Artificial Corundum Market

The article discusses the rising demand for artificial corundum worldwide, with the market expected to experience growth in consumption and value terms up to 2030. Consumption reached 3M tons in 2022, with notable increases in the United States. Global production and exports also showed growth, with China dominating in both areas. The average import price increased in 2022, while export prices also saw a notable rise. Overall, the global artificial corundum market is anticipated to continue growing in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for artificial corundum worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $5.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Artificial Corundum

In 2022, the amount of artificial corundum consumed worldwide reached 3M tons, growing by 5.8% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 3.4M tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global artificial corundum market size expanded notably to $4.2B in 2022, surging by 13% 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). In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $4.4B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (477K tons), the United States (420K tons) and India (310K tons), together comprising 40% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +4.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($1.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($404M). It was followed by India.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States amounted to +3.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (-2.4% per year) and India (+0.2% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of artificial corundum per capita consumption in 2022 were Germany (1,781 kg per 1000 persons), Canada (1,444 kg per 1000 persons) and Spain (1,277 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +3.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Artificial Corundum

Global artificial corundum production contracted to 3.1M tons in 2022, approximately mirroring 2021 figures. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 13%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 3.5M tons. From 2015 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, artificial corundum production expanded modestly to $3.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $3.9B. From 2015 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of artificial corundum production was China (1.4M tons), accounting for 44% of total volume. Moreover, artificial corundum production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (289K tons), fivefold. The United States (215K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (-0.5% per year) and the United States (+13.5% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Artificial Corundum

In 2022, overseas purchases of artificial corundum increased by 4.9% to 1.3M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 30%. Global imports peaked at 1.3M tons in 2017; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, artificial corundum imports surged to $1.6B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of artificial corundum imports in 2022 were the United States (225K tons), Germany (153K tons), Japan (139K tons), the Netherlands (93K tons), South Korea (76K tons), Turkey (59K tons), Austria (50K tons), Italy (49K tons), Poland (42K tons), India (39K tons), Russia (30K tons) and Canada (25K tons), together amounting to 75% of total import. Taiwan (Chinese) (25K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +54.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest artificial corundum importing markets worldwide were the United States ($226M), Germany ($223M) and Japan ($143M), together comprising 37% of global imports. The Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, Poland, Russia, India, Canada and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

Among the main importing countries, India, with a CAGR of +41.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average artificial corundum import price stood at $1,218 per ton in 2022, increasing by 9.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($1,959 per ton), while India ($541 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+5.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Artificial Corundum

Global artificial corundum exports dropped to 1.4M tons in 2022, with a decrease of -9.1% on 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 48%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 1.5M tons, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, artificial corundum exports expanded remarkably to $2B in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 81%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

China dominates exports structure, resulting at 884K tons, which was approx. 64% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (72K tons), achieving a 5.2% share of total exports. Germany (54K tons), France (41K tons), Slovenia (37K tons), Bahrain (34K tons), Brazil (33K tons), Hungary (30K tons) and Italy (30K tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the Netherlands (+20.7%), Bahrain (+20.0%), Brazil (+8.1%), Germany (+2.0%) and Slovenia (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +20.7% from 2012-2022. Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Hungary (-3.1%) and France (-11.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the Netherlands, France and Bahrain increased by +4.2, +3 and +2.5 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($1.3B) remains the largest artificial corundum supplier worldwide, comprising 65% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($115M), with a 5.8% share of global exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 3.7% share.

In China, artificial corundum exports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+3.9% per year) and the Netherlands (+18.0% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average artificial corundum export price stood at $1,436 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, artificial corundum export price increased by +85.4% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 23% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($2,135 per ton), while Bahrain ($1,004 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+11.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform