Brazil Clay Market Overview, 2030

Brazil’s clay industry supports a broad spectrum of domestic and international markets with diverse mineral resources spanning kaolin, bentonite, ball clay, fire clay, and fuller’s earth. The states of Pará and Maranhão house some of the most commercially valuable kaolin reserves, especially in the Amazon region, supplying pigment-grade material for paper and packaging exports. Bahia and São Paulo contribute significantly through industrial bentonite production, used in foundries, civil engineering, and environmental applications. In Minas Gerais and Santa Catarina, high-alumina clays and fire clays are extracted for use in refractories, brick manufacturing, and cement operations. Ball clay sourced from Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul feeds local demand in sanitaryware and decorative ceramics. Fuller’s earth deposits found in parts of Mato Grosso and Goiás support the cosmetic and absorbent materials industry. The Agência Nacional de Mineração (ANM) monitors extraction and licensing, while geological mapping by DNPM has historically guided mineral policy. Clay processing and beneficiation facilities operate near major mines to support value-added production, especially for kaolin slurry and calcined forms. Brazil’s long-standing ceramic traditions, including Barroco Mineiro influences, continue through industrial and artisanal manufacturing in regions like São Paulo, Porto Ferreira, and the Jequitinhonha Valley. Major players such as Caulim da Amazônia and Para Pigmentos dominate the kaolin export landscape, shipping refined material to Europe, North America, and Asia. Imerys Brazil and Mineração Curimbaba have expanded bentonite and refractory clay operations, respectively, with localized processing hubs.

According to the research report ""Brazil Clay Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Brazil Clay market is anticipated to grow at more than 4.23% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. According to ANM and USGS, kaolin remains the country’s highest-volume clay type, with more than million metric tons mined annually, primarily from Pará and Maranhão. Exports of white kaolin have shown stable growth, with the U.S., China, the Netherlands, and Argentina as major destinations due to demand in paper, paint, and plastic filler industries. Meanwhile, Brazil continues to import specialty bentonite products, particularly from the U.S. and India, to supplement local reserves concentrated in Bahia and Tocantins, especially for use in environmental sealing, cosmetic manufacturing, and high-spec oil drilling muds. The Santa Gertrudes ceramic cluster in São Paulo state, one of the largest tile manufacturing hubs in Latin America, remains a major consumer of ball clay and blended kaolin, supporting domestic infrastructure and residential construction sectors. Offshore oil exploration, particularly pre-salt basin developments off the coasts of Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro, has fueled the demand for drilling-grade bentonite used in wellbore stabilization and mud conditioning. Fire clay extracted in Minas Gerais is routed to foundry and high-temperature cement industries, with applications in kiln linings and refractory mortars. The integration of internal clay supply chains with Brazil’s extensive transport networks allows materials from the Amazon and interior regions to reach export ports and ceramic hubs efficiently.

Kaolin represents the highest-volume segment, with Pará and Maranhão hosting some of the largest deposits used extensively in paper coating, ceramics, paints, and polymer fillers. Companies such as Imerys and Caulim da Amazônia operate high-purity kaolin mines here, with a significant share destined for export. Bentonite production is concentrated in Bahia, where naturally swelling sodium bentonite is mined for use in drilling muds, water sealing, iron ore pelletizing, and cosmetics. Ball clay is sourced primarily from São Paulo and Santa Catarina, where high-plasticity clays are processed into floor and wall tiles, sanitaryware, and tableware. The ceramic cluster in Santa Gertrudes depends heavily on these clays, often blending local ball clay with imported or regional kaolin to meet technical standards. Fire clay is extracted from clay-rich zones in Minas Gerais and used in refractory applications for furnaces, kilns, and foundries due to its alumina content and heat resistance. Fuller’s earth, though produced at a smaller scale, finds demand in the personal care sector for its absorbent properties and is distributed mainly to cosmetic processors and filter aid manufacturers. In addition to the primary categories, Brazil’s diverse geology includes pockets of mixed clays and halloysite used in regional applications or as additive blends. These deposits, though less industrialized, support artisanal pottery, traditional crafts, and localized filler markets. Imports of high-performance bentonite and refined kaolin from the U.S. and Asia continue to supplement specialty-grade needs.

Ceramic tiles and sanitaryware represent the largest consuming segment, especially in São Paulo and Santa Catarina, where ball clay and kaolin are blended for the production of flooring, wall tiles, sinks, and toiletware. The Santa Gertrudes ceramic hub alone accounts for a substantial share of national clay consumption. In the construction materials sector, fire clay and kaolin are added to cement blends, mortars, and lightweight brick composites, often enhancing durability and thermal insulation. The oil and gas industry uses bentonite as a primary ingredient in drilling fluids especially in offshore rigs operating along the Campos and Santos basins where its swelling capacity supports borehole stability and filtration control. The pulp and paper sector utilizes fine kaolin sourced from Pará and Maranhão for coated paper production, packaging grades, and ink absorption applications. This demand drives both internal transport routes and overseas shipments, particularly to North America and Europe. Additional applications include the pet care sector, which consumes large volumes of bentonite and fuller's earth for clumping cat litter and animal hygiene products, with Bahia and Minas Gerais supplying much of the raw material. In personal care, high-purity clays are processed into face masks, deodorants, and hair treatments by cosmetic brands seeking natural absorbents. Clay-based absorbents also serve roles in industrial cleanup, food filtration, and hazardous waste containment.

Construction firms are the top consumers, using kaolin, fire clay, and bentonite in cementitious products, precast bricks, renders, and soil stabilization. Public infrastructure and low-income housing projects sustain steady demand in urban and rural zones. The ceramic manufacturing industry, led by companies like Portobello, Eliane, and Incepa, absorbs large volumes of kaolin and ball clay for producing floor and wall tiles, sanitaryware, and decorative ceramics, especially within the Santa Gertrudes cluster. These firms often combine local and imported clay to meet quality specifications for domestic and export markets. The oil and gas sector depends heavily on bentonite sourced from Bahia, which Petrobras and its service contractors use in offshore drilling muds for fluid loss control and pressure stabilization. Secondary use cases include sealing applications in geotechnical construction and reservoir plugging. In the paper and pulp sector, kaolin from Pará and Maranhão supports fine paper production, where brightness and printability are critical for packaging, publishing, and stationery markets. Additional end users include cosmetic brands and pharmaceutical companies that utilize fuller's earth and fine clays in formulations for skincare, anti-acne treatments, and exfoliants. The pet care industry consumes bentonite in clumping litter production for domestic and commercial animal hygiene. Environmental services firms also deploy bentonite in hazardous waste encapsulation and chemical spill absorption.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Clay Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type
• Kaolin Clay
• Bentonite Clay
• Ball Clay
• Fire Clay
• Fuller’s earth
• Others

By Application
• Ceramics & Sanitaryware
• Construction Materials
• Oil & Gas Drilling
• Paper & Pulp
• Others

By End User
• Construction
• Ceramics & Glass
• Oil & Gas
• Paper & Pulp
• Others Show more