Domotex Hannover 2010, the international trade fair for floor coverings held annually in Hannover, Germany, has expanded to include ceramic tiles. Tile manufacturers focusing on the contract business will showcase their latest ranges at the contractworld exhibit in Hall 4. The move is "a logical and valuable extension of the Domotex exhibition program," according to show organizers.

At the start of the year, tile industry groups were planning to host a show dedicated to ceramic tiles in conjunction with Domotex. However, due to the tough economy, those plans were scaled back, said Stephan Kühne, board member of Deutsche Messe AG, which hosts the yearly Domotex exhibition in Germany.

"As the year progressed, however, it became evident that the global economic crisis had seriously exacerbated the difficulties being experienced by the trade. For this reason the decision to create a separate trade fair for tiles has been put on ice for the time being and will be re-assessed in discussions with leading manufacturers in spring 2010," he said.

Domotex Hannover is set for Jan. 16-19, 2010. For more information visitwww.hfusa.com.