Crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market for crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica in China began the period at a high volume of 268.8 thousand tons in 2018, supported by the expansion of production bases and sales networks by leading companies like Pamica and VPI Mica, alongside government policies promoting manufacturing. Market volume then contracted to 218.3 thousand tons in 2019, a year during which major firms increased R&D investment to launch new synthetic mica sheet specifications and industry quality standards were progressively tightened. In 2020, the market stabilized at 218.8 thousand tons as the initial COVID-19 supply chain disruptions were quickly overcome by a rebound in domestic production, aided by strengthened policy support for high-performance insulation materials and growing demand from emerging applications such as new energy vehicles.

A sharp market recovery followed in 2021, with volume surging to 274.5 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by the entry of several new producers into the Chinese market and the significant expansion or construction of large production facilities to meet rising demand. The upward trend reversed in 2022, as the market volume fell back to 220.5 thousand tons. This decline coincided with industry policy adjustments that reinforced product quality supervision and safety standards, affecting market access, and was further compounded by global supply chain volatility which impacted raw material costs and prompted firms to optimize procurement.

For the subsequent years, industry reports highlight continued regulatory evolution, including the refinement of product labeling and traceability requirements, as well as sustained demand growth for specific product segments like flexible and rigid mica sheets, leading related enterprises to expand capacity. Consumer preferences continued shifting towards high-performance, environmentally friendly, and traceable products, influencing design and packaging, while increased cross-sector cooperation aimed to push mica applications into new emerging fields.

Production crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China was the world's largest producer of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica.

Top producers of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, 2017-2020

World map of production of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 80.0 K t of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 18.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 20%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 7.2%. The most notable growth occurred in 2019, with a 13.4% increase.

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

Exports crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's exports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 4.8 K t, up 31.1% from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall exports dropped by 25.6%, averaging a 9.4% annual decline. The lowest point was in 2018 at 2.7 K t, which also saw the sharpest fall of 57.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest rise at 34.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the top three export markets—the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Vietnam—consistently accounted for 77.7% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China's exports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica totaled 4 799 K $ US, showing a slight 0.6% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 830 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 78.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the primary destination for exports by value, holding 76.4% of total flows, while other smaller markets made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica to China

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed considerable fluctuations. The lowest point was in 2017, and imports peaked in 2018, with a 6.8-fold increase between these years. In 2020, China imported approximately 143.7 K t of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, a 15.9% rise compared to 2019. The maximum volume was in 2018 at 185.1 K t, which also had the largest surge of 582.3%. The biggest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 33.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, India and Madagascar together dominated imports by volume, capturing 91.9% of total flows, with the rest distributed among other minor markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, China imported crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica worth 77 437 K $ US, a 4.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11.3%, averaging an annualized rate of 3.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 77 437 K $ US, which also saw the largest jump of 50.6%. The most significant drop was in 2019, falling by 29.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the leading source for imports by value, accounting for 76.8% of total flows, with other markets contributing a smaller share.

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

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