all the clients, architects, designers, journalists, partners and professionals who took the time to visit us in Bologna, thank you.
The conversation started at Cersaie continues.
