Kaolin Market To Witness Massive Growth

Kaolin Market Summary

The global kaolin market size was estimated at USD 3.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 5.22 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2024 to 2030. Increasing investment in the construction and infrastructure industry is propelling demand for paints and coatings, ceramic-based products, and cement, which is driving market growth. Kaolin plays a vital role in improving properties such as durability, brightness, and smoothness in these end-use applications, making it an essential industrial mineral.

Global construction industry is expected to witness lucrative growth over shifting inclination towards green construction, which in turn is expected to provide a significant growth opportunity for the kaolin market. For instance, according to the World Bank’s new IFC report, green construction is anticipated to make investment opportunities worth USD 1.5 trillion for emerging markets. Additionally, demand for lightweight and environmentally friendly building materials is increasing, further boosting the use of kaolin in sustainable product development. Apart from construction, growing requirements for packaging paper, hygiene products, and specialty papers are also contributing to kaolin consumption due to its ability to enhance paper opacity, printability, and smoothness. Advancements in processing techniques and expansion of mining capabilities are expected to increase production efficiencies and widen its industrial adoption during the forecast period.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• North America region registered a revenue share of over 11.0% in 2023, supported by well-established paper and construction industries, along with steady investment in infrastructure upgrades.
• Based on grade, hydrous kaolin segment witnessed the highest revenue share in 2023, as this grade is extensively used in paper filling and ceramic applications owing to its high brightness and cost-effectiveness.
• Based on application, paper segment dominated the market and accounted for a revenue share of nearly 37.0% in 2023 due to rising packaging demand driven by e-commerce expansion and increased focus on recyclable materials.

Order a free sample PDF of the Kaolin Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2023 Market Size: USD 3.9 Billion
• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 5.22 Billion
• CAGR (2024-2030): 4.0%
• Asia Pacific: Largest market in 2023

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is characterized by presence of multiple manufacturing companies engaged in production of kaolin coupled with concentration of end-use companies in the global market. These prominent manufacturers compete with each other on the basis of product quality and prices. Countries like U.S., China, India, and other Asia countries are some of the leading exporters of Kaolin in the world.

Companies undertake various strategic initiatives such as new product development and launch, acquisition, and geographical expansion, among others to establish their dominance in the global market. For instance, in March 2022, Thiele Kaolin Company acquired the U.S. kaolin assets of Imerys. With the help of these valuable strategic assets, the Thiele Kaolin Company is better equipped to supply customized mineral solutions that are highly valuable to its clients.

Some of the key players operating in the market include KaMin LLC, Imerys S.A. and Sibelco.

• KaMin LLC acquired the kaolin business from BASF SE in September 2022. The divestiture consists of the production hub with sites Toddvile, Edgar, Deweyville, and Gordon mines, mills, and reserves in the U.S.
• Imerys S.A. specializes in the production & processing of minerals. It sells its products through three business segments: Performance Minerals Americas, Performance Minerals Asia Pacific, and Performance Minerals Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
• Sibelco’s product portfolio includes dry sand, wet sands, kaolin, silica flour, frac sand, ball clay, cristobalite, feldspar, filtration sand, olivine sand, spherical silica, high-purity quartz, quicklime, coated sands, red clay, prepared bodies, hydrated lime, diatomite, nepheline Semite, olivine flour, and lithium minerals. The company manufactures kaolin for producing fine ceramics. The company’s kaolin reserves are in UK, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Ukraine.

Key Players

• BASF SE
• EICL Ltd
• Imerys S.A.
• I-Minerals Inc.
• KaMin LLC
• LB Minerals Ltd.
• Maoming Xingli Kaolin Co. Ltd.
• Quazwerke GmbH
• Sibelco
• Thiele Kaolin Company

Explore Horizon Databook – The world's most expansive market intelligence platform developed by Grand View Research.

Conclusion

The kaolin market is set to grow steadily as industries increasingly rely on this versatile mineral to improve product quality and support sustainable manufacturing practices. Expanding construction activities, rapid infrastructure upgrades, and growing use of eco-friendly building materials are expected to create new market opportunities. Paper packaging demand continues to rise globally, reinforcing the need for high-quality kaolin in the paper industry. Ongoing technological improvements in mineral processing and the increasing shift toward green construction will further enhance market adoption. With strong demand across multiple end-use sectors, the kaolin market is likely to maintain a positive growth outlook through 2030.