EU: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU kaolin market increased by 5.9% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the market value increased by 7.1%. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Production in the EU

In value terms, kaolin production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 6.9%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports in the EU

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased by 23% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 37%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, kaolin exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 39%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Germany was the key exporter of kaolin and kaolinic clays in the European Union, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was near 31% of total exports in 2021. The Czech Republic (X tons) took a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Spain (9.4%), Belgium (8%), Romania (7.7%), Portugal (7.7%), France (7.6%) and Bulgaria (7.4%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Romania (with a CAGR of +173.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 55% of total exports. These countries were followed by France, Bulgaria, Spain, Portugal and Romania, which together accounted for a further 36%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +142.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Kaolin Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of kaolin and kaolinic clays, when their volume increased by 18% to X tons. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, kaolin imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a slight setback. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Spain represented the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 41% of total imports. Belgium (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Italy (11%), Germany (7.6%) and Finland (6.9%). The following importers - Sweden (X tons), France (X tons), Poland (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Austria (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) - together made up 16% of total imports.

Spain was also the fastest-growing in terms of the kaolin and kaolinic clays imports, with a CAGR of +11.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Slovakia (+6.8%), Poland (+1.8%) and Portugal (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Italy (-1.1%), Belgium (-1.9%), the Netherlands (-2.6%), France (-2.9%), Germany (-4.2%), Sweden (-6.7%), Austria (-6.8%) and Finland (-8.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Spain (+24 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Austria (-1.6 p.p.), Italy (-1.8 p.p.), Sweden (-3.4 p.p.), Belgium (-3.4 p.p.), Germany (-4.3 p.p.) and Finland (-9.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest kaolin importing markets in the European Union were Spain ($X), Belgium ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 49% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Spain, with a CAGR of +8.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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, reducing by -1.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 4.7%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Spain ($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 (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :