Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for kaolin and kaolinic clays in Southern Europe experienced volatility between 2018 and 2020. After reaching 3 872 thousand tons in 2018, consumption dropped to 3 273 thousand tons in 2019, then recovered to 3 638 thousand tons in 2020.

Market volume expanded sharply to 4 221 thousand tons in 2021, supported by significant import flows. During this period, Spain's processing plants, such as those in Arguisuelas with 25 000 t/year of kaolin and Tamame de Sayago with 100 000 t/year, provided a steady supply base for the regional market, particularly serving the ceramic industry. However, in 2022, the market contracted to 3 592 thousand tons, even as Spain remained an active participant in international kaolin trade.

In 2023 and 2024, the market landscape evolved with over $120 million invested in surface-modified kaolin facilities across Europe and North America, targeting automotive paints and biodegradable plastics. Global coated paper production exceeding 120 million metric tons further underpinned demand. By 2024, the European kaolin clay market was valued around $1.74 billion, reflecting sustained industrial consumption in ceramics, paints, and plastics, alongside influences from raw material price volatility and environmental regulations.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Southern 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

Southern Europe's production of kaolin and kaolinic clays rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the region produced 1 874 K t, marking a sharp increase of 30.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 20.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 434 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 4.5%.

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

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the region exported 322 K t, down 35.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The peak export volume was reached in 2019 at 502 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a jump of 56.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays were distributed across multiple countries without a clear dominant partner. Algeria accounted for 31.8% of exports, Egypt for 4.3%, and India for 3.1%, with these three countries together representing just 39.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 41.3 M $ US, showing a significant decrease of 14.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 52.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 30.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in value terms were spread across numerous countries. Algeria accounted for 19.0% of exports, India for 7.2%, and Egypt for 4.9%, with these three countries together representing only 31.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 2 086 K t, down 10.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 27.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Southern Europe's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in volume terms were Ukraine, accounting for 54.1% of imports, the United Kingdom with 12.1%, and Germany with 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented 74.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 225.3 M $ US, showing a substantial decrease of 13.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.9%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Southern Europe's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in value terms were Ukraine, accounting for 36.6% of imports, the United Kingdom with 14.4%, and Brazil with 11.0%. These three countries together represented 62.1% of total import flows.

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

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