Ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic materials made through heating clay or other raw materials. The document discusses the history, composition, manufacturing process, properties, applications and economics of ceramics. Ceramics have a variety of uses including bricks, tiles, bathroom fixtures, kitchenware and advanced applications in automotive and aerospace industries due to their strength, hardness and heat resistance. The global ceramics market is valued at $239.53 billion and India's ceramic tiles market is expected to reach $501.70 billion by 2023. Challenges include depleting raw materials while opportunities exist in 3D printing and improving production efficiency.