Kaolin Global Market Report 2026

Kaolin is a type of clay that appears as a soft white powder primarily made up of the mineral kaolinite, along with trace quantities of quartz, anatase, muscovite, feldspar, and quartz. It is extensively utilized in the ceramic industry due to its white-burning characteristics and high fusion temperature, making it suitable for the production of porcelain, refractories, and whiteware.

Kaolin is available in two primary types such as synthetic and natural. Synthetic kaolin is a laboratory-manufactured clay used in various industrial applications and medical purposes. It can undergo processes such as water-washing, air-floating, calcining, delaminating, surface-modifying, or remain unprocessed. The main end-users of kaolin include industries such as ceramics, fiberglass, paints and coatings, rubber, adhesives and sealants, plastics, and other sectors such as personal care and healthcare, and agriculture.

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 impacted the kaolin market by increasing import costs for synthetic and natural kaolin and disrupting global supply chains, particularly affecting calcined, delaminated, and surface-modified kaolin segments. North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are most affected due to high consumption and production volumes. Tariffs have increased procurement costs and extended lead times for key end-use industries like ceramics, paints, and fiberglass, while also promoting domestic production, strengthening local supply chains, and encouraging investment in advanced kaolin processing facilities.

The kaolin market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides kaolin market statistics, including kaolin industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a kaolin market share, detailed kaolin market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the kaolin industry. This kaolin 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 kaolin market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13 billion in 2025 to $14.1 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of ceramics industry, increasing fiberglass production, rising demand in paints and coatings, expansion of rubber and adhesives sector, adoption of kaolin in plastics manufacturing.

The kaolin market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $19.96 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for surface-modified kaolin, expansion in personal care and healthcare applications, growth in agricultural uses, increasing adoption in advanced coatings, development of specialty synthetic kaolin for industrial applications. Major trends in the forecast period include rising use in ceramics and sanitaryware, increasing adoption in paints and coatings, growth in fiberglass applications, expansion in rubber and adhesives industries, development of surface-modified and specialty kaolin.

The growing demand for paper and ceramic products is expected to drive the expansion of the kaolin market. Ceramics are products made from metal or non-metal compounds that are shaped and hardened by heating to high temperatures. Paper products include items such as napkins, towels, and corrugated papers, which are made from materials like sugarcane waste, flax, bamboo, wood, linen rags, cotton, and wheat straw. Kaolin coatings improve the appearance of ceramics and paper by enhancing gloss, smoothness, brightness, opacity, and printability. For example, in September 2024, the American Forest and Paper Association, a US-based trade organization, reported that total printing and writing paper shipments rose by 4% in August 2024, while U.S. purchases increased by 11% in July 2024 compared with the same months in 2023. Additionally, in April 2023, the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), a UK-based data visualization platform for international trade, noted that the United Kingdom's ceramic product exports increased by £14.7M ($17.25M), or 10.5%, between July 2023 and July 2024, rising from £141M ($165.44M) to £156M ($183.04M). Consequently, the rising demand for paper and ceramic products is expected to fuel growth in the kaolin market.

Major companies in the Kaolin market are employing a strategic partnership approach to supply green hydrogen. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits and success. For example, in May 2023, Carlton Power, a UK-based energy development company, formed a partnership with Imerys, a France-based kaolin manufacturer, and Sibelco, a Belgium-based kaolin manufacturing company. The collaboration aims to provide green hydrogen fuel for the clay mining operations located within a five-mile radius of Carlton's Langage Green Hydrogen project. Imerys and Sibelco have committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decade, with hydrogen playing a key role in their sustainability initiatives. The green hydrogen produced at Langage will be transported through an underground pipeline to support Sibelco's Cornwood operation and Imerys' Lee Moor operation. Both facilities are involved in the production of kaolin used in the brick, ceramics, and tile industries.

In July 2024, Flacks Group, a U.S.-based investment firm, acquired Artemyn for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to broaden Flacks Group's portfolio into the mining sector, capitalizing on Artemyn's global presence and high-quality kaolin reserves to enhance operational efficiencies and promote growth. Artemyn is a Brazil-based company that specializes in offering specialty mineral-based solutions, including kaolin.

Major companies operating in the kaolin market report are Ashapura Group, Sibelco Group, Thiele Kaolin Company, Arcilla Mining & Land Company LLC, Quarzwerke Group, KaMin LLC, Burgess Pigment Company, G&W Mineral Resources, Ashok Alco-Chem Limited, Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Company (K-T Clay), Edgar Minerals Inc., Quimialmel S.A., Shree Ram Group of Industries, LB Minerals s.r.o., Keramost a.s., EPK Group, Advanced Primary Minerals Corporation Altech Chemicals Ltd., WA Kaolin Ltd., English Indian Clays Ltd., I-Minerals Inc., Sedlecky Kaolin a.s., South African Kaolin Group, Satintone Inc., UMA Group of Kaolin Companies

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the kaolin market in 2025. The regions covered in the kaolin market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the kaolin market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The kaolin market consists of sales of white kaolin, yellow kaolin, pink kaolin, and red kaolin. 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.

Kaolin 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 kaolin 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.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for kaolin ? 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 kaolin 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.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• 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.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Synthetic; Natural
• 2) By Process: Water-Washed; Airfloat; Calcined; Delaminated; Surface-Modified And Unprocessed
• 3) By End-Use Industry: Ceramics And Sanitaryware; Fiberglass; Paints And Coatings; Rubber; Adhesives And Sealants; Plastics; Other End-Users (Personal Care And Healthcare, And Agriculture)
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Synthetic: Calcined Kaolin; Hydrous Kaolin; Surface-Modified Kaolin
• 2) By Natural: Kaolin Clay; White Clay; China Clay
• Companies Mentioned: Ashapura Group; Sibelco Group; Thiele Kaolin Company; Arcilla Mining & Land Company LLC; Quarzwerke Group; KaMin LLC; Burgess Pigment Company; G&W Mineral Resources; Ashok Alco-Chem Limited; Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Company (K-T Clay); Edgar Minerals Inc.; Quimialmel S.A.; Shree Ram Group of Industries; LB Minerals s.r.o.; Keramost a.s.; EPK Group; Advanced Primary Minerals Corporation Altech Chemicals Ltd.; WA Kaolin Ltd.; English Indian Clays Ltd.; I-Minerals Inc.; Sedlecky Kaolin a.s.; South African Kaolin Group; Satintone Inc.; UMA Group of Kaolin Companies
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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