Abrasive Industry In Europe And North America

The massive 477-page market report is a detailed analyses of markets for conventional abrasives and superabrasives, loose abrasive materials as well as bonded, coated, and superabrasives products. In-depth data cover key market parameters with forecasts to 2010 emphasizing markets in North America and Europe as well as an increasingly important Asian sector.



Statistical information on abrasive grains and products appears in over 340 tables including recent data on imports, exports, and production. Reviews of key producers describe company activities, market position, and recent performance. An assessment of end-use sectors cites technology trends such as microcrystalline abrasives, CMP, wire-sawing, new grain types, bonds and backing materials.



The total value of abrasive products made in the USA in 2005 reached $3.6 billion: $1.8 billion of coated and related products, $1.0 billion of bonded products (including superabrasives), and $134 million of metallic abrasives. Substantial imports helped buttress US consumption of abrasives, which exceeded domestic production. The US industry continues to show recovery following the steep declines in 2001 and 2002. By the end of 2006 production among product groups approached or exceeded highs set over the last decade. Prospects for the period 2006-2010 are for stability with growth in niche markets.



The total market for abrasive products in Western Europe in 2005 was valued at about €3.2 billion. Germany is the largest national market in Europe, with about one third of the total. The overall total is expected to grow by around 1.3% per year by value over the period 2006-2010 to reach € 3.4 billion in 2010. The total value of loose, bonded, coated and superabrasive abrasives consumed in Eastern Europe is estimated at around € 800 million, about 25% of the West European total.



Abrasive raw materials, such as silicon carbide and fused aluminium oxide consumed in bonded and coated abrasive products, add up to around 200,000 tons in Western Europe, with a corresponding value of € 160 million. European users consumed 320-340 million carats of superabrasive diamond and CBN grains in 2005, mainly for saw grits. Superabrasive consumption is still expanding, but prices will continue to fall and limit increases in total product values.



The value of crude fused aluminium oxide abrasive grain sold in the USA in 2005 was $65 million. Large quantities of metallic abrasives (236,000 tons in 2005, worth $125 million) are consumed in the USA, and the use of metallic abrasives is also growing rapidly in China.



Author Dr. John Briggs is a consultant providing marketing and technical advice since 1984 through his Enceram business. Dr. Briggs served as author to the previous four editions of the report. The author of the sections on North America and China is Ted Giese, who has been writing for the abrasives industry since 1988. Giese publishes the Abrasive User's News Fax, an industry newsletter now its eleventh year.



THE ABRASIVES INDUSTRY IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA:

A MARKET / TECHNOLOGY REPORT

By John Briggs, Enceram, and Ted Giese, Abrasive Engineering Society

Published in January 2007

MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY PUBLICATIONS

www.abrasivesreport.com



US Editorial Contact:

Ted Giese

724-282-621

info@abrasivesreport.com