Abstract
Economic deposits of feldspar are known in at least seventy countries with
production currently undertaken in over fifty countries. Roskill estimates
total production of feldspars and associated aplite, phonolite and China stone
in 2006 at 20Mt, plus 1.4Mt of nepheline syenite used in competitive
applications with feldspar. About 1Mtpy of additional nepheline syenite for
use in making alumina and for aggregates is also produced.
Consolidation of the industry over the past several years has increased
concentration in the hands of a few large companies. Six companies produce
over 1Mtpy compared to an industry average of less than 100,000tpy. The six
largest producers are Gruppo Minerali, Imerys, Esan Eczacibasi Industrial Raw
Minerals, Cine Akmaden, Kaltun and Unimin/Sibelco. Together they account for
about 10Mtpy of capacity or almost 50% of world production.
The market for feldspathic minerals is dominated by the ceramics and glass
industries, which together account for over 90% of all material produced.
Within these applications, ceramic whitewares and container glass are the most
important, with ceramic glazes, frits, fibreglass, flat glass, dinnerware and
other speciality glass making up most of the remainder.
In 2006, the ceramics industry consumed an estimated 14.6Mt of feldspar and
nepheline syenite or around 68% of total world demand. The most important
types of ceramics in terms of feldspathic mineral consumption are floor and
wall tiles, ceramic dinnerware and sanitaryware. The main centres of ceramics
production are Italy, Spain, China, other South East Asian countries and Latin
America. The production of ceramics in these areas, and in particular Italy,
Spain and China, has been the main driver behind the steady rise in feldspar
demand seen over the past several decades, and will remain a major factor in
future growth in the feldspar industry.
Demand for feldspar and associated minerals is forecast to increase on average
at 5.5%py to 29.5Mt by 2012, with the main growth to be concentrated in
Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. This will raise production
levels by 38% over 2006 levels. World resources are more than adequate to meet
this demand.
View Cart
