Akij Ceramics: Building Bangladesh’s future with premium aesthetics and global standards
As Bangladesh’s middle class embraces design and elegance, Akij Ceramics leads the charge—combining advanced technology, sustainable energy, and global standards to deliver premium products that reflect both local culture and international trends

When I reflect on how far Bangladesh's ceramic industry has come, one thing is clear—we're no longer just making products for local homes. We're building for the world. For us at AkijBashir Group, venturing into export markets has transformed more than just our sales targets; it has reshaped our entire mindset. Exporting isn't merely a numbers game—it's about delivering value, consistently and creatively, to markets with some of the highest expectations in the world.
Our buyers in Europe, North America, and the Middle East look for world-class standards in everything from design to durability. To meet these demands, we've embedded global quality benchmarks into our production processes. We've invested heavily in modern machinery, set up rigorous quality control systems, and built a strong in-house R&D team that works hand-in-hand with our designers. Every product we send out—be it a minimalist tableware set or a piece of sanitaryware tailored for a European villa—has to reflect our commitment to excellence.
Over time, I've witnessed a significant shift in how people, both abroad and at home, perceive ceramics. What was once purely utilitarian is now deeply personal. Tiles and ceramics used to be about cost, durability, and convenience. Today, they're about identity. People want spaces that speak to their taste, their travels, and their aspirations. We've adapted by putting design at the heart of our work. Finishes like satin matt, sugar textures, and mirror polishing aren't just aesthetic upgrades—they're expressions of lifestyle.
At AkijBashir, we've brought in global design consultants to work alongside our teams. The goal is simple: blend global trends with local tastes. Whether we're designing a bold tile collection for a downtown apartment or a subtle, elegant piece for a traditional home, we strive to strike that perfect balance between beauty and resilience.
This demand for premium aesthetics isn't limited to high-end clients anymore. Across Bangladesh, we're seeing a rising middle class that's design-conscious and globally aware. Social media and home design platforms have fueled this change. People want homes that reflect who they are. And they're willing to invest in products that deliver that sense of elegance.
We've responded accordingly. Our Kathena premium tiles, Vanita wall tiles, and grip-textured designs are now part of everyday home-building conversations. These aren't niche anymore—they're the new normal. Through our brands Akij Ceramics and Aura, we're scaling up to meet this demand without compromising quality or affordability. Our philosophy is simple: what's available in the world market today should be available in Bangladesh tomorrow—and we aim to deliver that, consistently.
But this journey hasn't been without its challenges. Energy remains one of our biggest concerns. The recent gas price hikes and supply instability have been difficult to navigate. Gas is essential to our kilns, and disruptions directly impact production, product quality, and cost structures. So, we've been proactive.
We've upgraded our entire energy setup. Around 20% of our electricity now comes from solar energy, and we're on track to hit 35% with our upcoming 40 MW solar expansion. We've installed heat recovery systems that allow us to repurpose waste energy and produce an extra 15,000 square meters of tiles every day. These steps aren't just about survival—they're about future-proofing our operations in a volatile energy landscape.
In the premium segment, where competition is fierce—not just from local brands but also foreign imports—our edge comes from integrating international-grade technology with a deep understanding of the local market. Take our ROSA brand, for example. It's powered by European robotics and boasts South Asia's largest double-decker tunnel kiln. These are not just selling points; they ensure we deliver precision and consistency that rivals any imported product.
But beyond the machines, what sets us apart is our customer-centric approach. We're faster, more responsive, and more in tune with what Bangladeshi consumers want. Our pricing is competitive, our after-sales service is local and reliable, and our products are designed with both global elegance and local practicality in mind.
Of course, we still rely heavily on imported raw materials—over 90% of them, to be specific. Clay, glaze, pigment—most of these come from Spain, Italy, China, India, and Thailand. With the ongoing foreign currency crunch and global shipping uncertainties, this creates real risks. Many companies are struggling to procure materials due to dollar shortages.
Thankfully, our export earnings help us navigate this storm with a bit more stability. But we're not taking anything for granted. We're actively exploring alternative sourcing strategies, trying to localise wherever feasible, and streamlining our inventory processes to better weather any disruption. Still, the overall economic situation needs to stabilise for long-term sustainability, not just for us, but for the industry as a whole.
At the end of the day, what drives us is simple: the belief that Bangladeshi ceramics can compete with the best in the world—and win. Whether it's a homeowner in Chattogram or a developer in Dubai, we want our products to speak of quality, elegance, and trust. That's the future we're building at AkijBashir—one tile, one design, one bold idea at a time.