Global Kaolin Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application, By Process (Water-washed, Airfloat, Calcined, Delaminated, and Surface-modified & Unprocessed), By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2023 - 2030

Global Kaolin Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application, By Process (Water-washed, Airfloat, Calcined, Delaminated, and Surface-modified & Unprocessed), By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2023 - 2030


The Global Kaolin Market size is expected to reach $4.8 billion by 2030, rising at a market growth of 3.9% CAGR during the forecast period. In the year 2022, the market attained a volume of 19,735.2 kilo tonnes, experiencing a growth of 3.1% (2019-2022).

The global construction industry's growth drives the demand for ceramic products, such as tiles, sanitaryware, and building materials. Thus, the ceramics segment acquired $949.2 million in 2022. Kaolin is a key ingredient in ceramic formulations used for flooring, wall tiles, and decorative elements in construction, contributing to its increased demand. The expanding global ceramic industry, driven by increasing international trade, contributes to the growing demand for kaolin as a fundamental raw material in ceramic manufacturing worldwide.

The cosmetics and personal care industry represents a driving force behind the demand for kaolin due to its versatile applications and beneficial properties within this sector. It possesses gentle absorbent qualities that make it suitable for skincare formulations. It's utilized in facial masks, cleansers, scrubs, and other skincare products to absorb excess oil, dirt, and impurities from the skin without irritating it, making it suitable for multiple skin types, especially oily and sensitive skin. Additionally, the paints and coatings industry is a significant driver for the market due to the mineral's versatile properties and crucial role in enhancing various aspects of paint and coating formulations. IT is a functional extender in paints and coatings, improving properties like opacity, brightness, and tint strength. It is used as a pigment to enhance coatings' coverage and color development while reducing reliance on more expensive pigments like titanium dioxide. It contributes to coatings' durability and weather resistance, enhancing their performance against harsh environmental conditions, UV radiation, and moisture, extending the lifespan of painted surfaces. Thus, the extensive use of kaolin in painting and coating substances propels the demand for the market.

However, kaolin production involves various inputs, including energy (such as natural gas used in processing), labor, and equipment. Fluctuations in the prices of these inputs directly affect the overall production cost of kaolin. For instance, if energy costs rise abruptly, it can significantly increase the cost of processing kaolin, impacting its market price. Kaolin prices are susceptible to fluctuations caused by shifts in supply and demand. If the demand for kaolin suddenly surges or if there are disruptions in the supply chain, the market might experience price spikes. On the contrary, a contraction in demand or excess supply may result in price reductions, thereby impacting the profitability of kaolin producers. It can affect profit margins, impact investment decisions, and make it harder to secure long-term contracts, as the uncertainty in pricing may deter potential buyers or consumers. Thus, the fluctuations in the raw material prices are impeding the market's growth.

By Application Analysis

Based on application, the market is segmented into paper, ceramics, paint & coatings, fiber glass, plastics, rubber, pharmaceuticals & medical, cosmetics, and others. In 2022, paint & coatings segment witnessed a remarkable revenue share in the market. It acts as an excellent pigment extender and opacifier in paints and coatings, enhancing opacity and brightness while reducing the amount of expensive titanium dioxide required, thereby reducing production costs. The paint and coating segment in the market continues to grow due to kaolin's versatile properties, cost-effectiveness, and role in enhancing the performance and aesthetics of various coatings used in diverse industries.

By Process Analysis

By process, the market is divided into water-washed, airfloat, calcined, delaminated, and surface-modified & unprocessed. The water-washed segment procured the largest revenue share in the market in 2022. Water-washed kaolin tends to have a higher purity compared to other processes. This purity is desirable for applications where impurities can be detrimental, such as in the production of ceramics, paper, and pharmaceuticals. Moreover, the water-washing process is considered environmentally friendly, as it typically requires less chemical treatment and generates less waste. These factors, among others, contribute to the demand for kaolin obtained from the water-washed process across various industries.

By Regional Analysis

Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA. In 2022, the Asia Pacific region witnessed the maximum revenue share in the market. The region is rich in kaolin deposits, with countries like China, India, Australia, and Vietnam having substantial kaolin reserves. This abundant raw material fosters local production and supply, reducing import dependence. Furthermore, the combination of abundant resources, industrial growth, diverse applications across industries, and the region's emphasis on sustainable materials collectively position Asia Pacific as a prominent region for the market.

List of Key Companies Profiled
  • BASF SE
  • Imerys S.A. (Belgian Securities B.V.)
  • Active Minerals International, LLC
  • Lasselsberger Group GmbH
  • Thiele Kaolin Company
  • SCR-Sibelco NV
  • Quazwerke GmbH
  • 20 microns limited
  • W. R. Grace & Co.
  • Sedlecky kaolin a.s.
Global Kaolin Market Report Segmentation

By Application (Volume, Kilo Tonnes, USD Billion, 2019-2030)
  • Paper
  • Ceramics
  • Fiber Glass
  • Rubber
  • Pharmaceuticals & Medical
  • Paints & Coatings
  • Cosmetics
  • Plastics
  • Others
By Process (Volume, Kilo Tonnes, USD Billion, 2019-2030)
  • Water-washed
  • Airfloat
  • Calcined
  • Delaminated
  • Surface-modified & Unprocessed
By Geography (Volume, Kilo Tonnes, USD Billion, 2019-2030)
  • North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Rest of North America
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Russia
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Singapore
  • Malaysia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • LAMEA
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Nigeria
  • Rest of LAMEA


Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology
1.1 Market Definition
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Market Scope
1.4 Segmentation
1.4.1 Global Kaolin Market, by Application
1.4.2 Global Kaolin Market, by Process
1.4.3 Global Kaolin Market, by Geography
1.5 Methodology for the research
Chapter 2. Market at a Glance
2.1 Key Highlights
Chapter 3. Market Overview
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 Overview
3.1.1.1 Market Composition and Scenario
3.2 Key Factors Impacting the Market
3.2.1 Market Drivers
3.2.2 Market Opportunities
3.2.3 Market Restraints
3.2.4 Market Challenges
3.3 Porter Five Forces Analysis
Chapter 4. Global Kaolin Market by Application
4.1 Global Paper Market by Region
4.2 Global Ceramics Market by Region
4.3 Global Fiber Glass Market by Region
4.4 Global Rubber Market by Region
4.5 Global Pharmaceuticals & Medical Market by Region
4.6 Global Paints & Coatings Market by Region
4.7 Global Cosmetics Market by Region
4.8 Global Plastics Market by Region
4.9 Global Others Market by Region
Chapter 5. Global Kaolin Market by Process
5.1 Global Water-washed Market by Region
5.2 Global Airfloat Market by Region
5.3 Global Calcined Market by Region
5.4 Global Delaminated Market by Region
5.5 Global Surface-modified & Unprocessed Market by Region
Chapter 6. Global Kaolin Market by Region
6.1 North America Kaolin Market
6.1.1 North America Kaolin Market by Application
6.1.1.1 North America Paper Market by Country
6.1.1.2 North America Ceramics Market by Country
6.1.1.3 North America Fiber Glass Market by Country
6.1.1.4 North America Rubber Market by Country
6.1.1.5 North America Pharmaceuticals & Medical Market by Country
6.1.1.6 North America Paints & Coatings Market by Country
6.1.1.7 North America Cosmetics Market by Country
6.1.1.8 North America Plastics Market by Country
6.1.1.9 North America Others Market by Country
6.1.2 North America Kaolin Market by Process
6.1.2.1 North America Water-washed Market by Country
6.1.2.2 North America Airfloat Market by Country
6.1.2.3 North America Calcined Market by Country
6.1.2.4 North America Delaminated Market by Country
6.1.2.5 North America Surface-modified & Unprocessed Market by Country
6.1.3 North America Kaolin Market by Country
6.1.3.1 US Kaolin Market
6.1.3.1.1 US Kaolin Market by Application
6.1.3.1.2 US Kaolin Market by Process
6.1.3.2 Canada Kaolin Market
6.1.3.2.1 Canada Kaolin Market by Application
6.1.3.2.2 Canada Kaolin Market by Process
6.1.3.3 Mexico Kaolin Market
6.1.3.3.1 Mexico Kaolin Market by Application
6.1.3.3.2 Mexico Kaolin Market by Process
6.1.3.4 Rest of North America Kaolin Market
6.1.3.4.1 Rest of North America Kaolin Market by Application
6.1.3.4.2 Rest of North America Kaolin Market by Process
6.2 Europe Kaolin Market
6.2.1 Europe Kaolin Market by Application
6.2.1.1 Europe Paper Market by Country
6.2.1.2 Europe Ceramics Market by Country
6.2.1.3 Europe Fiber Glass Market by Country
6.2.1.4 Europe Rubber Market by Country
6.2.1.5 Europe Pharmaceuticals & Medical Market by Country
6.2.1.6 Europe Paints & Coatings Market by Country
6.2.1.7 Europe Cosmetics Market by Country
6.2.1.8 Europe Plastics Market by Country
6.2.1.9 Europe Others Market by Country
6.2.2 Europe Kaolin Market by Process
6.2.2.1 Europe Water-washed Market by Country
6.2.2.2 Europe Airfloat Market by Country
6.2.2.3 Europe Calcined Market by Country
6.2.2.4 Europe Delaminated Market by Country
6.2.2.5 Europe Surface-modified & Unprocessed Market by Country
6.2.3 Europe Kaolin Market by Country
6.2.3.1 Germany Kaolin Market
6.2.3.1.1 Germany Kaolin Market by Application
6.2.3.1.2 Germany Kaolin Market by Process
6.2.3.2 UK Kaolin Market
6.2.3.2.1 UK Kaolin Market by Application
6.2.3.2.2 UK Kaolin Market by Process
6.2.3.3 France Kaolin Market
6.2.3.3.1 France Kaolin Market by Application
6.2.3.3.2 France Kaolin Market by Process
6.2.3.4 Russia Kaolin Market
6.2.3.4.1 Russia Kaolin Market by Application
6.2.3.4.2 Russia Kaolin Market by Process
6.2.3.5 Spain Kaolin Market
6.2.3.5.1 Spain Kaolin Market by Application
6.2.3.5.2 Spain Kaolin Market by Process
6.2.3.6 Italy Kaolin Market
6.2.3.6.1 Italy Kaolin Market by Application
6.2.3.6.2 Italy Kaolin Market by Process
6.2.3.7 Rest of Europe Kaolin Market
6.2.3.7.1 Rest of Europe Kaolin Market by Application
6.2.3.7.2 Rest of Europe Kaolin Market by Process
6.3 Asia Pacific Kaolin Market
6.3.1 Asia Pacific Kaolin Market by Application
6.3.1.1 Asia Pacific Paper Market by Country
6.3.1.2 Asia Pacific Ceramics Market by Country
6.3.1.3 Asia Pacific Fiber Glass Market by Country
6.3.1.4 Asia Pacific Rubber Market by Country
6.3.1.5 Asia Pacific Pharmaceuticals & Medical Market by Country
6.3.1.6 Asia Pacific Paints & Coatings Market by Country
6.3.1.7 Asia Pacific Cosmetics Market by Country
6.3.1.8 Asia Pacific Plastics Market by Country
6.3.1.9 Asia Pacific Others Market by Country
6.3.2 Asia Pacific Kaolin Market by Process
6.3.2.1 Asia Pacific Water-washed Market by Country
6.3.2.2 Asia Pacific Airfloat Market by Country
6.3.2.3 Asia Pacific Calcined Market by Country
6.3.2.4 Asia Pacific Delaminated Market by Country
6.3.2.5 Asia Pacific Surface-modified & Unprocessed Market by Country
6.3.3 Asia Pacific Kaolin Market by Country
6.3.3.1 China Kaolin Market
6.3.3.1.1 China Kaolin Market by Application
6.3.3.1.2 China Kaolin Market by Process
6.3.3.2 Japan Kaolin Market
6.3.3.2.1 Japan Kaolin Market by Application
6.3.3.2.2 Japan Kaolin Market by Process
6.3.3.3 India Kaolin Market
6.3.3.3.1 India Kaolin Market by Application
6.3.3.3.2 India Kaolin Market by Process
6.3.3.4 South Korea Kaolin Market
6.3.3.4.1 South Korea Kaolin Market by Application
6.3.3.4.2 South Korea Kaolin Market by Process
6.3.3.5 Singapore Kaolin Market
6.3.3.5.1 Singapore Kaolin Market by Application
6.3.3.5.2 Singapore Kaolin Market by Process
6.3.3.6 Malaysia Kaolin Market
6.3.3.6.1 Malaysia Kaolin Market by Application
6.3.3.6.2 Malaysia Kaolin Market by Process
6.3.3.7 Rest of Asia Pacific Kaolin Market
6.3.3.7.1 Rest of Asia Pacific Kaolin Market by Application
6.3.3.7.2 Rest of Asia Pacific Kaolin Market by Process
6.4 LAMEA Kaolin Market
6.4.1 LAMEA Kaolin Market by Application
6.4.1.1 LAMEA Paper Market by Country
6.4.1.2 LAMEA Ceramics Market by Country
6.4.1.3 LAMEA Fiber Glass Market by Country
6.4.1.4 LAMEA Rubber Market by Country
6.4.1.5 LAMEA Pharmaceuticals & Medical Market by Country
6.4.1.6 LAMEA Paints & Coatings Market by Country
6.4.1.7 LAMEA Cosmetics Market by Country
6.4.1.8 LAMEA Plastics Market by Country
6.4.1.9 LAMEA Others Market by Country
6.4.2 LAMEA Kaolin Market by Process
6.4.2.1 LAMEA Water-washed Market by Country
6.4.2.2 LAMEA Airfloat Market by Country
6.4.2.3 LAMEA Calcined Market by Country
6.4.2.4 LAMEA Delaminated Market by Country
6.4.2.5 LAMEA Surface-modified & Unprocessed Market by Country
6.4.3 LAMEA Kaolin Market by Country
6.4.3.1 Brazil Kaolin Market
6.4.3.1.1 Brazil Kaolin Market by Application
6.4.3.1.2 Brazil Kaolin Market by Process
6.4.3.2 Argentina Kaolin Market
6.4.3.2.1 Argentina Kaolin Market by Application
6.4.3.2.2 Argentina Kaolin Market by Process
6.4.3.3 UAE Kaolin Market
6.4.3.3.1 UAE Kaolin Market by Application
6.4.3.3.2 UAE Kaolin Market by Process
6.4.3.4 Saudi Arabia Kaolin Market
6.4.3.4.1 Saudi Arabia Kaolin Market by Application
6.4.3.4.2 Saudi Arabia Kaolin Market by Process
6.4.3.5 South Africa Kaolin Market
6.4.3.5.1 South Africa Kaolin Market by Application
6.4.3.5.2 South Africa Kaolin Market by Process
6.4.3.6 Nigeria Kaolin Market
6.4.3.6.1 Nigeria Kaolin Market by Application
6.4.3.6.2 Nigeria Kaolin Market by Process
6.4.3.7 Rest of LAMEA Kaolin Market
6.4.3.7.1 Rest of LAMEA Kaolin Market by Application
6.4.3.7.2 Rest of LAMEA Kaolin Market by Process
Chapter 7. Company Profiles
7.1 BASF SE
7.1.1 Company Overview
7.1.2 Financial Analysis
7.1.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis
7.1.4 Research & Development Expense
7.1.5 SWOT Analysis
7.2 Imerys S.A. (Belgian Securities B.V.)
7.2.1 Company Overview
7.2.2 Financial Analysis
7.2.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis
7.2.4 SWOT Analysis
7.3 Active Minerals International, LLC
7.3.1 Company Overview
7.4 Lasselsberger Group GmbH
7.4.1 Company Overview
7.5 Thiele Kaolin Company
7.5.1 Company Overview
7.6 SCR-Sibelco NV
7.6.1 Company Overview
7.6.2 Financial Analysis
7.7 Quazwerke GmbH
7.7.1 Company Overview
7.8 20 Microns limited
7.8.1 Company Overview
7.8.2 Financial Analysis
7.8.3 Regional Analysis
7.9 W. R. Grace & Co.
7.9.1 Company Overview
7.10. Sedlecky kaolin a.s.
7.10.1 Company Overview
Chapter 8. Winning imperatives of Kaolin Market

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