Nepheline Market

Market Overview

The global nepheline market size was valued at USD 170 million in 2021 and is envisioned to reach USD 208.7 million in 2030 at a CAGR of 2.6% during the forecast period.

Nepheline, also referred to as nephelite, is an igneous rock with a significantly lower silica content that forms in the absence of silica from molten magma. It has a vitreous sheen and poor cleavage and is white, grey, or yellow. Nepheline derives its name from the Greek term nephele, which means "cloud," due to the substance's cloudiness when exposed to strong acid. The presence of alumina in nepheline syenite increases its resistance to breaking and scratching, chemical durability, and thermal endurance. Owing to its capacity to impart weather resistance and a glossy finish, nepheline is widely used in paints resistant to the elements.

Increasing demand for nepheline syenite as an alternative source for potassium and aluminum is driving the expansion of the global nepheline market share. To extract potassium and aluminum from a silicate mineral, i.e., nepheline syenite, market leaders focus more on developing an integrated extraction process. This factor is anticipated to be a significant market driver worldwide. In addition, potassium is an essential micronutrient for growing plants in conjunction with nitrogen and phosphorus.

Market Dynamics

Market Driving Factors

Increased Usage during Glass Manufacturing and Ceramics Products to Boost Market Progress

Glass is used in many end-use industries, including housing & construction, packaging, tableware, electrical & electronic, and others, causing the glass manufacturing industry to grow steadily. Due to its high alumina content, nepheline is extensively used in the glass industry to lower the glass mixture's melting point. It is also employed in producing scratch-resistant and durable fiberglass and specialty glass. Nepheline syenite concentrate makes gorilla glass thin, scratch-resistant, and unbreakable. In addition, countries such as China, Germany, the United States, and others are continually working to maximize their glass production capacity, which has led to an increase in the market for nepheline syenite in the region. Thus, the expansion of the glass manufacturing industry has contributed to the nepheline market share.

In addition to lowering the melting temperature of the ceramic mixture, nepheline makes it possible to decorate ceramic products with attractive patterns. It is utilized as a porcelain flux to create a glassy phase over the ceramic product's body. In addition, the high alumina content of nepheline is used to infuse whiteness to ceramic products like bone china, porcelain, and earthenware. Numerous end-use industries, like construction & housing, electrical & electronic, metallurgy, and others, have significantly increased demand for ceramic products. Due to the use of nepheline in producing various ceramic products, such as interior and exterior tiles, sanitary ware, non-refractory bricks, and other construction materials, the demand for nepheline in the construction industries may increase.

Market Restraining Factors

Increasing Transportation Cost to Hinder Market Growth

Nepheline is a naturally occurring mineral extracted from mines and shipped to various locations worldwide. The price of fuel, which oil traders determine, the amount of fuel currently available, and both the current and projected levels of supply and demand all play a role in determining the cost of transportation. Because of all of these factors, fuel oil is a very volatile commodity. Additionally, natural and man-made disasters significantly impact the ups and downs of fuel prices. As a result, the market for nepheline is being hampered in its expansion.

Market Opportunities

Power Projects to Create Opportunities to Boost Market Opportunities

Emerging economies like China, India, and others are experiencing rapid industrialization growth. Energy (power plants), public transportation, automotive, and other industries contribute significantly to the economy's expansion. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) reported that developing economies like China and India have witnessed an increase of 30% in their respective industrial and power sectors. These industries use nepheline for various applications, including refractories, abrasives, fillers, and sealants. In addition, governments of various nations are continually engaged in expanding power plants to ensure a continuous power supply. These factors are anticipated to generate market expansion opportunities for nepheline.

Regional Analysis

The region-wise segmentation of the global nepheline market includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Is north america dominating the global nepheline market?

North America is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% during the forecast period and hold the largest market share. The ceramic and glass companies in the United States are expanding rapidly, increasing the demand for nepheline and lowering the melting point of ceramic and glass mixtures. Nepheline is widely utilized in the ceramic and glass industries to lower the melting temperature, impart whiteness, and other applications. The dominant market trend in North America is the utilization of nepheline in industries like glass & ceramic manufacturing, refractory, electrical & electronic, and others. According to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey, the glass and ceramic industries consume approximately 65% and 35% of the total nepheline syenite produced in the United States, respectively. In addition, Canadian mines are constantly optimizing their mining potentials to meet the rising demand for industrial minerals. The utilization of nepheline, a critical industrial mineral in various industries, is projected to generate lucrative opportunities for the North American nepheline market growth.

Europe will hold a share of USD 92 million, growing at a CAGR of 2.9% during the forecast period. Nepheline is commonly used in the glass industry to lower the melting point and impart toughness and scratch resistance, among other properties. The leading market trend in Europe is the application of nepheline in industries such as glass production, refractories, and the ceramic industry. According to a report by the Glass Alliance of Europe, the glass businesses in Europe have reached 37.2 million tons with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. In addition, European nations like Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and others have set goals to boost industrial mineral production by 500% between 2020 and 2050. This is anticipated to improve the performance of the European market.

In addition, there is an increment in the usage of ceramic products in various end-use industries, like construction, electrical & electronic, and others, where nepheline is used to impart whiteness and a glossy finish to ceramic products. This may stimulate the European nepheline market growth. In addition, the power industry is becoming the most resilient industry in Europe, with an annual growth rate of 12%. These industries require a substantial number of refractories containing nepheline for use in furnaces, kilns, stoves, and other fireplaces. This is anticipated to generate growth offers for the European nepheline market.

The Asia-Pacific region will grow at the highest CAGR. The growth of the glass and ceramics industries in the Asia-Pacific region has boosted the effectiveness of the global market. The rapid expansion of China's glass manufacturing sector has compelled nepheline producers to make more efficient nepheline syenites for glass application areas. Also, countries like India and Australia are experiencing a rapid expansion of ceramic industries where nepheline is broadly used as a whitener for ceramic tiles. In addition, Japan's expanding electronic and electrical industry has increased the demand for nepheline due to its use in producing insulators, spark plugs, tubes, and bare wires, among others. This could increase the performance of the Asia-Pacific nepheline market share.

Moreover, the growing population in countries like China and India has resulted in massive urbanization and industrialization. In furnaces, kilns, stoves, boilers, and other fireplaces, where nepheline-based refractories are used, power sectors have increased the capacity to maintain an uninterrupted power supply. This may stimulate the expansion of the Asia-Pacific nephelines market.

Segmental Analysis

The global nepheline market is classified based on product type, application, and region.

By Product Type Analysis

Depending on product type, the segments include Nepheline Syenite, Nepheline Monzonite, and Nephelinites.

Nepheline syenite will likely grow at a CAGR of 2.6% and hold the largest market share during the forecast period. Nepheline syenite is an igneous rock composed of molten magma that contains sodium-potassium aluminosilicate. It is composed of three other minerals: the albite form of feldspar, the microcline form of feldspar, and the nepheline. Its UV resistance, additional stability, non-magnetic, non-toxic, and non-radioactive properties, among others, make it ideally suited for Ceramic, Refractories, and Glass production, among other applications. In addition, there is a rapid increase in demand for glass-based products, like fiberglass, specialty glass, and others, for which nepheline syenite is widely used to improve the strength and durability of the glass. This may cause the nepheline market for nepheline syenite to experience a substantial rise in demand from the expanding glass industry.

Nepheline monzonite will hold the second-largest share. The exceptional properties of nepheline monzonite, like thermal properties, UV resistance, additional stability, extreme pressure load, and weather resistance, make it an ideal filler and construction material. Utilization of nepheline monzonite in industries like road building, cement manufacturing, building facings, and statues, among others, is the most significant market trend on a global scale. Emerging nations such as China, India, and others are experiencing a dramatic increase in construction projects that utilize nepheline monzonite as a primary aggregate in cement production. This is expected to fuel the expansion of the market for nepheline monzonite in developing nations.

By Application Analysis

Depending on the application, the segments include Ceramic Products, Glass Products, Refractories, and Others.

Glass products are anticipated to hold the largest market share during the forecast period growing at a CAGR of 2.4%. Nepheline's superior properties, which include a high melting pressure, UV protection, and thermal stability, make it an ideal material for producing glass. It is utilized as a flux to reduce the temperature of the glass mixture, allowing the glass to be produced at relatively low temperatures. The high alumina concentration of nepheline is utilized to increase the strength and durability of glass materials. Moreover, it plays a significant role in producing fiberglass and specialty glass.

The use of nepheline-based glass products in industries such as electronic devices, building & housing, healthcare, packaging, and insulation, among others, is the dominant market trend on a global scale. For instance, demand for glass-grade nepheline, primarily used to reduce the melting temperature of glass mixture, has increased in the glass manufacturing industries. Nepheline is used by leading manufacturers to produce specialty glasses like gorilla glass, tempered glass, and others due to its resistance to high temperatures, scratch resistance, indestructibility, lightweight, and extreme pressure load.

Refractories will advance at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Nepheline has a low water-absorption capacity and a high resistance to high temperatures, making it an effective refractory material. Nepheline ore is extracted, and its dark minerals are separated, putting nepheline, feldspar, and alumina as the primary components. During combustion, the high alumina content of the refractory linings prevents the formation of low-melting deposits and slags.

Nepheline is ideally suited for use in refractories due to its significant properties, including thermal resistance, UV resistance, stability, and high-pressure melting. The leading market trend in the global market is the use of nepheline-based refractories in industries such as energy plants, metallurgy, furnaces, reactors, and kilns. In addition, the rise of industrialization in emerging countries like China, India, and others, in which nepheline-based refractories are commonly used during furnaces, kilns, stoves, and other fireplaces, may contribute to the expansion of the nepheline market for refractories.

Recent Developments

• In 2022, PhosAgro Group of Companies announced the launch of a new regional company, PhosAgro-Sibir.
• In 2022, SCR Sibelco entered into exclusive negotiations for the planned sale of its abrasive activities to EP Power Minerals.