Perlite Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Global Perlite Market is segmented By Form (Crude Form, Expanded Form), By Application (Building and Construction, Fillers, Horticulture Aggregates, Filtration and Process Aids), By Type (LECA, Starlite), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Market Overview

Report analyses the Global Perlite Market size, shares, recent trends, competitive intelligence, and future market outlook. Demand from Building and Construction, Horticulture in Asia Pacific is rising. Competitive rivalry intensifies with Bergama Perlite, Whittemore Company, Gulf Perlite LLC and others operating in the market.

Perlite is a naturally occurring amorphous, volcanic, siliceous rock with high water content. Upon heating sufficiently, the water molecules are released, and perlite expands 4 to 20 times its original volume imparting a white color to the material. Also, Perlite is used as an inorganic, inert, and sterile. It naturally contains the different minerals which are essential for the growth of the plant. Being inorganic it is free from weeds, diseases, and pests.

Market Scope

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Market Dynamics

Growing urbanization rates, increasing applications of perlite in horticulture and gardening, and superior functional properties are the key drivers for market growth. Changes in monetary and social conditions set apart by a significant increase in manufacturing outputs are the major factors responsible for the rapid growth of global urbanization rates. High urbanization rates are responsible for the increasing demand for the construction of new houses at cheaper costs without compromising the quality. According to the International Yearbook of Industrial Statistics 2018 released by United Nations Industrial Development Organizations (UNIDO), the world manufacturing value added (MVA) rose by 3.5% in 2017, the highest rate in the last seven years. High urbanization rates are responsible for the increasing demand for the construction of new houses at cheaper costs without compromising the quality.

Perlite has increasingly been used in the horticultural industry because of its advantage of providing aeration and drainage; it can even retain and hold substantial amounts of water. These properties are advantageous when used in gardening. As roots start to grow in search of a water source, a well-draining media like coarse perlite forces them to grow rapidly. It prevents plant roots against rot. Perlite is inorganic, sterile, and reusable. They have a neutral pH, and they are readily available, easy and safe to use, and relatively inexpensive. Being inorganic it is free from weeds, diseases, and pests. Perlite naturally contains the different minerals which are essential for the growth of the plant and encourages quicker germination than any other growing media. Perlite tends to last longer, has a more neutral pH, and functions much better in hydroponics, outdoor applications, lawns, and gardens. 

The hazardous effects of perlite are the major restraint that is hampering the growth of the market. Perlite has been characterized as a nuisance or inert dust.  Exposure to such dust can sometimes result in temporary physical irritation, discomfort, impaired visibility, and enhancement of accidental potential, but not health impairment.

Segmentation Analysis

Based on form, the global perlite market is broadly segmented as crude form and expanded form. 

Based on type, the global perlite market is categorized into LECA and Starlite. The LECA market was valued at US$ 2,829.86 Million in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of YY% over the forecast period to reach US$ YY Million by 2031. LECA stands for Lightweight expanded clay aggregate. Some of its common trade names include Geolite, Grorox, and Hydroton. LECA is made of expanding clay pellets that hold water by their porosity and surface area. They are reusable, lightweight, easy for transplanting and harvesting, and easy on the hands as LECA are a form of pellets and do not stick together. These factors make them favored by small producers using media bed or Dutch bucket techniques. LECA is such a very easy-to-use material for hobbyists and small growers, but it is not cost-effective for commercial productions or large-scale growing.

Depending on the application, the global perlite market is classified into building and construction, fillers, horticulture aggregates, filtration and process aids, and others. The Building and Construction application of the perlite market was valued at $769.48 Million in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% over the forecast period to reach a US$ YY Million by 2031. The building and construction sector dominated the market in 2016 and is projected to remain the dominant application in the next five years. The unique properties of perlite such as its being lightweight, fire-resistant, excellent insulator, and acoustic properties make it highly suitable for building and construction.  In addition to providing thermal insulation, reduces noise transmission and is resistant to rot, vermin and termites. Perlite also enhances fire resistance and is ideal for insulation against low temperatures. The increasing public and private investments in the construction sector of the emerging economies of Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and South America drive the growth of this market.

Geographical Analysis

The global Perlite Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa. 

The Asia Pacific Perlite Market is valued at $285.35 Million in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% over the forecast period to reach a US$ YY Million by 2031. China holds 39% of the market share in 2021 and is expected to be YY% by 2031, for the Global Perlite Market The collective re due to the perlite market by the Asia Pacific is expected to generate US$ YY Million by 2031. The growth of the Asia Pacific perlite market is mainly attributed to the growth of the building and construction industry and rising demand from horticulture and agriculture sectors in developing countries like China, India, and other Asian countries. According to Oxford Economics, UK, the volume of the global construction output is expected to grow at a steady pace with India and China accounting for a major share of about 57% of the worldwide growth. Moreover, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the accumulated gross output value of China’s construction Industry grew from 29.13 Billion USD in Q4 2016 to 31.66 Billion USD in Q4 2017 finally reaching 35.51 billion USD in Q4 2018.

The collective revenue of the perlite market in Europe is expected to generate US$ YY Million by 2031. The growth of the Europe perlite market is mainly attributed to the growth of the building and construction sector and a large number of uses of perlite in agriculture. Greece is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of perlite where it produced an estimated 30% of world perlite production in 2017. The construction industry in the region is poised for growth due to increased household disposable income and low-interest rates. The formation of the European Industrial Map and conservative efforts undertaken by the European Union to maintain its edge as increased government investments and initiatives have benefitted the European agriculture and construction markets and are expected to continue to do so over the forecast period.

According to the US Geological Survey, in 2017, domestic sold and used processed crude perlite was estimated to be 455,000 tons with a value of $29.1 million and Domestic apparent consumption was 590,000 tons. 

The GCC countries have long-term strategies for development projects that focus on social infrastructure, transportation, and tourism. This will eventually lead to more opportunities for the Middle East construction sector in the perlite market.

Competitive Analysis

• Some of the key market players are Imerys SA, Keltech Energies Ltd, Bergama Perlite, Genper Group, Perlite-Hellas, Supreme Perlite Company, Whittemore Company, Saudi Perlite Industries, Dicalite Management Group, Midwest Perlite, Franken Maxit Group, and Amol Dicalite Limited. 
• Global major producing countries are China, Turkey, Greece, and the United States. Although China was the leading producer, most of its perlite production is consumed internally. 
• Greece and Turkey remained the leading exporters of perlite. The global perlite market is consolidated with the market being in the hands of a few significant players. 
• The companies are highly focused on enhancing their production facilities to advance their production at lower input costs.
• In recent times Imerys and EP Minerals announced price increases in their product lines, including perlite products.  As residential and commercial construction increases, which has taken place in some areas of the United States, perlite consumption is likely to increase. Perlite imports in 2021 were anticipated to grow from the levels in 2017 to meet increased demand.

Key Points

• The Global Perlite Market Value in 2021 was US$ 1366.12 million.

• Growth of the building and construction industry, increasing use of perlite in horticulture and gardening, and superior functional properties are the drivers for the market growth.

• The crude form segment of the perlite market was valued at US$ 215.44 Million in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.89%.

• Application-wise, The Building and Construction application of the perlite market is the largest segment and was valued at US$ 769.48 Million in 2021. 

• The United States grabbed 70% of the market share of North America in 2021.

• The Asia Pacific perlite market is anticipated to grow at a healthy pace in the future.

• Imerys S.A., Keltech Energies Limit, Midwest Perlite Inc, Genper Expanded Perlite Industry Business Co are the few key players in this market.

• The market is competitive with the presence of well-established companies globally that have similar product offerings.