Overview of the Global Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

In 2021, the global market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports

In 2021, shipments abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles was 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. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure 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 soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the global exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) was the largest exporter of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, committing 42% of total exports. India (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 13% share, followed by Germany (7.7%). Russia (X tons), Austria (X tons), Turkey (X tons), Spain (X tons), France (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Poland (X tons), Italy (X tons), the United States (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from China stood at -1.6%. At the same time, Turkey (+6.3%), India (+5.8%), Spain (+3.8%), the Netherlands (+3.6%) and the Czech Republic (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +6.3% from 2012-2021. Russia, Austria and Poland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Italy (-1.4%), Germany (-3.1%), France (-4.4%) and the United States (-7.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. India (+5.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the United States, Germany and China saw its share reduced by -1.6%, -1.9% and -3.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles supplier worldwide, comprising 37% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by Austria, with a 6.4% share.

In China, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-2.7% per year) and Austria (+0.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X per ton in 2021, approximately reflecting the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 17% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while India ($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 United States (+2.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports

In 2021, supplies from abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 25% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Canada (X tons), distantly followed by India (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons) represented the major importers of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, together comprising 28% of total imports. South Korea (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), the United States (X tons), Kazakhstan (X tons), Germany (X tons), Vietnam (X tons), Turkey (X tons), Austria (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Mexico (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Canada experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+9.5%), Indonesia (+9.4%), Austria (+8.7%), Vietnam (+7.9%) and Turkey (+2.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +9.5% from 2012-2021. Italy, Germany and Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United States (-1.8%), Kazakhstan (-2.6%), South Korea (-3.5%) and India (-4.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Indonesia (+3.6 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2021, the share of India (-2.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Korea ($X), Indonesia ($X) and the United States ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 15% of global imports. Germany, India, Vietnam, Austria, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Mexico, Italy, Canada and Kazakhstan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

Austria, with a CAGR of +14.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average import price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -3.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 11% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 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, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while Canada ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

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