Global Expanded Clays Market 2025

Expanded Clays Market Size

The global expanded clays market was estimated at $X in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Production

In value terms, expanded clays production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports

In 2021, approx. X tons of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag were exported worldwide; picking up by 11% on 2020. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, expanded clays exports surged to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern 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

Denmark (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Germany (X tons), Portugal (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) represented roughly 58% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by the United States (X tons), comprising a 5.1% share of total exports. The following exporters - the Netherlands (X tons), China (X tons), Italy (X tons), Norway (X tons), Kazakhstan (X tons), Austria (X tons) and Poland (X tons) - together made up 23% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +28.0%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest expanded clays supplying countries worldwide were the Netherlands ($X), the United States ($X) and China ($X), together accounting for 37% of global exports. These countries were followed by Germany, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Austria, Portugal, Italy, Norway and Poland, which together accounted for a further 33%.

Kazakhstan, with a CAGR of +28.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight downturn. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Denmark ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+13.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports

In 2021, approx. X tons of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag were imported worldwide; picking up by 11% on 2020 figures. Overall, total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% 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 +62.7% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 13%. Global imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, expanded clays imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and the UK (X tons) was the largest importer of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag in the world, constituting 37% of total import. The Netherlands (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Estonia (X tons), Canada (X tons) and France (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 22% share of total imports. The following importers - the United States (X tons), Russia (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Switzerland (X tons), Latvia (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) - each recorded a 17% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Sweden (with a CAGR of +38.7%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest expanded clays importing markets worldwide were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Canada ($X), together accounting for 27% of global imports. The United States, Sweden, the UK, France, Switzerland, Russia, Portugal, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Sweden, with a CAGR of +13.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average expanded clays import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 6.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 9.2% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while Estonia ($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 (+6.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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