Market research

Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Australia

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The Australian kaolin and kaolinic clays market experienced a sharp contraction in 2019, with volume dropping to 124.6 thousand tons from 205.3 thousand tons the previous year. This was followed by a steady recovery phase, with market size growing to 167.4 thousand tons in 2020 and reaching 199.6 thousand tons by 2022.

Market growth from 2021 was supported by a broader global recovery in demand after the pandemic, reflected in a 19% increase in worldwide kaolin exports that year. The paper industry remained a major consumer, while increased demand from the ceramics and construction sectors for infrastructure projects further bolstered consumption.

Significant industry developments in 2022, including the acquisition of BASF's kaolin business by KaMin LLC and Thiele Kaolin's purchase of assets from Imerys, signaled consolidation. Concurrently, Sibelco's announcement of a major greenfield expansion in Western Australia, set to increase production capacity from 2024, underscored long-term investment in local supply.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Australia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2022, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Australia was among the world's leading producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays from 2018 to 2021, ranking 27th globally by production volume.

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Kaolin and kaolinic clays production in Australia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Australia produced 189.1 K t, marking a significant 11.2% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 9.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1%. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 127.6 K t, which saw the largest decline of 38.7%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 33.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(38.7%)	33.3%	11.2%	(3.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the output of kaolin and kaolinic clays in Australia was valued at 60 260 K $ US, reflecting a moderate 4.6% decrease compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value fell by 25.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 51 611 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 36.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 22.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(36.4%)	22.4%	(4.6%)	(9.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Australia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from Australia increased. In 2021, exports reached 14 244 t, showing a 55.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 44.3%, with a CAGR of 13.0%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 9 176 t, while the largest decline of 5.5% was recorded in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.5%)	(1.7%)	55.2%	13.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, China, New Zealand, and Japan were the largest buyers of kaolin and kaolinic clays from Australia, accounting for 36.2%, 18.7%, and 14.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they formed 68.9% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Australia's kaolin and kaolinic clays exports increased in value. In 2021, exports totaled 4 539 K $ US, representing an abrupt 33.2% rise compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 17.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 3 407 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.0%)	(9.7%)	33.2%	5.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, China, New Zealand, and Japan remained the key markets for exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 64.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Australia

Imports in kind, t

Australia's kaolin and kaolinic clays imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports tallied 7 985 t, amounting to a strong 24.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 12.3%, with a CAGR of 3.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 6 368 t, which saw the largest decline of 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.5%)	0.9%	24.2%	3.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Germany, and China were the main sources for imports in kind, accounting for 65.8%, 10.2%, and 8.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 84.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Australia imported approximately 4 849 K $ US of kaolin and kaolinic clays in 2021, equivalent to a solid 17.3% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value increased by 16.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 4 134 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.0%	(3.7%)	17.3%	5.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Over 2018-2021, the United States and Germany together captured 81.8% of total imports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed thinly across other markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io