Market evolution: Diatomaceous earth bricks (CN 6901) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report examines the evolution of extra-EU trade in CN 6901 — bricks, blocks, tiles and other ceramic goods made from siliceous fossil meals such as diatomite or kieselguhr — over the period 2015–2025. Despite its narrow product scope, this code covers an industrial niche with applications in insulation, filtration and refractory linings, sectors sensitive to both energy costs and construction-cycle dynamics. The EU has remained a consistent net exporter throughout the period, yet the decade has brought profound structural shifts: a dramatic contraction in traded volumes paired with soaring unit values, a reconfiguration of partner geography driven partly by geopolitical sanctions, and a progressive consolidation of production among fewer, more specialised member states. Three themes emerge from the data, each explored in a dedicated section below.

For full interactive charts, see the overview dashboard.

1. Collapsing Volumes, Surging Prices: A Decade of Upmarket Restructuring

The most striking feature of the 2015–2025 period is the simultaneous collapse of EU export volumes and the near-tripling of export unit values. This pattern, observable on both the export and production sides, points to a fundamental restructuring of the industry toward higher-value, lower-volume output.

Export volumes fell by over 70 % while values held relatively firm

EU exports to non-EU countries dropped from 46,185 tonnes in 2015 to just 13,134 tonnes in 2025, a decline of 71.6 %. Over the same period, export value fell only 14.1 %, from €20.4 million to €17.5 million. The explanation lies in the unit export price, which rose from €442/t to €1,336/t — an increase of 202.0 %.

Production tells a similar story: half the volume, but higher total value

EU production volumes fell from 326,269 kg to 140,000 kg (unit as reported), a decline of 57.1 %, yet production values rose from €122.5 million to €156.4 million (+27.7 %). This divergence — less output but more revenue — mirrors the trade picture and suggests that EU producers have moved decisively toward higher-grade, specialty applications (e.g., advanced filtration or high-temperature insulation), where margins and unit prices are structurally higher. The sharp energy-price increases following 2021 may also have been passed through, since ceramic production is energy-intensive.

Import volumes rose, but import prices softened

Imports followed the opposite trajectory on price. Incoming volumes grew 48.4 % (from 4,655 t to 6,910 t), and import value rose 37.4 % (from €2.6 million to €3.5 million), but the unit import price actually declined 7.4 % (from €552/t to €511/t). This widening export–import price gap (€1,336/t out vs. €511/t in by 2025) reinforces the interpretation that the EU has specialised in premium segments while importing standard-grade product at commodity prices. See the full trade overview for year-by-year detail.

2. A Reconfigured Partner Map: Concentration, Sanctions and New Entrants

Over the decade, the geographic profile of EU trade in CN 6901 has shifted markedly. Export concentration nearly doubled, certain traditional partners collapsed, and new trade routes emerged — some driven by geopolitical events such as sanctions on Russia.

The UK consolidated its position as the dominant export destination

The United Kingdom absorbed €6.4 million of EU exports in 2015 and €8.4 million in 2025 (+29.8 %), making it by far the largest single destination — effectively half of all EU extra-EU export value by 2025. This stability likely reflects both geographic proximity and the persistent need for diatomite-based insulation and filtration products in UK industry. See the partner view.

Russia: a volatile arc from growth to near-collapse

EU exports to the Russian Federation swung dramatically: from €0.5 million in 2015 to a peak of €6.7 million, then back down to €1.6 million in 2025 (+193.3 % net). On the import side, Russian-origin product plunged 94.2 %, from €281,000 to just €16,000. The trajectory is consistent with the progressive tightening of EU sanctions and counter-sanctions from 2022 onwards, though the export rebound in 2025 data warrants monitoring for possible re-routing.

Algeria and Canada saw steep declines; Australia proved resilient

Algerian exports collapsed by 83.9 % (from €1.0 million to €0.16 million) and Canadian exports fell 51.7 %, suggesting a loss of competitiveness or shifting demand in these markets. By contrast, Australian trade remained remarkably stable (−5.4 %), with relatively low volatility (CV of 0.46), indicating a dependable long-term customer.

Ireland emerged as a major new player — on both sides

Ireland's export values surged from €46,000 to €3.0 million (+6,484 %), while its imports also jumped from €54,000 to €614,000 (+1,030 %). This dual rise may reflect the establishment of Ireland-based processing or trading operations, possibly linked to multinational industrial investment, turning Ireland into both a producer-exporter and an importer of raw diatomite feedstock.

Export concentration nearly doubled; import sources diversified modestly

The Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) for export concentration by value rose from 1,315 to 2,525 (+92.0 %), driven by the growing weight of the UK and the collapse of several smaller destinations. On the import side, the HHI rose more modestly from 1,576 to 1,922 (+21.9 %). Bangladesh (+61.7 %) and Serbia (+571.6 %) became larger suppliers, partially offsetting the decline from Russia and Morocco (−57.3 %).

Price shocks clustered in 2019 and 2022

The shock detection identified three notable events. A Turkish import price shock in 2019 showed a +390.6 % shift (abnormality 74.5), coinciding with extreme volatility in the Turkish lira. In 2022, price shocks were detected in exports to both Brazil (+120.6 %, abnormality 413.7) and Norway (+113.4 %, abnormality 57.4), aligning with the broader post-pandemic energy and logistics cost surge.

3. Strategic Positioning: The EU as a Specialised, Self-Reliant Producer

Despite declining trade volumes, the EU's structural position in CN 6901 remains that of a net exporter with a high degree of self-reliance. Production is increasingly concentrated in a small number of Mediterranean and Western European member states that combine comparative advantage with access to raw diatomite deposits.

Net exporter status held throughout the decade

The net import reliance ratio remained negative throughout, meaning the EU consistently exported more (in value) than it imported. It ranged from −0.3 % (a near-balance around 2020–2021, when export volumes dipped most sharply) to −30.3 % (the peak surplus). By 2025, it stood at −7.3 %, slightly less negative than the 2015 starting point of −8.3 %. The trade surplus narrowed from €17.9 million to €14.0 million (−21.5 %), but the EU retained a comfortable positive balance.

Trade intensity and export propensity both declined

Trade intensity (the share of extra-EU trade relative to domestic production) fell from 15.4 % to 12.9 % (−15.9 %), while export propensity (exports as a share of production) declined from 11.8 % to 10.1 % (−15.0 %). Both metrics are at their minimum observed values in 2025, suggesting that the EU market is becoming somewhat more self-contained — either because rising production values are absorbing more domestic demand, or because domestic consumption is growing in step with output.

Spain, Italy and France anchor the EU's comparative advantage

The specialisation analysis for 2025 shows that Spain leads with a Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) of 0.73 and an RCA of 6.44, followed by Luxembourg (RSCA 0.58), Italy (RSCA 0.54) and France (RSCA 0.43). These countries collectively account for over 83 % of EU CN 6901 production value, benefitting from natural diatomite deposits (notably in Spain, France and Italy) and established ceramic-industry infrastructure.

France consolidated its role as the EU's top exporter

Among EU member states, France grew export values from €8.0 million to €8.9 million (+11.8 %), while second-ranked Spain fell from €3.3 million to €1.2 million (−63.9 %) and the Netherlands collapsed from €5.1 million to €0.17 million (−96.5 %). Germany (+128.6 %) and Ireland (+6,484 %) bucked the trend, partially compensating for declines elsewhere.

Conclusion

The EU market for diatomaceous earth ceramic goods (CN 6901) underwent a significant transformation between 2015 and 2025. The dominant narrative is one of volume contraction and value upgrading: export quantities fell by over 70 %, yet the trade surplus remained positive and unit export prices nearly tripled, reflecting a shift toward premium, high-specification products. EU production followed the same pattern — less tonnage, higher revenue.

Geographically, the trade map became more concentrated. The UK emerged as the overwhelmingly dominant export partner, while sanctions-related disruptions reshaped flows with Russia. Ireland's dramatic rise as both exporter and importer signals new industrial capacity. On the import side, Bangladesh and Serbia gained ground as low-cost suppliers of standard-grade product.

Structurally, the EU retains a comfortable net-exporter position and high self-reliance, underpinned by the comparative advantage of Spain, Italy and France. However, declining trade intensity and export propensity suggest a more domestically oriented market — one that is increasingly specialised, concentrated, and less exposed to third-country competition. The key risks ahead lie in the growing dependency on the UK as a single export destination (reflected in the sharp rise in export HHI) and in the energy-cost sensitivity inherent to ceramic manufacturing.