Abstract
The kaolin industry has been suffering from increased competition in its main
market, paper, since the 1990s. This has led to poor profitability for many
producers. The industry is responding to this situation by effecting
structural changes, including capacity closures in the USA and UK and
expansions in Brazil. Output is concentrated in relatively few countries (USA,
China, Brazil, UK and the Czech Republic), which account for 66% of the total.
US production grew by an average of 1.2%py from 5.4Mt in 1973 to 7.8Mt in
2005, while Brazilian output rose by an average 10.1%py between 1990 and 2005.
Global consumption of kaolin is estimated at 23Mt in 2005. The largest market
is as an extender or filler, mainly in paper and paint. These markets used an
estimated 13.75Mt or 62.5% in 2005. The main threat facing kaolin in paper is
its cost compared to that of alternative minerals, especially calcium
carbonate. However, kaolin is increasingly used in conjunction with calcium
carbonate to produce high quality printing and writing paper. World paper and
board production is forecast to rise by an average 3%py up to 2010, with
printing and writing paper output expanding by 4.5%py over the same period.
Rising paper production will consume more minerals but much of the increase,
especially in filler applications, will be of calcium carbonate rather than
kaolin. As a result kaolin demand in this sector is expected to grow at 1%py
to 2010. The key trends, issues and developments in the market are analysed in
this major new report from Roskill. It provides a clear insight into the
industry and its trends, and an authoritative analysis of the prospects for
the future.
Report Highlights
Global kaolin capacity is estimated at 27-30Mtpy, with six companies each
controlling more than 1Mtpy, of which Imerys of France is by far the largest
controlling an estimated 5.9Mtpy. These companies control over half of all
capacity. Ownership of capacity in developed countries has become steadily
more concentrated because of low profitability and pressure from consumers for
higher specification products. Kaolin is an integral part of many traditional
ceramics but is mainly used in whitewares such as sanitaryware, floor and wall
tile, tableware and decorative ceramics. Kaolin use in sanitaryware and tiles
will expand most rapidly in Asia and Latin America because of population and
per capita growth. Growing markets are in proppants used in oil and gas wells
and supports for catalysts in the oil and gas industry. Overall, the use of
kaolin in traditional ceramics is forecast to rise by an average of 1%py to
2010.
Kaolin is used in the manufacture of reinforcing fibreglass. Production of
fibreglass is concentrated in the USA, EU and Japan. The world market for
reinforcement fibreglass has been growing at 3-4%py, and is expected to
continue, with demand for kaolin in this application forecast to rise by 3%py
to 2010.
The steel industry is the main market for refractories but refractory clays
have been largely replaced with higher alumina products such as mullite,
calcined bauxite and tabular alumina. Kaolin consumption in this sector is
expected to decline in developed economies and rise in industrialising ones.
In 2005, exports of kaolin from USA, UK and Brazil were reported as almost
6.8Mt compared with an estimated world production of 22.9Mt. This pattern is
expected to continue, but shipments from Brazil are taking market share in the
paper sector from producers in the USA and UK.
What this report gives you:
- Independent, in-depth research and analysis
- Essential market intelligence for successful business planning
- Detailed survey of production and processing in 62 countries
- Up-to-date profi les of the activities of over 170 kaolin producing and
processing companies, including Imerys, BASF (Engelhard Corp.),J.M. Huber,
Thiele Kaolin and CVRD
- Forecasts for end-use consumption & world supply & demand
Authoritative research in this report can help you:
- Explore commercial opportunities
- Gather intelligence on your competitors
- Strengthen your business capabilities
- Plan your materials buying & sourcing
- Assess key trends and growth areas
- Establish sales targets for your products
- Analyse company market share
- Save time searching for specialist information
- And improve your results
A valuable resource for:
- Chief executives
- Market researchers
- Information centres
- Strategic planners
- Financial analysts
- Product developers
| 
View Cart
