Zirconium - Global Business Strategic Report

This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Zirconium in Thousand Tons by the following End-Use Segments: Ceramics, Refractories, Foundry, TV Glass, and Others. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for the period 2009 through 2017. Also, a six-year historic analysis is provided for these markets.

The report profiles 77 companies including many key and niche players such as Alkane Resources Ltd., Allegheny Technologies, Inc., Wah Chang, Astron Ltd., Astron Advanced Materials Ltd., Australian Zircon NL, Bemax Resources Limited, E.I DuPont de Nemours and Companyt, Exxaro Resources Ltd., Namakwa Sands Ltd., Tiwest Joint Venture, Foskor Ltd., Iluka Resources Limited, Luxfer Group, Neo Material Technologies Inc., Rio Tinto Plc, Richards Bay Minerals, Sino Dragon New Energy Holdings Limited, and Tosoh Corp. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are primarily based upon search engine sources in the public domain.

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I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & PRODUCT DEFINITIONS
Study Reliability and Reporting Limitations I-1
Disclaimers I-2
Data Interpretation & Reporting Level I-3
Quantitative Techniques & Analytics I-3
Product Definitions and Scope of Study I-3
Ceramics I-3
Refractories I-3
Foundry I-4
TV Glass I-4
Others I-4

II. Executive Summary

1. GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW II-1
Introduction II-1
Market Trends II-1
Market Faces Challenges II-1
Strong Chinese Demand and Restricted Supply Lead to Soaring
Prices II-1
Market to Get Boost from Nuclear Energy Sector II-2
Oversupply in Titanium Feedstock Curtails Zircon Output II-3
Zirconium Dioxide Market Expands as New Uses Surface II-3
Competitive Scenario II-3
Table 1: Leading Players in the World Zircon Market (2010):
Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for Iluka Resources,
Rio Tinto/BHPB, Exxaro, and Others (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-3
Pricing Scenario II-3
World Mine Production, Reserves and Reserve Base II-4
Table 2: World Zirconium Market (2010 & 2011): Mine
Production in Thousand Metric Tons by Select Country -
Australia, South Africa, China, Indonesia, India, Mozambique
and Ukraine (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-4

Table 3: World Reserves (2011) in Million Metric Tons for
Australia, South Africa, Ukraine, India, Brazil, Mozambique,
China, United States and Others (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-5

2. PRODUCT OVERVIEW II-6
Zirconium II-6
Historical Review II-6
Properties II-6
Sources II-8
Zircon II-8
Grades of Zircon II-8
Baddeleyite/Zirconia II-8
Substitutes II-9
Substitutes of Zirconium & Zircon II-9
Manufacturing Process II-9
Steps Involved in Kroll Process II-9
End-Use Applications: A Review II-10
Zirconium Consumption II-11
Fused Zirconia II-11
Unstabilised Zirconia II-11
Fully Stabilized Zirconia II-11
Partially Stabilized Zirconia II-12
Zirconium Metal II-12
Zirconium Powder II-12
Zirconium Sponge II-12
Zirconium Crystal Bar II-12
Zirconium Chemicals II-12
Zirconium Alloys II-14
Zirconium Tungstate II-14
ZAG Compounds II-14
A Note on Hafnium and Titanium II-14
Hafnium II-14
Titanium II-14

3. END-USE ANALYSIS II-15
Ceramics - The Major End-User II-15
Zirconia Ceramic II-15
Refractories II-15
Foundries II-15
TV Glass II-15
Other Applications II-16
Applications of Other Zirconium Compounds II-16
Application in Nuclear Reactors II-16
Application in Electronics Industry II-16
Application in Chemical and Electrochemical Industry II-16
Usage of Zirconium Reactor Vessels in Manufacture of Urea
Fertilizer II-17
Zirconium's Reaction in Sulfuric Acid II-17

4. PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS/INNOVATIONS II-18
PPG Industries Launches Environment-friendly Zircobond
Pretreatment II-18
Zirconmania Introduces Diamond-coated Cubic Zirconia II-18
Emerson Process Management Launches Micro Motion Zirconium
Fork Density Meter II-18
DuBois Chemicals Releases Zirconium-based DuraTEC Process II-19
Gitanjali Gems Launches of CZ Rivaaz Jewellery II-19
Astra Tech Launches Atlantis® Abutment in Zirconia II-19

5. RECENT INDUSTRY ACTIVITY II-20
Areva's Cezus Acquires 33.3% Stake in Zirco Products II-20
China Zirconium Changes Name to Sino Dragon New Energy Holdings II-20
Premier Minerals to Undertake New Mining Project II-20
SNPTC-Bao Ti Zirconium Industry Establishes First- Ever Nuke-
used Zirconium Materials Manufacturing Plant II-20
Guangdong Orient Zirconic Commences Operation on Two New
Production Lines II-21
Mintech Chemical Industries Takes Over Doral Specialty II-21
Westinghouse Forms Joint Venture with SNZ II-21
Magnesium Hektron Renames Itself as MEL Chemicals II-21

6. STRATEGIC CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS - A HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE BUILDER II-22
Anglo American Divests Namakwa Sands Mineral Sands Business II-22
Astron Limited Inks Agreement with Yingkou Coastal Industrial
Base to Build a Chemical Plant II-22
Tosoh Corp to Augment Zeolite and Zirconia Powder Output II-22
Iluka Resources Enters into an Agreement with Far West Coast
Native Title Group II-23
Hop Long Investment and Trading JSC Commences Titanium Zircon
Mining II-23
TVEL to Increase Output of Zirconium and Other Metals II-23
Westinghouse Electric to Restructure Blairsville Facility II-23
Titanium Corp's Plans to Improve Mineral Processing are in
Progress II-23
Tosoh Corp to Build a High Silica Zeolite Plant and a Zirconia
Powder Plant II-23
Bao Tai Group and State Nuclear Power Technology Company
Commissions State Nuclear Precious Titanium and Zirconium
Shareholding Company II-24
Australian Zircon to Expand Production at Mindire Zircon Mine II-24
Gunson Resources Ltd Enters into a MoU with CITEC II-24
Guangdong Orient Zirconic to Construct a A1-Y Zirconia Powder
Composites Project II-24
China Zirconium to Commission a Zircon Mine II-25
Gunson Resources Enters into an Agreement with CTIEC II-25
Diatreme Resources Ltd Discovers Zircon and Leucoxene in
Cyclone HM Prospect II-25
Olympia Resources Buys a Zircon Concentrate and Gold
Processing Plant in Australia II-25
Astron Ltd to Divest its Zirconia Materials Business II-25
Bhalla Chemical Works Launches Two New Grades of Zirconia II-25
Industrie Bitossi Launches a New Milling Facility in China II-26
Jiangxi Jingan Hi-Tech Company to Construct a Zirconium
Oxychloride Plant in China II-26
Asia Zirconium Enters into an Agreement with Jiangsu Binhai
Economic Development Zone Chemical Industry Garden II-26
Ukraine to Build a Metallic Zirconium and Alloys Plant II-26
Rosspetssplav to Develop a Raw Material Base at Tara
Zirconium-Ilmenite Deposit II-26
Tioline Completes Phase-I Construction of the Mining and
Concentrating Complex II-26
Ganzhou Jinghuan Rare Earth New Material Co Receives Approval
to Build a Rare Earth Zirconium Plant II-27
Westinghouse Electric Co. Entered into a Contract with the
Government of China II-27
Alkane Exploration Changes Name to Alkane Resources II-27
Asia Zirconium Limited Changes Name to China Zirconium Limited II-27
Kumba Resources Changes Name to Exxaro Resources II-27
National Titanium Dioxide Company Announces Acquisition of
Millennium Inorganic Chemicals II-27
Altair Nanotechnologies Inks Agreement with Sulzer Metco II-27
Klyuchevsky to Invest in Zirconium Placer II-28
Tioline to Invest in Titanium-Zirconium Deposit II-28
Rename of AMR Technologies II-28
Smith & Nephew Launches Knee System Using Oxidized Zirconium
Alloy II-28

7. TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS II-29
Zirconium Oxygen Sensors II-29
Air/Fuel Sensor II-29
Zirconium-Ceramic II-29
Flap Discs II-29
Zirconia-Based Phases for Ion-Exchange Chromatography II-29

8. FOCUS ON SELECT GLOBAL PLAYERS II-30
Alkane Resources Ltd. (Australia) II-30
Allegheny Technologies, Inc. (US) II-30
Wah Chang (US) II-30
Astron Ltd. (Australia) II-31
Astron Advanced Materials Ltd. (China) II-31
Australian Zircon NL (Australia) II-31
Bemax Resources Limited (Australia) II-32
E.I DuPont de Nemours and Company (US) II-32
Exxaro Resources Ltd. (South Africa) II-32
Namakwa Sands Ltd. (South Africa) II-32
Tiwest Joint Venture (Australia) II-32
Foskor Ltd. (South Africa) II-33
Iluka Resources Limited (Australia) II-33
Luxfer Group (US) II-34
Neo Material Technologies, Inc. (Canada) II-34
Rio Tinto Plc (UK) II-34
Richards Bay Minerals (South Africa) II-34
Sino Dragon New Energy Holdings Limited (China) II-35
Tosoh Corp. (Japan) II-35

9. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE II-36
Table 4: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium by Geographic Region - US, Canada, Japan, Europe,
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand
Tons for Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-36

Table 5: World Historic Review for Zirconium by Geographic
Region - US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding
Japan), and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through
2008 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-37

Table 6: World 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by Geographic
Region - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for US, Canada,
Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of
World Markets for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-38

Table 7: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium Consumption in Ceramics by Geographic Region - US,
Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and
Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2009 through 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-39

Table 8: World Historic Review for Zirconium Consumption in
Ceramics by Geographic Region - US, Canada, Japan, Europe,
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand
Tons for Years 2003 through 2008 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-40

Table 9: World 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium Consumption
in Ceramics by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of
Volume Sales for US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific
(excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets for Years 2003,
2011 and 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-41

Table 10: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium Consumption in Refractories by Geographic Region -
US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and
Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2009 through 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-42

Table 11: World Historic Review for Zirconium Consumption in
Refractories by Geographic Region - US, Canada, Japan, Europe,
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand
Tons for Years 2003 through 2008 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-43

Table 12: World 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium Consumption
in Refractories by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of
Volume Sales for US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific
(excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets for Years 2003,
2011 and 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-44

Table 13: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium Consumption in Foundries by Geographic Region - US,
Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and
Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2009 through 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-45

Table 14: World Historic Review for Zirconium Consumption in
Foundries by Geographic Region - US, Canada, Japan, Europe,
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand
Tons for Years 2003 through 2008 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-46

Table 15: World 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium Consumption
in Foundries by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of
Volume Sales for US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific
(excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets for Years 2003,
2011 and 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-47

Table 16: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium Consumption in TV Glass by Geographic Region - US,
Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and
Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2009 through 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-48

Table 17: World Historic Review for Zirconium Consumption in
TV Glass by Geographic Region - US, Canada, Japan, Europe,
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand
Tons for Years 2003 through 2008 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-49

Table 18: World 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium Consumption
in TV Glass by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of
Volume Sales for US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific
(excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets for Years 2003,
2011 and 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-50

Table 19: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium Consumption in Other Applications by Geographic
Region - US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding
Japan), and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2009 through
2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-51

Table 20: World Historic Review for Zirconium Consumption in
Other Applications by Geographic Region - US, Canada, Japan,
Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World
Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in
Thousand Tons for Years 2003through 2008 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-52

Table 21: World 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium Consumption
in Other Applications by Geographic Region - Percentage
Breakdown of Volume Sales for US, Canada, Japan, Europe,
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets for
Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-53

III. MARKET

1. THE UNITED STATES III-1
A.Market Analysis III-1
Prices III-1
Table 22: US Zirconium Market (2008-2011): Prices in US$
Per Metric Ton (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-1
Imports/Exports Scenario III-1
Exports III-2
Table 23: US Zirconium Ore & Concentrates Market (2007 &
2008): Percentage Breakdown of Volume Exports by Country -
Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Germany, and Others
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-2

Table 24: US Zirconium Ore & Concentrates Market (2007 &
2008): Percentage Breakdown of Value Exports by Country -
Netherlands, Mexico, UK, Brazil, Japan, and Others
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-3
Imports III-3
Table 25: US Zirconium Ore & Concentrates Market (2010):
Percentage Breakdown of Value Imports by Country - South
Africa, Australia, and Others (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-3
Historic Data III-4
Production, Imports & Exports III-4
Table 26: US Production of Milled Zircon and Zirconium
Oxide (2000-2004) (Volume in Metric Tons) (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-4

Table 27: US Zircon (ZrO2) Imports (2001 - 2005) in Metric
tons (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-4

Table 28: US Zircon (ZrO2) Exports (2000 - 2005) in Metric
tons (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-5

Table 29: US Zirconium Exports by Class (2004 & 2005) in
Metric tons III-5

Table 30: Imports for Consumption of Zirconium by Class
(2004 & 2005) in Metric Tons III-5
B.Market Analytics III-6
Table 31: US Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories,
Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for
Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-6

Table 32: US Historic Review for Zirconium by End-Use
Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and
Other Applications Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through 2008
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-7

Table 33: US 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by End-Use
Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for Ceramics,
Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications for
Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-8

2. CANADA III-9
Market Analytics III-9
Table 34: Canadian Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis
for Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories,
Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for
Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-9

Table 35: Canadian Historic Review for Zirconium by End-Use
Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and
Other Applications Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through 2008
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-10

Table 36: Canadian 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other
Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-11

3. JAPAN III-12
Market Analytics III-12
Table 37: Japanese Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis
for Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories,
Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for
Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-12

Table 38: Japanese Historic Review for Zirconium by End-Use
Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and
Other Applications Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through 2008
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-13

Table 39: Japanese 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume for
Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other
Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-14

4. EUROPE III-15
Market Analysis III-15
Table 40: European Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis
for Zirconium by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy,
UK and Rest of Europe Markets Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2009 through
2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-15

Table 41: European Historic Review for Zirconium by
Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK and Rest of
Europe Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through 2008
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-16

Table 42: European Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis
for Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories,
Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for
Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-17

Table 43: European Historic Review for Zirconium by End-Use
Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and
Other Applications Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through 2008
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-18

Table 44: European 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Volume for
France, Germany, Italy, UK and Rest of Europe Markets for
Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-19

Table 45: European 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other
Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-20

4a. FRANCE III-21
Market Analytics III-21
Table 46: French Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories,
Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for
Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-21

Table 47: French Historic Review for Zirconium by End-Use
Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and
Other Applications Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through 2008
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-22

Table 48: French 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other
Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-23

4b. GERMANY III-24
Market Analytics III-24
Table 49: German Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories,
Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for
Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-24

Table 50: German Historic Review for Zirconium by End-Use
Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and
Other Applications Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through 2008
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-25

Table 51: German 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other
Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-26

4c. ITALY III-27
Market Analytics III-27
Table 52: Italian Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories,
Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for
Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-27

Table 53: Italian Historic Review for Zirconium by End-Use
Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and
Other Applications Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through 2008
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-28

Table 54: Italian 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other
Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-29

4d. THE UNITED KINGDOM III-30
Market Analytics III-30
Table 55: UK Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories,
Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for
Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-30

Table 56: UK Historic Review for Zirconium by End- Use
Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and
Other Applications Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through 2008
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-31

Table 57: UK 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by End-Use
Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for Ceramics,
Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications for
Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-32

4e. REST OF EUROPE III-33
Market Analytics III-33
Table 58: Rest of European Recent Past, Current & Future
Analysis for Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics,
Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand
Tons for Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-33

Table 59: Rest of European Historic Review for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV
Glass and Other Applications Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through
2008 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-34

Table 60: Rest of European 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium
by End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales
for Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other
Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-35

5. ASIA-PACIFIC III-36
A.Market Analysis III-36
Australia - A Major Producer III-36
B.Market Analytics III-36
Table 61: Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future
Analysis for Zirconium by Geographic Region - China and Rest
of Asia-Pacific Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual
Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2009 through 2017
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-36

Table 62: Asia-Pacific Historic Review for Zirconium by
Geographic Region - China and Rest of Asia-Pacific Markets
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand
Tons for Years 2003 through 2008 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-37

Table 63: Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future
Analysis for Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics,
Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand
Tons for Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-38

Table 64: Asia-Pacific Historic Review for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV
Glass and Other Applications Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through
2008 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-39

Table 65: Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
China and Rest of Asia-Pacific Markets for Years 2003, 2011
and 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-40

Table 66: Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other
Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-41

5a. CHINA III-42
A.Market Analysis III-42
Overview III-42
Trends III-42
Table 67: Chinese Zirconium Market (2006-2011): Annual Mine
Production in Thousand Metric Tons (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-43
China to Limit Rare Mineral Exploitation III-43
B.Market Analytics III-44
Table 68: Chinese Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for
Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories,
Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications Independently
Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for
Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-44

Table 69: Chinese Historic Review for Zirconium by End-Use
Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and
Other Applications Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales
Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through 2008
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-45

Table 70: Chinese 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other
Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-46

5b. REST OF ASIA-PACIFIC III-47
Market Analytics III-47
Table 71: Rest of Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future
Analysis for Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics,
Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand
Tons for Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-47

Table 72: Rest of Asia-Pacific Historic Review for Zirconium
by End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV
Glass and Other Applications Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through
2008 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-48

Table 73: Rest of Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for
Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of
Volume Sales for Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass
and Other Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017
(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-49

6. REST OF WORLD III-50
A.Market Analysis III-50
South Africa III-50
B.Market Analytics III-51
Table 74: Rest of World Recent Past, Current & Future
Analysis for Zirconium by End-Use Segment - Ceramics,
Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications
Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in Thousand
Tons for Years 2009 through 2017 (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) III-51

Table 75: Rest of World Historic Review for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV
Glass and Other Applications Independently Analyzed with
Annual Sales Figures in Thousand Tons for Years 2003 through
2008 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-52

Table 76: Rest of World 15-Year Perspective for Zirconium by
End-Use Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales for
Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other
Applications for Years 2003, 2011 and 2017 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) III-53

IV. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Total Companies Profiled: 77 (including Divisions/Subsidiaries - 88)

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Region/Country Players
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The United States 20
Canada 2
Japan 3
Europe 25
France 3
Germany 3
The United Kingdom 8
Italy 1
Rest of Europe 10
Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan) 32
Latin America 1
Africa 5
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Zirconium oxide or zirconia is used in high-end, high-value, low-volume applications. Zirconium oxide is used in various industrial and consumer applications such as cosmetics, waterproof clothing, optical fibers and medical products. Due to comparatively lower supply of the material in relation to other zirconium chemicals, Zirconium oxide commands higher prices and profit margins. France-based Saint-Gobain is one of the leading producers of zirconia. Consumption of materials such as fused zirconia and zircon flour increased due to a rapid rise in China’s ceramic tile manufacturing capacity. Asian countries of China, India, and Korea are the primary growth markets for stabilized zirconia.

The United States continues to be the largest producer and consumer of fused zirconia, while Japan is the second largest consumer. In recent years, global zirconium market faced several challenges that hampered the market growth to a noticeable extent. The global economic turmoil that flattened the worldwide industrial sector during 2008 and 2009 severely impacted zirconium market, especially during 2009. The crisis led to oversupply of the mineral, despite significant production cuts implemented by the producers. However, the market is expected to recover quickly and post a robust growth in ensuing years, on back of sharp rise in demand for the mineral in Asia-Pacific region, the largest consumer of zirconium in the world. In addition, exploration of new mine reserves is likely to encourage the increased consumption across the end-use sectors.

The demand for zirconium is forecast to rise in the coming years due to worldwide nuclear energy resurgence. As the demand is expected to rise, several countries are working on improving their production capacity of zirconium. For instance, over 40 nuclear plants are being constructed in 12 nations, another 100 plus plants are in planning stage and more than 260 plants are being proposed for construction. However, the technology that is required for zirconium production is available to only few companies. Further, huge capital investments and longer completion time for these projects hinder entry of several players. As new reactors are being built at an accelerated speed due to expected power shortage in several countries, zirconium industry needs to enhance its production targeted towards nuclear energy sector.

Ceramics including tableware, sanitary ware and tiles represent the largest end-use market for zirconium. Zircon is used as an opacifier for ceramic articles including sanitary ware, floor and wall tiles, and tableware. Refractory and foundry sectors represent the next leading markets for zirconium. Consumption in the foundry industry displayed modest demand growth. Zircon is used as a glass component in television and computer monitor faceplates due to its radiation absorbing characteristics. Ceramics continues to retain supremacy as the largest consumer while use in the TV glass sector will be tempered due to increasing preference for new display methods such as liquid crystal displays/thin film transistors as against CRT. Opportunities will also arise out of development of advanced materials. Zircon refractory bricks are increasingly being replaced with fused zirconia based products.

Asia Pacific, buoyed by tremendous demand from China, represents the world’s largest and the fastest growing regional market, as stated by the new market research report on Zirconium. Asia-Pacific is projected to expand at a robust double-digit pace of 15.3% over the analysis period. The ‘China’ Factor has emerged as a key demand determinant in the global market, and strong demand particularly from the Chinese tile market resulted in a severe shortage of the material and dramatic price inflation. Spurred by a booming construction industry, the country’s production and consumption of ceramic ware is expected to outpace that of Europe, traditionally the largest producer due to the presence of ceramic hubs such as Italy, Spain and Turkey.

World zirconium mineral concentrates market is dominated by Australia and South Africa. The two countries hold huge reserves of the mineral. Australia leads the world in terms of production of zircon concentrates. Iluka Resources, based in the country, is the worldwide leader in the production of Zircon. South Africa is one of the world’s leading sources of hydrocarbon fuels and hard minerals. The country occupies a leading position in terms of concentration of world reserves of zirconium.

Global Industry Analysts ©

- ABCR GmbH & Co., KG. (Germany)
- Alkane Resources Ltd. (Australia)
- Australian Zircon NL (Australia)
- Allegheny Technologies, Inc. (USA)
- ATI Wah Chang (USA)
- Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (USA)
- Areva NP (France)
- ANF Duisburg (Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH) (Germany)
- Cezus (France)
- Astron Ltd. (Australia)
- Astron Advanced Materials Ltd. (China)
- Baoji Boxin Metal Materials Co., Ltd. (China)
- Belmont Metals, Inc. (USA)
- Bemax Resources Ltd. (Australia)
- BHP Billiton Ltd. (Australia)
- BHP Billiton PLC (UK)
- Chemetall GmbH (Germany)
- Chemetall Danmark A/S (Denmark)
- Chepetsky Mechanical Plant JSC (Russia)
- Cotter Corporation (USA)
- CPG Mineral Technologies (Australia)
- Cristal Global (Saudi Arabia)
- Currumbin Minerals Pty., Ltd. (Australia)
- Department of Atomic Energy - Nuclear Fuel Complex (India)
- Dixon Chew (Batley) Ltd. (UK)
- E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company (USA)
- Exxaro Resources Ltd. (South Africa)
- Exxaro - Namakwa Sands Ltd. (South Africa)
- Ferro-Ceramic Grinding, Inc. (USA)
- Foskor Ltd. (South Africa)
- Hicharms Ltd. (UK)
- Hines Milling & Processing Ltd. (UK)
- Iluka Resources Ltd. (Australia)
- Iluka Resources-Murray Basin (Australia)
- Indian Rare Earths Ltd. (India)
- Jiangxi Jing'an Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (China)
- Jiangzi Anyi County (China)
- Kenmare Resources PLC (Ireland)
- Klyuchevsky Ferroalloys (Russia)
- Korea Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd. (KNFC) (Korea)
- Krasnyj Vyborzhets (Russia)
- Kumba Iron Ore Ltd. (South Africa)
- Loterios SpA (Italy)
- Luxfer Group (USA)
- Luxfer Group Ltd. (UK)
- Mel Chemicals (USA)
- Micron Metals, Inc.- Atlantic Equipment Engineers Division (USA)
- Millenium Inorganica Chemicals do Brasil S/A (Brazil)
- Mineral Deposits Ltd. (Australia)
- Neo Material Technologies, Inc. (Canada)
- New Metals & Chemicals Ltd. (UK)
- Nippon Denko Co., Ltd. (Japan)
- Nyacol - Nano Technologies, Inc. (USA)
- Parameet Int'l Company (South Korea)
- Primet LLC (USA)
- Reading Alloys, Inc. (USA)
- Richards Bay Minerals (South Africa)
- Rio Tinto PLC (UK)
- Russian Special Alloys (Russia)
- Saint Gobain Zirpro (France)
- Saint Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc. (USA)
- Sandvik Benelux BV (The Netherlands)
- Shanghai Zhenrong Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. (China)
- Shenyang Astron Mining Industry Ltd. (China)
- Sibelco Australia Ltd. (Australia)
- Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (USA)
- Sino Dragon New Energy Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong)
- Sino-Minemet International Co., Ltd. (China)
- Smith & Nephew, Inc. (USA)
- Southern Ionics, Inc. (USA)
- Sulzer Metco Management AG (Switzerland)
- Summit Reheis (USA)
- Super Conductor Materials, Inc. (USA)
- Taiyo Koko Co., Ltd. (Japan)
- Tekhnotsentr (Russia)
- Tianjin Mceit Co., Ltd. (China)
- Tico Titanium, Inc. (USA)
- Tioline Ltd. (Kazakhstan)
- Titanium International Ltd. (UK)
- TiWest Joint Venture (Australia)
- Tosoh Corporation (Japan)
- Vaaldiam Mining, Inc. (Canada)
- Vilnohirsk State Mining & Metallurgical Company (Ukraine)
- Wanbel Refractory Metal Ltd. (China)
- Yixing Xinxing Zirconium Co., Ltd. (China)
- Zibo Guangtong Chemical Co., Ltd. (China)
- Zibo Huantuo Chemical Co., Ltd (China)
- Zirconium Chemicals Pvt., Ltd. (India)