Global Abrasives

Report Overview

5th Edition

This study examines global supply and demand for abrasives. Historical data (2008, 2013, and 2018) and forecasts for 2023 are provided for abrasives demand by product and market, net exports, and shipments on a selected country-by-country basis.

Abrasives are segmented into:

• nonmetallic coated abrasives
• nonmetallic bonded abrasives
• nonmetallic loose abrasive grains and powders
• metallic abrasives

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Excluded from the scope of this study are abrasive-tipped cutting tools like drill bits, milling cutters, and saw blades.

Abrasives demand by market is presented for durable goods manufacturing, cleaning and maintenance, and other markets. The durable goods manufacturing market is further segmented into:

• machinery
• transportation equipment
• electrical and electronic equipment
• fabricated metals
• other durable goods, such as primary metals, nonmetallic mineral products, and furniture and wood products

Other markets for abrasives include construction, resource extraction, and manufacturing of nondurable goods such as cosmetic and toiletry products.

Demand by product and market is presented in dollar terms. Demand in value terms is shown at the manufacturers’ level and excludes distributor and retailer markups. Demand totals at the country level are also presented in local currency terms.

Demand forecasts are also presented for abrasives raw materials on a country-by-country basis. At the global level, abrasives raw materials demand is segmented into manufactured minerals, natural minerals, and metallic materials.

Rising Durable Goods Manufacturing Activity Fueling Abrasives Sales

Global demand for abrasives is forecast to rise 5.1% per year to $45.5 billion in 2023. Growth will be driven by expanding durable goods manufacturing activity worldwide. Improving standards of living in lower income countries will also boost sales of abrasives in cleaning and maintenance applications.

Key Findings in the Global Abrasives Study:

China and Other Industrializing Asia/Pacific Nations to Lead Growth

The Asia/Pacific region is forecast to account for the largest share of demand growth, with China in particular holding sizable opportunities. Sales growth will be even faster in India, which is expected to be the fastest growing national market for these products worldwide through 2023. A number of emerging markets in Southeast Asia – particularly Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam – will also achieve rapid gains as their manufacturing sectors develop.

North America and Western Europe Remain Major Markets

While markets for abrasives in North America and Western Europe tend to be mature, extensive manufacturing industries and high levels of cleaning and maintenance spending offer significant opportunities for producers to capture market share. Higher value products such as superabrasives are projected to achieve above average growth as suppliers emphasize quality differentiation.

Electrical & Electronic Equipment Segment to Post Rapid Gains

While machinery manufacturing will remain the largest market for abrasives, the electrical and electronic equipment segment is expected to see the fastest growth through 2023. Fueled by rising production of consumer electronics and household appliances. In addition, technological sophistication in the semiconductor industry will support sales of high value abrasive products for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP).

Study Coverage

This Freedonia industry study analyzes the global abrasives market. It presents historical demand, production, and net exports data (2008, 2013 and 2018) and demand forecasts for 2023 by product (coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, loose abrasive grains and powders, metallic abrasives), market (durable goods manufacturing, cleaning and maintenance, other), and region (North America, Central and South America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia/Pacific, and Africa/Mideast). The study also evaluates company market share on a global basis and analyzes key industry players such as Cabot Microelectronics, Noritake, Saint-Gobain, 3M, TYROLIT Schleifmittelwerke, and Winoa Group.