PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927066
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927066
Organophilic clay refers to a category of clay that has been chemically treated using organic compounds to render it compatible with oils and organic solvents. This chemical modification converts the naturally water-attracting (hydrophilic) clay into a material that is oil-attracting (organophilic), enabling it to disperse and swell effectively in non-aqueous environments. Organophilic clay finds widespread use as a rheological agent in oil-based drilling fluids, paints, greases, and sealants, where it improves viscosity, suspension properties, and overall stability.
There are several key product types of organophilic clay, including bentonite, attapulgite, and sepiolite. Bentonite is a naturally occurring clay predominantly made up of montmorillonite, a mineral from the smectite group. These clays are used as viscosifiers, rheology modifiers, fluid loss control agents, and gelling agents. They are distributed through channels such as direct sales, distributors, third-party retailers, and online platforms. Applications span across paints and coatings, oil and gas, greases and lubricants, adhesives and sealants, and others, catering to industries like construction, automotive, marine, and more.
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.
Tariffs have affected the organophilic clay market by increasing costs of imported clays, organic modifiers, and processing equipment. Oil and gas, coatings, and lubricant segments are most impacted, particularly in asia pacific and north america. Higher tariffs have influenced raw material sourcing and pricing. At the same time, tariffs are encouraging domestic clay processing and additive manufacturing.
The organophilic clay market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides organophilic clay market statistics, including organophilic clay industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a organophilic clay market share, detailed organophilic clay market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the organophilic clay industry. This organophilic clay market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The organophilic clay market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.52 billion in 2025 to $1.61 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to oil and gas drilling growth, demand for viscosity modifiers, expansion of industrial coatings, lubricant formulation needs, clay modification technologies.
The organophilic clay market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.98 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to energy exploration activities, infrastructure development, advanced coatings demand, high performance lubricants, specialty additive innovation. Major trends in the forecast period include rising use in oil based drilling fluids, expansion in paints and coatings, growing demand in lubricant applications, increased adoption in adhesives and sealants, focus on high performance rheology additives.
The rapidly growing construction sector is expected to fuel the expansion of the organophilic clay market in the upcoming years. Activities in this industry involve the design, planning, building, and maintenance of infrastructure, buildings, and various physical structures using a broad range of techniques and materials. Urban expansion is largely responsible for the construction sector's growth, as it increases demand for new residential and commercial buildings, as well as public infrastructure. This surge significantly increases the need for organophilic clay, which is essential as a rheological additive in adhesives, paints, and sealants used in construction. For example, in November 2023, the International Trade Administration, a US government agency, reported that the UAE's construction market is projected to grow steadily over the next five years with annual growth rates possibly reaching 4.7%. This outlook is underpinned by large-scale infrastructure plans, including a $2.7 billion double-deck road project on Sheikh Zayed Road, an $11 billion national rail initiative (Etihad Rail), and a $5.9 billion proposed hyperloop system linking Dubai to Abu Dhabi.
Leading players in the organophilic clay market are prioritizing the creation of new products, such as natural clay-based solutions, to boost environmental responsibility, enhance drilling performance, and respond to increased demand for sustainable and economical additives across sectors. Natural clay solutions are derived from minerals like bentonite, montmorillonite, or hectorite and are adapted for specific industrial uses without relying on synthetic chemicals. For example, in May 2025, Japan-based bentonite producer Hojun Co., Ltd. launched a skincare line called Blanminerale that utilizes the natural mineral qualities of bentonite. This line includes the BEN-GEL series for water-based (O/W) formulations that improve emulsion stability and consistency, and the S-BEN series for oil- or solvent-based (W/O) systems offering enhanced texture and product stability.
In June 2024, J.M. Huber Corporation, a U.S.-based chemical manufacturer, completed the acquisition of Active Minerals International, LLC for an undisclosed amount. The purpose of this acquisition is to broaden Huber Engineered Materials' portfolio of specialty minerals by incorporating Active Minerals' premium attapulgite and air-floated kaolin clay products. This move strengthens Huber's capabilities in a range of industrial, agricultural, and consumer-oriented applications. Active Minerals International, LLC is a U.S.-based company that supplies industrial mineral products, including attapulgite clay and kaolin, known for their high quality and performance.
Major companies operating in the organophilic clay market are Sinochem Holdings Corporation Ltd., Schlumberger (SLB), Evonik Industries, Arkema, Clariant AG, Minerals Technologies Inc., BYK Additives & Instruments, Elementis Specialties Inc., Oil-Dri Corporation of America, Kunimine Industries Co. Ltd., Ashapura Group, Vanderbilt Minerals LLC, Laviosa Chimica Mineraria S.p.A., IDIC Specialty Drilling Chemicals, Qingdao Doeast Chemical Co. Ltd., Cutch Oil & Allied Industries, Zhejiang Camp Shinning New Material Co. Ltd., International Clay & Minerals Company (ICMC), Hangzhou Jingyi Chemical Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Qinghong New Material Co. Ltd.
North America was the largest region in the organophilic clay market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the organophilic clay market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the organophilic clay market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The organophilic clay market consists of sales of cement slurries, anti-settling agents, suspension stabilizers, thickening agents, anti-sagging additives, and rheology modifiers. 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.
Organophilic Clay Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses organophilic clay 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 organophilic clay ? 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 organophilic clay 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, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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