Australia: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in Australia

For the fourth consecutive year, the Australian expanded clays market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 19% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption posted a strong increase. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2021, shipments abroad of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, exports recorded notable growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 293% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expanded clays exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 162% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

New Zealand (X tons), Indonesia (X tons) and Papua New Guinea (X tons) were the main destinations of expanded clays exports from Australia, together accounting for 85% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Papua New Guinea (with a CAGR of +29.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, New Zealand ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Papua New Guinea ($X) were the largest markets for expanded clays exported from Australia worldwide, with a combined 76% share of total exports.

New Zealand, with a CAGR of +19.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -3.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 38%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Thailand ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2021, overseas purchases of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag increased by 12% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +9.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +63.5% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 45%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, expanded clays imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports enjoyed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of expanded clays to Australia, accounting for a 79% share of total imports. Moreover, expanded clays imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), more than tenfold. Denmark (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China stood at +14.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-1.0% per year) and Denmark (+26.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag to Australia, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Denmark, with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at +14.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+6.1% per year) and Denmark (+20.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average expanded clays import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 19% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+17.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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