Non-Refractory Clay Constructional Products Market

The global non-refractory clay constructional products market is expected to grow from 2022 to 2030, with a slight increase in consumption volume and value. Consumption and production peaked in 2012 but have since declined. Key exporting countries include Germany and China, with notable increases in exports. Import prices remain relatively stable, with the average price per ton increasing annually. Overall, the market is forecasted to continue growing but at a modest pace.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for non-refractory clay constructional products worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2.6M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Non-Refractory Clay Constructional Products

In 2022, approx. 2.5M tons of non-refractory clay constructional products were consumed worldwide; dropping by -3.4% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, consumption showed a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the peak volume at 4.1M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global non-refractory clay constructional products market revenue shrank slightly to $4.9B in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption showed a noticeable reduction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $9.9B. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (565K tons), the United States (420K tons) and India (235K tons), together accounting for 50% of global consumption. Japan, Germany, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Mexico and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of -0.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the consumption figures.

In value terms, the largest non-refractory clay constructional products markets worldwide were Japan ($1.6B), the United States ($892M) and China ($792M), with a combined 66% share of the global market. South Korea, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

Among the main consuming countries, Germany, with a CAGR of +3.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the market figures.

The countries with the highest levels of non-refractory clay constructional products per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (1,254 kg per 1000 persons), Germany (979 kg per 1000 persons) and Japan (855 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of -0.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Production

World Production of Non-Refractory Clay Constructional Products

Global non-refractory clay constructional products production shrank modestly to 2.4M tons in 2022, which is down by -3.4% on the previous year. In general, production showed a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 6.9%. Global production peaked at 4M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, non-refractory clay constructional products production declined to $4.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a noticeable decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 9.3%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $8.7B. From 2014 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (574K tons), the United States (420K tons) and India (234K tons), with a combined 51% share of global production. Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Mexico, South Korea and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of -2.0%), while production for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.

Imports

World Imports of Non-Refractory Clay Constructional Products

In 2022, global non-refractory clay constructional products imports shrank slightly to 119K tons, declining by -3.8% on the previous year's figure. Overall, imports continue to indicate a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 191K tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, non-refractory clay constructional products imports fell slightly to $98M in 2022. In general, imports showed a pronounced decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 30%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $125M. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

Poland (15K tons), Romania (13K tons), Ethiopia (8.7K tons), Austria (7.2K tons), France (5.3K tons), the Czech Republic (4.4K tons), Croatia (4.1K tons), the Netherlands (4K tons), Bulgaria (3.6K tons), Russia (2.9K tons), Mauritius (2.8K tons) and Slovakia (2.7K tons) represented roughly 62% of total imports in 2022. Spain (2.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mauritius (with a CAGR of +43.8%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-refractory clay constructional products importing markets worldwide were the Netherlands ($14M), Poland ($9.4M) and Austria ($8.1M), together comprising 32% of global imports. The Czech Republic, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, France, Russia, Croatia, Ethiopia, Bulgaria and Mauritius lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

Mauritius, with a CAGR of +43.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average non-refractory clay constructional products import price amounted to $821 per ton, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 9.8%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($3,464 per ton), while Ethiopia ($221 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+23.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Non-Refractory Clay Constructional Products

In 2022, approx. 85K tons of non-refractory clay constructional products were exported worldwide; dropping by -4.4% against 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 160K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, non-refractory clay constructional products exports stood at $81M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 16%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at $113M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

Germany was the key exporting country with an export of about 29K tons, which finished at 34% of total exports. The Czech Republic (15K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 18% share, followed by China (11%), Spain (6.6%) and Poland (6.6%). The following exporters - Portugal (3.7K tons), Serbia (1.9K tons) and Thailand (1.6K tons) - together made up 8.6% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +10.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($19M), China ($15M) and the Czech Republic ($7.7M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 52% share of global exports.

Among the main exporting countries, China, with a CAGR of +16.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average non-refractory clay constructional products export price amounted to $945 per ton, picking up by 5.1% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($1,575 per ton), while Serbia ($259 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+14.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform