The Bulgarian tradition in the production of ceramic tiles dates back to the beginning of the 10th c. – the Golden Century of the First Bulgarian State and the development of the new capital Preslav stimulated the growth of many techniques in decorative art. A technology that was new for Europe in those days was applied in Preslav – artistically painted ceramic used for decorating temples and representative buildings. Borrowed from the Middle East and simultaneously introduced in the neighboring Byzantine this Preslav art reached unimaginable scales due to two basic preconditions – the insatiable need of impressive architectural decoration and the abundance of the raw material – plastic white clay, allowing bright polychromatic painting

The exquisite samples of the painted ceramics from Preslav are serving as evidence about the splendor of the Preslav palaces and the exquisite taste of its inhabitants. The tiles, made from white clay drawn ceramics with ornaments from “Blossoming cross” and “”Peacock feather” belong to the multitude of archeological finds. The motive “peacock feather” is one of the most popular in the decoration of the drawn ceramics from Preslav. With its polychromatic coating, the foliated tile from the Palace center in Veliki Preslav has no analogue among the discovered material till today.
During its existence of over 30 years the factories “Khan Asparuh” and “Khan Omurtag” apply the experience, accumulated from our forefathers in the achievement of perfection with the combination of the three “mystic” elements: land, water and fire. Utilizing the classic technology of double firing and by implementing leading Italian technologies, KAI Group realizes this idea and creates useful for the everyday life of the people products.

KHAN ASPARUH AD
Khan Asparuh AD is located in the town of Isperih – a region in northeastern Bulgaria with rich deposits of clays, including kaolin, suitable for manufacturing ceramic. It is close to international roads and railways. A gas pipeline passes through the town.

Since 1979 the plant has been manufacturing double-fired ceramic tiles (15 x 15 cm) following an Italian technology. For  six years it doubled its capacity, reaching 5 million sq. m. annually in 1985.
In 1989 the need of diversity made it necessary to introduce a new production line for floor tiles in Khan Asparuh AD. Following the modernization in 1995 the annual throughput of the plant reached 1 million sq.m. That same year a roller kiln was installed in the plant for manufacturing wall tiles, initially for the purposes of second firing according to the classical technology, but within three years it became an individual production facility for single-fired wall tiles.
In 1993 Khan Asparuh AD started the production of frits, which reduced the cost value of the end product.
In order to respond adequately to the ever changing economic conditions and to be able to comply at all times to tclients’ demands, the plant is continuously investing in the introduction of new technologies.
Since 2004 each year one kiln is being introduced into the production process, thus putting the old, energy-consuming tunnel kilns out of operation. This helps to restrict the damages caused to the environment and has brought numerous environmental awards to the company, such as the special award for highest reduction of greenhouse gases, diploma for investments in energy efficiency, etc. The innovative decoration and finishing technologies help to sustain the vast variety of patterns.

The production of Khan Asparuh AD complies with the international quality and design standards, thus it is subjected to continuous demand and enjoys a warm reception in the country and worldwide  

KHAN OMURTAG AD
Khan Omurtag AD is situated at the exit of the town of Shumen very close to the main road and railway Varna – Sofia and Varna – Rousse and some 80 km from Varna port. In the distant 1976 the plant started manufacturing wall ceramic 15x15 cm and 15x20 cm also according to an Italian classical technology of double-firing the tiles.
In 1994 the plant launched a new production line comprising of  a roller kiln with an annnual capacity of almost 1 million sq.m. for production of wall tiles 20x25 cm and 20x30 cm, distinguished by their various combinations and giving a new image to the production facilities.

Before its privatization the plant had a production area of 4.8 thousand sq.m. and 150 employees. Following the privatization procedure it has been into a process of continuous modernization and expansion, gradually becoming one of the largest manufacturers of ceramic tiles on the Balkans, providing employment to another 180 people.
Three production facilities were created. The first and the second are used for manufacturing single-fired wall tiles – „monoporous process”. They have the latest equipment for pressing, glazing and decorating.
The third production facility is used for manufacturing floor tiles (terracotta). As a whole the process is similar to the production cycle of the faience tiles in the other two premises, but the different composition of the mass and the higher temperature of firing give the flooring product high mechanical bending strength, low water-absorption value and decoration that perfectly matches the wall tiles.

The investments in new technologies have increased the production capacity from 900 thousand sq.m. in 1994 to  4.5 million sq.m. at the end of 2005, whereas the production area is now 13.3 thousand sq.m.
Khan Omurtag AD offers ceramic coverings in various combinations of plain, multicolor, structural or stone-imitating patterns and series for multifunctional applications. The plant exports its production to a number of European countries and is constantly creating new trade relations in the country and abroad.