Asbestos market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The period from 2018 to 2022 saw notable fluctuations in the CIS asbestos market, driven by a mix of production developments and evolving regulatory landscapes. In 2018, the introduction of new production facilities, including front loading points and crushing and sorting plants, supported an increase in output. However, by 2019, a tightening of regulations on workplace safety and control over asbestos dust began to impact domestic demand, contributing to a contraction in market volume. This was followed by a broader trend of declining asbestos mining in Russia, which continued into 2020.

The market rebounded sharply in 2021, with production and market volume reaching a peak for the period. This growth was largely driven by the localization of production and increased deep processing of raw materials within Russia, alongside the emergence of new product segments like composite and heat-insulating materials. The active involvement of major state-owned enterprises such as PAO Uralasbest in developing the industry and exports further supported this expansion. Conversely, 2022 brought a significant downturn, as the introduction of new safety and labor standards, coupled with intensified control over asbestos-containing waste, led to a marked reduction in both production and domestic market consumption.

Production asbestos in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of asbestos, 2017-2020

World map of production of asbestos, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, asbestos production in the CIS declined. In 2020, the region produced 935 K t of asbestos, marking a 6.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 000 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, asbestos production in the CIS experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 306.2 M $ US, reflecting a 2.0% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 7.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 2.6%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 312.4 M $ US, with the most significant increase also occurring that year at 9.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports asbestos from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, asbestos exports from the CIS fell. In 2020, the region exported 727.8 K t of asbestos, down 9.5% year-over-year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 804.4 K t, which also saw the largest increase at 6.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from CIS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India, China, and Indonesia were the primary buyers of asbestos from the CIS, accounting for 36.7%, 17.5%, and 10.8% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 65.0% of total exports in kind during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from CIS in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

CIS asbestos exports in value terms reached 238.3 M $ US in 2020, declining by 5.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 226.2 M $ US, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 251.2 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase at 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, India, China, and Indonesia consistently remained the top destinations for CIS asbestos exports in value terms, accounting for 37.4%, 15.2%, and 9.9% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these countries made up 62.4% of total export flows during this timeframe.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from CIS in value, 2017-2020

Imports asbestos to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, asbestos imports into the CIS stood at 93.0 K t, showing a substantial increase of 33.4% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 43.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 109.9 K t, which also saw the largest increase at 69.7%. In contrast, the most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 36.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to CIS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China was the main source for asbestos imports into the CIS in kind, accounting for 3.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to CIS in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of asbestos imports into the CIS reached 45.8 M $ US, representing a moderate increase of 6.4% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 56.1 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase at 46.2%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019 at 23.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, China led as the primary supplier of asbestos to the CIS in value terms, accounting for 2.7% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to CIS in value, 2017-2020