Netherlands: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in the Netherlands

In 2021, the Dutch market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles decreased by -10.9% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in the Netherlands

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production dropped dramatically to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +30.1% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 60% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from the Netherlands

In 2021, exports of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles from the Netherlands reduced to X tons, shrinking by -9.1% on the previous year. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed moderate growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 86%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports contracted to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a notable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 96%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Australia (X tons) were the main destinations of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from the Netherlands, together comprising 47% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +52.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the key foreign market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from the Netherlands, comprising 29% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Russia ($X), with a 9% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Germany stood at +25.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Russia (+36.5% per year) and Belgium (+11.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, surging by 4.1% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 15% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mozambique ($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 Belgium (+10.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2021, approx. X tons of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles were imported into the Netherlands; almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +31.2% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 40%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then declined modestly in the following year.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports rose notably to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +47.3% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 34%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports to the Netherlands, with a combined 68% share of total imports. Italy, India, Egypt, Japan, Poland, Austria, France, the United States and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Egypt (with a CAGR of +30.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles suppliers to the Netherlands were Spain ($X), China ($X) and Germany ($X), together accounting for 64% of total imports. These countries were followed by Italy, Japan, India, Poland, Austria, the United States, Belgium, France and Egypt, which together accounted for a further 28%.

Egypt, with a CAGR of +39.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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, growing by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 40% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Japan ($X per ton), while the price for Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+6.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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