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

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

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was decline in the Europe market for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), when its value decreased by -1.7% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

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

In value terms, production of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +46.4% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production of reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

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

Exports in Europe

In 2021, the amount of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) exported in Europe rose remarkably to X tons, surging by 9.6% against 2020 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. 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, exports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) rose remarkably to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by France (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main exporters of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), together generating 86% of total exports. Belgium (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +40.5%), 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 Europe were Germany ($X), France ($X) and Belgium ($X), together accounting for 71% of total exports. Spain, Russia, Portugal and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +24.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among 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 Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 3.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

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

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

Imports in Europe

In 2021, purchases abroad of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached 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), the UK (X tons), Austria (X tons), Denmark (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Russia (X tons) represented the largest importers of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), together generating 68% of total imports. The following importers - Slovakia (X tons), Spain (X tons), Italy (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) - together made up 17% 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%) and France (+2.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovakia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +38.5% from 2012-2021. Austria and Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Russia (-1.1%), Poland (-2.1%), Sweden (-3.2%) and the UK (-3.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Belgium (+5.3 p.p.), Denmark (+4.8 p.p.), Slovakia (+3.7 p.p.) and the Czech Republic (+2.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Sweden (-1.5 p.p.), the UK (-4 p.p.) and Germany (-4.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. 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 Europe were Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and Italy ($X), together accounting for 38% of total imports.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +13.2%, 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, with an increase of 8% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 8.4%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure in 2021 and is expected to retain 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