The kaolin market was valued at US$ 4,327.7 million in 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 5,512.4 million by 2028. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2021 to 2028.

Kaolin, also called china clay, is a soft white clay essential in manufacturing china and porcelain and is widely used to make paper, rubber, paint, and many other products.

Based on application, the kaolin market is segmented into paper, ceramic and sanitaryware, paints and coatings, plastic, rubber, and others. The paper segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Growing demand for printed paper for advertisements and promotional activities, coupled with the demand for printed packaging grade paper have significantly contributed to the kaolin market growth.

The global kaolin market is segmented into five main regions-North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South and Central America (SAM). In 2020, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share of the market. Various countries in this region are witnessing an upsurge due to the growth in the automotive, packaging, and construction industries, fueling the kaolin market during the forecast period. The market for paper packaging across APAC has witnessed a notable surge, owing to the rapidly expanding packaging industry, rise in the food retail sector, and the increasing consumer awareness about sustainable packaging solutions across the region. These factors are expected to contribute to the kaolin market growth over the next few years.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many industries, such as chemicals and materials, faced unprecedented challenges. The disruptions in the value chains due to the sudden closure of national and international boundaries hampered the market growth. However, as the economies are planning to revive their operations, the demand for kaolin is expected to rise globally in the next couple of months.

The demand for kaolin has started rising with the resumption of operations in the rubber, plastic, paints, and coatings industries, restarting construction activities, and lifting lockdown measures globally. Moreover, the previously postponed construction projects are ready to resume, further providing an opportunity for the kaolin market players to regain normalcy. The increase in demand for kaolin in various applications, such as construction, packaging, and automotive, and significant investments by prominent manufacturers are expected to drive the kaolin market in the coming years.

American Elements; BASF SE, Burgess Pigment Company; Imerys S.A.; Sibelco; Thiele Kaolin Company; I-Minerals Inc.; Kamin LLC; LB MINERALS, Ltd.; and VENETA MINERARIA S.p.a. are the most prominent players operating in the global kaolin market.

The overall global kaolin market size has been derived in accordance with both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data and gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders, specializing in the global kaolin market.