The talc market is projected to propagate at a CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period (2021-2027). Talc is a naturally occurring mineral formed under the earth. It is a common silicate material that can be distinguished from other minerals from its extreme softness. Talc can be divided majorly into talc carbonates and talc chlorite. Talc carbonates are the most found form of talc around the globe. Talc is considered a raw material due to properties such as lamellarity, softness, whiteness, fragrance retention, luster, and chemical purity. The other commercial properties of talc are chemical inertness, low abrasion, high thermal conductivity, low electrical conductivity stability, and high oil and grease adsorption.

Increasing use of talc in the automotive industry, superior properties of talc, rapid industrialization in emerging economies, and growing middle-class population are some of the pivotal factors stimulating the growth of the global talc market. Talc is generally used in the automotive industry as a functional material owing to its ability to modify some properties in a modified polymetric matrix. The other reason for the popularity of talc in the automotive industry is its ability to enhance stiffness in combination with good aesthetics, hydrophobic characteristics, and reasonable price. Further, a lot of developing countries have become the centers of growth by raising their shares of global incomes significantly. In addition, the investment between emerging and developed countries has deepened.

However, the global talc market suffered a downfall during the COVID-19 pandemic as most economic activities were halted in 2020, especially during Q1 and Q2. Major revenue generating end-users such as construction, automotive, and infrastructure development and most plants were shut down during 2020, leading to a decline in the sales of talc. Stringent government policies and regulations from the local and national governments have greatly restricted the movement of supplies, activities at production facilities, and logistics of finished goods from manufacturers to consumers. The pandemic and lockdown disrupted the production and supply chain of the global talc market. The talc industry also faced a massive shortage of skilled and unskilled labor during the lockdown.

Segmental Outlook  

The talc market is segmented based on the deposits and end-user. Based on deposits, the market is sub-segmented into talc carbonates, talc chlorites, and others. Based on end-user, the market is segmented into ceramics, construction, cosmetics and personal care, paints and coatings, pharmaceuticals, plastics, pulp and paper, and others. Owing to the properties of talc such as softness, lamellar, resistivity to heat, and stiffness, it is used in various industries. The plastic industry is one of the major end-users of talc globally. Talc is used in the plastic industry to increase the stiffness and impact strength of plastic & polymers. Owing to its hydrophobicity and chemical inertness, it also gives chemical resistance to plastic & polymers. The demand for lightweight, energy-efficient vehicles is rising in the automotive industry; hence, manufacturers are using plastics, which is helping the automotive industry to reduce the weight of vehicles and make their vehicles as energy-efficient and fuel-efficient as possible, thus resulting in increased use of talc.

Regional Outlook 

The global talc market is further segmented based on geography including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America is expected to be the largest market for talc in 2020. Strong economic growth, the establishment of new production sites, company expansions, and increased construction of industrial buildings are the key drivers for talc in the region. The growth of the talc market in North America is also supported by the rising investments in R&D for enhanced materials and increasing demand from remodeling and renovation developments in the region. While, the Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market across the globe. In Asia-Pacific, the market is driven by China, Japan, and South Korea. Strong economic development and rising industrial construction have supported the market.

Global Talc Market Growth, by Region 2021-2027

Market Players Outlook

The global talc market is fragmented and highly characterized by the presence of global and domestic vendors across geographies. Imerys, Elementis, Mineral Technologies, IMI FABI, and Liaoning AIHAI Talc are the major vendors across the global talc market. There are also smaller vendors in the talc market, such as Anand Talc, Haichen Minchem, Heritage Plastic, Chicago Protective Apparel, and more. These smaller vendors focus on capitalizing on a product portfolio that best suits the domestic needs and wants. There have been mergers and acquisitions among many companies over the past decade. Mergers and acquisitions benefit companies in purchasing raw materials, distribution, and R&D and are largely driven by consolidation.

The Report Covers

• Market value data analysis of 2020 and forecast to 2027.
• Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.
• Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.
• Key companies operating in the global talc market. Based on the availability of data, information related to the products, and relevant news is also available in the report.
• Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.
• Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies.
• Competitive strategies by identifying ‘who-stands-where’ in the market.