EU: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU expanded clays market increased by 17% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Expanded Clays Production in the EU

In value terms, expanded clays production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 27%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, the amount of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag exported in the European Union rose rapidly to X tons, with an increase of 9.4% on 2020. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% 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 2014 when exports increased by 15% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, expanded clays exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 18%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the five major exporters of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag, namely Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Portugal and the Czech Republic, represented more than two-thirds of total export. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), comprising a 5.7% share of total exports. The following exporters - Italy (X tons) and Austria (X tons) - each recorded an 8.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of +20.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Belgium ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 58% of total exports.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +18.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, surging by 5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a perceptible descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Denmark ($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 Netherlands (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports in the EU

Expanded clays imports amounted to X tons in 2021, growing by 11% on 2020 figures. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% 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 +63.7% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 13%. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, expanded clays imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) represented roughly 42% of total imports in 2021. The Netherlands (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Estonia (X tons) and France (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 28% share of total imports. Portugal (X tons), Latvia (X tons), Lithuania (X tons), Spain (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Italy (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Sweden (with a CAGR of +38.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest expanded clays importing markets in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Sweden ($X), with a combined 48% share of total imports.

Sweden, with a CAGR of +13.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a perceptible decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Estonia ($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 Czech Republic (+7.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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