Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for kaolin and kaolinic clays in Eastern Asia expanded rapidly from 5.3 million t in 2018 to 8.7 million t in 2020. This surge was driven by policy measures that optimized industrial layout across northern, central, southern, and eastern regions, alongside increased output and sales from major producers such as Jinyu Kaolin Chemical. Concurrently, rising demand from ceramic and cable industries provided a steady pull for higher consumption.

Growth plateaued after 2020, with market volume reaching 8.8 million t in 2021 and 2022. Tighter state supervision over mineral resources, including stricter environmental and safety regulations, moderated production expansion. During this period, manufacturers invested in R&D to diversify into higher-value products, and emerging applications in new materials and new energy sectors began to reshape market structure.

In the following years, leading companies like Kaolin Chemical and Inner Mongolia Super Brand Building Material Technology consolidated their market shares. Consumer demand from cable applications remained robust, while geopolitical risks and a policy emphasis on green, low-carbon development introduced new challenges and opportunities for supply chain stability and product innovation.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

World map of production of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's production of kaolin and kaolinic clays has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 832 K t, marking a significant 22.7% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 124.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 30.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Asia's production of kaolin and kaolinic clays has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 702 M $ US, representing a 52.0% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 236.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 49.8%.

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

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays from Eastern Asia have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 1 204 K t, up 1.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 17.4%, with a CAGR of 5.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 979 K t, which saw the largest decline of 4.5%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase at 20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Eastern Asia's kaolin and kaolinic clays exports in kind were Asia, not elsewhere specified (42.5% of exports), Vietnam (7.7%), and Malaysia (4.9%). Together, these three markets accounted for 55.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Eastern Asia's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 232.0 M $ US, a 26.0% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 76%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the largest buyers of kaolin and kaolinic clays from Eastern Asia in value terms were Asia, not elsewhere specified (9.2% of exports), Vietnam (8.4%), and Indonesia (6.0%). Together, they made up 23.7% of total export value, with many smaller partners also contributing to the trade.

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

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

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays into Eastern Asia have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 1 101 K t, down 14.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.9%, with a CAGR of -6.0%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 1 363 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 2.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States (64.0% of imports in kind), Brazil (5.4%), and the United Kingdom (5.3%) were consistently the main sources for imports into Eastern Asia. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays into Eastern Asia have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 268.8 M $ US, a sharp 15.4% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -6.2%. The peak import value was in 2018 at 342.7 M $ US, which also recorded the largest increase of 5.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the key partners for imports in value terms were the United States (66.3% of imports), Brazil (5.0%), and the United Kingdom (4.6%). Together, they represented 75.9% of total import flows.

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

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