Kaolin Market Size & Share 2016 - 2024
Market Size by Application (Paper, Ceramics, Paints & Adhesives, Fiberglass, Rubber, Plastics, Cement), Metakaolin Market by Application (Concrete, Mortar), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Price Trends, & Forecast.
Report ID: GMI1148
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Published Date: February 2017
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Report Format: PDF
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Authors:
Kiran Pulidindi, Kunal Ahuja
Kaolin Market Size
Kaolin & metakaolin market size was valued at over USD 4.5 billion and $100 million in 2015 and will witness gains more than 4% CAGR and 4.5% CAGR through 2024. Positive growth indicators in the end-user industries including ceramics, construction, paper, paints & adhesives and plastics in the past few years is analyzed to be the major factor propelling the overall market growth.
The product due to its superior opacity, chemical inertness, non-abrasive texture and flat particle shape is suitable to finds widespread applications in the ceramic, paints and adhesives industry. In addition, metakaolin, particularly due to its high thermal stability is broadly used in applications such as concrete and mortar.
The product is widely used in the plastic industry to enhance its electrical performance, durability and strength. Escalating plastic and polymer business in trend towards replacing metal and steel with light weight products will substantially boost the kaolin market share in the near future. Furthermore, the product is also in the rubber such as SBR, EPDM and neoprene to magnify its electrical and mechanical traits. Increasing demand of these rubbers in tire manufacturing along with increasing automotive manufacturing and sales will positively boost the market by 2024.
However, declining print media demand in North America and Europe on account of increasing consumer awareness towards electronic media may hamper industry growth in the near future. In addition, the product faces prominent substitute threat in paper applications from calcium carbonate, which may negatively impact on the kaolin market growth.
Kaolin Market Analysis
The paper applications segment led the overall industry in 2015 and is likely to observe prominent gains close to 3.5% through 2024. The product is majorly used in the paper applications as a particulate mineral in filling and coating. It enhances its appearance, gloss, printability, brightness, opacity and smoothness. Enormous paper demand in Asia Pacific and Latin America for media and advertisement will positively influence the kaolin market growth by 2024.
Ceramic applications segment is projected to experience maximum growth more than 4.5% CAGR in terms of volume. The product is majorly used in the ceramic tiles manufacturing to enhance its thermal resistance. Escalating construction industry has substantially increased ceramic tiles demand for flooring and wall applications, owing to push the overall industry size in the near future. Furthermore, robust growth in the flooring business particularly due to improving consumer lifestyle dynamics will complement the kaolin market outlook by 2024.
Concrete led the overall metakaolin market share in 2015. The product is majorly used in concrete to enhance its splitting tensile, compressive strength and flexural strength. Concrete is an essential product used in the construction industry. therefore, strong growth in the construction industry will subsequently boost the industry growth by 2024. In addition, metakaolin market size for mortar applications is likely to observe growth close to 4% between 2016 and 2024.
Concrete application segment led the overall market share in 2015. The product is majorly used in concrete to enhance its splitting tensile, compressive strength and flexural strength. Concrete is an essential product used in the construction industry. therefore, strong growth in the construction industry will subsequently boost the kaolin market growth by 2024. In addition, mortar applications segment is likely to observe growth close to 4% between 2016 and 2024.
The product is majorly used in the construction materials such as paints & adhesives, ceramic tiles, concrete and mortar. Therefore, robust growth indicators in the construction industry in the past few years will positively influence the kaolin market by 2024. For instance, the global construction spending in 2013 was roughly around USD 7 trillion and is projected to exceed USD 13 trillion by 2024.
The construction industry is primarily driven by increasing government investments towards enhancing their public infrastructure along with upcoming residential and commercial projects. In addition, increasing consumer spending capacity, has substantially driven ceramic tiles demand for aesthetic floor and walls. This trend shall further complement kaolin market price over the estimated timeframe.
North America was close to USD 1 billion in 2015. Positive growth indicators in the regional construction industry post 2008 economic turmoil along with increasing residential remodeling practices in the U.S. has positively influence the kaolin market sales. Furthermore, drifting consumer focus towards replacing wood floors with ceramic tiles, particularly due to its easy installation, aesthetic appearance and superior characteristics will complement industry size in the coming years. In addition, North America accounts for more than 20% of the global market share in 2015.
Asia Pacific led the global kaolin market in 2015 and is projected to expand with highest growth of over 4.5% between 2016 and 2024. The regional growth is primarily driven by escalating construction industry in China, India and Japan. Furthermore, improving consumer lifestyle dynamics in the region, which results in growing end-user industries such as automotive will complement the regional industry size over the estimated timeframe.
Kaolin Market Share
The global kaolin industry share was moderately consolidated with top five product manufacturers holding roughly around 40% of the overall industry share in 2015. Some of the industry contributor includes:
Key players in the industry are involved in strategic mergers and acquisitions in order to strengthen their presence. For instance, in 2014, Imerys S.A and Nedmag entered in a collaboration. In addition, key industry share contributors including Imerys, KaMin and BASF have presence across multiple stages in the industry ecosystem, which them in holding a substantial share in the business.
Industry Background
Kaolin (China clay) offers value added characteristics such as opacity, chemical inertness, non-abrasive texture and flat particle, which makes it suitable in widespread industrial application spectrum such as ceramic, rubber, fiberglass and paper. Robust growth in these abovementioned industries is the major factor contributing the overall business growth. Increasing product demand in construction material and automotive parts such as tire manufacturing will further complement business growth by 2024. Asia Pacific accounted for the maximum share in the global kaolin and metakaolin industry. Strong growth in China and India construction industry was the major factor influencing the regional growth.
Kaolin & Metakaolin market report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of volume in kilo tons and revenue in USD million from 2013 to 2024, for the following segments:
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Kaolin Market by Application
Metakaolin Market by Application
The above information is provided on a regional and country basis for the following:
By Region
Research methodology, data sources & validation process
This report draws on a structured research process built around direct industry conversations, proprietary modelling, and rigorous cross-validation and not just desk research.
Our 6-step research process
1. Research design & analyst oversight
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2. Primary research
Primary research forms the backbone of our methodology, contributing nearly 80% to overall insights. It involves direct engagement with industry participants to ensure accuracy and depth in analysis. Our structured interview program covers regional and global markets, with inputs from C-suite executives, directors, and subject matter experts. These interactions provide strategic, operational, and technical perspectives, enabling well-rounded insights and reliable market forecasts.
3. Data mining & market analysis
Data mining is a key part of our research process, contributing nearly 20% to the overall methodology. It involves analysing market structure, identifying industry trends, and assessing macroeconomic factors through revenue share analysis of major players. Relevant data is collected from both paid and unpaid sources to build a reliable database. This information is then integrated to support primary research and market sizing, with validation from key stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers, and associations.
4. Market sizing
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5. Forecast model & key assumptions
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✓ Key growth drivers and their assumed impact
✓ Restraining factors and mitigation scenarios
✓ Regulatory assumptions and policy change risk
✓ Technology adoption curve parameter
✓ Macroeconomic assumptions (GDP growth, inflation, currency)
✓ Competitive dynamics and market entry/exit expectations
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Our triple-layer validation process ensures maximum data reliability:
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Verified data sources
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GMI archive
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