Pigments, Opacifiers And Colours Market

The global market for pigments, opacifiers, and colors for ceramics, enameling, or glass is expected to continue its upward trend over the next eight years, with a forecasted growth rate in both volume and value. The article provides insights into market performance, consumption trends, production statistics, and key exporting and importing countries. From 2022 to 2030, the market is projected to reach 932K tons and $7.9B respectively. Key market players include China, United States, Italy, India, Russia, Japan, and Germany. The article also highlights consumption patterns, production trends, and trade statistics for pigments, opacifiers, and colors in the global market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for pigments, opacifiers and colours for ceramics, enamelling or glass 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 +2.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 932K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $7.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Pigments, Opacifiers And Colours For Ceramics, Enamelling Or Glass

In 2022, approx. 758K tons of pigments, opacifiers and colours for ceramics, enamelling or glass were consumed worldwide; growing by 4.4% compared with the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

The global pigments, opacifiers and colours market size rose modestly to $5.3B in 2022, surging by 4.3% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (132K tons), the United States (77K tons) and Italy (75K tons), together accounting for 37% of global consumption. India, Russia, Japan, Germany, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, France, Spain and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($1.1B), Japan ($757M) and China ($555M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 45% of the global market. Russia, Italy, the Netherlands, Mexico, Germany, France, India, Spain, Brazil and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +14.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of pigments, opacifiers and colours per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (1,266 kg per million persons), the Netherlands (867 kg per million persons) and Spain (406 kg per million persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +14.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Pigments, Opacifiers And Colours For Ceramics, Enamelling Or Glass

For the fourth consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in production of pigments, opacifiers and colours for ceramics, enamelling or glass, which increased by 2.3% to 731K tons in 2022. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, pigments, opacifiers and colours production amounted to $5.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value 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, production decreased by -1.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $5.4B. From 2020 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (153K tons), Spain (95K tons) and Italy (80K tons), with a combined 45% share of global production. The United States, India, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia, Germany, the Netherlands, France and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +12.8%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Pigments, Opacifiers And Colours For Ceramics, Enamelling Or Glass

In 2022, supplies from abroad of pigments, opacifiers and colours for ceramics, enamelling or glass increased by 2.3% to 218K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 16%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, pigments, opacifiers and colours imports reached $1.2B in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $1.2B in 2013; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Imports By Country

In 2022, India (27K tons), followed by Italy (17K tons) and Nigeria (13K tons) represented the key importers of pigments, opacifiers and colours for ceramics, enamelling or glass, together creating 26% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (9.4K tons), Turkey (9.2K tons), Indonesia (8.7K tons), Germany (7.5K tons), the United States (7.2K tons), Spain (6.7K tons), Mexico (6.1K tons), Bangladesh (5.6K tons), Poland (5.5K tons) and Russia (5.1K 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 Nigeria (with a CAGR of +25.0%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest pigments, opacifiers and colours importing markets worldwide were India ($136M), Italy ($77M) and Turkey ($61M), together comprising 24% of global imports. The United States, Mexico, Poland, Germany, Indonesia, Spain, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

Bangladesh, with a CAGR of +9.7%, 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.

Import Prices By Country

The average pigments, opacifiers and colours import price stood at $5,338 per ton in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. In general, the import price showed a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $6,508 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($6,638 per ton), while Nigeria ($1,084 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+2.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Pigments, Opacifiers And Colours For Ceramics, Enamelling Or Glass

In 2022, the amount of pigments, opacifiers and colours for ceramics, enamelling or glass exported worldwide contracted to 191K tons, waning by -5.4% on 2021 figures. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 13%. The global exports peaked at 203K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, pigments, opacifiers and colours exports reduced modestly to $1.2B in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 20%. The global exports peaked at $1.2B in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Exports By Country

Spain represented the key exporting country with an export of about 82K tons, which recorded 43% of total exports. China (25K tons) took a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Italy (11%) and India (5.6%). The following exporters - the United States (7.6K tons), Indonesia (6.5K tons), Malaysia (5.7K tons), the Netherlands (4.1K tons), Turkey (3.5K tons) and Brazil (3.2K tons) - together made up 16% of total exports.

Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of pigments, opacifiers and colours for ceramics, enamelling or glass. At the same time, Malaysia (+36.8%), Indonesia (+25.3%), Brazil (+23.9%), Turkey (+17.5%) and India (+3.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malaysia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +36.8% from 2012-2022. The United States and China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Netherlands (-2.5%) and Italy (-3.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Indonesia, Malaysia, Spain and India increased by +3, +2.8, +1.8 and +1.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Spain ($453M) remains the largest pigments, opacifiers and colours supplier worldwide, comprising 39% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($145M), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 9.8% share.

In Spain, pigments, opacifiers and colours exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+3.5% per year) and Italy (-2.6% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average pigments, opacifiers and colours export price stood at $6,122 per ton in 2022, growing by 5.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by 12%. The global export price peaked at $6,416 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Netherlands ($20,499 per ton), while India ($2,059 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+3.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform