Fireclay market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish fireclay market grew steadily from 1 180 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 1 604 thousand tons in 2021. This expansion occurred alongside the continuous activity of the state-owned producer REFRACTARIA, S.A.U., a key manufacturer of fireclay-based refractory products. In 2020, the company's adoption of the ISO 14001 environmental management certification underscored a focus on sustainable production practices during this period of market growth.

After 2021, market volume stabilized near 1 593 thousand tons in 2022 before contracting to 1 304 thousand tons in 2023. The market remained influenced by established players like REFRACTARIA, with no major regulatory shifts or significant new entries reported that would alter the supply structure during these years.

A partial recovery followed in 2024, with market volume rising to 1 390 thousand tons, continuing the market's adjustment after the previous decline.

Production fireclay in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Spain's fireclay production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 33 730 K $ US, marking a 17.9% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 89.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Fireclay production in Spain has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, Spain produced 1 538 K t of fireclay, which represents a 31.9% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 47.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.9%.

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

Exports fireclay from Spain

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, fireclay shipments from Spain abroad stood at 3 054 t, reflecting a sharp decline of 58.4% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 343 t, with the largest increase that year reaching 207.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria, France, and Germany were the main destinations for fireclay exports from Spain, accounting for 74.3% of total exports in kind. Specifically, Algeria represented 38.4%, France 30.1%, and Germany 5.7%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of gains, Spain's fireclay exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 114 K $ US, showing a modest decrease of 4.9% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 29.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 172 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 35.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Algeria, and Germany were the primary markets for Spain's fireclay exports in value terms, together absorbing 64.4% of the total. France accounted for 46.6%, Algeria for 10.0%, and Germany for 7.7%.

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

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

Imports fireclay to Spain

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 4-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Spain's fireclay imports were recorded at 16 225 t, corresponding to a dramatic decrease of 74.8% relative to the prior year. The maximum volume was in 2019 at 64 315 t, with the largest increase that year at 153.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, China, and the United States formed the main group of sources for fireclay imports to Spain, with a combined share of 89.5% of total flows in kind. Ukraine accounted for 49.7%, China for 25.1%, and the United States for 14.7%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's cross-border shipments of fireclay were recorded at 5 589 K $ US, constituting a sharp decrease of 38.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 40.9%, with an average annual decline of 16.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—China, the United States, and Ukraine—together absorbed 90.2% of total imports in value terms of fireclay to Spain.

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

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