Clays For Construction and Industrial Use Market

The article discusses the projected growth of the global market for clays for construction and industrial use, with a forecasted CAGR of +4.3% in volume and +6.2% in value from 2022 to 2030. It highlights fluctuations in market performance, consumption, production, imports, and exports over the past decade. The article also presents data on key consuming and producing countries, types of clays, average prices, and trends in the market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for clays for construction and industrial use 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 +4.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 401M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $151.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Clays For Construction and Industrial Use

In 2022, after ten years of growth, there was decline in consumption of clays for construction and industrial use, when its volume decreased by -3.9% to 286M tons. Overall, the total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +83.5% against 2012 indices. Over the period under review, global consumption of reached the peak volume at 297M tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

The revenue of the market for clays for construction and industrial use worldwide reduced modestly to $93.4B in 2022, dropping by -4.6% 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, the total consumption indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +91.1% against 2012 indices. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $97.8B in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (50M tons), the United States (29M tons) and Russia (23M tons), together comprising 35% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of use, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +7.8%), while use for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest clays for construction and industrial use markets worldwide were China ($12B), Brazil ($10.8B) and the United States ($8.3B), together accounting for 33% of the global market.

China, with a CAGR of +10.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while use for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of clays for construction and industrial use per capita consumption in 2022 were Russia (158 kg per person), Canada (144 kg per person) and Germany (125 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +7.1%), while use for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Clays For Construction and Industrial Use

After ten years of growth, production of clays for construction and industrial use decreased by -3.6% to 286M tons in 2022. Overall, the total production indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +85.0% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 296M tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, production of clays for construction and industrial use dropped to $90.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +87.8% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 21%. Over the period under review, global production of attained the peak level at $95.4B in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (50M tons), the United States (29M tons) and Russia (23M tons), with a combined 36% share of global production. India, Pakistan, Brazil, Germany, Japan, the UK, Turkey, France, Canada and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +7.7%), while use for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Clays For Construction and Industrial Use

In 2022, supplies from abroad of clays for construction and industrial use increased by 3.8% to 6.8M tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 7M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of clays for construction and industrial use rose notably to $1.2B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Italy (1.6M tons), distantly followed by Belgium (865K tons), Spain (730K tons), the Netherlands (464K tons), Bangladesh (327K tons) and France (321K tons) were the key importers of clays for construction and industrial use, together achieving 63% of total imports. Germany (246K tons), Poland (198K tons), Canada (179K tons), Mexico (176K tons), Turkey (143K tons), the UK (143K tons) and Malaysia (126K 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 Spain (with a CAGR of +22.7%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest clays for construction and industrial use importing markets worldwide were Italy ($159M), Germany ($100M) and the Netherlands ($88M), with a combined 29% share of global imports. Spain, Belgium, France, Poland, the UK, Mexico, Turkey, Canada, Bangladesh and Malaysia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +14.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

Common clay prevails in use structure, recording 5.8M tons, which was approx. 85% of total imports in 2022. Chamotte or dinas earths (416K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 6.1% share, followed by andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite (4.7%). Mullite (267K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Common clay experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports. At the same time, andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +1.1% from 2012-2022. Chamotte or dinas earths and mullite experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. The shares of the largest types remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, common clay ($717M) constitutes the largest type of clays for construction and industrial use imported worldwide, comprising 61% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite ($170M), with a 14% share of global imports. It was followed by mullite, with a 14% share.

For common clay, imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012-2022. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite (+2.8% per year) and mullite (+1.5% per year).

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average import price for clays for construction and industrial use amounted to $174 per ton, increasing by 3.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 15% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was mullite ($610 per ton), while the price for common clay ($124 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by chamotte or dinas earths (+2.3%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average import price for clays for construction and industrial use amounted to $174 per ton, picking up by 3.2% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($407 per ton), while Belgium ($56 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+7.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Clays For Construction and Industrial Use

In 2022, shipments abroad of clays for construction and industrial use increased by 20% to 6.9M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, exports of clays for construction and industrial use rose notably to $953M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; 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 27%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

Germany was the main exporting country with an export of around 2.1M tons, which resulted at 31% of total exports. India (833K tons) held a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the United States (7.9%), Portugal (5.9%), Spain (5.9%) and the Netherlands (5.1%). Turkey (272K tons), France (215K tons), Belgium (210K tons), Malaysia (201K tons), the UK (183K tons), the Czech Republic (167K tons) and Senegal (146K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to clays for construction and industrial use exports from Germany stood at -1.3%. At the same time, Turkey (+30.4%), India (+29.5%), Portugal (+11.2%), Belgium (+11.1%), the UK (+10.8%), Malaysia (+6.6%), the Czech Republic (+3.9%), the Netherlands (+2.9%) and France (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +30.4% from 2012-2022. The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Senegal (-2.5%) and Spain (-2.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of India (+11 p.p.), Turkey (+3.6 p.p.), Portugal (+3.3 p.p.) and Belgium (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of the United States (-2.2 p.p.), Spain (-3.8 p.p.) and Germany (-13.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest clays for construction and industrial use supplying countries worldwide were the United States ($164M), Germany ($124M) and Spain ($100M), with a combined 41% share of global exports. France, the Netherlands, India, Belgium, Portugal, the UK, the Czech Republic, Malaysia, Senegal and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, India, with a CAGR of +18.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

Common clay prevails in use structure, finishing at 6.1M tons, which was near 88% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite (337K tons), making up a 4.9% share of total exports. Chamotte or dinas earths (310K tons) and mullite (200K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Common clay was also the fastest-growing in terms of exports, with a CAGR of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, mullite (+2.3%), andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite (+1.4%) and chamotte or dinas earths (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. The shares of the largest types remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, common clay ($605M) remains the largest type of clays for construction and industrial use supplied worldwide, comprising 64% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite ($153M), with a 16% share of global exports. It was followed by mullite, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of common clay exports stood at +1.5%. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite (+2.8% per year) and mullite (+3.9% per year).

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average export price for clays for construction and industrial use amounted to $138 per ton, falling by -9.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $152 per ton, and then declined in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was mullite ($562 per ton), while the average price for exports of common clay ($100 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by mullite (+1.5%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average export price for clays for construction and industrial use stood at $138 per ton in 2022, which is down by -9.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $152 per ton, and then contracted in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($382 per ton), while Turkey ($41 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+5.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform