Organophilic Clay Market Report 2025

The organophilic clay market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.44 billion in 2024 to $1.52 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the past period was influenced by the rising requirement for efficient drilling fluids, increasing usage of rheological additives in various industries, expanding investments in construction and infrastructure, rising consumption of paints and coatings in developing regions, and greater demand for high-performance lubricating greases.

The organophilic clay market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.88 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. Projected growth in the forecast period is driven by an increasing emphasis on developing shale gas and unconventional energy sources, higher demand for efficient drilling additives in deepwater operations, growing offshore oilfield investments, and expanding construction fueled by urbanization and industrialization. Additionally, rising interest in biodegradable and environmentally friendly additives is boosting demand. Notable trends include progress in clay surface modification techniques, emergence of thermally stable and easily dispersible clay forms, use of nanotechnology to improve rheological behavior, growing preference for multifunctional additive blends, and enhanced adoption of automated, precision-based manufacturing technologies.

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 players in the organophilic clay market are Sinochem Holdings Corporation Ltd., Schlumberger (SLB), Evonik Industries, Arkema, Univar Solutions Inc., Clariant AG, Minerals Technologies Inc., BYK Additives & Instruments, Elementis Specialties Inc., Oil-Dri Corporation of America, Kunimine Industries Co. Ltd., Sigma-Aldrich, 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 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in organophilic clay report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the organophilic clay market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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.

The intensifying U.S. tariffs and escalating trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to have a significant impact on the chemicals sector, which is bearing a disproportionate burden, particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic substitutes are often unavailable. Producers of specialty chemicals, heavily dependent on Chinese raw materials, are experiencing production disruptions. At the same time, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing profit margins eroded due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are ramping up R&D into bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to consolidate buying power, and shifting production to tariff-neutral nations such as Saudi Arabia.

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.

The organophilic clay market research report is one of a series of new reports 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 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.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.