Spain: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in Spain

In 2021, the Spanish expanded clays market decreased by -7.2% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Expanded Clays Production in Spain

In value terms, expanded clays production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from Spain

In 2021, shipments abroad of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag decreased by -16% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 101% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expanded clays exports fell rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 169%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) was the main destination for expanded clays exports from Spain, with a 39% share of total exports. Moreover, expanded clays exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Portugal (X tons), twofold. Macao SAR (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to France amounted to +23.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Portugal (+16.6% per year) and Macao SAR (+1,890.6% per year).

In value terms, Belgium ($X) remains the key foreign market for exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag exports from Spain, comprising 34% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Portugal ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Belgium totaled +92.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Portugal (+19.4% per year) and Germany (+46.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average expanded clays export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -10.5% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, expanded clays export price increased by +115.1% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 36% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($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 Germany (+25.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into Spain

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag, when their volume decreased by -31.7% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports recorded a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 51%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then declined sharply in the following year.

In value terms, expanded clays imports dropped modestly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Portugal (X tons) constituted the largest expanded clays supplier to Spain, with a 64% share of total imports. Moreover, expanded clays imports from Portugal exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the UK (X tons), with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Portugal stood at -5.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+12.5% per year) and the UK (+1.2% per year).

In value terms, Portugal ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Italy ($X) appeared to be the largest expanded clays suppliers to Spain, together comprising 60% of total imports. These countries were followed by Mexico, the UK, the United States and Norway, which together accounted for a further 25%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Mexico, with a CAGR of +70.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average expanded clays import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 45% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 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, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Portugal ($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 (+15.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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