Kaolinitic Clays Market

The market for kaolinitic clays is projected to continue growing, with consumption expected to increase at a CAGR of +0.6% and market value anticipated to rise at a CAGR of +4.8% by 2030. Key players in consumption include China, the United States, and India. Production trends show fluctuations, with global output hitting record highs in 2018. Import and export dynamics reveal shifts in key players and average prices. The United States remains the largest exporter, while China leads in consumption. Overall, the market for kaolinitic clays is dynamic and offers opportunities for growth and analysis.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for kaolinitic clays (ball and plastic clays) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 59M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1,396.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Kaolinitic Clays (Ball And Plastic Clays)

In 2022, consumption of kaolinitic clays (ball and plastic clays) increased by 0.5% to 57M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 58M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global kaolinitic clays market size expanded to $956.7B in 2022, surging by 4.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption saw a significant increase. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

China (13M tons) remains the largest kaolinitic clays consuming country worldwide, accounting for 23% of total volume. Moreover, kaolinitic clays consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (6M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (5M tons), with an 8.9% share.

In China, kaolinitic clays consumption increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the period from 2012-2020. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+1.6% per year) and India (+6.6% per year).

In value terms, Hungary ($862.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($2B). It was followed by the United States.

From 2012 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of value in Hungary amounted to +59.0%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: China (+6.2% per year) and the United States (+2.5% per year).

In 2020, the highest levels of kaolinitic clays per capita consumption was registered in Hungary (123 kg per person), followed by Spain (34 kg per person), Turkey (34 kg per person) and Italy (26 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of kaolinitic clays was estimated at 7.2 kg per person.

In Hungary, kaolinitic clays per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +59.5% over the period from 2012-2020. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+4.0% per year) and Turkey (-14.4% per year).

Production

World Production of Kaolinitic Clays (Ball And Plastic Clays)

In 2020, production of kaolinitic clays (ball and plastic clays) decreased by -1% to 56M tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2020; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak volume at 58M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2020, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolinitic clays production rose rapidly to $9.8B in 2020 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2020; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 6.9%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs in 2020 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2020 were China (13M tons), the United States (7.9M tons) and India (5M tons), with a combined 46% share of global production. Brazil, Turkey, the UK, Japan, Indonesia, Ukraine, Iran, Hungary, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2020, the biggest increases were recorded for Hungary (with a CAGR of +74.3%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Kaolinitic Clays (Ball And Plastic Clays)

In 2020, purchases abroad of kaolinitic clays (ball and plastic clays) decreased by -16% to 9.6M tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports showed a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 7.9% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 13M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2020, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolinitic clays imports fell to $1.5B in 2020. Overall, imports recorded a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 5.3% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $2B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2020, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2020, Spain (1.5M tons), distantly followed by China (647K tons), Belgium (621K tons), Italy (551K tons) and Germany (457K tons) represented the key importers of kaolinitic clays (ball and plastic clays), together comprising 39% of total imports. Taiwan (Chinese) (426K tons), Mexico (371K tons), Japan (366K tons), Hong Kong SAR (354K tons), Russia (348K tons), Canada (301K tons), Turkey (224K tons) and Sweden (222K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Spain increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% from 2012 to 2020. At the same time, Hong Kong SAR (+64.5%), China (+6.0%) and Russia (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hong Kong SAR emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +64.5% from 2012-2020. Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Italy (-2.6%), Germany (-3.9%), Belgium (-4.0%), Sweden (-4.0%), Canada (-5.8%), Taiwan (Chinese) (-6.1%), Japan (-7.2%) and Turkey (-9.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2020, the share of Spain, Hong Kong SAR and China increased by +7.9, +3.6 and +3.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($145M), Spain ($117M) and Germany ($97M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2020, with a combined 23% share of global imports. Japan, Belgium, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Sweden, Taiwan (Chinese), Turkey, Russia and Hong Kong SAR lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +40.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2020, the average kaolinitic clays import price amounted to $161 per ton, flattening at the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 4.9%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $169 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2020, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($249 per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($31 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sweden (+4.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Kaolinitic Clays (Ball And Plastic Clays)

In 2020, shipments abroad of kaolinitic clays (ball and plastic clays) decreased by -18.6% to 9.2M tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 6.3%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 13M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2020, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolinitic clays exports dropped to $1.5B in 2020. In general, exports showed a slight curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 7.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at $1.8B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2020, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2020, the United States (2M tons), distantly followed by Ukraine (1.3M tons), the UK (1.1M tons), China (1.1M tons), Brazil (1M tons) and the Czech Republic (0.5M tons) were the key exporters of kaolinitic clays (ball and plastic clays), together mixing up 77% of total exports. The following exporters - Germany (378K tons), Belgium (289K tons), India (247K tons) and France (214K tons) - together made up 12% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Ukraine (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($507M) remains the largest kaolinitic clays supplier worldwide, comprising 34% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($182M), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States was relatively modest. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (-3.2% per year) and the UK (-3.6% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average kaolinitic clays export price stood at $161 per ton in 2020, with an increase of 10% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2020, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($249 per ton), while Ukraine ($75 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+5.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform