Turkey is known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse landscape; also home to a rich and varied range of minerals, including kaolin, a clay mineral widely used in various industrial applications.

Kaolin is an integral part of Turkey’s industrial landscape, from its use in the production of ceramics and bricks to its applications in manufacturing paint, rubber, and plastics. We’ll take an in-depth look at the trends, uses, and production of kaolin in Turkey, exploring this mineral’s role in the country’s economy and potential for future growth.

Turkey’s Kaolin Market Size

According to the information provided in Indexbox’s Kaolin Market Report Turkey 2022, the trend pattern of the kaolin market in Turkey has shown some fluctuations over the analyzed period from 2012 to 2021. The market value had an average annual increase rate of 1.9% during this time, but there were periods of fluctuation.

In 2021, the market experienced a 3% increase following a decline over the previous three years. In the meantime, from 2016 to 2021, market growth slowed slightly. External economic factors or shifts in consumer demand played a role in Turkey’s kaolin market fluctuation.

Where to Find Kaolin in Turkey

Kaolin is a type of clay mineral typically white and is composed of aluminum silicate. In Turkey, we can find it in the Marmara region, the area around Istanbul, the area around Bursa, and the area around Konya.

Also, the western part of Turkey, known as the Aegean region, is known for its abundant deposits of kaolin and is a significant producer of industrial-grade kaolin products, including kaolin clay, calcined kaolin, and metakaolin.

Top Industries in Turkey That Use Kaolin as a Raw Material

Several sectors in Turkey use kaolin as a raw material, including:

Paper industry: Kaolin is mixed with cellulose fiber to give paper color, body, opacity, and printability.
Ceramic industry: Kaolin is used to produce chinaware, porcelain, and refractories due to its high fusion temperature and white-burning characteristics.
Rubber industry: Kaolin improves mechanical strength and abrasion resistance in rubber products.
Refractories industry: The refractories industry uses kaolin to manufacture primary and ceramic refractories, which they use to line various high-temperature industrial equipment.
Plastics industry: They use kaolin as an extender and flattening agent in the production of plastics.
Adhesives industry: Kaolin is used in adhesives for the paper to control penetration into the form.
Paint industry: Paint producers use kaolin as an extender and flattening agent.
Ink industry: Due to its fine particle size, whiteness, chemical inertness, and absorption properties, the production of ink utilizes kaolin.
Organic plastics industry: Kaolin produces organic plastics due to their fine particle size, whiteness, chemical inertness, and absorption properties.
Cosmetics industry: Cosmetic production incorporates kaolin due to its fine particle size, whiteness, chemical inertness, and absorption properties.

Kaolin Trade Activities in Turkey

Turkey is a major player in the global kaolin market, with significant trade activity in exports and imports.

A. Exports

In 2020, the country exported $6.92 million worth of kaolin, making it the world’s 18th largest exporter of the mineral. That same year, kaolin was the 740th most shipped product in Turkey. The top destinations for Turkish kaolin exports were Italy ($2.72 million), Spain ($2.94 million), Tunisia ($246,000), the United Kingdom ($196,000), and India ($225,000),

The fastest-growing markets for Turkish kaolin exports between 2019 and 2020 were the United Kingdom ($196,000), India ($223,000), and Spain ($896,000).

B. Imports

Turkey also imported $44.2 million worth of kaolin in 2020, making it the 11th largest importer of the mineral in the world. Kaolin was the 454th most imported product in Turkey that year. The country primarily imports kaolin from Bulgaria ($10.2 million), the United Kingdom ($14.1 million), the United States ($3.74 million), Germany ($3.6 million), and Ukraine ($5.64 million).

The fastest-growing import markets for Turkish kaolin between 2019 and 2020 were Bulgaria ($831,000), France ($851,000), and the United Kingdom ($1.68 million).

Kaolin’s Future Potential in Turkey

Looking to the future, the market industry of kaolin in Turkey holds great potential. However, with domestic deposits unable to meet the demand, imports from other countries are crucial. One of the potential options is from Indonesia.

Yukami is a reliable choice for a kaolin supplier by utilizing a chemical-free washing process and hydro cyclone technology. Yukami is an Indonesian company with a long history of delivering top-notch kaolin to over 100 satisfied clients. Take advantage of this opportunity to secure a strong foundation for your business in the flourishing Turkish kaolin market.

Kaolin in Turkey: A Closer Look at Its Trends, Uses, and Production