South America Kaolin Market Growth and Recent Trends by 2028

The South America kaolin market is expected to reach US$ 282.7 million by 2028 from US$ 237.9 million in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% from 2021 to 2028.

Key factors propelling the market growth are the growing automotive industry and the increasing kaolin application in the paper industry. However, digitalization and stringent government policies restrict the market growth.

The rising demand for automobiles favors the growth of the kaolin market. The automotive industry is one of the major beneficiaries of kaolin products as the industry extensively uses rubber-made components and parts. Kaolin improves the chemical-physical properties and performance of rubber automotive components. Kaolin is widely used in automotive tires to provide stiffness and reinforce the rubber, bringing tear resistance and tensile strength properties in tires. In addition, it helps in improving the air permeability and gas barrier of inner tire liners, which extends the service life of tires. Furthermore, kaolin finds wide application in car body seals due to the reduced electrical conductivity, protecting against corrosion properties. Additionally, kaolin is used to manufacture automotive components such as fluoroelastomer O-rings for fuel injector seals, gaskets, and hoses. Furthermore, kaolin finds its application in manufacturing waterborne paints and coatings, which are extensively used in the automotive industry to paint and coat automobile bodies and surfaces. The growing automobile industry globally fosters the demand for various kaolin-made auto components and parts, fueling the market growth. As per the OICA report, in 2019, the automotive industry manufactured over 92 million automotive vehicles, including passenger and commercial vehicles. In 2020, the production number of automotive reduced to 77 million vehicles due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the first three quarters of 2021 have shown more than 10% growth in the production of automotive vehicles compared to the first three quarters of 2020. Thus, the growing automotive industry is driving the kaolin market.

In South America, Brazil has the highest number of COVID-19 cases, followed by Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Chile. The governments in South America have taken various actions to protect their citizens and combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus through lockdowns, trade bans, and travel restrictions, therefore negatively impacting the growth of the kaolin market. The construction industry from the region has been contracted sharply amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the business activities are expected to gradually recover in the coming months as the governments from the region continue to push forward their reopening plan to kick start the economy. In some areas of Brazil, vehicle production levels are almost back to the levels of prior years.

South America Kaolin Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Mn)

SOUTH AMERICA KAOLIN MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Process

• Water Washed
• Airfloat
• Calcined
• Delaminated
• Other

By End-Use Industry

• Paper
• Ceramic and Sanitaryware
• Paints and coatings
• Plastic
• Rubber
• Other

By Country

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of South and Central America

Company Profiles

• American Elements
• BASF SE
• Burgess Pigment Company
• Imerys S.A.
• Sibelco

South America Kaolin Report Scope