Ceramic Materials in China

Abstract

China is now the world' s largest producer and exporter of sanitaryware, tableware and tiles, and most leading international sanitaryware and tableware manufacturers have established plants or OEM operations in China to serve both domestic and export markets. Production of sanitaryware in China increased from 18.9M pieces in 1991 to 98M in 2006, an average rise of over 10%py. With output of 19B pieces in 2006, China accounted for around 60% of world tableware production. Growth in both sanitaryware and tableware sectors has been driven by exports, which accounted for two-thirds of tableware production in 2006. Its leading position in the world ceramics industry means China is also the largest consumer of ceramic raw materials. China has vast natural mineral resources. In some sectors, however, standards of mining, processing and refining still lag behind those of international raw material suppliers. Over the past two decades, the Chinese government has become more open with regard to mining rights and granted preferential policies to overseas companies, with the aim of securing overseas investment in the ceramic raw materials industry and improving China' s access to advanced technologies.

The key trends, issues and developments in the Chinese ceramics 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.

• Maps and summaries providing details of major Chinese deposits of kaolin, chamotte, ball clays, talc and feldspar
• Up-to-date profiles of the activities of over 70 ceramic materials producing and consuming companies in China, including Gilfair Ceramic Mineral Co. (Gilfair
• Forecasts for the Chinese supply of ceramic minerals and demand from end-use markets, including sanitaryware, tableware and tiles
• Independent, in-depth research and analysis, incorporating information from on-site visits to Chinese companies
• Essential market intelligence for successful business planning

Chinese sanitaryware production increased rapidly between 2004 and 2006, rising by some 20%py from 68M to 98M pieces, representing 36% of world production. Growth in output was led by exports, which increased from 2M to 26.3M pieces between 1998 and 2004, and by 36%py to 48.8M pieces in 2006. Products are exported worldwide, with the USA (30%), Hong Kong (9%) and South Korea (6%) providing the main markets in 2006.

Chinese sanitaryware production is forecast to rise from 98M pieces in 2006 to 130M pieces in 2010, while domestic demand for porcelain tableware is projected to rise from 6.8B pieces to 8.2B pieces over the same period. Domestic demand for tiles is forecast to continue to increase, although growth rates will be less rapid than in the past as economic growth slows.

China is the largest consumer of boron compounds worldwide. Production capacity exceeded 380,000tpy in 2005 and may have reached 500,000tpy in 2007. Domestic production has nevertheless been unable to meet the rapid growth in demand, and imports of refined borates increased from 24,200t in 2003 to 299,000t in 2006.

China is the world' s largest producer and exporter of talc, with output of 2.3-2.6Mtpy. Between 2004 and 2006, the average value of lump talc exports rose by 56% from US$77/t to US$121/t, reflecting diminished reserves of high-grade material, higher energy and transportation costs, and removal of tax rebate on exports. The shortage of high-grade material means producers are unable to meet demand for Haicheng No.1 and Guangxi Superior grades.