China Clay Market Analysis - Industry Report - Trends, Size & Share 2022-2028

China Clay Market & Industry Analysis:

The global China clay market size was worth around USD 4.3 billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow to around USD 5.7 billion by 2028 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 4.1% between 2022 and 2028. The report analyzes the global China clay market’s drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the China clay market.

China Clay Market: Overview

China clay or Kaolin is a soft white aluminosilicate mineral called after the Chinese hill (Kao-ling) which was mined for generations. Kaolin is a white, soft powder made up primarily of the mineral kaolinite and various proportions of other minerals such as muscovite, quartz, feldspar, and anatase. It is used in the production of China and porcelain, as well as paper, rubber, paint, drying agents, and a variety of other items.

It functions as an excipient as well as an antidiarrheal medication. It is a combination of a mixture and an aluminosilicate mineral. It has kaolinite in it.

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Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global China clay market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 4.1% over the forecast period (2022-2028).
•  In terms of revenue, the global China clay market size was valued at around USD 4.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 5.7 billion, by 2028.
• The global China clay market is projected to grow owing to the increasing demand for kaolin from various end-use industries such as paper, pharmaceutical, and others.
• Based on the process, the water-washed segment is growing at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
• Based on application, the paper coating & filing segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2021.
• Based on the industry vertical, the paper industry segment is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period.
• Based on region, Asia Pacific is projected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

China Clay Market: Growth Drivers

Growing demand for kaolin in the paper industry to fuel the market

Kaolin is increasingly being used as a coating material in the paper industry to offer high whiteness and improve the appearance of the final paper product. According to the USGS Mineral Commodity Summary for 2021, over 1.9 million tonnes of kaolin were exported from the United States, with Mexico, Japan, and China receiving substantial amounts, primarily for paper coating and filling. Japan and China are two of the leading producers of paper.

Kaolin improves paper printability and is used as a paper filler to lengthen the fiber in addition to gloss, smoothness, and brightness. Thus, increasing demand for China clay in the paper industry is expected to fuel market expansion during the forecast period.

China Clay Market: Restraints

The availability of substitutes might be hampering the market growth

The availability of low-cost kaolin alternatives such as Ground Calcium Carbonates (GCCs) and Precipitated Calcium Carbonates (PCCs) is projected to limit the global China clay market expansion. PCC is bright white and has a tight particle size distribution. It is available in a variety of sizes and crystal morphologies that can be adjusted to improve paper printing and optical qualities, increase paper machine productivity, and reduce papermaking costs by replacing optical brightening chemicals. GCCs have a greater ISO-brightness (96%) than kaolin (83%), which is likely to reduce the clay's favor among paper makers.

China Clay Market: Opportunities

The growing application of Kaolin in the pharmaceuticals industry provides a lucrative opportunity

Clay mineral has numerous applications in the pharmaceutical business, where it is utilized as a key ingredient in mouthwash, surgical pads, toothpaste, and other medicinal products. Individuals with mouth sores use kaolin-based mouthwashes because they provide a protective coating inside the mouth.

It is a clinically proven blood coagulant activator that is used to prevent thrombosis and relieve inflammation. It is also employed as a hemostatic agent in gauzes and surgical pads, as well as in clinical laboratory tests to evaluate Activated Clotting Time (ACT). The growing incidence of incidents resulting in blood loss is predicted to drive up the use of kaolin-based dressing materials in hospitals and clinics.

China Clay Market: Segmentation

The global China clay market is segmented based on the process, application, industry vertical, and region

Based on process, the global market is bifurcated into water-washed, airfloat, calcined, delaminated, and surface-modified & unprocessed. The water-washed segment is growing at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. To achieve particle size, purity, residue, and brightness, water-washed kaolin is subjected to a rigorous process of slurring, crushing, grinding, sifting, sorting, centrifuging, chemically and perhaps concentrating, drying, and magnetically treating.

Water-washed kaolin retains 14% of the bound water of hydration found in crude kaolin, making it hydrous kaolin. Calcined kaolins are created by using water-washed kaolin as a raw material for heat treatment, also known as calcination. Water-washed feed kaolin is chosen for processing based on the finished product required. Calcined kaolin is anhydrous, which means that the calcining procedure removed 14% of the hydration-bound water contained in crude clay. Calcined kaolin is commonly used in ceramic glazes, but it can also be used to alter the shrinkage and plasticity of slips (engobes) used on damp or leather hardware.

Calcined kaolin is a refractory material that softens around cone 35. Its applications include refractory castables and furnishings, low expansion bodies, thermal insulation bodies, Investment Casting, and permeable ceramic compositions.

Based on application, the market is segmented into paper coating and filling, pesticide, feedstock treatment, medicines and cosmetics, paints & coatings, and others. The paper coating and filling segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2021 and is expected to show its dominance during the forecast period. Kaolin is a white clay mineral that is used to improve the appearance of paper, making it glossy, dazzling, fluid, and opaque. It increases other paper properties such as tincture absorption, pigment holdouts, and a low inclination to lint and roughness, resulting in better paper printability.

Because whiteness is a fundamental predictor of the finished paper product price, paper qualities with high whiteness are more expensive than low-white ones. On the other hand, the paints & coatings segment is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. Kaolin is an important component of paint formulas and is used as a paint filler.

This chemical improves paint film development, adds gloss to painted surfaces, avoids quick collapse, boosts wear resistance against various kinds of weather, and decreases moisture passage rate. Kaolin is increasingly being used in the coatings industry because it improves color strength and opacity, sheen control, scrub and stain resistance, holdout, and pigment suspension in architectural coatings. Kaolin-based paints considerably improve the quality of final painted goods and the performance of painted surfaces, increasing mineral demand in the industry and promoting revenue growth in this category.

Based on industry verticals, the global market is divided into the paper industry, ceramic industry, agricultural industry, paints industry, pharmaceutical industry, and others. The paper industry is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period owing to the increasing use of paper and paper-based products in various industries and institutions.

Moreover, Publishers and bookmakers rely heavily on high-quality papers of various qualities for the publication of books, ledgers, and notebooks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has approved the use of kaolin-based paper for food packaging. Growing environmental concerns, as well as a shift toward eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging, are likely to stimulate demand for mineral-coated paper and drive revenue growth over the forecast period.

Recent Developments:

• In November 2021, BASF and KaMin LLC. / CADAM S.A. (KaMin) has agreed to sell BASF's kaolin minerals business to KaMin, a worldwide performance materials company based in Macon, Georgia.
• In January 2019, 20 Microns Ltd. has collaborated with Dorfner GmBH, a German-based kaolin manufacturer that is also an exclusive distributor of hydrous kaolin throughout Europe, to expand its international market footprint.

China Clay Market Report Scope:

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China Clay Market: Regional Analysis

The Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period

The Asia Pacific region accounted to hold the largest revenue share in 2021 in the global China clay market and is expected to show its dominance during the forecast period. The growth in the region is attributed to the presence of several market players such as EICL limited, and MLA Group of Industries, among others. In addition, Japan, China, and India are among the top nations that produce paper; for example, China produces 99.3 million tons of paper and pulp annually.

The constant rise of the ceramics sector is another element driving the Asia Pacific market's increase in sales. Additionally, over the past few years, product consumption has expanded due to the growth of ceramic clusters, particularly in China and India. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the consumption of ceramic-based products for household items will rise as a result of urbanization and development projects in the nations in this region.

North America is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the rising production and export of kaolin minerals from countries in this region. In terms of trade value, the United States is the world's largest exporter of kaolin and kaolinic clays. For instance, according to the International Trade Centre, in 2020, the US was the largest exporter of kaolin and kaolinic clays accounted for around 34% of the world's exports. Additionally, the rising demand for kaolin for several agricultural applications is propelling market revenue growth.

China Clay Market: Competitive Analysis

The global China clay market is dominated by players like Imerys S.A., BASF SE, EICL Limited, KaMin LLC, Minotaur Exploration Limited, I-Minerals, Inc., LB MINERALS, Ltd., 20 Microns Ltd., SCR-Sibelco NV, and Active Minerals International, LLC, among others.

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The global China clay market is segmented as follows:

By Process

• Water-washed
• Airfloat
• Calcined
• Delaminated
• Surface-modified & Unprocessed

By Application

• Paper Coating and Filling
• Pesticide
• Feedstock Treatment
• Medicines and Cosmetics
• Paints & Coatings
• Others

By Industry Vertical

• Paper Industry
• Ceramic Industry
• Agricultural Industry
• Paints Industry
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa