EU: Market for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) 2025

Market Size for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in the EU

In 2021, the EU market for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) decreased by -1.8% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Production of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in the EU

In value terms, production of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% 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 +46.7% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Exports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Exports in the EU

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), when their volume increased by 9.1% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports of remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, exports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by France (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) represented the main exporters of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), together constituting 90% of total exports. The Czech Republic (X tons) and Italy (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +7.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) supplying countries in the European Union were Germany ($X), France ($X) and Belgium ($X), together accounting for 75% of total exports. Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

Italy, with a CAGR of +15.4%, recorded 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, increasing by 3.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 12% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+8.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Imports in the EU

In 2021, imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) in the European Union amounted to X tons, picking up by 13% on 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 21%. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), France (X tons), Austria (X tons), Denmark (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons) represented the key importers of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), together committing 73% of total imports. Spain (X tons), Italy (X tons), Poland (X tons), Sweden (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Finland (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite). At the same time, Slovakia (+38.5%), Denmark (+17.3%), Belgium (+11.0%), the Czech Republic (+8.7%), Italy (+2.5%), France (+2.2%) and Finland (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovakia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +38.5% from 2012-2021. Austria and Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Poland (-2.1%), Sweden (-3.2%) and the Netherlands (-6.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia and the Czech Republic increased by +5.9, +5.6, +4.5 and +2.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and Italy ($X), with a combined 45% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Belgium, with a CAGR of +13.2%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, rising by 11% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+8.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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