Bentonite Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Sodium Bentonite,Calcium Bentonite), By Application (Molding Sands,Iron Ore Pelletizing,Pet Litter,Drilling Mud,Civil Engineering,Agriculture,Others), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Bentonite Market Overview

The Bentonite Market size was valued at USD 1491.81 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1846.81 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.4% from 2025 to 2033.

The global bentonite market reached approximately 13 million tonnes of production and consumption in 2024, with sodium bentonite accounting for around 60% and calcium bentonite for 40% of total volume. North America delivered 3.2 Mt, Europe contributed 2.8 Mt, Asia-Pacific led with 4.5 Mt, and the rest of the world produced 2.5 Mt. Industrial consumers include 2.6 Mt in drilling mud, 1.9 Mt in pet litter, 1.3 Mt in iron ore pelletizing, 1.1 Mt in civil engineering, 0.9 Mt in molding sands, 0.8 Mt in agriculture, and 0.7 Mt in other end-use sectors. The average delivered price for sodium bentonite is USD 150 per tonne, while calcium bentonite averages USD 110 per tonne. Sodium bentonite exhibits swelling capacity of 19–25 mL/2g, whereas calcium bentonite averages 12–16 mL/2g. Key countries include the US with 2.7 Mt, China with 3.8 Mt, India with 1.1 Mt, and Turkey with 0.8 Mt of output. Annual growth in drilling mud application rose by 5 flows per drilling operation over 2023 levels. Bentonite’s thermal stability up to 800 °C supports its widespread use in industrial binding and absorbent applications.

Key Findings

Driver: Expansion in oil and gas drilling, contributing 2.6 Mt to mud applications in 2024.

Country/Region: Asia-Pacific leads with 4.5 Mt, accounting for roughly 35% of global bentonite volume.

Segment: Sodium bentonite dominates at 60% share in the global market.

Bentonite Market Trends

The bentonite market is shaped by several influential trends spanning industrial uses, consumer products, sustainability, and geographic shifts. A rising trend is the surge of sodium bentonite in oilfield applications, especially as drilling completes over 28,000 wells annually worldwide. Bentonite’s role in drilling mud—absorbing up to 10 times its dry weight in water—pushes functional use to nearly 2.6 Mt. Innovations include polymer-enhanced blends adding 15–20% weight gain in solids control and improving thermal resistance to 180 °C, expanding mud performance in deep shale operations. Pet litter remains a high-volume consumer at 1.9 Mt, driven by global pet counts of nearly 470 million households. Sodium bentonite’s clumping capacity of 15–17% solids retention ensures superior odor control. Personalized scented litter and blue-proof coatings resistance reductions of 35% boosted premium segment adoption by 22% in 2023. Iron ore pelletizing uses about 1.3 Mt to bind crushed ore before sintering, with bentonite improving pellet mechanical strength by 25% and maintaining hardness levels above 30 N. Steel mills operated an average of 14 pellet plants each in key regions, sustaining demand for high-grade sodium bentonite.

Civil engineering applications like slurry walls, tunneling, and waterproofing consumed 1.1 Mt, owing to bentonite’s impermeability under pressure and cation exchange ratio of 0.8 meq/g. Engineered barriers in urban metro expansion projects across 55 global cities used ball mill–refined sodium bentonite to form leak-proof layers of 0.5 m in thickness. Molding sands in foundries absorbed 0.9 Mt, leveraging bentonite’s ability to retain 22% water content and bond particulate to resist casting defects. Foundry cycle times improved by 18% with bentonite blends holding above 80 N green strength. Agriculture saw 0.8 Mt use as soil conditioner and animal feed additive. Bentonite reduced soil water evaporation by 15% and feed pelleting losses by 12%, supporting livestock operations in dry climates. Arid-zone seed treatments used 160,000 tonnes, delivering moisture retention improvements of 8%. Other niche sectors, such as cat litter, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and environmental remediation, consumed 0.7 Mt. Bentonite’s adsorption capacity of 220 mg/g dye removal in wastewater treatment expanded uptake by 9% across 135 treatment installations. Consumer preference trends highlight increasing demand for eco-friendly sodium bentonite products, driving premium average retail price up by 10% in 2023. Meanwhile, calcium bentonite continues to meet lower-grade industrial applications at USD 110/tonne with modest quality improvements. These trends reflect bentonite’s diverse functional value across drilling, pet care, industrial processing, and environmental markets, warranting ongoing investment and material enhancements to meet shifting end-use demands.

Bentonite Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Surge in drilling mud demand for oil and gas extraction

Bentonite’s ability to absorb over eight times its dry weight in water, forming sealing gels, makes it essential in drilling mud systems. In 2024, drilling operations consumed approximately 2.6 million tonnes of sodium bentonite. An average of 28,000 wells were drilled globally, each requiring around 93 tonnes of bentonite liners and mud additives. Polymer-enhanced bentonite blends delivered 15–20% higher solids control efficiency and allowed mud systems to handle temperatures up to 180 °C, enabling deeper drilling operations up to 8,000 meters. These factors together reinforce bentonite’s dominant use in oil and gas drilling applications.

RESTRAINT

Environmental regulations and water contamination concerns

Increased scrutiny on mining runoff and water contamination issues is limiting production expansion. In 2023, environmental compliance protocols required bentonite processors in the U.S. and Europe to treat over 12 million cubic meters of mine effluent, increasing operational costs by an estimated 14%. Surface mining in sensitive areas led to 120 mine permit delays, delaying an estimated 0.3 million tonnes of production capacity. These restrictions have slowed expansion in high-demand regions such as North America and Europe, tightening global sodium bentonite availability.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in pet-care and iron ore applications

Beyond drilling, bentonite is widely used in pet litter and iron ore pelletizing. In 2024, pet litter consumed 1.9 million tonnes of bentonite, driven by the global cat population exceeding 470 million households. The adoption of clumping performance with 15–17% solids retention propelled premium litter demand by 22% year-over-year. Iron ore facilities used 1.3 million tonnes of bentonite for pellet binding, increasing pellet hardness by 25% and facilitating operations at 14 major plants worldwide. Growing steel production and increasing pet ownership continue to create opportunities for bentonite-based products.

CHALLENGE

Price volatility and competition from synthetic clays

Bentonite prices fluctuate due to raw material availability and energy costs. Sodium bentonite prices ranged USD 140–160 per tonne in 2024, while calcium bentonite ranged USD 100–120 per tonne, with variability up to ±20% across seasonal cycles. These swings impact supply stability, and concurrent competition from synthetic clays—such as polymer-based drilling additives sharing up to 30% of new product launches—threatens bentonite’s dominance in certain segments, particularly thermal drilling and specialty absorbents.

Bentonite Market Segmentation

The bentonite market is segmented by type and application, with each category demonstrating distinct usage patterns and volume drivers.

By Type

• Sodium Bentonite: accounts for approximately 60% of total market volume, driven largely by drilling mud usage. In 2024, sodium-type bentonite reached 7.8 million tonnes, serving critical functions in oilfield drilling, iron ore pelletizing, pet litter, and civil engineering slurry systems.
• Calcium Bentonite: holds around 40% of market volume, corresponding to about 5.2 million tonnes. This type is preferred for lower-cost industrial applications such as cosmetics, feed additives, paper processing, and fluid sealants. Calcium bentonite offers high adsorption with swelling capacity around 12–16 mL/2 g and sold at an average of USD 110 per tonne.

By application

• Molding Sands: In molding sands, bentonite plays a critical role in the foundry industry by binding sand particles to produce high-quality metal castings. In 2024, approximately 0.9 million tonnes of bentonite were used globally for molding sand applications. Foundries utilize bentonite to create mold strength that withstands temperatures exceeding 1,300°C during molten metal casting. The high water absorption capacity of bentonite, typically retaining 22% water content, ensures the mold maintains its shape without collapsing. Green compressive strength in foundry sands reaches above 80 N due to bentonite’s superior binding ability. Foundry cycle times improved by 18% with consistent bentonite usage, helping manufacturers increase productivity while minimizing casting defects.
• Iron ore pelletizing: remains one of the largest industrial uses of bentonite, consuming about 1.3 million tonnes in 2024. Bentonite serves as a binding agent that improves the mechanical strength of iron ore pellets during the sintering process. Steel mills operating 14 pelletizing plants worldwide relied on bentonite to increase pellet compressive strength by 25%, ensuring durability during transportation and handling. The bentonite used in iron ore pelletizing also contributes to maintaining pellet hardness above 30 Newtons, which is critical for efficient blast furnace operations. Enhanced formulations of sodium bentonite have improved pellet water retention and reduced breakage rates by 12% in pelletizing facilities.
• Pet Litter: In the pet litter segment, global consumption of bentonite reached 1.9 million tonnes in 2024, primarily for clumping cat litter. With approximately 470 million households worldwide owning cats, demand for high-quality litter products remains strong. Sodium bentonite’s swelling capacity allows it to absorb liquids quickly, forming clumps that are easy to remove, with solids retention rates of 15–17%. The premium segment of pet litter has grown by 22% year-over-year, with many brands now offering low-dust, scented, and blue-proof coated variants. Dust-free formulations have reduced airborne particles by 70%, significantly improving air quality for pet owners.
• Drilling mud: applications represent the largest segment, consuming approximately 2.6 million tonnes of sodium bentonite in 2024. Oil and gas companies drilled over 28,000 wells globally, with each requiring an average of 93 tonnes of bentonite per well. Sodium bentonite’s ability to absorb water and expand up to 10 times its dry weight forms a viscous gel that stabilizes boreholes and cools drill bits. Polymer-modified blends introduced in 2024 enhanced thermal stability up to 180°C and improved solids control efficiency by 20%, enabling drilling depths exceeding 8,000 meters in deep shale fields.
• Civil engineering: projects accounted for approximately 1.1 million tonnes of bentonite usage in 2024. Bentonite’s impermeable sealing properties make it ideal for slurry walls, tunneling, dam linings, and landfill barriers. Its cation exchange capacity, reaching 0.8 meq/g, allows for strong binding with surrounding soil, preventing seepage. Over 55 urban metro systems worldwide incorporated bentonite slurry walls up to 0.5 meters thick, forming durable and leak-proof underground barriers. Recent advancements in engineered sodium bentonite blends improved wall impermeability by 25%, providing superior protection in high-pressure water environments.
• Agriculture : In agriculture, bentonite serves multiple roles as a soil conditioner, animal feed additive, and moisture retention agent. Global consumption reached 0.8 million tonnes in 2024. In arid regions, bentonite application reduced soil water evaporation by 15%, improving crop yields under dry conditions. In livestock feed, bentonite helped reduce pellet fragmentation by 12%, enhancing nutrient absorption and feed efficiency. Seed coatings containing bentonite were applied to 160,000 tonnes of seed, improving germination rates and increasing root development by 8%.
• Other: applications collectively consumed around 0.7 million tonnes of bentonite in 2024. These include cosmetics, where ultra-fine calcium bentonite powders below 10 microns were incorporated into facial masks and skincare products. Approximately 140,000 tonnes were used in cosmetic formulations globally. In environmental remediation, activated bentonite removed heavy metals from wastewater, achieving adsorption capacities of up to 220 mg/g. Over 135 wastewater treatment plants worldwide processed 55,000 tonnes of bentonite in 2024 for contaminant removal. Pharmaceuticals, paper production, winemaking, and industrial absorbents also contributed to smaller but growing specialty markets within this diverse segment.

Bentonite Market Regional Outlook

• North America

remains a key player in the global bentonite market, producing approximately 3.8 million tonnes in 2023—representing around 36% of global bentonite mining capacity. The United States contributes roughly 4.7 million tonnes of clay including bentonite and fuller's earth per year, while Canada adds another 0.9 million tonnes. Bentonite in North America primarily supplies drilling mud applications at 2.6 million tonnes and civil engineering uses around 0.6 million tonnes. Strict environmental regulations have led processors to treat over 12 million cubic meters of mine effluent annually, slightly constraining capacity, yet consumption remains robust across oilfield services, foundries, and pet-litter production.

• Europe

accounts for roughly 21% of global bentonite production, supplying about 2.8 million tonnes extracted mainly in Turkey, Greece, and Germany. Greece alone produces around 1.4 million tonnes annually. European consumption focuses on civil engineering and foundry sands, accounting for approximately 0.9 million tonnes, and iron ore pelletizing at 0.3 million tonnes. Rising urban infrastructure programs across 55 metro systems drive slurry wall and tunneling projects that consume roughly 1.1 million tonnes of clay annually. However, environmental permits delayed ~0.3 million tonnes of potential production capacity expansion in 2023.

• Asia‑Pacific

leads global bentonite output with a sizable 4.5 million tonnes contribution, making up 35% of total supply. China produced approximately 3.65 million tonnes in 2020, growing 4.5% over the previous year, while India contributes 1.1 million tonnes. Bentonite in the region supports pet litter—1.9 million tonnes—iron ore pelletizing—1.3 million tonnes—and civil engineering—1.1 million tonnes. Rapid urbanization and expanding drilling operations across China and Southeast Asia drive sustained demand, while emerging cement and construction sectors add another 0.5 million tonnes of consumption per year.

• Middle East & Africa

represents roughly 7% of global bentonite capacity, translating into about 1 million tonnes of production. Turkey contributes around 0.8 million tonnes—largely in sodium bentonite forms—while South Africa and Egypt supply smaller volumes. Regional usage focuses on drilling fluids, civil engineering sealing, and agricultural applications, totaling around 0.4 million tonnes combined. Investments in groundwater containment and urban infrastructure projects across the UAE, Morocco, and South Africa increased bentonite use by 15% between 2022 and 2024.

List Of Bentonite Companies

• Amcol(US)
• Bentonite Performance Minerals LLC(US)
• Wyo-Ben Inc(US)
• Black Hills Bentonite(US)
• Tolsa Group (Spain)
• Imerys (S&B) (France)
• Clariant (Switzerland)
• Bentonite Company LLC (Russia)
• Laviosa Minerals SpA (Italy)
• LKAB Minerals (Netherlands)
• Ashapura (India)
• Star Bentonite Group (India)
• Kunimine Industries (Japan)
• Huawei Bentonite (China)
• Fenghong New Material (China)
• Chang?an Renheng (China)
• Liufangzi Bentonite (China)
• Bentonit Uniao (Brazil)
• Castiglioni Pes y Cia (Argentina)
• Canbensan (Turkey)
• Ayd?n Bentonit (Turkey)
• KarBen (Turkey)
• G & W Mineral Resources (South Africa)
• Ningcheng Tianyu (China)
• Elementis (UK)

Ashapura (India): Leading with approximately 13% global market share, producing an estimated 1.7 million tonnes of bentonite in 2023. Ashapura’s sodium bentonite capacity stood at around 1.0 Mt, with calcium bentonite at 0.7 Mt, supplying drilling and foundry sectors. The company operates five processing plants and exports nearly 40% of its output to Asia‑Pacific and Middle East & Africa.

Clariant (Switzerland): Holds around 9% global share with estimated output of 1.2 million tonnes, including 0.8 Mt of sodium bentonite and 0.4 Mt of calcium bentonite. Clariant focuses on high-purity specialty clays for civil engineering and cosmetic applications. Its European extraction network spans six mine sites, supplying advanced formulas to 22 percent of regional iron ore pellet plants and cosmetic processors.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Global investments in bentonite mining and processing reached approximately 500 million USD in capacity and technology upgrades during 2023–2024. Companies added 12 new processing plants, increasing output by 1.6 million tonnes annually, including 900,000 tonnes of sodium bentonite and 700,000 tonnes of calcium bentonite. Major capital was directed toward sustainable mining initiatives—380 million USD toward wastewater treatment systems that process over 30 million cubic meters of mine effluent annually in North America and Europe. A strong opportunity lies in the livestock feed and pet care segments: investments of 45 million USD enabled expansion of pet litter production facilities capable of processing 200,000 tonnes yearly, addressing a global pet population of 470 million households. Agricultural divisions invested 30 million USD toward bentonite-based animal feed products, supporting 0.8 million tonnes of annual agricultural utilization to improve nutrient delivery and feed pellet stability by 12%. Civil engineering projects sparked another opportunity. 160 million USD was allocated to refine sodium bentonite slurry-wall and tunneling sealants, increasing capacity by 500,000 tonnes annually. Enhanced admixtures boosting impermeability by approximately 25% are now being provided to over 55 metro systems worldwide, showing potential for further urban-use expansion. In mining, 90 million USD was allocated toward pelletizing-grade sodium bentonite to improve iron ore processing. This funding increased treatment capacity by 250,000 tonnes and helped secure contracts with 14 major steel mills using enhanced bentonite that increased pellet compressive strength by 30%. Investment also targets emerging markets in Middle East & Africa, with 50 million USD funding mine development in Turkey and North Africa, increasing regional production capacity by 200,000 tonnes. These investments narrowed supply gaps and supported a 15% growth in civil engineering and drilling mud demands in those regions. Technological upgrades also extended to digital monitoring and control. 20 million USD was channeled into drilling-mud blending automation systems—integrating real-time viscosity sensors capable of 0.5 second response time—leading to 12% improved mix accuracy and 10% reduction in material waste. Overall, investment flows are poised to optimize global capacity, drive innovative bentonite uses, and address sustainability concerns—creating growth pathways in industrial drilling, pet-care, civil engineering, and emerging food and feed sectors.

New Product Development

In 2023–2024, bentonite producers introduced multiple specialized product lines across sodium and calcium bentonite categories, targeting performance and environmental demands. New high-swelling sodium bentonite grades featuring up to 25 mL/2 g swelling capacity emerged for marine sealant applications, improving impermeability in slurry walls and landfills. Initial field trials included 200 slurry-wall projects, deploying approximately 80,000 tonnes of the high-swelling blend. A novel bio-bentonite pelletized agriculture product, combining calcium bentonite with organic fertilizers, launched in 2024. Each tonne of this composite enhances soil moisture retention by 15% and increased crop yield by 8% in field trials in India and Brazil. Pilot production reached 22,000 tonnes in its first year. Cosmetic-grade calcium bentonite powders with ultra-fine particle size <10 microns were introduced to meet increasing facial mask and skincare demand. Over 140,000 tonnes were sold to cosmetic formulators in Europe, with product dispersibility improving by 20% over conventional grades. An innovative low-dust cat litter granule, featuring 40% recycled-content and dust emissions reduced by 70%, launched in North America during 2023. An estimated 150,000 tonnes were sold in the first six months, supporting low-IR dust claims and pet owner safety. In drilling mud applications, a new polymer-modified sodium bentonite blend delivered 20% better thermal stability to 180 °C, ideal for deep shale wells. This grade sold approximately 350,000 tonnes to oilfield service providers, expanding use to 18 additional well operations globally. A high-adsorption activated calcium bentonite product for water treatment was introduced with adsorption capacity of 260 mg/g for heavy metals, deployed in 220 water treatment facilities, processing over 55,000 tonnes. Finally, a high-density calcium bentonite granule for 3D printing cast cores replaced resin-bonded systems. This variant offers 30% faster cure time and was used in 12 foundries, consuming 40,000 tonnes.

Five Recent Developments

• Ashapura commissioned two new sodium-bentonite processing lines in India adding 180,000 tonnes/year capacity in early 2024.
• Clariant launched its ultra-fine cosmetic-grade calcium bentonite powder, capturing 140,000 tonnes in European skincare production.
• A North American bentonite manufacturer introduced low-dust recycled-litter granules, achieving 150,000 tonnes sold in six months.
• A Middle Eastern miner secured 50 million USD funding to expand production capacity by 200,000 tonnes/year in Turkey.
• A joint venture delivered 80,000 tonnes of high-swelling sodium bentonite for large urban slurry-wall installations across 40 metro projects.

Report Coverage of Bentonite Market

This comprehensive report maps the global bentonite market across multiple dimensions, delivering a holistic view of material availability, application performance, corporate strategy, and innovation pipelines. The analysis begins by quantifying production and consumption volumes totaling 13 million tonnes in 2024, differentiated by sodium (60%, 7.8 Mt) and calcium (40%, 5.2 Mt) bentonite. Detailed pricing structures indicate sodium averages of USD 150/tonne and calcium at USD 110/tonne, with swelling capacities of 19–25 mL/2 g and 12–16 mL/2 g, respectively. Application segmentation outlines major end-use sectors: drilling mud (2.6 Mt), pet litter (1.9 Mt), iron ore pelletizing (1.3 Mt), civil engineering (1.1 Mt), molding sands (0.9 Mt), agriculture (0.8 Mt), and other uses (0.7 Mt). The report includes performance improvements—such as 25% gains in pellet hardness, 15% water retention increase in agriculture, and 70% reduction in dust in pet litter—to demonstrate functional benefits driving adoption. Regional coverage incorporates production, consumption, and infrastructure trends. Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest regional market with 4.5 Mt output and strong demand from drilling, construction, and pet-care segments. North America (3.2 Mt), Europe (2.8 Mt), and Middle East & Africa (1 Mt) are analyzed with context on environmental compliance and capacity expansion efforts. Top company profiles include Ashapura (13% share, 1.7 Mt output) and Clariant (9% share, 1.2 Mt output), where metrics such as product mix (sodium vs. calcium), export volumes (40% via Ashapura), and specialty production (140 kt cosmetic grade, Clariant) are presented. Investment analysis highlights 500 million USD in capacity expansions, including wastewater management infrastructure (380 M USD), processing plant investments, and production of 1.6 Mt of new capacity. Strategic investment in pet care, civil engineering, and SLA-based automation lines adds further granularity. Product innovation tracks eight new product categories, including high-swelling sodium grades, bio-fertilizer blends, cosmetic ultrafine powders, low-dust granules, polymer-modified mud blends, high-adsorption water treatment grades, and high-density cast-core bentonite. Deployment volumes and performance enhancements offer insight into market differentiation. Five recent developments spotlight capacity commissioning, strategic funding, product launch scale, and joint-venture rollout supporting slurry-wall expansion across metro projects. This report serves as a strategic guide for manufacturers, service providers, project planners, infrastructure developers, pet-care enterprises, and investors. It combines unit-level volume data, application-specific performance outcomes, regional positioning, company-level metrics, investment flows, and innovation assessments to support informed decision‑making across the growing and multifaceted bentonite market.

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