United Kingdom: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

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

The UK market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles surged to $X in 2021, jumping by 16% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in the UK

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 46%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from the UK

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 9.3% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 27%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and the United States (X tons) were the main destinations of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from the UK, together accounting for 35% of total exports. These countries were followed by Brazil, the Netherlands, Mexico, Slovakia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand and Bulgaria, which together accounted for a further 38%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +82.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exported from the UK were Germany ($X), the United States ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 31% share of total exports. The Netherlands, Brazil, Russia, Bulgaria, Mexico, Belgium, Australia, Slovakia, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

Among the main countries of destination, Brazil, with a CAGR of +52.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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, almost unchanged from the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average export price increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Saudi Arabia ($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 Russia (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into the UK

In 2021, the amount of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imported into the UK amounted to X tons, growing by 12% on 2020 figures. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), India (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports to the UK, with a combined 67% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Belgium, Austria, Thailand, Italy, South Africa, France, Poland and the United States, which together accounted for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Thailand (with a CAGR of +124.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), China ($X) and India ($X) appeared to be the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles suppliers to the UK, with a combined 61% share of total imports. Austria, Belgium, the United States, Italy, France, Thailand, Poland and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

Among the main suppliers, Thailand, with a CAGR of +100.9%, 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, picking up by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 25% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+3.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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