We present a thermodynamic analysis of the sustainable use of resources in the province of Modena, focusing the attention on the district of Sassuolo. The methodology that is used is the emergy evaluation. The analysis shows that the Sassuolo district represents the peak of non-sustainability of the whole area, with a huge consumption of non-renewable primary resources, both imported and local. The role of the ceramic tile industry is relevant in the consumption of energy and materials. Different types of factories for ceramics production are compared, representing a good sample of different methods of production. Emergy analysis shows which of these has higher levels of sustainability with respect to the others.