Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the Japanese market for kaolin and kaolinic clays experienced a notable contraction in volume, declining from 532 thousand tons to 368 thousand tons in 2020. This downturn coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global supply chains and reduced demand from key consuming industries like paper and ceramics.

Market volume recovered to 420 thousand tons by 2022, supported by a resurgence in construction activity that boosted demand for kaolin in paints, coatings, and ceramic materials. Strategic industry moves, such as KaMin's acquisition of BASF's kaolin business and Sibelco's announced capacity expansion plans, reflected a response to this growing demand, particularly from the paper packaging sector.

In value terms, the market demonstrated a sharp increase, rising from $92.1 million in 2020 to $148.8 million in 2022. This surge was driven by a combination of recovering post-pandemic demand and broader inflationary pressures that led to price adjustments across key application industries.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, Japan produced 12 000 tonnes of kaolin and kaolinic clays, with output remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2019, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, kaolin and kaolinic clays production in Japan declined in 2021. Output was valued at 6 272 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 8.0% decrease compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 26.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 6 815 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 24.4%.

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

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Japan's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased in 2021. The country exported 14.2 thousand tonnes, marking a 37.5% uptick from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 10.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, accounting for 40.8% of exports in kind, Asia not elsewhere specified at 14.9%, and China at 14.2%, were the leading destinations for Japan's kaolin and kaolinic clays exports. Together, these three markets represented 69.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays amounted to 7.4 million US dollars, showing a dramatic year-over-year gain of 26.5%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 45.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, at 2.1%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, China, with 38.2% of exports in value terms, South Korea at 14.1%, and Indonesia at 13.3%, remained the primary markets for Japan's kaolin and kaolinic clays exports. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year drop, Japan's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased in 2021, reaching 406.7 thousand tonnes, which represents an 11.0% rise compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 23.6%, with an annualized decline rate of 8.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 366.2 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 22.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States and China dominated Japan's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in kind, concentrating 87.1% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations, each with smaller individual contributions.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Japan's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased in 2021, reaching 105.7 million US dollars, a 15.9% rise year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 18.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 91.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 22.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States was the dominant market for Japan's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in value terms, accounting for 71.7% of total flows. Other countries together made up the residual share.

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

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