Bleaching Clay Market Report 2025

The bleaching clay market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.51 billion in 2024 to $1.6 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of the petrochemical industry, expansion in the cosmetics industry, water treatment applications, development of sustainable practices, globalization of the food industry.

The bleaching clay market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.1 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for oleochemicals, stringent quality standards, rise in health consciousness, demand from the bio-based lubricants industry, focus on clean label products. Major trends in the forecast period include technological innovations in oil refining, strategic collaborations and partnerships, focus on sustainable and eco-friendly products, technological advancements in clay activation processes, r&d efforts for specialty applications,.

The increasing demand for refined vegetable oil is expected to propel the bleaching clay market. Refined vegetable oil refers to vegetable oil that has been degummed, deacidified, decolored, and deodorized. Bleaching clay, primarily made of montmorillonite, is used to bleach vegetable oils as an adsorbent clay which eliminates impurities that negatively affect the appearance and functionality of these triacylglycerol-based materials to achieve the high-quality oil standards necessary for edible applications. For instance, in March 2022, according to an article published by the International Olive Oil Council, a Spain-based intergovernmental association of states that produce olives or manufacture olive-derived products like olive oil, consumption of oil is expected to exceed 3.2 million tons in 2021/22. Global consumption of olive oil is expected to reach 3,214,500 tons in the 2021/22 crop year, a 2.9% increase over the 2020/21 crop year. Thus, increasing demand for refined vegetable oil drives the bleaching clay market.

The increasing demand for biofuels is projected to drive growth in the bleaching clay market in the future. Biofuel is a renewable energy source derived from organic materials, including plants, crops, or animal waste. Bleaching clay plays a crucial role in biofuel production by removing impurities and colorants from biodiesel, thereby enhancing the quality and stability of the final fuel product. For example, a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), a U.S.-based government agency, stated in February 2024 that the demand for biofuel is expected to rise to 38 billion liters over the next five years and will actually increase by 23% to 200 billion liters by 2028, representing nearly a 30% increase compared to the previous five-year period. Therefore, the growing demand for biofuels is a significant driver for the bleaching clay market.

Product innovation is a significant trend in the bleaching clay market, with major companies actively developing innovative products to gain a competitive advantage. For example, in November 2022, Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd. acquired EcoOils Limited, a waste oil recycling firm, as part of its strategy to enhance the production of sustainable low-carbon fuels. This acquisition specifically targets securing spent bleaching earth oil, which is a recognized biofuel feedstock obtained from recycling bleaching clay used in the palm oil refining process. EcoOils utilizes recycling technology to reduce landfill waste by converting spent bleaching earth into usable oil.

Major players in the bleaching clay market are strategically launching novel solutions, such as bleaching powders, to provide versatile and advanced solutions. Bleaching powder, also known as calcium hypochlorite, is a chemical compound addressing diverse applications. Alfaparf Milano, an Italy-based professional brand for hair, introduced three new bleaching powders in November 2022. These include BB Bleach with Bond System protection technology, ensuring safe and effective results. The range offers versatility with distinct powders catering to preventive measures against unwanted shades, freehand techniques, and uniform applications. The introduction of sachet packaging further accentuates environmental benefits, emphasizing a commitment to sustainability over traditional packaging methods.

In October 2022, Clariant AG, a Switzerland-based multinational specialty chemicals company, successfully acquired BASF SE for a notable sum of $60 million. This strategic move aims to bolster Clariant AG's technological capabilities in markets pertaining to the purification of edible oils and renewable fuels utilizing activated bleaching clay. Additionally, the acquisition seeks to expand the company's footprint in the North American market. BASF SE, a Germany-based multinational chemical company specializing in manufacturing bleaching clay, aligns with Clariant AG's strategic vision for growth and technological advancement.

Major companies operating in the bleaching clay market are Taiko Group of Companies., Clariant AG, Ashapura Perfoclay Limited, Oil-Dri Corporation of America, Musim Mas Holdings Pte Ltd, EP Minerals LLC, HRP Industries Inc., Refoil Earth Private Limited, The W Clay Industries Sdn. Bhd., Korvi Activated Earth, Sinoma Attapulgite Clay Co Ltd., Kemira Oyj, Indian Clay & Mineral Co., Manek Active Clay Private Limited, Minerals Technologies Inc., Phoenix Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., BASF SE, AMC (UK) Ltd., Arkema S.A., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, 20 Microns Limited, AMCOL International Corporation, Gujarat Clay Mills Private Limited, Kutch Minerals, S&B Industrial Minerals S.A., Southern Clay Products Inc., Geohellas S.A., Ashwin Chemicals, Alfa Chemical Corp.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the bleaching clay market share in 2024. North America was the second-largest region in the bleaching clay market analysis. The regions covered in the bleaching clay market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the bleaching clay market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Bleaching clay refers to an adsorbent clay or earth employed for the removal of coloring matter from liquids, such as oils. It finds application in various industries, including edible oils, biofuels, and paraffin wax.

The primary types of bleaching clay include activated bauxite, activated clays, and fuller's earth. Activated bauxite is a potent adsorbent utilized for purifying or refining hydrocarbons. In its natural state, bauxite is relatively inactive, but through heat treatment, it becomes activated bauxite. In the petroleum industry, activated bauxite serves as a drying agent for gases and organic liquids. Thermally activated bauxite is employed to refine lubricant oils and waxes. Bleaching clay is utilized in diverse applications, including industrial oil, mineral oil and waxes, vegetable oil, and animal fats. Various end-user industries, including food and beverage, cosmetics and personal care, chemicals, benefit from the applications of bleaching clay.

The bleaching clay market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides bleaching clay market statistics, including bleaching clay industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a bleaching clay market share, detailed bleaching clay market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the bleaching clay industry. This bleaching clay market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The bleaching clay market consists of sales of natural and activated bleaching clays. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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