China: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in China

The Chinese market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles reduced modestly to $X in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in China

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from China

In 2021, shipments abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 24% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, saw a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 35%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 47%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Indonesia (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and Japan (X tons) were the main destinations of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from China, together accounting for 40% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +10.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Indonesia ($X), South Korea ($X) and Japan ($X) constituted the largest markets for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exported from China worldwide, with a combined 37% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Indonesia, with a CAGR of +13.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, 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 export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 36% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Indonesia ($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 Malaysia (+5.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into China

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, when their volume increased by 21% to X tons. Overall, imports saw perceptible growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports posted prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 46%. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Poland (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Japan (X tons) were the main suppliers of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports to China, with a combined 65% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +21.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles suppliers to China were Poland ($X), Japan ($X) and Germany ($X), together accounting for 73% of total imports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +20.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average import price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -7.8% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Malaysia ($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 (+9.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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