Porcelain Technical Ware Market

The market for porcelain ceramic wares is projected to grow with a CAGR of +3.9% in volume and +5.3% in value from 2022 to 2030. Despite a decline in 2022, the overall consumption showed prominent growth over the past decade. China, the United States, and India were the top consuming countries, while China, the United States, and the UK led in market value. Production and exports also displayed steady growth trends, with China being the major player in both categories. Import prices and volumes varied by country, with China, Indonesia, and the United States playing significant roles in global trade.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for porcelain ceramic wares for laboratory, technical, and chemical use worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 159K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Porcelain Ceramic Wares For Laboratory, Technical, and Chemical Use

In 2022, after seven years of growth, there was decline in consumption of porcelain ceramic wares for laboratory, technical, and chemical use, when its volume decreased by -0.2% to 117K tons. Overall, the total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +82.7% against 2014 indices. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 117K tons in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

The global porcelain technical ware market value shrank modestly to $1.9B in 2022, falling by -3.3% against 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). In general, consumption, however, showed buoyant growth. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $2B in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (13K tons), the United States (12K tons) and India (7.9K tons), together accounting for 28% of global consumption. Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Thailand (with a CAGR of +19.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($480M), the United States ($380M) and the UK ($79M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 49% of the global market. Germany, Singapore, France, India, Thailand, China, Canada, Italy, Indonesia and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Russia, with a CAGR of +19.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of porcelain technical ware per capita consumption was registered in Singapore (1,244 kg per million persons), followed by Canada (78 kg per million persons), Thailand (68 kg per million persons) and Italy (64 kg per million persons), while the world average per capita consumption of porcelain technical ware was estimated at 15 kg per million persons.

In Singapore, porcelain technical ware per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +12.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Canada (+2.2% per year) and Thailand (+19.5% per year).

Production

World Production of Porcelain Ceramic Wares For Laboratory, Technical, and Chemical Use

In 2022, global production of porcelain ceramic wares for laboratory, technical, and chemical use contracted to 116K tons, dropping by -4.5% on 2021 figures. In general, the total production indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -7.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 126K tons. From 2020 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, porcelain technical ware production skyrocketed to $2.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 208% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $3.1B. From 2021 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (54K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of porcelain technical ware production, comprising approx. 46% of total volume. Moreover, porcelain technical ware production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (7.8K tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Indonesia (7K tons), with a 6% share.

In China, porcelain technical ware production increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+7.4% per year) and Indonesia (+7.3% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Porcelain Ceramic Wares For Laboratory, Technical, and Chemical Use

In 2022, purchases abroad of porcelain ceramic wares for laboratory, technical, and chemical use decreased by -0.6% to 68K tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, showed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 40% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 69K tons, leveling off in the following year.

In value terms, porcelain technical ware imports reached $748M in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +21.6% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Singapore (8.2K tons), the United States (8K tons), Indonesia (5.4K tons), Malaysia (4.6K tons), Russia (4.5K tons), Thailand (3.6K tons), Canada (3K tons), China (2.6K tons), Japan (2.4K tons), Mexico (2.3K tons), Kazakhstan (2.3K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (1.9K tons) represented the key importer of porcelain ceramic wares for laboratory, technical, and chemical use in the world, committing 72% of total import. Italy (1.8K tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Indonesia (with a CAGR of +44.5%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($246M) constitutes the largest market for imported porcelain ceramic wares for laboratory, technical, and chemical use worldwide, comprising 33% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($105M), with a 14% share of global imports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a 9.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States stood at +8.1%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+13.2% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+31.8% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average porcelain technical ware import price stood at $10,942 per ton in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 21%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $14,057 per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($40,714 per ton), while Indonesia ($768 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+8.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Porcelain Ceramic Wares For Laboratory, Technical, and Chemical Use

In 2022, the amount of porcelain ceramic wares for laboratory, technical, and chemical use exported worldwide dropped to 68K tons, waning by -7.7% against the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 38% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 74K tons, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, porcelain technical ware exports stood at $776M in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +36.1% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 27%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

China was the major exporter of porcelain ceramic wares for laboratory, technical, and chemical use in the world, with the volume of exports accounting for 43K tons, which was near 64% of total exports in 2022. Indonesia (7.3K tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Austria (10%). The following exporters - Malaysia (2.9K tons), France (1.6K tons) and Singapore (1.1K tons) - together made up 8.1% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to porcelain technical ware exports from China stood at +3.5%. At the same time, Singapore (+39.8%), Malaysia (+20.7%), Indonesia (+14.3%) and Austria (+12.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Singapore emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +39.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, France (-1.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Indonesia (+6.9 p.p.), Austria (+5.9 p.p.) and Malaysia (+3.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while France saw its share reduced by -1.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($106M) remains the largest porcelain technical ware supplier worldwide, comprising 14% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Indonesia ($36M), with a 4.6% share of global exports. It was followed by Malaysia, with a 2.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled +7.9%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Indonesia (+22.9% per year) and Malaysia (+17.2% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average porcelain technical ware export price amounted to $11,420 per ton, with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue 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 France ($9,032 per ton), while Austria ($2,282 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+7.5%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform