Attapulgite Market Analysis & Forecast: 2026-2033
Attapulgite market is estimated to be valued at USD 325 Mn in 2026 and is expected to reach USD 450 Mn by 2033, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2026 to 2033.
The global attapulgite market is observing steady growth, led by increasing demand from key industries like oil & gas, pet care, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. Attapulgite is used for its unique nature as a natural clay that provides high absorption, suspension, and thickening; hence, it is irreplaceable in drilling fluids, cat litter, soil conditioning, paints, coatings, and medicinal uses. Increased industrialization in developing economies also progresses the market, along with rising awareness of its usage in environmental and specialty uses. In addition, manufacturers are increasingly considering value-added product development-high-performance colloidal and sorptive grades-to fulfill end-user-specific needs, which is expected to continue to drive the market in the next years.
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By type, the colloidal segment is projected to hold the largest market share of 57% in 2026, due to its suspension ability compared to the jelly type. Colloidal attapulgite attains stable formulation, viscosity, and performance in the industrial sector. Colloids are preferred due to their ability to maintain consistency. In the market, the colloidal type holds the largest market share due to its ability to maintain consistency compared to the jelly type. The market share of the colloidal type is followed by the jelly type.
For instance, in December 2025, Clariant announced the launch of Pharmasorb™ Colloidal attapulgite clay, a highly refined and pulverized product designed for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications, produced under Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) guidelines
Attapulgite Market Insights, By End-User – Oil & Gas dominates due to widespread drilling applications
By end user, the oil & gas segment is predicted to account for the maximum share with an estimated value of 30% in 2026 due to its dominant application as an ingredient in drilling fluid. Additionally, its thixotropic characteristics make it an excellent suspension agent for drilling mud, increasing its application as an ingredient in drilling fluid for improving efficiency in oil exploration. Rising oil exploration activities for unconventional resources have also contributed to its increasing demand.
For instance, in October 2025, Active Minerals International and RBH Group announced a partnership to ensure a reliable supply of high‑performance attapulgite clay for European manufacturers.
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North America is anticipated to lead the attapulgite industry in 2026, accounting for a total market share of approximately 42%. The dominance of North America in the attapulgite industry can largely be attributed to factors including well-established mining, robust industries for drilling fluids in oil & gas, paint, coatings, and pet care absorbents, established distribution channels, as well as ease of accessibility of attapulgite products.
For instance, in July 2025, a leading U.S. clay producer reported in its SEC filing that it maintained significant proven and probable attapulgite clay mineral reserves at multiple U.S. locations, including Mississippi, Georgia, Illinois, and California.
The Asia Pacific region exhibits the fastest growth in the attapulgite market due to rising industrialization, rising exploration of oil & gas, growing pet care and agricultural sectors, as well as rising demand for quality attapulgite in paints. Emerging regions such as China, India, and Japan are major drivers in the attapulgite market.
For instance, in October 2025, Active Minerals International expanded its partnership with RBH Group in Europe and Asia to ensure reliable supply of high-performance attapulgite clay. This move highlights the growing focus on strengthening supply chains to meet rising regional demand for industrial and oilfield applications.
The attapulgite market in the U.S. is progressing with increasing demand from the oil & gas drilling fluids sector, paints & coatings sector, agricultural sector, and specialty sectors. The presence of extensive mining activities in the North American continent secures a supply of the material for the mentioned sectors.
For instance, in March 2025, RBH Group announced the launch of Min‑U‑Gel® 500+, a new attapulgite clay product designed to enhance rheology control in industrial formulations such as coatings, adhesives, and construction materials.
The attapulgite market in China is growing rapidly on account of increasing industrialization, usage in drilling fluids, agriculture, and specialty chemicals. The Asia Pacific region sees the highest demand for attapulgite in the world; further, it is the largest producing and consuming nation of attapulgite.
For instance, in July 2025, China Daily reported that attapulgite clay has become a “golden engine” for rural vitalization in the Hanggin Banner of Ordos, Inner Mongolia, where vast reserves (estimated at ~340 million tons verified) are being developed into a full industrial chain spanning raw mineral extraction to high‑value applications.
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
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| Base Year: | 2025 | Market Size in 2026: | USD 325 Mn |
| Historical Data for: | 2020 To 2024 | Forecast Period: | 2026 To 2033 |
| Forecast Period 2026 to 2033 CAGR: | 4.3% | 2033 Value Projection: | USD 450 Mn |
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| Companies covered: |
BASF SE, Oil-Dri Corporation of America, Korvi Activated Earth, The Halliburton Company, Ashwa Minerals Private Limited, Taiko Holdings Co. Ltd., KPL International Limited, Phoenix Chemicals Pvt. Ltd, AMC (UK) Limited, and Russell Finex Ltd. |
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The growing demand for attapulgite in drilling fluids for oil & gas drilling, paints & coatings, agriculture, and industrial absorbents is propelling the attapulgite market. The natural attributes of attapulgite, such as its high surface area, suspension power, and sorption capacity, are suited for such applications. The rising pet care absorbent demand for pet litter, increased constructions and painting activities, and advancing oil & gas explorations are fueling the attapulgite demand, primarily in North America and the Asia Pacific regions.
The market offers opportunities with the production of high-quality attapulgite with enhanced applications such as a colloidal suspension for specialty chemicals, soil conditioners for agriculture, and pharmaceutical additives. Firms can also pursue green processing, high-purity attapulgite, and local production capacity expansion to satisfy the growing demands of industries and the environment. Technological innovations with enhanced drilling fluids, paints, and water treatments possess huge potential for growth.
The attapulgite market is witnessing a structural shift driven by industrial diversification and technological innovation rather than simple commodity consumption. Thus, the increasing complexity of oil and gas drilling fluids in North America, for instance, is resulting in the overall growth in the adoption of high pure colloidal attapulgite. Moreover, the increasing use of attapulgite with enhanced rheological performance is gaining popularity since attapulgite mitigates downtime during the drilling process and the high-temperature stability of the mud. It is reported that more than 65% of deepwater wells operating in the Gulf of Mexico use attapulgite-based drilling fluids.
The Asia-Pacific region, specifically China, has witnessed attapulgite expanding from conventional industrial applications to specialty sectors including soils, pharmaceuticals, and water treatments. Asian companies are focusing on producing higher-value, finer-grade attapulgite that can satisfy rigorous regulatory requirements for agricultural as well as medicinal purposes. For example, pilot tests conducted in Inner Mongolia have demonstrated that using attapulgite-based soil conditioners can improve water retention capacity by as much as 20% to 25% within agricultural soils, indicating that it is a feasible application that can also solve challenges related to efficiency in resource utilization.
The market’s trajectory also reflects a strategic push toward regional self-sufficiency and supply chain security. This is because firms within the U.S. as well as China are positioning themselves to reduce reliance on imports of processing capacity, particularly in view of the challenges faced through global supply chains of minerals. Additionally, research in eco-friendly processing methods has led to the development of a tiered market where specialty attapulgite products have enhanced margins.
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About Author
Vidyesh Swar is a seasoned Consultant with a diverse background in market research and business consulting. With over 6 years of experience, Vidyesh has established a strong reputation for his proficiency in market estimations, supplier landscape analysis, and market share assessments for tailored research solution. Using his deep industry knowledge and analytical skills, he provides valuable insights and strategic recommendations, enabling clients to make informed decisions and navigate complex business landscapes.
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