Boron: Global industry markets and outlook, 12th edition 2010

Global demand for borates grew strongly in the three years to 2008, at up to 8%py, largely driven by growth in the Chinese market ? now the world?s largest ? where consumption rose by 15%py from 2000 to 2008. Growth in the market share held by Asian countries partly reflects the shift in production of textile-grade fibreglass, borosilicate glass and ceramics away from North America and Europe to countries with lower production costs.

Following the years of strong growth, 2009 saw a sharp drop in demand for borates, but, in the second half of the year, markets for both textile-grade fibreglass and borosilicate glass recovered and demand for borosilicate glass in LCD screens is expected to grow by 15% in 2010. An up-turn in construction activity should provide a recovering market for insulation-grade fibreglass in the medium term.

World production of natural and refined borates remains highly concentrated in Turkey and the USA; the two countries accounting for around 75% of supply. Chinese boron is inadequate in terms of both quantity and grade to meet domestic demand so the country is now the largest importer of both natural borates and boric acid.

• Independent, in-depth research and analysis
• Essential market intelligence for successful business planning
• Detailed survey of production and processing
• Up-to-date profiles of the activities of producing and processing companies
• Forecasts for end-use consumption and world supply and demand