Vermiculite: Criticality

Concentrated supply, but plenty of substitutes

What this tab covers How exposed economies are to a supply disruption: the EU, US and India listings, the concentration score, and a quantified exposure for the US, EU, India, China, Japan, Latin America, the Middle East and Australia. Where the EU scored it, a chart of supply risk against economic importance, with import reliance, recycling input and substitutes.

Exposure by region

Region	Exposure	Share of world output	Share of world imports	Share of world exports	Net trade (US$)	On own critical list	Position
US	n/a	19.1%	–	–	–	No	Produced about 100,000 t in 2025 and imported 38,000 t, mostly from Brazil and South Africa, for 25% net import reliance; not on the US critical list (USGS 2026).
EU	n/a	1.5%	–	–	–	No	Bulgaria is the only EU producer USGS lists (10,000 t in 2025); Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands each took 3.8-4.9% of 2024 world import value for HS 253010, a code shared with perlite (UN Comtrade); not on the EU 2023 critical list.
India	n/a	0.4%	–	–	–	No	Mined about 2,000 t in 2025 with 1.6 Mt of reserves (USGS) and imported 80,000 t of HS 253010 material in 2024; not on India's 2023 critical list.
China	n/a	7.4%	–	–	–	No	Mined about 40,000 t in 2025 with 2.9 Mt of reserves (USGS) and supplied 11.3% of 2024 world export value for HS 253010, a code that includes perlite (UN Comtrade).
Japan	n/a	0.0%	–	–	–	No	No mine output; imported 34,700 t under HS 253010 in 2024, 3.2% of world import value (UN Comtrade).
Latin America	n/a	10.5%	–	–	–	no list	Brazil mined about 50,000 t in 2025 (11% of world) with 6.6 Mt of reserves and supplied 43% of US imports in 2021-24; Mexico produced under 500 t (USGS).
Middle East	n/a	0.0%	–	–	–	no list	Turkey mined about 10,000 t in 2025 and reports 11 Mt of reserves, the third largest listed (USGS).
Australia	n/a	0.0%	–	–	–	No	Not a listed producer in 2025, though USGS notes significant deposits; imported 24,000 t under HS 253010 in 2024 (UN Comtrade).

Exposure rating: High when the region is a net importer whose import share is at least three times its share of world output (or, for farm goods, it produces under 70% of what it consumes); Medium for other net importers (or 70-95% self-sufficiency), raised to High when world supply is highly concentrated in another country; Low for net exporters or self-sufficient regions. Net importer status uses tonnage where reported, otherwise value. Output: World Mining Data, 2024. Trade: UN Comtrade (EU = sum of member states, including intra-EU trade). Critical lists: US 2025, EU 2024/1252, India 2023, China 2016 strategic minerals, Japan METI, Australia 2024.

Vermiculite is not on the US 2025 or India 2023 critical mineral lists. Supply is moderately concentrated in South Africa, but US import reliance is only 25%. Substitutes are ready: expanded perlite in lightweight concrete and plaster, fiberglass, perlite and slag wool in insulation, and peat, bark and perlite in horticulture. Its main historical risk was health. Ore from Libby, Montana, was contaminated with asbestos, and old loft insulation still needs care.

EU 2023 Not assessed US 2025 list No India 2023 list No Production HHI 1,754 moderately concentrated US net import reliance, 2025 25% share of apparent consumption

Substitutes

Expanded perlite, expanded clay, shale, slag and slate in lightweight concrete and plaster; fiberglass, perlite and slag wool in insulation; bark, peat, perlite, sawdust and synthetic conditioners in agriculture