Calcined Alumina Market

Calcined Alumina Market Outlook (2022-2032)

Calcined alumina can sustain high temperatures and has explicit properties including high mechanical strength & hardness, refractoriness, and electrical insulation, and also has the ability to resist wear abrasion, chemical attack, and corrosion.

These properties make calcined alumina a vital product in applications including the manufacture of ceramic shapes, refractories, and abrasives. Calcined alumina also finds applications as Polishing compounds, Fillers anti-slip agents, Paint & Coatings, and Thermal Spray Powders.

It is used in various applications including technical ceramics and structural ceramics, polishing compounds. They are also used as filler for rubber and plastic. The manufacturing of high-grade ceramics is dependent on calcined alumina.

The global arcade of calcined alumina was valued at USD 2452.22 Million in 2022. The market is further expected to surpass a valuation of USD 4346.19 Million by end of 2032. The calcined alumina sector is likely to grow with a CAGR of 5.89% in the forecast period 2022- 2032.

Report Attributes	Details
Market size (2022 A)	USD 2452.22 Million
Base Year for Estimation	2022
Forecast duration for this research	2022-2032
Forecasted Market value (2032 F)	USD 4346.19 Million
Global Market Growth rate (2022-2032 E)	CAGR of 5.89%
Key Companies Profiled	Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. Huber Almatis AluChem National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) Orient Abrasives Ltd. Nabaltec AG Sumitomo

Why there is a demand for calcined alumina?

There is high demand for calcined alumina due to a number of factors. The major applications of calcined alumina include refractories & ceramics. The rising market penetration of high-quality steel accounts for the largest share in terms of application for refractories, in emerging economies, which drives the demand for high-end refractories, which are made from calcined alumina.

The projected demand in the paint and coating markets is set to foster growth in the market over the upcoming period. The physical and chemical characteristics are expected to give popularity to this industry in the upcoming years. The market in paints and coating is likely to grow with a CAGR of 5.6% in the forecast period which is the key driver for the demand for calcined alumina powder.

The growing building & construction industry further substantiates the growth. The growth in the building & construction industry itself drives the market as it is the major end-user of steel, cement, glass & ceramics, etc. which are key application areas for calcined alumina. The price and performance of calcined alumina vary depending on product density, particle size distribution, and degree of purity.

What restraints are likely to deter growth in this industry?

The increasing number of possible alternatives is affecting the market for calcined alumina. Kyanite is an emerging option for calcined alumina owing to its higher strength and stability under high temperatures. This is the reason why it’s widely used in commercial usage. The US is the biggest producer of kyanite which is likely to gain a greater market share in the forecast period. The higher cost of raw materials affects the marginal profit of the firms.

The market is highly fragmented and has the dominance of giant players. The business requires high capital cost which deters market entrants in this industry. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the supply chain of manufacturers which temporarily decreased the growth of the industry. The recovery phase of this segment is anticipated to give traction in the future period.

Which region is likely to gain attention in this market?

“Asia Pacific is expected to hold a major share in the forecast period.”

Asia Pacific excluding Japan is estimated to account for more than 40% of global consumption with major producers having their manufacturing facilities in the region. Based on geographies, the market is segmented into seven regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, CIS & Russia, Japan, APEJ (the Asia Pacific excluding Japan), and MEA.

The region is also anticipated to witness medium to high growth in the global market on the back of the emerging economies of India and China. These countries offer immense market potential for calcined alumina as the need for high-quality steel would require more effective and efficient refractories offering higher performance, thereby consuming more quantities of calcined alumina.

The paints & coatings application of calcined alumina is popularly done where it is used as a polishing agent for plastic, metal, and glass. APEJ also accounts for a major market share in the global paints & coatings market. Moreover, North America followed by Europe is projected to showcase low to medium growth in the global market. Middle East & Africa and Latin America account for a mere single-digit market share in terms of demand.

Segment wise Insights

On the basis of grade, the smelter grade amounts to major demand as its primarily used in the manufacturing of aluminum metal products. The high fine content allows this compound to deliver high performance.

On the basis of soda content, the low soda segment is dominant as it owns many specialized applications. The product holds applications in the electronic and electrical equipment industry. The content of soda less than 0.1% of the total weight is demanded in the manufacturing of consumer electronics items. The addition of boron and chlorine is intended to add value to calcined alumina.

High-purity alumina is achieved after successive washing and activations until the chemical reaches the highest form of purity. The highest purity forms are majorly used in the manufacturing of light-emitting diodes. It’s used majorly in artificial sapphire glass.

The ceramic industry is a major end-user segment in the market. The industry relies heavily on this due to confer and resistance to abrasion. High hardness and strength are fostering demand for calcining alumina in the forecast period.

Competitive landscape

The market is centered around major manufacturers and brands. These companies are focused on the creation of differentiation in order to keep themselves competitive. Brands focusing on the enhancement of production capacities to serve growing demand. The companies are also engaging with third-party firms to manage distribution.

A high cost of capital is required in this industry which can create a hurdle for the start-up ecosystem. The major labor cost and required infrastructure cost are reasons why small and medium enterprises find this industry unfavorable.

Calcined Alumina Market: Segmentation

• By Soda Content :

  • Low soda
  • Medium soda
  • High soda

• By Grade :

  • Smelter
  • Specialty grade

• By Particle Size :

  • Coarse
  • Medium
  • Fine

• By Purity :

  • 93%
  • 93% - 99%
  • 99% and above

• By Applications :

  • Refractory (cement, concrete, mortars, etc.)
  • Ceramics & Catalyst
  • Lapping & Polishing
  • Others

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • CIS/Russia
  • Japan
  • Asia-Pacific excluding Japan
  • Middle East & Africa