Japan: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Japan

After two years of decline, the Japanese market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 9.8% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a perceptible decline. Refractory bricks, blocks and tiles consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Japan

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 63%. Refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from Japan

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 26% to X tons in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 46%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 55%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Korea (X tons), the United States (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main destinations of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Japan, together accounting for 46% of total exports. These countries were followed by India, Thailand, the Netherlands, Australia, Brazil, Malaysia, Taiwan (Chinese), the Philippines, France and Mozambique, which together accounted for a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +175.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), South Korea ($X) and India ($X) constituted the largest markets for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exported from Japan worldwide, with a combined 56% share of total exports. The United States, Taiwan (Chinese), France, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, the Netherlands, Mozambique, the Philippines and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +157.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a noticeable reduction. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Brazil ($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 China (+10.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into Japan

Refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports into Japan fell rapidly to X tons in 2021, which is down by -18.8% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports showed a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 36% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports expanded to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 35%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles to Japan, accounting for a 85% share of total imports. Moreover, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Malaysia (X tons), with a 3.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China stood at -6.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-6.2% per year) and Malaysia (-6.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles to Japan, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 27% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 3.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China totaled -4.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-10.8% per year) and Germany (-0.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average import price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for the Czech Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+9.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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