Eastern Asia: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Eastern Asia

After two years of decline, the East Asian market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 3% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption saw a slight slump. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Eastern Asia

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production rose remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, when their volume increased by 25% to X tons. In general, exports, however, saw a slight reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 35%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum 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 surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) represented the largest exporter of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles in Eastern Asia, mixing up 97% of total export.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports, with a CAGR of -1.6% from 2012 to 2021. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) also remains the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles supplier in Eastern Asia.

In China, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, surging by 1.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 36% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for China.

From 2012 to 2021, the rate of growth in terms of prices for China amounted to +1.5% per year.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports in Eastern Asia

After three years of decline, purchases abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 1.1% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 9% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports rose notably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 16%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Korea was the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which resulted at 54% of total imports. Japan (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by China (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons). All these countries together held near 45% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports into South Korea stood at -3.5%. At the same time, China (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, China emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +2.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Taiwan (Chinese) (-3.9%) and Japan (-6.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+5 p.p.) and South Korea (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Japan saw its share reduced by -7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles importing markets in Eastern Asia were South Korea ($X), China ($X) and Japan ($X), together accounting for 91% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, China, with a CAGR of +5.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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