Germany: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in Germany

In 2021, the German expanded clays market increased by 5.6% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Expanded Clays Production in Germany

In value terms, expanded clays production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a mild downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 8.5%. Expanded clays production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from Germany

In 2021, approx. X tons of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag were exported from Germany; increasing by 20% against 2020. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, expanded clays exports shrank rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a measured expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 66% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for expanded clays exports from Germany, accounting for a 39% share of total exports. Moreover, expanded clays exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Switzerland (X tons), twofold. The Czech Republic (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands totaled +8.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Switzerland (+2.6% per year) and the Czech Republic (+23.0% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Switzerland ($X) and France ($X) were the largest markets for expanded clays exported from Germany worldwide, together comprising 51% of total exports.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +10.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average expanded clays export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -43.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 65%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Czech Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Denmark (+6.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into Germany

In 2021, purchases abroad of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, imports posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 48% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, expanded clays imports contracted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -30.3% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 46% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Denmark (X tons) constituted the largest expanded clays supplier to Germany, with a 55% share of total imports. Moreover, expanded clays imports from Denmark exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Belgium (X tons), threefold. The Czech Republic (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Denmark stood at +9.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (+10.3% per year) and the Czech Republic (+9.0% per year).

In value terms, the largest expanded clays suppliers to Germany were the Netherlands ($X), Denmark ($X) and Belgium ($X), together accounting for 48% of total imports. These countries were followed by Austria, the Czech Republic, Russia, Poland, the UK and China, which together accounted for a further 36%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +26.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays import price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -16.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 46%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while the price for Denmark ($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 (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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