Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths Market

The article provides a detailed analysis of the global market for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths, with a focus on consumption, production, imports, and exports trends from 2012 to 2022. The market is projected to show a slight increase in consumption and production volumes, with countries like the United States, China, and Canada leading in both production and consumption. Import and export trends are also discussed, with countries like Italy, China, and Spain being major exporters. The article highlights fluctuations in prices and growth rates across different countries, offering insights into the overall market dynamics.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths 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 +0.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.9M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths

In 2022, the amount of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths consumed worldwide contracted modestly to 3.6M tons, remaining relatively unchanged against 2021. In general, consumption showed a noticeable decrease. Over the period under review, global consumption of attained the maximum volume at 5.9M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The size of the market for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths worldwide shrank to $3.3B in 2022, with a decrease of -5.7% 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). Over the period under review, consumption saw a noticeable shrinkage. Global consumption peaked at $5B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the United States (1M tons), China (579K tons) and Canada (244K tons), together accounting for 52% of global consumption. India, Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, the Czech Republic, Germany and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +11.3%), while earths for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($1.3B), Japan ($808M) and China ($271M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together accounting for 72% of the global market. Canada, Germany, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 11%.

The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +11.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while earths for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths per capita consumption in 2022 were the Czech Republic (6.6 kg per person), Canada (6.3 kg per person) and the United States (3.1 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +11.2%), while earths for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths

In 2022, approx. 3.3M tons of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths were produced worldwide; with a decrease of -3.3% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 30%. Global production peaked at 5.8M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, production of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths contracted slightly to $3.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 38%. Global production peaked at $4.1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United States (1.1M tons), China (622K tons) and India (251K tons), with a combined 59% share of global production. Japan, Italy, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Spain, Bangladesh, Germany and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of earths, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of -0.3%), while earths for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.

Imports

World Imports of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths

In 2022, global imports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths amounted to 751K tons, growing by 2.1% on the previous year. In general, imports posted a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 87% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 868K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths contracted to $209M in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate tangible growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 48%. Global imports peaked at $342M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

Canada represented the largest importing country with an import of about 244K tons, which finished at 33% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (72K tons), Nepal (43K tons), Rwanda (39K tons) and Saudi Arabia (34K tons), together mixing up a 25% share of total imports. Ireland (30K tons), the UK (25K tons), Greece (22K tons), India (16K tons), Japan (13K tons), Namibia (12K tons), the Netherlands (12K tons) and Gambia (12K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Canada increased at an average annual rate of +9.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Greece (+60.4%), Gambia (+36.5%), the Netherlands (+31.8%), Ireland (+28.7%), Namibia (+21.2%), Saudi Arabia (+20.9%), Rwanda (+19.4%), Nepal (+15.3%), India (+12.9%) and the Czech Republic (+11.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Greece emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +60.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the UK (-5.8%) and Japan (-6.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Canada, the Czech Republic, Rwanda, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Nepal and Greece increased by +9.3, +3.6, +3.5, +3.4, +3.3, +3.2 and +2.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths importing markets worldwide were the Netherlands ($14M), Saudi Arabia ($14M) and the UK ($12M), together accounting for 19% of global imports. Rwanda, Ireland, Greece, Japan, Namibia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Gambia, India and Nepal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Greece, with a CAGR of +49.4%, 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

In 2022, the average import price for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths amounted to $279 per ton, shrinking by -15.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a pronounced descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $410 per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 the Netherlands ($1,208 per ton), while Nepal ($7.5 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Gambia (+9.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths

In 2022, approx. 468K tons of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths were exported worldwide; waning by -11.8% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a measured expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 68%. The global exports peaked at 531K tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, exports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths dropped modestly to $195M in 2022. In general, total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -6.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $210M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from Italy (64K tons), the United States (57K tons), India (56K tons), China (44K tons), Turkey (41K tons), Russia (37K tons), Spain (33K tons) and Tanzania (29K tons), together reaching 77% of total export. The Philippines (16K tons), Ireland (13K tons), Slovakia (13K tons) and South Africa (12K tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +88.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths supplying countries worldwide were Italy ($37M), China ($28M) and Spain ($20M), with a combined 43% share of global exports. The Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, the United States, Tanzania, Russia, Ireland, Slovakia and India lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

Ireland, with a CAGR of +84.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average export price for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths stood at $417 per ton in 2022, increasing by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, export price for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths decreased by -18.9% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 64% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $698 per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Philippines ($1,006 per ton), while India ($24 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+13.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform