Statistics from the Abrasion and Abrasive Tools Branch of China Machine Tool & Tool Builder’s Association show that in 2018, the annual output of brown corundum in China was about 1.46 million tons, down 8.75% year on year.

In 2018, the output of white corundum in China was about 580 000 tons, up 26.09% YOY.

In 2018, the output of black silicon carbide in China was about 850 000 tons, down 16% YOY.

In 2018, the import and export volumes of brown corundum, white corundum and silicon carbide raw materials in China are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Import and export statistics of corundum and silicon carbide raw materials in China

It can be seen from the table that the export volume of brown corundum in 2018 was 530 000 tons, down 17.36% YOY, and the average price increased by 21.31% YOY; the export volume of other kinds of artificial corundum, mainly white corundum, black corundum, single crystal corundum, and so on, increased by 1.04% YOY, and the average price increased by 15.29% YOY; the export volume of silicon carbide was 372 800 tons, down 2.92% YOY, and the average price increased by 7.41% YOY.

The import volume of brown corundum in 2018 was 2100 tons, up 162.5%, and the average price decreased by 45.71% YOY; the export volume of other kinds of artificial corundum was 3600 tons, up 2.86%, and the average price increased by 31.61% YOY; the import volume of silicon carbide was 4400 tons, up 238.46%, and the average price decreased by 62.37% YOY.