U.S.: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in the U.S.

The U.S. expanded clays market amounted to $X in 2021, with an increase of 8.1% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, showed a pronounced reduction. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Production in the U.S.

In value terms, expanded clays production rose rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, production, however, showed a perceptible reduction. Expanded clays production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2021, overseas shipments of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag increased by 17% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 19%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, expanded clays exports stood at $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Canada (X tons) was the main destination for expanded clays exports from the United States, accounting for a 76% share of total exports. Moreover, expanded clays exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Sweden (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Mexico (X tons), with a 3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Canada totaled +4.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Sweden (+3.2% per year) and Mexico (-5.6% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($X) remains the key foreign market for exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag exports from the United States, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 9.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Canada amounted to +5.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+1.3% per year) and Mexico (+4.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -3.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 3.5% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Sweden ($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 Mexico (+11.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into the U.S.

After six years of growth, overseas purchases of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag decreased by -2.6% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, expanded clays imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +46.7% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 42%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mexico (X tons) constituted the largest expanded clays supplier to the United States, accounting for a 54% share of total imports. Moreover, expanded clays imports from Mexico exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), threefold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Mexico amounted to +18.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+43.0% per year) and Germany (+5.0% per year).

In value terms, Mexico ($X), the UK ($X) and China ($X) appeared to be the largest expanded clays suppliers to the United States, together comprising 77% of total imports. Germany, Russia, Kenya, Brazil, Uganda, the Netherlands and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

Kenya, with a CAGR of +199.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers 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, picking up by 28% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a abrupt descent. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 UK ($X per ton), while the price for Kenya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+30.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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