The world feldspar production declined significantly in 2009. Over 2009-2011, the feldspar production grew by more than 1.59 million metric tons; and in 2011, it was evaluated at approximately 21.2 million metric tons. However, in 2012 it registered a 10.4% YoY decline and totaled just over 19.3 million metric tonnes. In 2012, Italy dominated the world feldspar production in volume terms with a share of 24% of the world’s total production. It was closely followed by Turkey with almost a 21% share.
Feldspar: world mine production structure by country, 2012
APAC-Arkansas, Kings Mountain Minerals, Denain-Anzin Mineraux S.A., Gruppo Minerali Maffei SpA, Silana Mineraria S.r.l., Basazuri SL, Llansa SA, Kaltun Mining Company and Ermad Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited are amid the dominant feldspar market players.
Potash fertilizers, ceramic and glass industries are the major feldspar end-users, which account for the greater part of the global feldspar use, are primed to drive the global feldspar market growth in the years ahead. Increasing prices of energy sources along with rising transportation costs emerge as the major challege to the furher market development.
The most promising growth areas include India, China, the countries of Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and South America. These geographies are forecast to record an average 5% YoY increase in the upcoming years. The YoY growth rates of the world feldspar production are forecast to be slower – 4% on average. In 2016, the worldwide feldspar supply will likely reach 21.6 million metric tons in volume.
More information on the feldspar market can be found in the report “Feldspar: 2014 Market Review and Forecast”.