Europe: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in Europe

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in the Europe expanded clays market, when its value increased by 18% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, saw a mild curtailment. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Expanded Clays Production in Europe

In value terms, expanded clays production expanded notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, shipments abroad of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag increased by 9.2% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, expanded clays exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 5.1% share of total exports. Italy (X tons), Norway (X tons), Austria (X tons), Poland (X tons), Belarus (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Finland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Finland (with a CAGR of +83.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Belgium ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 44% of total exports. Denmark, the Czech Republic, Austria, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Russia, Poland, Belarus and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Finland, with a CAGR of +30.9%, 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 export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 10% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a slight downturn. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Belarus ($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 mixed trends in the export price figures.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports in Europe

For the sixth consecutive year, Europe recorded growth in purchases abroad of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag, which increased by 11% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% 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 +75.8% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 15%. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, expanded clays imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% 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 2018 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of expanded clays imports in 2021 were Germany (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and the UK (X tons), together recording 45% of total import. The Netherlands (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with an 8.7% share, followed by Estonia (6.8%) and France (5.7%). Russia (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Switzerland (X tons), Latvia (X tons), Lithuania (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Norway (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 leading 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 Europe were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Sweden ($X), together comprising 39% of total imports.

Sweden, with a CAGR of +13.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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

In 2021, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 6.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 11%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the 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 ($X per ton), while Estonia ($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 Netherlands (+6.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform