PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1790947
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1790947
Corundum is a crystalline form of aluminum oxide and is one of the hardest natural minerals, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. It is widely used both as an abrasive in industrial applications and as a gemstone, with notable varieties including sapphire and ruby. Its exceptional hardness makes it valuable for both industrial and decorative purposes.
The primary types of corundum are brown fused alumina, white fused alumina, and others. Brown fused alumina is a high-density abrasive material produced by melting bauxite ore in an electric arc furnace. It is widely used for grinding, sandblasting, and as a refractory material due to its durability and hardness. Additionally, it includes varieties such as emery, ruby, and sapphire, and is applied in fields such as jewelry, abrasives, refractory materials, minerals, and electronics.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a significant impact on the metals and minerals sector, disrupting supply chains for automakers, appliance manufacturers, and infrastructure projects. With reduced competition from imports, domestic mills have increased prices, yet capacity limitations hinder their ability to fully meet demand. At the same time, mining companies are facing challenges from retaliatory tariffs on key mineral exports, especially lithium and rare earth elements. In response, industry participants are ramping up investments in scrap metal recycling, seeking tariff exemptions, and forming joint ventures with international producers to ensure a more reliable supply chain.
The corundum market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides corundum market statistics, including the corundum industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with a corundum market share, detailed corundum market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the corundum industry. This corundum market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The corundum market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $2.64 billion in 2024 to $2.75 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the significant rise of industrialization, the growth of the electronics industry, an increase in disposable income, increased demand for industrial materials and luxury goods, and sustainable practices with regulatory policies.
The corundum market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.37 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for electronics, sustainable mining and production practices, the use of corundum in abrasives, the rising popularity of colored gemstones, and increased investment in renewable energy. Major trends in the forecast period include expanding applications in the medical field, advancements in synthetic corundum production, the growing popularity of lab-created gemstones, increased investment in research and development, and technological innovations in manufacturing processes.
The forecast of 5.2% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.4% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through increased production costs for abrasives and refractory materials, as tariffs on imports from India and China disrupt supply chains for industrial and manufacturing applications. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.
The growing demand for gemstones is expected to drive the expansion of the corundum market. Gemstones are crystals that are cut, polished, and used in jewelry and ornaments due to their rarity and beauty. This rising demand is fueled by factors such as increasing consumer interest in luxury and personalized jewelry, higher disposable incomes, and the growing influence of fashion trends. Corundum, which is commonly found in gemstones like ruby and sapphire, is highly valued for its exceptional hardness and vibrant colors. These gemstones are prized in the jewelry industry for their aesthetic appeal and durability. For example, in July 2024, Rapaport USA Inc., a US-based organization focused on the diamond and jewelry industry, reported that Russia's diamond production in 2022 reached 41.9 million carats, valued at $3.55 billion, with an average price of $85 per carat, compared to 37.3 million carats of rough diamonds produced the previous year. As a result, the increasing demand for gemstones is driving the growth of the corundum market.
Major players in the corundum market are investing in advanced solutions such as high-tech gem testing laboratories, which make gem analysis more accessible and cost-effective. For example, in February 2023, GGTL Laboratories, a gemological lab based in Switzerland, opened the GGTL Gemlab in Antwerp, Belgium. This facility boasts cutting-edge technology for the analysis of melee-sized gemstones and offers comprehensive testing services including authenticity and origin verification for sapphires and rubies.
In August 2024, Okamoto Industries, a Japan-based company specializing in rubber and polymer products, acquired Riken Corundum for $15 million. This acquisition is expected to enhance Okamoto's operational capabilities and expand its product offerings, particularly in the abrasives market. Riken Corundum is a Japan-based company that produces and supplies abrasive materials.
Major companies operating in the corundum market are Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A, IMERYS S.A., Swarovski AG, Mirka Abrasives Inc., Asahi Diamond Industrial, H.C. Starck, Washington Mills, Almatis, RIKEN Corundum, Norton Abrasives, Fujimi Corporation, Starsgem Co. Ltd, Zhengzhou Sunrise Technology, HENGE Services GmbH, Huber GmbH & Co. KG, THAI TECH SAPPHIRE CO. LTD., Anda Tool And Fastener, Kuhmichel Abrasiv GmbH, RuiShi Group, Eurotungstene Poudres SAS, LD International Abrasives
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the corundum market in 2024. The regions covered in the corundum market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the corundum market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The corundum market consists of sales of synthetic corundum, industrial corundum powders, and pink and blue sapphire. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Corundum Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on corundum market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for corundum ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The corundum market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.