Kaolin Market Size To Reach $5.75 Billion By 2033 | CAGR: 3.7%

Kaolin Market Growth & Trends

The global kaolin market size is estimated to reach USD 5.75 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 3.7% from 2026 to 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The rising prominence of kaolin especially in the manufacturing of whiteware ceramics is projected to aid the market growth over the predicted timeline.

According to the stats released by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in 2022, the global production of kaolin was estimated at around 46 million tons in 2020. The key kaolin-producing countries are the U.S., Uzbekistan, China, India, Germany, the Czech Republic, and others. Among these countries, India was the front runner with a total estimated production volume of approximately 7.6 million tons in 2020.

Key global players in the kaolin industry include BASF SE, Sibelco, and Imerys SA. There are no significant merger & acquisition activities observed in recent years. Although, Sibelco N.V. and Thiele Kaolin Company initiated some acquisition activities in order to expand their product portfolio and diversify their business. These activities are projected to result in the consolidation of the industry over the coming years.

However, most of the players in the market are focused on increasing kaolin prices in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business. These players announced an increase in prices by 4% to 9% in 2021 for different applications, in which paper was a key application. Most of the companies experienced inflation in different aspects of the business including inflation in chemicals and freight costs. In addition, the downgrade caused due to the breakout of the pandemic from key application sectors directly impacted the revenue earnings of major market participants in 2020.

An increase in prices is projected to create less impact on the demand of kaolin, as this increase was initiated by most of the small, medium, and large companies across the globe. Imerys and BASF SE emerged among the top players in this market space. Imerys S.A. was established in 1880 and is engaged in the manufacture and marketing of kaolin products. The company is involved in the development of new products to maintain a strong hold over the global market with production facilities in the U.S., the UK, Brazil, Sweden, and France.

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Kaolin Market Report Highlights

• Based on application, the paper segment held the revenue share of over 36% in 2025, driven by rising demand for higher-quality printing and packaging papers that require superior brightness, opacity, and surface smoothness, attributes that kaolin reliably provides when used as a filler and coating pigment.

• The ceramics segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, driven by strong demand for ceramic tiles, sanitaryware, and tableware across residential and commercial construction.

• The Asia Pacific kaolin market held over 48% revenue share of the global industry, driven by strong demand from construction-related industries where kaolin is essential for ceramics, sanitaryware, refractories and certain cement applications.

Kaolin Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global kaolin market on the basis of application, and region:

Kaolin Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

• Paper

• Ceramics

• Paint & Coatings

• Fiberglass

• Plastic

• Rubber

• Pharmaceuticals & Medical

• Cosmetics

• Others

Kaolin Regional Outlook (Volume, Kil0tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

• North America

  • U.S.

  • Canada

  • Mexico

• Europe

  • Germany

  • UK

  • Russia

  • Turkey

• Asia Pacific

  • China

  • India

  • Japan

  • South Korea

  • Australia

• Latin America

  • Brazil

• Middle East & Africa

  • Saudi Arabia

List of Key Players in Kaolin Market

• 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