U.S.: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in the U.S.

The U.S. market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles totaled $X in 2021, growing by 3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in the U.S.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production fell slightly to $X in 2021. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 6% against the previous year. Refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from the U.S.

In 2021, overseas shipments of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles decreased by -11.5% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, exports saw a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a noticeable decline. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Canada (X tons) was the main destination for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from the United States, with a 37% share of total exports. Moreover, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mexico (X tons), fourfold. France (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Canada stood at -4.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (-13.3% per year) and France (+15.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exported from the United States were Canada ($X), Japan ($X) and Mexico ($X), together comprising 61% of total exports. These countries were followed by China, Brazil, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the UK, the Dominican Republic, South Korea, Taiwan (Chinese) and Cayman Islands, which together accounted for a further 22%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Cayman Islands, with a CAGR of +25.0%, recorded 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

In 2021, the average export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, surging by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its price 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. Based on 2021 figures, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles export price increased by +91.7% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 36%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Cayman Islands ($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 (+10.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into the U.S.

In 2021, purchases abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, recorded a slight slump. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports stood at $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible reduction. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports to the United States, together comprising 42% of total imports. These countries were followed by Mexico, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Austria, Canada, Poland, Slovakia and the UK, which together accounted for a further 46%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +38.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), China ($X) and Mexico ($X) appeared to be the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles suppliers to the United States, together comprising 41% of total imports. These countries were followed by Spain, Brazil, Vietnam, Austria, Italy, Canada, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and the UK, which together accounted for a further 41%.

In terms of the main suppliers, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +34.3%, recorded 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 import price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -8.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 14%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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