From 2013 to 2017, kaolin production in Chile remained stable at 60.0 thousand metric tons. A significant increase occurred in 2018, with production surging by 47.1% to 88.26 thousand metric tons. However, this trend was short-lived as production plummeted by 61.39% the following year to 34.08 thousand metric tons in 2019.
In subsequent years, production showed fluctuating growth but did not recover to its 2018 peak. By 2023, kaolin production stood at 46.92 thousand metric tons, registering a slight year-on-year decrease of 1.02%. Over the past five years (2019-2023), the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) demonstrated an average decrease of -11.87% per year.
Future forecasts indicate a continued decline, with estimated production falling to 44.8 thousand metric tons by 2028, representing a forecasted 5-year CAGR of -0.67% and an overall reduction in kaolin production by 3.32% from 2024 to 2028.
Future trends to watch for:
- Technological advancements in kaolin extraction and processing that might improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Potential shifts in global kaolin demand, impacting both export and production strategies.
- Environmental regulations and policies that could affect mining operations in Chile.
- Emerging markets and new applications for kaolin in various industries, including ceramics, paper, and pharmaceuticals.
