Regional Trends Reshaping Kaolin Market as it Recovers from Downturn

LONDON, July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

In 2012, world consumption of kaolin had recovered to almost 23Mt, according to a new report on the industry by Roskill, compared to under 20Mt during the global economic downturn of 2008/09 when demand for kaolin weakened. Consumption is concentrated in Asia (36%), Europe (30%) and North America (24%), and differences in regional rates of growth will continue to reshape the industry. By 2017, Asia is forecast to account for 39% of total demand, followed by Europe (28%) and North America (23%).

The largest market for kaolin is as an extender or filler, mainly in paper and paint but also in rubber, plastics and adhesives/sealants. Other important markets are in ceramics, fibreglass and refractories. In addition, significant amounts of unprocessed kaolin are used in some applications, particularly ceramics. The relative importance of the two major markets for kaolin is forecast to change, with paper remaining the largest market but its share falling to 36% in 2017, compared to 39% in 2012, while ceramics grows to 31%, up from 29%.

Rising demand for paper in Asia positive for filler minerals but less so for kaolin

Asian production of paper grew by an average of over 5%py over the last decade to become the largest of any region.  Production elsewhere grew by under 2%py and declined in North America. Global paper and board production is forecast to rise by 2.5%py to 2017, but Roskill expects demand for minerals to rise at a higher rate, especially in regions such as Asia where pulp costs are high. Much of the rise in demand will be for calcium carbonate rather than kaolin, however. Demand for kaolin in paper is therefore forecast to grow by an average of only around 1%py to 2017.

Kaolin's main application in paint is in architectural products, especially non-gloss interior wall products. Competition with calcium carbonate has reduced the share of the market in paint held by kaolin but the amount used has risen because of growth in paint demand. Chinese consumers are the largest single users of paint and Chinese demand is forecast to account for over 15% of global demand by 2017 compared to around 10% in 2012. Global demand for architectural paint is forecast to be highest in Asia (over 5%py) and lowest in Europe (under 2%py). Demand for kaolin in paint is forecast to average around 3.7%py again because of strong competition from calcium carbonate.

Hydraulic fracking proppants drivinig demand for kaolin in North America

Consumption of kaolin in ceramics was estimated at 6.6Mt in 2012, much of which was used in whitewares (tiles, sanitaryware and tableware) followed by proppants and catalyst supports. The largest market for the use of kaolin in ceramics is in Asia, which accounted for 44% of total consumption but 60% of that used in whitewares. Proppants are the fastest growing market for kaolin because of the rising importance of fracking in oil and gas production. Much of this market is in the USA where proppant capacity will be significantly expanded in the near future.

Consolidation sweeps Europe and North America as paper growth slows

Output of kaolin in Europe has recovered since 2009, despite capacity closures in the UK, one of the main centres of production within the region. Production in North America has been declining because of competition with calcium carbonate and imports from Brazil. This has led to industry consolidation. IMin of the USA bought Huber's kaolin division to form KaMin in 2008 and later acquired CADAM of Brazil. Imerys bought PPSA in 2010 followed by Itatex in 2012 and is now in the processing of buying Goonvean's kaolin operations in the UK.

In Asia, production has been stimulated by rising regional demand for paper and ceramics and is now the second largest of any region. Output in the Middle East has risen to supply the expanding regional ceramics industry while in South America, production is export driven and closely linked to consumption by the global paper market.

Roskill's analysis shows capacity is currently sufficient to meet expected demand in most regions meaning few new operations or expansions are expected. The main exception is China where capacity could increase by at least 0.7Mtpy by the end of 2013. A new operation will also reach full operating capacity in the USA in 2014. Energy is a significant proportion of the overall cost of producing kaolin. The fall in US natural gas prices may make producers in that country more competitive and lead to a rise in exports. This may have a negative impact on producers elsewhere, particularly those that supply paper grades.

Note to editors

The report contains 400 pages, 257 tables and 144 figures. It provides a detailed review of the industry, with subsections on the activities of the leading producing companies. It also analyses consumption, trade and prices.

For further information on this report, please contact Alison Saxby (asaxby@roskill.co.uk). To be added to our press distribution list, please contact Pedro Palma (pedro@roskill.co.uk).

Kaolin: Global Industry Markets and Outlook (13^th edition) is available at an introductory price of £3230 / US$5185 / €4080 from:

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