Global demand for ground granulated blast furnace slag to reach 269 million tons by 2025F

Global consumption of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) is expected to grow between 2020E and 2025F to reach almost 269 million tons, as demand for alternatives to lower emissions and energy use during the manufacturing of Portland clinker cement is predicted to increase, according to CW Research's 2020 update of the Global Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag Market Report and Forecast.

China remained by far the largest consumer of slag in 2020E, but its share is expected to decline from 62 percent in 2020E to 55 percent by the end of 2025F, as the country reduces is steel production intensity gradually.

ÔÇ£China's overall slag consumption profile will start to see a shift from GGFBS to steel slag over the medium term. But Asia's robust demand growth over the forecast period is expected to make up a significant percentage of the short fall in global demand due to China's reduced exposureÔÇØ, assesses Prashant Singh, CW Group's Associate Director.

Consumption to increase at a slower pace over the next five years

Globally, GGBFS demand is projected to slowly increase over the five-year period at a CAGR of 0.1 percent, following a growth of almost 2 percent between 2015 and 2020E. Over the forecast period, Asia's demand is expected to rise to more than 61 million tons by 2025F.

The global market size for GGBFS is expected to decline at a CAGR of 3.5 percent by 2025F, primarily driven by the expected decline in China's market valuation, which is predicted to shrink to USD 2.5 billion in 2025F.

Global GGBFS production forecast to expand by 2025F

Global production of GGBFS is projected to grow over the next five years, to reach 280 million tons, with China's production declining to about 153 million tons by the end of the period.

China's output is estimated to decline at a CAGR of 2 percent from 2020E to 2025F as steel production is also set to decline over the said period. On the other hand, in Asia ex-China, the second largest producer of GGBFS, is expected to grow to growth at a robust CAGR of almost 5 percent for the period.

Japan to remain the largest GGBFS producer in Asia ex-China region

Despite stronger growth in India, Japan will continue to remain the region's largest producer of GGBFS over the forecast period, reaching almost 22 million tons, and also the largest exporter of the product.

However, Japan's GGBFS consumption is expected to decline to around 15 million tons by 2025F, and India is expected to displace it as second largest consumer, as its GGBFS consumption is forecast to increase to 16 million tons in 2025F.

The 2020 update of the Global Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag Market Report and Forecast provides an in-depth analysis of the global blast furnace slag market. The report presents the latest data on the market size (volume and value) sourced through both primary and secondary research. Historic and five-year forecast data showcased include figures on consumption, domestic production, exports and imports, price dynamics, as well as qualitative information on trends in the industry. The market intelligence provided in the report is divided into regional demand, as well as by end user, providing a strategic perspective on the evolution and outlook for the industry. Find out more about the report here.