Bentonites are natural clay materials primarily composed of minerals from the smectite group, such as calcium and sodium montmorillonites. Montmorillonite is a hydrous aluminosilicate, and its calcium and sodium variants represent the two main types of bentonite, each distinguished by unique properties. Bentonite plays an important role in numerous industries, offering significant economic value across various sectors. Key applications include drilling fluids for gas and oil exploration; ferrous and non-ferrous foundry processes; iron ore palletisation; and cat litter. Additionally, bentonite is used in civil engineering and environmental sealing (e.g., groundwater barriers), food purification, waterproofing, adhesives, animal feed, the paper industry, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nanocomposites.
Demand from industries that consume bentonite is a key factor influencing market dynamics. For instance, increased drilling activity under the Trump administration or a surge in infrastructure projects in Turkey could enhance the prospects of the bentonite market in these countries. Moreover, many of the bentonite-consuming industries are highly dependent on macroeconomic conditions and other external factors, contributing to price volatility. In the second half of 2024, bentonite prices fluctuated between USD 120 and USD 180 per tonne, depending on the region and product type.
Global bentonite production exceeds 19 million tonnes per year. In the decade leading up to COVID-19, bentonite production exhibited steady but moderate growth. In recent years, bentonite output has remained relatively flat. The bentonite market is far from oligopolistic, with around 50 countries engaged in its production as of 2024. This broad engagement is largely due to the widespread availability of bentonite resources worldwide. The United States is the world’s largest bentonite producer, with an annual output exceeding 4.6 million tonnes. The majority of this production comes from Wyoming, the leading state for bentonite extraction in the U.S., supplying over 4 million tonnes annually. Wyo-Ben Inc., a major bentonite producer, is headquartered in Billings, Montana, but sources its bentonite from reserves in Wyoming’s Big Horn Basin region.
Bentonite: structure of the global production by country
India is the world’s second-largest producer of bentonite, known for its high quality. According to the Indian Bureau of Mines, during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 fiscal years, the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat – home to 98% of India’s bentonite resources – produced over 3.5 million tonnes annually. Ashapura Group of Industries is India’s largest and the world’s third-largest bentonite producer. The company reports that its bentonite segment is performing well, driven by steady demand from China.
Find a comprehensive analysis of the bentonite market in the in-demand research report “Bentonite: 2025 World Market Review and Forecast to 2034”.