Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

After a decline in 2019, the European kaolin market volume rebounded in 2020, sustained by steady demand in construction and organic agriculture despite temporary COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. This period also saw increased R&D investments open new applications in sectors like batteries and energy, while a consumer shift toward eco-friendly products boosted the use of natural kaolin in cosmetics and organic farming.

From 2021, rising public infrastructure investment across Europe stimulated demand for kaolin in ceramic tile and construction material production. The market also underwent consolidation, highlighted by Imerys' sale of certain North American assets to Thiele Kaolin Company in early 2022, which reshaped the competitive landscape.

Throughout the period, stricter European environmental regulations and labeling requirements pushed producers to develop more sustainable kaolin grades. The emergence and expansion of high-value segments like calcined and surface-modified kaolin, with demand growing over 20% annually for some types, contributed significantly to the market's rising value, even as physical volumes showed some fluctuation.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Europe

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

Following two consecutive years of decline, Europe's production of kaolin and kaolinic clays rebounded in 2020. Output reached 10 369 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial year-over-year increase of 13.5%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9 138 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 16.4% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of contraction, the value of kaolin and kaolinic clays production in Europe showed signs of recovery in 2020. The output was valued at 2 528 million US dollars, marking a moderate increase of 8.9% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 22.5%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -8.1%. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 2 321 million US dollars, with the most significant decline taking place in 2018 at 25.9%.

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

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Europe's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Export volumes stood at 2 130 thousand tonnes, reflecting an 18.7% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 15.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 5.3%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 077 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 22.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Europe's export destinations for kaolin and kaolinic clays showed considerable diversification. Turkey accounted for 5.7% of exports in volume, Algeria for 4.1%, and Egypt for 4.0%. Together, these three markets represented just 13.8% of total export flows, while the remaining 86.2% was distributed across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from Europe continued to decline for the second consecutive year in 2020. Export earnings totaled 519.2 million US dollars, indicating a significant 22.0% drop from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 28.5%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 10.6%. The highest export value was achieved in 2018 at 789.3 million US dollars, a year that also saw the largest annual increase of 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's export markets for kaolin and kaolinic clays in value terms were highly diversified. Turkey represented 5.2% of export value, Egypt 3.4%, and India 2.5%. Combined, these three countries contributed only 11.1% of total export value, with the majority distributed among many other countries with smaller but meaningful shares.

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

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

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Europe's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays rebounded in 2020. Import volumes reached 2 643 thousand tonnes, representing a strong 19.6% increase compared to 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 8.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 210 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the sharpest annual decline of 32.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil was the leading source of kaolin and kaolinic clays imports to Europe in volume terms, accounting for 14.6% of imports. The United States followed with 7.5%, and Turkey with 0.8%. Together, these three countries represented 23.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of kaolin and kaolinic clays imports into Europe declined for the second straight year in 2020. Import spending totaled 747.7 million US dollars, marking a significant contraction of 10.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 20.0%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 7.2%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 935.8 million US dollars, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 11.1%. The year 2018 also saw a marginal increase of 0.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the largest supplier of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Europe in value terms, accounting for 18.3% of imports. Brazil followed closely with 17.3%, and China with 0.8%. Together, these three countries constituted 36.4% of total import value.

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

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