The Global Market for Zirconium is Projected to Exceed 1.5 Million Tons by 2022

Growing Volume Consumption of Ceramic Tiles & Wide Ranging Applications Drive Demand for Zirconium, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA launches comprehensive analysis of industry segments, trends, growth drivers, market share, size and demand forecasts on the global Zirconium market. The global market for Zirconium is projected to exceed 1.5 million tons by 2022, driven by rising ceramic tiles consumption, wide ranging applications of zirconium, and steady demand for zirconium metal, zirconia, and zirconium-based chemicals and metals.

Zirconium represents a hard, lustrous, greyish-white metal obtained from its principal economic source – Zircon (ZrSiO4) or zirconium silicate mineral. Various attributes of the metal that is driving its steady demand over the years include excellent corrosion resistant properties, high refractive index, high melting point, thermal stability as well as low wettability to molten metals. Other superior attributes of zirconium over other similar materials such as alumina include low solubility in glass; ability to create glossy white surface that do not fade away; and impart enhanced cleanability for polished porcelain tiles without reducing firing range and causing any side effects during production. Majority of zirconium is consumed in the form of zircon, zirconium oxide, or other zirconium chemicals, while the remaining as zirconium metal and zirconium containing alloys. Besides being used as a opacifier for creating a whitening effect in traditional ceramic tiles as well as sanitaryware, the material is used in precision casting, refractories, nuclear reactors, fuel cells, catalysts, fibre optics, water and air purification, dental implants, medical prosthetics, and other myriad industrial applications.

Healthy growth is projected for the market in the coming years driven by increasing consumption of ceramic tiles and other ceramics, which represent the largest end-use application for zirconium. Zirconium based ceramics are not only capable of withstanding attack from molten metal, organic solvents, acids as well as alkalis but also remain high temperature resistant for longer period under severe mechanical stress. Other factors benefiting market prospects include increasing urbanization and the resulting demand for zirconium-based sophisticated products such as high quality ceramic tiles, sanitary ware, table ware, and eco-friendly walls and windows, among others; emerging application as a strong and reliable material for dental and orthopedic implants; and steady demand for zirconium metal, zirconia, and zirconium-based chemicals and metals in various industries. Further, maturing long term contracts, increasing popularity of zircon flour, emergence of innovative applications, as well as vertical integration in the zirconium market are some of the on-going trends in the market. Some of the growth inhibitors include low pigment plant capacity utilization, radiological concerns, exchange rate fluctuation as well as other disruptions apart from threat from substitute materials, price fluctuations, related health issues and its outright elimination from use in product formulations such as TV glass.

As stated by the new market research report on Zirconium, China represents the largest market worldwide. Asia-Pacific, excluding China, represents the fastest growing market registering a CAGR of 5.7% over the analysis period. China ranks as the largest consumer of Zirconium owing to rising demand from end-use industries including ceramics, construction, and medical and healthcare. Additionally, the country emerged as one of the largest producers of Zirconium sponge. Australia and South Africa, holding huge reserves of the mineral, represent leading producers of zirconium worldwide.

Key players covered in the report include Alkane Resources Ltd., Allegheny Technologies, Inc., Astron Ltd., Australian Zircon NL, Bemax Resources Limited, Cristal Australia Pty Ltd., E.I DuPont de Nemours and Company, Foskor Ltd., Iluka Resources Limited, Imerys Fused Minerals Murg GmbH, Kenmare Resources plc, Luxfer Group, Molycorp, Inc., Neo Material Technologies, Inc., Richards Bay Minerals, Oxkem Limited, Sino Dragon New Energy Holdings Limited, Shandong Goldensun Zirconium Industry Co., Ltd., Tosoh Corp., Tronox Limited, Zhejiang Jinkun Zirconium Industry Co., Ltd., and Zircomet Limited, among others.

The research report titled “Zirconium: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, and strategic industry activities of global companies. The report provides market estimates and projections in volume (Metric Tons) for major geographic markets including the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia, and Rest of Europe), China, Asia-Pacific (India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, and Rest of Latin America), and Rest of World. End-use segments analyzed in the report include Ceramics, Refractories, Foundries, Chemicals, and Others.

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