The Global Ball Clays Market was valued at USD 2,281 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 3,432 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.6% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This robust growth is being driven by the expanding global construction sector, rising demand for sanitaryware and premium tiles, and the critical functional properties of ball clay in ceramic formulations, such as high plasticity and superior binding strength.

As the ceramics and construction industries continue their upward trajectory, the focus intensifies on the key mineral suppliers who ensure the consistent quality and availability of essential raw materials. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Ball Clays Industry—a mix of multinational mining giants and specialized regional producers who are defining the standards for quality and reliability in this fundamental market.

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🔟 1. Imerys Ceramics

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: High-plasticity ball clays, refined grades, customized blends

Imerys is a global leader in mineral-based specialties and a dominant force in the ball clays market. The company leverages its extensive mining operations, particularly in traditional producing regions like the UK and the US, to supply high-quality, consistent ball clays to the global ceramics industry. Their products are essential for sanitaryware, tableware, and high-performance tiles.

Key Strengths and Initiatives:

• Global mining and processing footprint ensuring supply chain security

• Extensive R&D focused on developing high-value, application-specific clay blends

• Commitment to sustainable mining practices and reducing environmental impact

Download FREE Sample Report: Ball Clays Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Sibelco

Headquarters: Antwerp, Belgium
Key Offering: Washed ball clays, high-whiteness grades, functional minerals

Sibelco is a leading global material solutions company with significant operations in ball clay production. The company is renowned for its high-purity, washed ball clays that meet the stringent requirements of premium ceramic manufacturers. Sibelco’s focus on quality control and technical support makes it a preferred partner for industries requiring precise material specifications.

Key Strengths and Initiatives:

• Advanced beneficiation technology for superior product purity and consistency

• Strong market position in Europe and Asia-Pacific

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8️⃣ 3. WBB Minerals

Headquarters: St Austell, United Kingdom
Key Offering: ECC International ball clays, specialty ceramics raw materials

WBB Minerals, operating under the well-known ECC International brand, is a key supplier of high-quality ball clays from the esteemed deposits in Devon and Dorset, UK. The company has a long history of serving the global ceramics industry with clays prized for their excellent forming and firing characteristics.

Key Strengths and Initiatives:

• Access to some of the world’s highest quality ball clay reserves

• Expertise in blending and processing to achieve specific customer requirements

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7️⃣ 4. Old Hickory Clay

Headquarters: Hickory, Kentucky, USA
Key Offering: Kentucky-Tennessee ball clays, casting clays, plastic clays

Old Hickory Clay is a major US producer specializing in ball clays from the renowned Kentucky-Tennessee clay district. The company is a critical supplier to the North American ceramics market, providing materials known for their high plasticity and strength, which are ideal for sanitaryware, tableware, and art pottery.

Key Strengths and Initiatives:

• Strategic location serving the large North American manufacturing base

• Focus on producing a range of clays for both industrial and specialty applications

Download FREE Sample Report: Ball Clays Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Ashapura Minechem

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Indian ball clays, bentonite, allied minerals

Ashapura Minechem is one of India’s largest exporters and producers of ball clay. The company capitalizes on India’s rich mineral resources to supply the domestic ceramics boom and international markets. Its ball clays are widely used in tiles, sanitaryware, and refractory applications.

Key Strengths and Initiatives:

• Large-scale mining operations and extensive distribution network

• Strong focus on the growing Asia-Pacific ceramics market

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5️⃣ 6. G&W Mineral Resources

Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Key Offering: South African ball clays, industrial minerals

G&W Mineral Resources is a leading African supplier of industrial minerals, including ball clay. The company plays a vital role in supplying the regional construction and ceramics industries, with a growing footprint in international markets. Its products are known for their quality and reliability.

Key Strengths and Initiatives:

• Key supplier to the African continent’s developing industrial sector

• Investment in processing facilities to enhance product value

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4️⃣ 7. Ashok Alco – Chem Limited

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Ball clay powder, processed clays, ceramic raw materials

Ashok Alco – Chem Limited is a significant Indian player engaged in the processing and supply of ball clay. The company caters to the needs of ceramic tile manufacturers and other industrial users, focusing on delivering consistent quality through controlled processing and grading.

Key Strengths and Initiatives:

• Specialization in processing and value-addition of raw ball clay

• Strong customer relationships within the Indian ceramic sector

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3️⃣ 8. Unimin Corporation (Covia)

Headquarters: New Canaan, Connecticut, USA
Key Offering: Industrial minerals, silica sand, ball clays

Unimin, now part of Covia, is a leading North American producer of industrial minerals. The company supplies high-quality ball clays for a variety of applications, including ceramics and refractories. Its extensive mineral portfolio and logistics network provide a competitive advantage in serving diverse industrial needs.

Key Strengths and Initiatives:

• Broad portfolio of industrial minerals supporting one-stop-shop solutions

• Large-scale, efficient mining and distribution operations

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2️⃣ 9. Plainsman Clays Limited

Headquarters: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Key Offering: Canadian ball clays, pottery clays, custom blends

Plainsman Clays is a specialized supplier of ceramic clays in North America, known for its high-quality ball clays and custom blending services. The company serves a diverse customer base, from large-scale industrial manufacturers to artisan potters, emphasizing technical support and product consistency.

Key Strengths and Initiatives:

• Reputation for technical expertise and customer-focused solutions

• Niche market focus on both industrial and artistic ceramic sectors

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1️⃣ 10. Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC)

Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Key Offering: Lignite, ball clay, bauxite

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation is a state-owned enterprise and a significant miner of ball clay in India. GMDC contributes to meeting the raw material demands of India’s burgeoning ceramics industry, leveraging its mining leases and infrastructure to supply quality ball clay.

Key Strengths and Initiatives:

• Access to substantial mineral reserves under state control

• Strategic role in supporting domestic industrial growth

Get Full Report Here: Ball Clays Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🏭 Outlook: The Future of Ball Clays Relies on Quality and Sustainability

The ball clays market is navigating a period of steady growth, heavily influenced by global construction trends and the evolving needs of the ceramics industry. While demand remains strong, the industry’s future is increasingly tied to the ability to deliver high-quality, consistent products while addressing environmental and logistical challenges.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Increasing demand for high-plasticity and high-whiteness ball clays for premium ceramic products

• Strategic focus on securing long-term, high-quality reserves amid depletion concerns

• Growing importance of sustainable and responsible mining practices

• Expansion of production and processing capabilities in high-growth regions like Asia-Pacific

Get Full Report Here: Ball Clays Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a vital industrial mineral—they are enabling the global growth of construction and manufacturing by providing the essential ingredients for durable and aesthetic ceramic products.