Metakaolin price in October 2025 went down across India by 1.1%, China by 2.2%, and Germany by 0.8%. It was cost relief for India with cheaper Kaolin Clay and agile supply chains, whereas weak exports and contraction in housing weakened demand in China. The decline in Germany reflects fragile supply conditions and a construction slump.
Metakaolin markets in India, China, and Germany were under downward pressure in October 2025, as price declines appeared supported by varied regional dynamics. While India witnessed a decline of 1.1%, the drop was sharper in China at 2.2% and more subdued in Germany at 0.8%.
In India, the easing of feedstock costs set the tone for price weakness: Prices of Kaolin Clay fell 4.2%, which lowered input expenses for Metakaolin manufacturers. Supply conditions improved significantly in October, supported by GST relief and productivity gains, fueling new orders and output growth. Vendors responded efficiently, reducing delivery times to the greatest extent in four months. Imports of Metakaolin from China were also higher, facilitated by an 8.7% decline in Drewry's Intra Asia Container Index and despite some port delays. Demand from infrastructure was steady, and commercial real estate was decent, while road construction slowed down sharply, with execution rates reaching a five-year low. Overall, cost relief and resilient supply outweighed uneven demand and drove prices lower for Metakaolin.
In China, Metakaolin prices decreased more sharply due to weak downstream demand, though feedstock supply was stable. Kaolin Clay availability remained stable, supported by consistent operations from the Baishuidong mine. However, Longgao Group recorded a revenue decline of 38.9% and a net profit drop of 52%, showing stress in the ceramics industry due to the broader slowdown. Manufacturing activity contracted to its lowest level in six months, with contraction in production, new orders, and employment. Metakaolin exports also contracted, with overall shipments to the U.S. falling 25% for the seventh consecutive month. Construction activity slowed down, with the business activity index at 49.1%. Export demand from India stayed muted as buyers had already made substantial purchases in September. This imbalance between steady supply and contracting demand reinforced the 2.2% price decline for Metakaolin.
In Germany, Metakaolin prices decreased by 0.8%, reflecting fragile manufacturing and weak construction demand. Mining operations in Meissen for Kaolin Clay were steady to ensure feedstock availability. However, delivery times have lengthened slightly, which indicates that inefficiencies persist. The construction activities shrank substantially, led by declines in civil engineering and residential segments, while the commercial sectors also weakened amid high costs and higher interest rates. Export demand for Metakaolin around the Eurozone was mixed: modest gains in Italy's housing and commercial sectors contrast with steep declines that continue in France because of its pronounced political instability and tighter financial conditions. This divergence curtailed regional demand for construction inputs and further entrenched the subdued procurement sentiment for Metakaolin.
According to ChemAnalyst, Metakaolin prices are likely to follow an uptrend in the major markets during the next month. Due to the end of the monsoon season, a massive rebound in construction activity is foreseen to occur in India amid the resumption of construction projects that were kept on hold since Diwali. The buying activity is foreseen to increase as several contractors and builders will try to replenish their inventories in order to meet the year-end deadlines. In China, government stimulus for the struggling property sector is expected to spur speculative buying in the construction supply sector, while export orders are expected to stabilize as Southeast Asian buyers return to the market after the holiday. In Germany, a slight uptick in construction is expected as projects try to finish before winter makes outdoor work impractical. Continued fragility in the supply chain and pre-winter stockpiling are expected to restrict supply and modestly raise demand. In composition, these factors suggest higher prices for Metakaolin in November.
