China: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in China

The Chinese expanded clays market declined to $X in 2021, shrinking by -12% against the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +15.7% against 2019 indices. Expanded clays consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Expanded Clays Production in China

In value terms, expanded clays production shrank remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +24.1% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 62% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from China

In 2021, expanded clays exports from China fell to X tons, with a decrease of -5.9% compared with the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 31%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, expanded clays exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 155% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons) was the main destination for expanded clays exports from China, accounting for a 39% share of total exports. Moreover, expanded clays exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Australia (X tons), threefold. Vietnam (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Japan was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Australia (+33.6% per year) and Vietnam (+8.2% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X) remains the key foreign market for exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag exports from China, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($X), with a 7.9% share of total exports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Japan amounted to +18.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+22.8% per year) and South Korea (+16.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays export price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 33% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 94% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Kazakhstan ($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 Japan (+18.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into China

In 2021, approx. X tons of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag were imported into China; dropping by -77.8% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 117% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank notably in the following year.

In value terms, expanded clays imports contracted notably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 65% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest expanded clays supplier to China, with a 35% share of total imports. Moreover, expanded clays imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Japan (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the Netherlands (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Spain totaled +19.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (+13.4% per year) and the Netherlands (+115.7% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X), Japan ($X) and the UK ($X) were the largest expanded clays suppliers to China, with a combined 70% share of total imports. The Netherlands, the United States, Germany, Canada and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +163.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 75% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, expanded clays import price decreased by -8.1% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nepal (+63.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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