HS Code:
Natural calcium borates, classified under HS Code 252800, encompass naturally occurring minerals containing boron and calcium, such as colemanite and ulexite. These minerals are primarily used in the production of boric acid, borates, and other boron compounds, which are essential in industries like glass manufacturing, ceramics, agriculture (as fertilizers), and detergents. They are also utilized in specialized applications like flame retardants and nuclear shielding due to boron's neutron-absorbing properties. The global trade of natural calcium borates is driven by industrial demand, resource availability in specific regions, and geopolitical factors affecting mining and export policies.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $500 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database and International Trade Centre (ITC)
$300 million USD
60% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$80 million USD
16% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$50 million USD
10% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$30 million USD
6% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$20 million USD
4% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain Asian countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like USMCA and EU-Turkey Customs Union)
Rising demand in sustainable agriculture
Increased use of boron-based fertilizers to enhance crop yields drives demand for natural calcium borates, especially in developing economies.
2021-2023
Growth in glass and ceramics industries
Expansion of construction and automotive sectors boosts demand for borosilicate glass, increasing trade volumes of raw borate materials.
2020-2022
Shift towards synthetic alternatives
Development of synthetic borates in some regions may reduce reliance on natural calcium borates, affecting long-term trade growth.
2022-2023
Turkey, the leading exporter, introduced stricter export controls on natural borates to preserve domestic reserves and encourage value-added processing locally.
March 2023
Potential short-term supply constraints for importing countries, leading to price increases and diversification of supply sources.
The United States announced investments in California-based borate mining operations to reduce dependency on imports amid geopolitical tensions.
July 2022
May stabilize domestic supply chains and influence global trade dynamics by reducing import volumes from Turkey.
The European Union imposed stricter environmental standards on mining and importing borate minerals to align with sustainability goals under the Green Deal.
January 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters and potential trade barriers for non-compliant suppliers.