The historical data on bentonite production in Spain from 2013 to 2023 shows a general downward trend, especially marked by a significant drop in 2020. In 2023, the production stood at 100.71 thousand metric tons, reflecting a continuous decline in recent years. The year-on-year variation in the last two years shows a marginal decrease with a rate of -1.49% in 2022 and -1.48% in 2023. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years indicates a decline, averaging at -1.5%.
Future trends indicate that the forecast for the next five years (2024-2028) continues this downward trend, with an expected CAGR of -1.3% leading to a cumulative growth rate decline of -6.32% by 2028. Production is projected to further reduce, reaching 92.78 thousand metric tons by 2028.
Future trends to watch for:
- Environmental regulations affecting bentonite mining and production processes.
- Technological advancements in bentonite extraction and processing.
- Market demand fluctuations linked to industries such as construction, drilling, and agriculture.
- Global competition and the impact of imports on local production.
- Potential exploration of alternative materials or substitute products affecting bentonite demand.