Non-Kaolinitic Clays for Constructional and Industrial Use Market

The global market for non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use is projected to experience steady growth over the next eight years, with market performance forecasted to accelerate. Consumption is expected to increase to 192M tons by 2030, with a market value of $46.5B. Key consuming countries include China, Russia, and the United States, while major exporters include India, Germany, and the United States. Import trends show a slight decrease in volume but an increase in value, with Italy, Spain, and Germany being key importers. Overall, the market is poised for growth in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 192M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $46.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Non-Kaolinitic Clays for Constructional and Industrial Use

In 2022, consumption of non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use increased by less than 0.1% to 148M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global consumption of hit record highs at 158M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The revenue of the market for non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use worldwide contracted slightly to $36.8B in 2022, standing approx. at 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 recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $40.1B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (29M tons), Russia (24M tons) and the United States (19M tons), with a combined 49% share of global consumption. India, Ukraine, Japan, Germany, Indonesia, Pakistan, Italy, France, Spain and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ukraine (with a CAGR of +12.5%), while use for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use markets worldwide were China ($5.8B), the United States ($4.3B) and Russia ($4.2B), together comprising 39% of the global market. Japan, France, Canada, India, Indonesia, Spain, Italy, Pakistan, Ukraine and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 18%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Ukraine, with a CAGR of +16.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size 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 non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use per capita consumption in 2022 were Russia (165 kg per person), Ukraine (158 kg per person) and Canada (58 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of use, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Ukraine (with a CAGR of +13.0%), while use for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Consumption By Type

Clays for construction and industrial use (286M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, comprising approx. 90% of total volume. Moreover, clays for construction and industrial use exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, bentonite (21M tons), more than tenfold.

For clays for construction and industrial use, consumption increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the period from 2012-2022. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: bentonite (+0.7% per year) and fireclay (+7.3% per year).

In value terms, clays for construction and industrial use ($93.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by bentonite ($4.1B).

For clays for construction and industrial use, market expanded at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the period from 2012-2022. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: bentonite (+0.5% per year) and fireclay (+3.4% per year).

Production

World Production of Non-Kaolinitic Clays for Constructional and Industrial Use

Global production of non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use dropped to 147M tons in 2022, approximately equating 2021. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 4.3% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 160M tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, production of non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use dropped slightly to $32.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 11% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $41B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (30M tons), Russia (24M tons) and the United States (20M tons), with a combined 50% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +5.0%), while use for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production By Type

Clays for construction and industrial use (286M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, accounting for 90% of total volume. Moreover, clays for construction and industrial use exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, bentonite (21M tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the volume of clays for construction and industrial use production stood at +6.3%. With regard to the other produced products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: bentonite (+0.9% per year) and fireclay (+3.7% per year).

In value terms, clays for construction and industrial use ($90.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by bentonite ($3.9B).

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of clays for construction and industrial use production amounted to +6.5%. With regard to the other produced products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: bentonite (+0.9% per year) and fireclay (+3.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Non-Kaolinitic Clays for Constructional and Industrial Use

In 2022, approx. 16M tons of non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use were imported worldwide; which is down by -13.3% against 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 23%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 18M tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, imports of non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use rose slightly to $2.6B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, global imports of hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Italy (2.8M tons), distantly followed by Spain (1,194K tons), Germany (1,028K tons), the Netherlands (1,022K tons), Belgium (969K tons), Canada (784K tons) and Poland (770K tons) represented the key importers of non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use, together constituting 54% of total imports. The following importers - Bangladesh (556K tons), France (541K tons), Indonesia (416K tons), the United Arab Emirates (390K tons), Malaysia (381K tons) and Japan (299K tons) - together made up 16% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use imports into Italy stood at +1.5%. At the same time, Bangladesh (+17.0%), Spain (+16.9%), the United Arab Emirates (+5.0%), Indonesia (+4.7%), Germany (+4.6%), Malaysia (+3.1%), Poland (+2.4%), France (+1.9%), Canada (+1.9%) and Belgium (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bangladesh emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +17.0% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands and Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Spain (+5.6 p.p.), Bangladesh (+2.6 p.p.) and Germany (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($261M), Germany ($236M) and the Netherlands ($200M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 26% of global imports. Canada, Poland, Japan, Spain, France, Belgium, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Bangladesh, with a CAGR of +19.8%, recorded 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.

Imports By Type

In 2022, clays for construction and industrial use (6.8M tons) and bentonite (5.9M tons) represented the major types of non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial usein the world, together constituting 87% of total imports. It was distantly followed by fireclay (1.8M tons), constituting a 13% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main imported products, was attained by bentonite (with a CAGR of +2.3%), while imports for the other products experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, clays for construction and industrial use ($1.2B), bentonite ($1.1B) and fireclay ($211M) were the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022.

Bentonite, with a CAGR of +3.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average import price for non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use amounted to $165 per ton, picking up by 20% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. As a result, import 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 imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was bentonite ($193 per ton), while the price for fireclay ($115 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by fireclay (+4.0%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average import price for non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use amounted to $165 per ton, with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($346 per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($57 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 (+7.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Non-Kaolinitic Clays for Constructional and Industrial Use

Global exports of non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use fell dramatically to 15M tons in 2022, with a decrease of -16.4% on the previous year. Overall, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, the global exports of hit record highs at 18M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, exports of non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use declined to $2.4B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 31%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $2.5B, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from India (2.2M tons), Germany (2.2M tons), the United States (1.5M tons), Turkey (1.5M tons), Ukraine (1.3M tons) and China (1.2M tons), together reaching 66% of total export. The Netherlands (567K tons), Spain (494K tons), Portugal (412K tons), the Czech Republic (363K tons), Italy (288K tons), Belgium (239K tons) and Azerbaijan (231K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +15.6%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use supplying countries worldwide were China ($441M), the United States ($410M) and Turkey ($164M), with a combined 42% share of global exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of +14.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2022, clays for construction and industrial use (6.9M tons) and bentonite (5.8M tons) were the key types of non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial usein the world, together finishing at near 85% of total exports. It was distantly followed by fireclay (2.3M tons), generating a 15% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for bentonite (with a CAGR of +2.9%), while shipments for the other products experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, bentonite ($998M), clays for construction and industrial use ($953M) and fireclay ($384M) constituted the products with the highest levels of exports in 2022.

Bentonite, with a CAGR of +4.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average export price for non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use amounted to $159 per ton, surging by 16% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was bentonite ($173 per ton), while the average price for exports of clays for construction and industrial use ($138 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by fireclay (+7.3%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Export Prices By Country

The average export price for non-kaolinitic clays for constructional and industrial use stood at $159 per ton in 2022, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($377 per ton), while India ($57 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ukraine (+5.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform