Clay building materials and clay refractories market to hit $52.2 billion

The global clay building materials and clay refractories market is forecast to hit US $52.2 billion by 2017, driven by the rising infrastructure and industrial activity in emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region. Further, growth in key end-user segments, such as steel and non-metallic minerals, is expected to propel the demand for clay refractories in the near future.

Asia-Pacific is expected to remain as the largest region within the clay building materials and clay refractories market for the foreseeable future, backed by the rapid pace of infrastructure and industrial development in the region, especially in China and India. The region is expected to display the strongest growth rate of more than 4.0%.

On the other hand, the usage of clay building materials and clay refractories in developed markets such as North America, Japan and Europe continues to decline, predominantly due to the growing trend of substituting clay-based building materials with alternate products such as timber, PVC tiles, concrete, and stones.

There are more than 2,400 refractory manufacturers owned by diverse parties, including government, privately owned, and JVs, among others.

While demand and revenue went down during the recession due to slowed building markets, the clay building materials and clay refractories market is expected to turn around in the next five years, with increases in housing starts and the value of non-residential building construction. Revenue and profit performance will also be supported by steady improvements in demand for refractory products used in downstream manufacturing and energy production industries.

For more information on the clay building materials and clay refractories market, see the latest research: Clay Building Materials and Clay Refractories Market Report

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