Japan: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in Japan

The Japanese expanded clays market rose significantly to $X in 2021, increasing by 8.6% 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). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +4.4% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2021, overseas shipments of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag increased by 148% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports showed significant growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, expanded clays exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a slight shrinkage. The exports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) was the main destination for expanded clays exports from Japan, accounting for a 62% share of total exports. Moreover, expanded clays exports to Taiwan (Chinese) exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Thailand (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by South Korea (X tons), with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Taiwan (Chinese) stood at +41.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Thailand (+34.6% per year) and South Korea (+7.5% per year).

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag exports from Japan, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Taiwan (Chinese) totaled +19.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+29.3% per year) and Thailand (+16.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average expanded clays export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -25.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to South Korea ($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 Hong Kong SAR (+26.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2021, approx. X tons of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag were imported into Japan; rising by 19% on the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Imports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expanded clays imports rose remarkably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 54% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) was the main expanded clays supplier to Japan, accounting for a 96% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States (X tons), with a 1.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to +1.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-2.1% per year) and Australia (+2.7% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag to Japan, comprising 83% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 9.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China totaled +10.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+15.8% per year) and Australia (+3.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 39%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for China ($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 United States (+18.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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