With the ability to be bent arbitrarily and a thickness of only 2 to 4 millimeters... At recent construction and ceramics exhibitions, the "flexible ceramic tiles" from Olinmat have attracted the attention of numerous international buyers with their innovative performance.
As a company specializing in the export of new building materials, Olinmat primarily targets the Middle Eastern and African markets. On the very first day of the 2025 Fujian International Building Materials Exhibition, they successfully secured a new order from a client in the Middle East. In the first half of this year, the company has had sufficient orders, with production lines running at full capacity, and the proportion of export business has steadily increased to 30%-40%.
"We are actively expanding our small-order customization business and intensifying our online channel development to meet the diverse procurement needs of overseas markets."
— Olinmat Representative
What is Flexible Ceramic (MCM)?
This new type of architectural decorative material, called "flexible ceramic" (MCM), is primarily made from modified inorganic mud (MCM) as the main raw material. It is produced through a specialized temperature-controlled molding system, followed by processes such as molding, baking, and irradiation cross-linking. It is an eco-friendly architectural finishing material that combines flexibility, anti-aging properties, and weather resistance.
From Cultural Stone to Flexible Ceramic: A Technological Transformation
In its early days, Olinmat produced products like manufactured cultural stone, but the heaviness of these products led to high transportation costs. In 2015, the company, considering international market trends and the changing demand for exterior wall tiles, began introducing technology to produce flexible ceramics.
Flexible ceramics are extremely lightweight, with a total weight of no more than 6 kilograms per square meter including auxiliary materials. This significantly reduces both sea and land transportation costs, making them particularly suitable for long-distance export markets like the Middle East and Africa.
Furthermore, during construction, the product does not require toothed-blade cutting, effectively reducing dust and noise pollution. Its lightweight nature also means less auxiliary material (like adhesives and fillers) is needed, and once applied, it is less prone to falling off. This effectively avoids the common issues of traditional tile detachment and coating aging/cracking.
Aesthetics and Performance Combined
"Using high-precision, temperature-resistant molds, we replicate the textures and patterns of natural stone and ceramic tiles. We employ inorganic ink technology for color expression and then fire the products in a kiln. This results in a product that combines the aesthetic appeal of stone finishes with durability that surpasses traditional coatings."
— Olinmat Representative
Flexible ceramics are particularly suitable for old city renovation and urban renewal projects. There is no need to remove the original coating, tiles, or mosaic base; only localized leveling is required before direct application. This significantly shortens construction timelines and reduces renovation costs.
Significant Cost Advantage
Compared to high-end real stone paint or textured coatings, flexible ceramics offer a more advantageous overall cost while maintaining a similar appearance.
Taking the inkjet-printed travertine series as an example, the comprehensive cost, including labor, is approximately RMB 100-150 per square meter. This is considerably lower than the RMB 200-300 per square meter cost of similar textured coatings, giving it a significant competitive edge in projects involving old city renovation, school rebuilding, and commercial street renewal.
Currently, Olinmat products have been used in various representative projects both domestically and internationally, with stable exports to regions including the Middle East, Africa, South Korea, and Russia, fully satisfying the standards and demands of different markets.
Climate-Adaptive Customization
Facing the diverse climatic conditions of the Middle East and Africa, Olinmat leverages its flexible product formulation adjustment capabilities to optimize performance for different regions:
Hot, Arid Areas of the Middle East: Enhanced UV resistance and heat aging resistance
Humid Regions in Africa: Increased breathability and moisture absorption, ensuring the surface remains dry even in high-humidity environments and preventing condensation
Cold Climate Regions: Adjusted material toughness to ensure good flexibility and construction adaptability even at low temperatures
With its unique flexible characteristics, flexible ceramics provide a richer design language and greater expressive potential for building facades.
Customized Production Model & Risk Resistance
Benefiting from its customized production model, Olinmat can flexibly schedule production based on customer orders. This greatly reduces inventory pressure and effectively avoids the operational risks associated with the high inventory levels common in the traditional ceramic industry. This model demonstrates greater resilience and adaptability, especially in the context of volatile international markets.
International Certifications & Green Manufacturing
It is worth mentioning that Olinmat's flexible ceramic products have passed multiple international standard certifications, meeting the quality and environmental requirements for export to the Middle East and Africa.
In terms of green manufacturing, the kiln firing temperature during production is significantly lower than that for traditional tiles, leading to a substantial reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions. This aligns with the global trend towards green and low-carbon development in the building materials industry and continuously contributes to the advancement of sustainable urban construction.
