mines in Teruel
The supply of clay, the main raw material for the ceramics industry, has become a challenge for companies in the sector. The conflict in Ukraine, where this material originates, disrupted imports and left tile manufacturers scrambling to adapt. This is the case for Grupo Pamesa, which, after holding five operating and mining licenses in Spain, decided to expand beyond borders and acquired half of a Romanian mining company.
The holding led by Fernando Roig recently took control of 50% of Tuna Argila, a move confirmed by industry sources cited by elEconomista and Mediterráneo. The operation, valued at around two million euros, positions Pamesa to secure both white clay and kaolin. Tuna Argila is already conducting exploration work across various regions of Romania to identify new mine sites, aligning with the group’s long-term material strategy.
Pamesa’s 50% stake in Tuna Argila supports its broader objective of maintaining stringent oversight of raw materials. In a June presentation of the group’s 2022 results, Roig emphasized ongoing investments in mining, particularly in Teruel, with the explicit aim of ensuring both quality and volume of clay. He stressed that the goal is to reach a quality level comparable to that of Ukrainian clay, underscoring the importance of reliable supply for the company’s operations.
mines in Teruel
The Romanian mining project will join the five mining operations and licenses already held by Pamesa in Spain. Specifically, the ceramics group operates four mines in the province of Teruel, located in Galve, Seno, Mas de las Matas, and Estercuel, along with a permit to run the Mancilla de l’Alcora mine, one of the assets included in the acquisition. Azuliber remains part of the portfolio of assets linked to these strategic mining activities.
The acquisition of a 50% stake in Tuna Argila is not the only recent expansion by Pamesa. Roughly a month earlier, the tile manufacturer announced the purchase of a company focused on producing large-format ceramic sheets. This business, previously owned by the Italian group Laminam and based in l’Alcora, has been renamed Ascale. The change is designed to boost annual production capacity by 1,500,000 square meters, strengthening Pamesa’s ability to meet growing demand while maintaining control over product quality across its supply chain.