United Kingdom: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in the UK

For the fifth year in a row, the UK expanded clays market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 13% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption recorded perceptible growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Expanded Clays Production in the UK

In value terms, expanded clays production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 12%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, overseas shipments of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, expanded clays exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for expanded clays exports from the UK, accounting for a 47% share of total exports. Moreover, expanded clays exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United States (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Spain (X tons), with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands stood at +28.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+18.4% per year) and Spain (+6.2% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag exports from the UK, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the Netherlands stood at +43.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+20.6% per year) and South Korea (+23.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average expanded clays export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 28% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.8%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($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 Brazil (+21.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, overseas purchases of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag increased by 18% to X tons, rising for the seventh year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports saw a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, expanded clays imports rose significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% 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 +87.3% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 37% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Denmark (X tons), Portugal (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of expanded clays imports to the UK, together accounting for 87% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +51.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Denmark ($X), Portugal ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the largest expanded clays suppliers to the UK, with a combined 51% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Portugal, with a CAGR of +54.6%, 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, reducing by -3.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a perceptible descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 86% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+5.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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