Ireland: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Ireland

The Irish market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles dropped modestly to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -4.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption recorded a prominent increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from Ireland

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, when their volume increased by 214% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, faced a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 324%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 2,710% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Ireland, accounting for a approx. 99% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the UK stood at +26.5%.

In value terms, the UK ($X) also remains the key foreign market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Ireland.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK stood at +19.5%.

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -55.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 563% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for the UK.

From 2012 to 2021, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Belgium amounted to +6.9% per year.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into Ireland

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, when their volume increased by 32% to X tons. In general, imports saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 38%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports fell dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 47%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles to Ireland, with a 68% share of total imports. Moreover, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), threefold. China (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Spain stood at +13.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+6.6% per year) and China (+6.7% per year).

In value terms, the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles suppliers to Ireland were Spain ($X), Germany ($X) and the UK ($X), with a combined 89% share of total imports.

Spain, with a CAGR of +16.0%, recorded 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 import price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, falling by -40.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+2.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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