Growth in global demand for kaolin will benefit from rapid growth in developing economies
as well as a recovery in all its major industrial uses such as paper and ceramics production.
World market to rise 3.7%
per year through 2015
The world market for kaolin is projected
to grow 3.7 percent per year
through 2015 to 28.4 million metric
tons, valued at nearly $4.0 billion.
This represents a significant acceleration
from the relative stagnation
of the 2005 to 2010 period. Growth
in kaolin demand will be fueled by a
generally stronger economic climate
worldwide, with especially rapid
growth in developing economies.
Kaolin demand in developed economies
is forecast to recover from
declines seen between 2005 and
2010 and post moderate growth
going forward.
China, India to represent
largest kaolin growth
The largest gains will be seen in China,
which alone will account for 37 percent
of the growth in worldwide kaolin demand
between 2010 and 2015. Currently
the world’s second largest consumer
of kaolin, China will experience
large-scale manufacturing growth and
easily overtake the US to become the
world’s largest kaolin market by 2015.
India will also see a sizable increase in
kaolin demand, fueled by an economy
showing significant development across
the board. India’s growth in kaolin
demand will represent an acceleration of
the already rapid pace of the 2005 to
2010 period, with the fastest growth
occurring in the country’s paper industry.
The developed nations of Japan and the
US and most of the countries in Western
Europe will see weak growth through
2015, although all will register recoveries
in comparison to their 2005-2010
performances.
Kaolin demand in paper,
ceramics to grow faster
From 2010 to 2015, demand for kaolin in
all its major industrial uses is expected to
increase faster than in the 2005 to 2010
period. The paper market, which is the
largest market for kaolin, will recover
from declines posted over the previous
decade. Kaolin’s market share in paper
production materials was hurt in recent
years by rising competition from alternative
materials, most notably calcium
carbonate. That competition is expected
to moderate going forward, as the
market structure settles into a new norm.
By 2010, most of the economically viable
substitution of other materials for kaolin
had already taken place. Combined with
expanding paper and paperboard
production in developing regions, the
stabilization of kaolin’s market share in
the paper industry will allow the global
market for kaolin in paper to rise nominally
through 2015. The second leading
usage for kaolin is ceramics production,
which includes sanitaryware, tableware
and tile. Ceramics was the fastest
growing market for kaolin from 2005 to
2010, and is forecast to continue to grow
quickly.
Study Scope
This study analyzes the 24 million metric ton world kaolin industry. It presents historical demand data for the years 2000, 2005 and 2010, and forecasts for 2015 and 2020 by market (e.g., paper, ceramics, refractories, paint, rubber), world region and for 20 major countries.
The study also considers market environment factors, details industry structure, evaluates company market share and profiles 29 industry players, including Imerys, KaMin and BASF.
