Market research

Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, 2026

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The US market for kaolin and kaolinic clays contracted from 3.2 million tons in 2018 to 2.1 million tons in 2021, as domestic production and import volumes both fell. A significant 22% increase in global kaolin imports during 1 influenced worldwide supply dynamics, though US import levels declined during this period.

Market volume rebounded to 2.5 million tons in 2022, supported by growing demand from the paper, packaging, ceramics, and cosmetics industries. That same year, the industry saw consolidation as Imerys completed the sale of certain North American assets to Thiele Kaolin Company, a major supplier to the paper and packaging markets.

Continued demand from cosmetics and ceramics drove market trends into 2023 and 2024. KaMin LLC and CADAM announced a price increase of up to 9% for kaolin products effective January 2024, reflecting market adjustments. US imports rose by 11% in 2024 after a two-year decline, influenced by global supply chain factors, while industry innovation focused on reducing processing costs and environmental impact.

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, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.1.1. Global production by Country, :years
    1. 5.1.1.1. Annual dynamics of production by country Kind, 2018-2022, K t
    2. 5.1.1.2. Structure of production by countries Kind, 2018-2022
    3. 5.1.1.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries Kind, 2018-2022
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
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 United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, produced 4 640 K t of kaolin and kaolinic clays, which is 9.4% lower than the previous year. The maximum production was recorded in 2018 at 5 350 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 118.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	118.4%	(4.3%)	(9.4%)	23.7%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Exports in kind, K t

The volume of kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 041 K t, showing a significant reduction of 12.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 453 K t. The largest increase was observed in 2018, with a rise of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.6%	(5.0%)	(12.4%)	(4.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, Mexico, and Japan played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of kaolin and kaolinic clays from the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. China accounted for 18.6% of exports in kind, Mexico for 16.6%, and Japan for 14.0%. Together, their combined share reached 49.2% of total exports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of kaolin and kaolinic clays from the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export value totaled 507.3 M $ US, representing a year-over-year decline of 10.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 581.4 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.7%	(3.0%)	(10.0%)	(3.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for exports in value terms was diverse. China accounted for 15.1% of exports in value terms, Japan for 12.1%, and Mexico for 11.5%. Together, these three countries formed only 38.7% of total flows, while a substantial 61.3% was supplied to many other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, kaolin and kaolinic clays imports into the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, totaled 221 K t, indicating a decrease of 31.0% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 37.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.5%)	8.0%	(31.0%)	(14.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the key partner for imports in kind, accounting for 92.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, imported 30.4 M $ US of kaolin and kaolinic clays, which is 28.8% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 32.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a growth of 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.1%)	10.7%	(28.8%)	(12.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the dominant destination for imports in value terms of kaolin and kaolinic clays to the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, accounting for 71.1% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among a number of smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io