Kaolin Market

The global kaolin market is predicted to experience a rise in consumption over the next eight years, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.7%. By 2030, the market volume is expected to reach 32M tons, with a market value of $7.3B. China, Russia, and the United States were the top consumers in 2022, while China, the United States, and Russia led in production. Spain, Italy, and Taiwan were among the largest importers, with the United States, the UK, and Turkey leading in exports. The average kaolin import price stood at $209 per ton in 2022, with India having the highest price at $404 per ton. The average kaolin export price was $163 per ton in 2022, with Belgium having the highest price at $322 per ton. Overall, the global kaolin market is expected to see steady growth in the immediate future.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for kaolin worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +2.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 32M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $7.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Kaolin and Kaolinic Clays

In 2022, the amount of kaolin and kaolinic clays consumed worldwide shrank modestly to 26M tons, which is down by -1.9% against 2021. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 29M tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The global kaolin market size amounted to $5.1B in 2022, picking up by 2% 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, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the market value increased by 5.9% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (4.3M tons), Russia (2.6M tons) and the United States (2.5M tons), with a combined 36% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($615M), China ($575M) and Russia ($395M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 31% share of the global market.

In terms of the main consuming countries, China, with a CAGR of +9.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 kaolin per capita consumption in 2022 were Belgium (59 kg per person), Spain (34 kg per person) and Ukraine (32 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Ukraine (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Kaolin and Kaolinic Clays

In 2022, production of kaolin and kaolinic clays was finally on the rise to reach 28M tons after two years of decline. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 8.1%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 28M tons. From 2018 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin production contracted slightly to $4.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a mild increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 9.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $4.5B in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (5M tons), the United States (4.3M tons) and Russia (2.5M tons), together comprising 43% of global production. The UK, Ukraine, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, Romania, Germany, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Uzbekistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Romania (with a CAGR of +121.4%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Kaolin and Kaolinic Clays

In 2022, the amount of kaolin and kaolinic clays imported worldwide dropped to 11M tons, shrinking by -7% against the previous year. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 12M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin imports expanded markedly to $2.2B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Spain (1.6M tons), distantly followed by Italy (776K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (714K tons), Belgium (699K tons) and China (655K tons) represented the largest importers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, together creating 42% of total imports. Canada (459K tons), Mexico (442K tons), Turkey (430K tons), Japan (420K tons), Germany (411K tons), Finland (286K tons), Malaysia (241K tons) and India (214K tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Spain increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Malaysia (+14.1%), India (+9.6%), China (+4.9%), Canada (+1.6%) and Italy (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malaysia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +14.1% from 2012-2022. Taiwan (Chinese) and Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Turkey (-1.1%), Belgium (-2.1%), Germany (-4.1%), Japan (-5.2%) and Finland (-10.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Spain, China and Malaysia increased by +7.5, +2.5 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Spain ($160M), China ($153M) and Japan ($149M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 21% share of global imports. Belgium, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Mexico, India, Canada, Finland, Malaysia and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

In terms of the main importing countries, India, with a CAGR of +16.0%, saw the highest growth rate of 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

The average kaolin import price stood at $209 per ton in 2022, picking up by 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. 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 India ($404 per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($78 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+6.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Kaolin and Kaolinic Clays

In 2022, overseas shipments of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased by 8% to 13M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, kaolin exports reached $2B 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 remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 25%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

The United States (2.1M tons), the UK (1.4M tons), Turkey (1.3M tons), China (1.3M tons), Brazil (1.1M tons) and Germany (1M tons) represented roughly 66% of total exports in 2022. India (648K tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 5.2% share, followed by Romania (4.9%). The following exporters - Portugal (523K tons), the Czech Republic (464K tons), Belgium (316K tons), France (281K tons) and Ukraine (246K tons) - together made up 15% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Romania (with a CAGR of +171.1%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($654M) remains the largest kaolin supplier worldwide, comprising 32% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($281M), with a 14% share of global exports. It was followed by China, with a 12% share.

In the United States, kaolin exports increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the UK (+1.5% per year) and China (+7.9% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average kaolin export price stood at $163 per ton in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 5.7%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($322 per ton), while Turkey ($27 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform