Growth prospects best outside largest end-uses
By far the largest markets for talc worldwide lie in paper and ceramics, each
of which accounts for some 30% of total consumption of talc minerals. However,
talc faces increasing competition in both markets, as precipitated and ground
calcium carbonate take increasing market share for paper fillers and the
refractories industry adopts higher-performance mag-carbon and dolomite-carbon
products in place of pyrophillite. The result is that the main areas of growth
for talc in the next few years are likely to lie outside these two end-uses.
Growth in talc consumption in plastics is forecast at over 3% py through 2006 in
line with increased use of polypropylene, especially for the automotive market
where lightweight and recyclability are important factors. Development of very
fine compacted, sub-micron talcs will enhance the properties imparted to
plastics and raise the value of talc sales to the plastics industry. Growth in
talc consumption in paints is estimated at over 2%py in North America and
Western Europe, and at 4-7%py in industrialising Asian and Latin American
countries, as per capita consumption of paint rises. On the supply side, world
production of talc fell by around 10% from 1996 to 2002, primarily due to lower
output from China and the USA, which in 2002 accounted for 40% and 13% of the
world total respectively. Six countries - China, the USA, India, Finland, France
and Brazil - together accounted for around 80% of total world output in 2002.
The key trends, issues and developments in the market are now analysed in
this major new report from Roskill. It provides a clear insight into all areas
of the industry and an authoritative analysis of the prospects for the future.
What this report gives you:
- Independent, in-depth research and analysis
- Essential market intelligence for successful business planning
- Detailed survey of production in 64 countries
- Up-to-date profiles of over 45 major producing companies and their
activities, including Luzenac, Mondo Minerals, Gouverneur Talc, Liaoning
Haicheng, Golcha Group, Chosun Firebrick Co, Fuzhou Emei, Barretts Minerals and
IMI Fabi
- Forecasts for end-use consumption and world supply and demand
A valuable resource for:
- Chief executive
- Financial analysts
- Strategic planners
- Information centres
- Market researchers
- Product developers
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
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Following the introduction of export quotas, the average value of all forms
of Chinese talc exports increased from US$82/t in 1996 to US$109/t in 2001 and
US$121/t in 2002. China's entry into the World Trade Organisation in late 2001
means that tariff and non-tariff trade barriers will have to be removed or
reduced by 2005.
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The contrasting trends in demand in different end uses are likely to be
reflected in future price movements. There are concerns that Chinese exports may
rise again to the 1Mtpy level attained in 1996 and 1997, exerting downward
pressure on talc prices over the next few years.
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By far the largest producer of talc worldwide is the Luzenac Group. Total
production from group operations in Western Europe, North and Central America
and Australia rose from 1.26Mt in 2000 to 1.33Mt in 2002 following the
acquisition of the Three Springs mine in Australia.
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The concentration of pyrophyllite production is even more marked than that of
talc. South Korea and China each accounted for over 30% of world output in 2002.
South Korea overtook China as the leading producer in 2001.
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Talc minerals consumption is concentrated within Asian countries, where the
availability of local, low-cost materials makes talc competitive with
alternative minerals such as kaolin and calcium carbonate. Asia is estimated to
account for over 40% of world talc consumption and for over 85% of pyrophyllite
consumption.
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Talc has lost market share as a paper filler to calcium carbonate in Europe,
and the widely-available kaolin has always been preferred in North America. In
ceramics, wall tile production is the main end use for both talc and
pyrophyllite. As a result, unlike other applications for talc minerals, South
America is the largest regional market.
SOURCES AND METHODOLOGY
This report is the result of an extensive programme of research by Roskill
analysts. They have conducted a close appraisal of information from a wide
variety of sources, including governments, trade associations, company sources,
official organisations, trade journals and technical literature.
Information gathering is only the first step in preparing a report. The data
is then extensively analysed so that the finished report provides a
comprehensive insight into the industry today, as well as top-level analysis of
the long-term prospects.
HOW THIS REPORT CAN HELP YOU
- Explore commercial opportunities
- Gather intelligence on your competitors
- Strengthen your business capabilities
- Plan your materials buying and 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
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