Fireclay Market

The global fireclay market is expected to continue an upward trend in consumption over the next eight years, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.0%. By 2030, the market volume is projected to reach 12M tons. In value terms, the market is forecasted to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.9% to $1.3B by 2030. Ukraine leads in fireclay consumption, with the largest share of total volume. Production of fireclay declined for the first time in 2022, while imports decreased by -49.9%. Italy is the key importer of fireclay, with a 52% share of total imports in 2022. On the export side, China is the largest supplier with a 55% share of global exports.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for fireclay worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 12M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Fireclay

Global fireclay consumption surged to 11M tons in 2022, with an increase of 37% against the year before. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% 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 +68.9% against 2016 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The global fireclay market size expanded significantly to $870M in 2022, rising by 7.7% 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). Overall, the total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% 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 +60.9% against 2016 indices. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

Ukraine (6.2M tons) remains the largest fireclay consuming country worldwide, accounting for 56% of total volume. Moreover, fireclay consumption in Ukraine exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Russia (2.1M tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Italy (951K tons), with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Ukraine totaled +18.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Russia (+0.5% per year) and Italy (+9.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest fireclay markets worldwide were Ukraine ($225M), Russia ($199M) and China ($142M), with a combined 65% share of the global market.

Ukraine, with a CAGR of +19.7%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of fireclay per capita consumption was registered in Ukraine (143 kg per person), followed by Italy (16 kg per person), Russia (15 kg per person) and Poland (6.5 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of fireclay was estimated at 1.4 kg per person.

In Ukraine, fireclay per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +18.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Italy (+10.0% per year) and Russia (+0.4% per year).

Production

World Production of Fireclay

In 2022, production of fireclay decreased by -0.9% to 12M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% 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 2014 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 12M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fireclay production shrank to $972M in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period 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 15% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $1B, and then reduced in the following year.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of fireclay production was Ukraine (7.5M tons), accounting for 65% of total volume. Moreover, fireclay production in Ukraine exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Russia (2.1M tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by China (1.2M tons), with an 11% share.

In Ukraine, fireclay production expanded at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Russia (+9.5% per year) and China (+0.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Fireclay

In 2022, approx. 1.8M tons of fireclay were imported worldwide; reducing by -49.9% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 32%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 3.7M tons, and then fell markedly in the following year.

In value terms, fireclay imports declined dramatically to $211M in 2022. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 31%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $305M, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

Imports By Country

Italy represented the key importer of fireclay in the world, with the volume of imports resulting at 952K tons, which was approx. 52% of total imports in 2022. Poland (266K tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Russia (106K tons). All these countries together held approx. 20% share of total imports. Germany (59K tons), the Netherlands (50K tons), Bulgaria (49K tons), Spain (48K tons), the United Arab Emirates (31K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (30K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Italy increased at an average annual rate of +9.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Spain (+11.2%), Germany (+10.2%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Spain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +11.2% from 2012-2022. Bulgaria and Poland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Netherlands (-3.9%), the United Arab Emirates (-11.1%) and Russia (-21.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Italy, Poland, Germany and Spain increased by +38, +5, +2.4 and +2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest fireclay importing markets worldwide were Italy ($59M), Poland ($33M) and Germany ($16M), together comprising 51% of global imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Germany, with a CAGR of +13.0%, saw 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 fireclay import price amounted to $115 per ton, rising by 38% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.0%. 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 importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($275 per ton), while Italy ($62 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+7.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Fireclay

In 2022, global fireclay exports shrank remarkably to 2.3M tons, with a decrease of -68.3% against the year before. Overall, exports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 46% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 7.3M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fireclay exports contracted dramatically to $384M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 51% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $638M, and then fell significantly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Ukraine (1.3M tons) was the largest exporter of fireclay, creating 55% of total exports. China (698K tons) held a 30% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the United States (6.9%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +1.3%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, China ($212M) emerged as the largest fireclay supplier worldwide, comprising 55% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ukraine ($87M), with a 23% share of global exports.

In China, fireclay exports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ukraine (-6.6% per year) and the United States (-0.0% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average fireclay export price stood at $167 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 90% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted prominent growth. 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 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($304 per ton), while Ukraine ($69 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+6.2%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform