Europe: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in Europe

After three years of decline, the Europe kaolin market increased by 5% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a perceptible downturn. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Kaolin Production in Europe

In value terms, kaolin production expanded remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 13%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports in Europe

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased by 24% to X tons in 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, kaolin exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of kaolin and kaolinic clays, namely the UK, Ukraine and Germany, represented more than half of total export. The Czech Republic (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Spain (X tons) and Belgium (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 19% share of total exports. The following exporters - Romania (X tons), Portugal (X tons), France (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) - each accounted for a 17% share of total exports.

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, the UK ($X) remains the largest kaolin supplier in Europe, comprising 35% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 10% share.

In the UK, kaolin exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+2.5% per year) and Belgium (+2.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 6.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a slight slump. 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 Europe

In 2021, purchases abroad of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased by 18% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

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

Imports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) represented the key importer of kaolin and kaolinic clays, generating 36% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), Italy (X tons), Germany (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Finland (X tons), together constituting a 41% share of total imports. Sweden (X tons), France (X tons), Poland (X tons), Slovakia (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) took a minor share 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%), Russia (+3.2%), Poland (+1.8%) and Portugal (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Italy (-1.1%), Belgium (-1.9%), France (-2.9%), Germany (-4.2%), Sweden (-6.7%) and Finland (-8.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Spain increased by +22 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Spain ($X), Belgium ($X) and Germany ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 45% share of total imports.

Spain, with a CAGR of +8.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a mild decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 4.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Germany ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sweden (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform