Clay Products and Refractories Global Market Report 2024

The clay products and refractories market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $156.63 billion in 2023 to $166.72 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to factors such as the demand from steel and metal industries, global manufacturing trends, mining and extraction activities, infrastructure development, and the requirements of energy production.

The clay products and refractories market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $206.41 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to a focus on sustainable refractory materials, a heightened demand from the renewable energy sector, an increasing need for specialty refractories, advancements in manufacturing techniques, and the requirements for infrastructure resilience. Major trends expected in the forecast period encompass the digitalization of manufacturing processes, technological advancements in refractory manufacturing, the development of advanced refractory materials, a surge in demand for lightweight refractories, and a focus on energy-efficient kiln technologies.

The clay product and refractory manufacturing market are experiencing growth, supported by the anticipated stable economic growth in both developed and developing countries. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts a global GDP growth of 3.4% in 2021, with developed economies expected to maintain stability during the forecast period. Emerging markets are projected to grow slightly faster than developed markets, leading to increased investments in end-user markets and driving the clay product and refractory manufacturing market.

Positive growth in major economies globally has led to expectations of gradual interest rate increases, reducing the availability of cheap money for investments. In August 2021, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) indicated a potential interest rate hike in the first half of 2022. China's Central Bank also raised interest rates to control capital outflow. These developments are anticipated to pose challenges for the clay product and refractory manufacturing market.

The adoption of robotics and automation is becoming prevalent in many clay product and refractory manufacturing companies to enhance plant efficiency and productivity. Sensors in various machines provide valuable data for improving efficiency and minimizing potential breakdowns. In the second quarter of 2021, robot orders increased by 67%, indicating a rise in automation and robotics technology adoption to improve productivity and reduce production costs.

Major companies in the clay products and refractories market are introducing innovative products such as 3D modeling applications to broaden their customer base, increase sales, and boost revenue. These applications enable users to create, manipulate, and visualize three-dimensional objects or scenes. For example, in August 2023, Italy-based WASP launched Clay 3D printers, a parametric 3D modeling application for printing clay. This unique product offers free access to the program through the web, enhancing user experience and experimentation in the field of 3D modeling.

Major companies in the market are developing new products such as clay 3D printers to cater to larger customer bases, increase sales, and boost revenue. Clay 3D printers are specialized machines designed for 3D printing using clay-based materials to create three-dimensional objects. In July 2021, Netherlands-based VormVrij introduced the LUTUM M Series clay 3D printers, including models such as LUTUM 4 and LUTUM 5 Mini. These printers offer print capacity suitable for average users and incorporate effective eco-extruder bundles for demanding extrusion capabilities, ensuring high-quality standards while reducing construction expenses. The system includes a reliable Nylon eco extruder capable of printing various clay types with different viscosities, handling materials up to a density of 25% at 0.2 mm.

Major companies operating in the clay products and refractories market report are Shinagawa Refractories Co. Ltd., Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A., LIXIL Group, Kyocera Corporation, The Siam Cement Group Public Company Limited, Corning Incorporated., Internacional De Cerámica S.A.B. De C.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials, Imerys S.A., RHI Magnesita N.V., Vesuvius PLC, Krosaki Harima Corporation, Orient Refractories Limited, CoorsTek Inc., Puyang Refractories Group Co. Ltd., Morgan Advanced Materials PLC, Chosun Refractories Co. Ltd., IFGL Refractories Ltd., Ceradyne Inc., HarbisonWalker International, Refratechnik Holding GmbH, P-D Refractories GmbH, Rath Group, Resco Products Inc., Magnesia Refractories Group, Calderys India Refractories Limited, Allied Mineral Products Inc., Refractories Especiales S.A., Dalmia Refractories Limited.

The Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the clay products and refractories market in 2023. Western Europe was the second-largest region in the clay products and refractories market. The regions covered in the clay products and refractories market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the clay products and refractories market report are Australia; China; India; Indonesia; Japan; South Korea; Bangladesh; Thailand; Vietnam; Malaysia; Singapore; Philippines; Hong Kong; New Zealand; USA; Canada; Mexico; Brazil; Chile; Argentina; Colombia; Peru; France; Germany; UK; Austria; Belgium; Denmark; Finland; Ireland; Italy; Netherlands; Norway; Portugal; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Russia; Czech Republic; Poland; Romania; Ukraine; Saudi Arabia; Israel; Iran; Turkey; UAE; Egypt; Nigeria; South Africa.

The primary types of clay products and refractories include pottery, ceramics, plumbing fixtures, clay building materials, and refractories. Pottery involves the creation of vessels using clay and other ceramic materials. The manufacturing process for clay products and refractories involves grinding, cutting, mixing, shaping, and honing. Materials used in this process include quartz, chamotte, sand, sawdust, slag, and pulverized coal. These materials find applications in various industries, including construction, automobiles, steelmaking, cosmetics, the food industry, and other end-user sectors.

The clay products and refractories market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides clay products and refractories market statistics, including clay products and refractories industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with clay products and refractories market share, detailed clay products and refractories market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the clay products and refractories industry. This clay products and refractories 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 clay products and refractories market consists of sales of building brick, paving brick, terra-cotta facing tile, roofing tile, and drainage pipe. 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.