The Economics of Perlite

The Economics of Perlite

The new Roskill report on the perlite industry will be published in April 2005. It will provide up-to-date market analysis of resources, production, consumption, trade and prices. In addition it is a statistical sourcebook with detailed tables and figures so that you can find the data you need at a glance. World production of unexpanded perlite has grown steadily over the six years at an average annual growth rate of just over 3%. In 2003, global output reached 3,165,000t, which represented just 60% of installed capacity. China now accounts for nearly a quarter of world production as a result of perlite output increasing at 16%pa since 1997. Over the last five years Greece has emerged as the worlds largest producer of unexpanded perlite and also the major exporter. The Greek owned company S and B Industrial Minerals, with mines in Greece, China, Italy, Bulgaria and Turkey, accounted for around 25% of total production in 2003. In the past high freight costs have limited international trade in perlite but S and B have developed a market for Greek perlite that extends to the USA. US production of perlite has dropped from a peak of 711,000t in 1998 to 512,000t in 2003. Over the last ten years imports, practically all from Greece, have increased from 70,000t to 240,000t. Few other producers operate outside their own region although World Minerals of the USA operates a perlite mine in Turkey and Dicalite, also US-based, have operations in Armenia and Mexico. Most perlite is expanded to produce an ultra light aggregate, expanded perlite, which is used in building products, fillers, filtration and horticulture. Construction applications currently account for the greater part of world demand. Chinese demand for perlite is forecast to grow at 10%, the main factor behind a predicted 3% annual growth rate in Asia over the next five years. In Europe a recovery in construction activity will result in increased sales of perlite-containing proprietary products used in commercial and industrial buildings. However, the major growth market for perlite in both Europe and North America is horticulture, whereas construction activity is the main driver for growth in China. Perlite expanders are affected by recent increases in energy costs and are likely to exert pressure to reduce any increase in price for unexpanded perlite in the older industrial economies. Rapidly rising demand for perlite in China could result in prices increasing by 2-3%pa over the next five years. In its latest report on the global perlite industry Roskill examines the implications of each of these market developments and provides a reliable forecast for the future.

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.