Tiles and bathroom surfaces are becoming larger, lighter and more adaptable, with flexible stone, oversized slabs and digitally textured materials among the products highlighted ahead of CeramBath 2026 in Foshan.
The 45th China International Ceramic & Bathroom Fair, known as CeramBath, will take place from October 18 to 23 across three venues in Foshan, one of China’s major ceramic manufacturing centers. The organizer lists more than 800 exhibitors and over 30,000 products across ceramic tiles, sanitary ware, surfaces and related building materials.
For this year’s edition, the event is drawing attention to materials that move beyond the conventional square ceramic tile, particularly products designed for larger surfaces, curved walls and faster renovation projects.
Large slabs reduce the visual role of grout lines
Large-format sintered stone slabs are one of the materials being highlighted for the 2026 event.
Rather than covering a wall or floor with many smaller tiles, slabs measuring 1200 × 2400 mm or larger can cover much wider areas with fewer joints. According to CeramBath, manufacturers are also using digital glazing and mould technologies to reproduce stone-like textures and finishes on these surfaces.
The format is increasingly being used for feature walls, hotel interiors, large floors and integrated kitchen surfaces, where designers may want a more continuous appearance.
The previous CeramBath edition also pointed to increasingly narrow tile joints as a broader design trend, reflecting greater attention to the final appearance of an installed surface rather than the tile as an individual product.
Flexible stone targets curved and irregular surfaces
Another material receiving attention is flexible stone, sometimes marketed as soft tile.
Unlike conventional rigid ceramic products, these lightweight materials are designed to conform to curved or irregular surfaces. CeramBath identifies applications including columns, spiral staircases and building facades, where traditional tiles can be more difficult to install.
That flexibility could expand the range of surfaces that can be given a stone or tile appearance without using heavy natural materials.
Digital surface technology is changing conventional tiles as well. The organizer highlights micro-mould and digital glaze techniques that create physical texture aligned with printed patterns, producing finishes designed to resemble materials such as aged stone or leather.
Renovation is influencing material development
Faster installation and renovation are another theme running through CeramBath’s recent industry coverage.
SPC wall and flooring products are being presented for moisture-prone or fast-turnaround projects, while the organizer’s report from the previous edition identified renovation-focused products as an increasingly visible part of manufacturers’ portfolios.
CeramBath’s own assessment says renovation demand has encouraged suppliers to develop products that can be installed more easily in existing interiors without requiring complete reconstruction. That is an organizer interpretation rather than independent market data, but it helps explain why lighter surfaces and simplified installation systems are appearing more prominently in the event’s product mix.
Three venues across Foshan
CeramBath 2026 will operate across China Ceramics City, China Ceramics & Sanitaryware Industry Headquarters and the Foshan International Conference & Exhibition Center.
The first two venues will run from October 18 to 23, while the Huaxia venue at the Foshan International Conference & Exhibition Center is scheduled from October 18 to 21.
The current 2026 exhibitor directory includes suppliers across ceramic tiles, slabs, artificial stone, bathroom furniture and other building materials.
For designers and homeowners, the more interesting story behind this year’s exhibition may be how quickly the definition of a “tile” is expanding. Products are becoming larger, more textured and, in some cases, flexible enough to cover surfaces that conventional ceramics could not easily follow.
CeramBath 2026 will take place from October 18 to 23 in Foshan, Guangdong, China.
