Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The West European market for kaolin and kaolinic clays began the period at a high volume of 2.45 million tonnes in 2018, supported by strong demand from the paper industry, fueled by e-commerce packaging needs, and from the construction sector for ceramics, paints, and coatings. Major established producers like Quarzwerke Gruppe contributed to market stability with their long operational history. However, in 2019, production and total market volume fell sharply to 1.78 million tonnes, a significant drop for which the available sources do not highlight specific immediate drivers.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused global supply chain disruptions, affecting kaolin raw material supply and production in Western Europe. Nonetheless, demand in key consuming industries like ceramics and paper remained relatively stable, underpinned by EU state infrastructure programs that stimulated the construction and manufacturing sectors. From 2021, market dynamics shifted as stricter EU environmental and mining regulations increased production costs. This, combined with broader inflationary pressures and higher energy prices, led major suppliers like KaMin LLC and CADAM to announce price increases. Consequently, while the physical market size continued a gradual decline to 1.57 million tonnes by 2022, its value in monetary terms recovered to $385.1 million, driven by these cost and regulatory factors alongside growing demand for specialized, higher-value products like surface-treated calcined kaolin for advanced paints and coatings.

Entering 2023, leading European companies, including Quarzwerke Gruppe, invested in expanding and modernizing production facilities to improve efficiency and meet escalating environmental standards. A new market segment emerged with growing demand for cosmetic kaolin powder, driven by consumer preference for natural and organic personal care products. Continued regulatory focus on sustainability, traceability through new packaging and labeling rules for mineral resources, and persistent high energy costs further shaped the operating environment. By 2024, the industry maintained stable production anchored in major mining regions like Bavaria, adapting to these technological and regulatory demands while traditional drivers like paper industry consumption, supported by e-commerce, remained central to market demand.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Western 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

Kaolin and kaolinic clays production in Western Europe has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, production reached 1 330 K t, marking a 5.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 52.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 22.0%.

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

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Europe exported 794 K t of kaolin and kaolinic clays, down 22.1% from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 507 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 32.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 85.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays from Western Europe were relatively evenly distributed. Italy accounted for 21.1% of exports, Poland for 4.5%, and Finland for 4.0%, with these three countries together making up just 29.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of kaolin and kaolinic clays from Western Europe have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 133.8 M $ US, reflecting a sharp drop of 44.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 56.9%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 24.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 328.8 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 6.0%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Italy contributed 10.8% of exports, Finland 7.0%, and Sweden 6.4%, with these three countries together accounting for only 24.2% of total flows, and no single country held a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Western Europe have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Western Europe imported 1 118 K t, down 19.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 32.9%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Czechia, and the United States were the key partners for imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Western Europe. Brazil accounted for 33.2% of imports, Czechia for 17.1%, and the United States for 11.0%, with these three countries together representing 61.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 262.6 M $ US, showing a moderate fall of 8.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 23.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Western Europe in value terms were Brazil, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Brazil accounted for 23.8% of imports, the United States for 20.9%, and the United Kingdom for 11.7%, with these three countries together making up 56.4% of total flows.

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

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