Natural Stone Market by Type (Granite, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, and Others), Application (Flooring, Wall Cladding, Cut-to-size Items, and Others), End-use Industry (Residential and Commercial), and Regional Analysis (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2030

Global Natural Stone Market Analysis

The global natural stone market is predicted to be valued at $60,367.30 million by 2030, surging from $35,998.50 million in 2021, at a noteworthy CAGR of 5.0%.

Market Synopsis

Natural stone market is gaining huge popularity as natural stones such as marble, granite, travertine, limestone, onyx, and sandstone find wide range of application across kitchen countertops, flooring, wall cladding, fireplaces, and others. Natural stones such as marble and granite have limitless design potential and exhibit high durability. The well-known and world-famous old buildings and monuments are built using natural stones namely Taj Mahal, Agra, The Great Pyramid, and The Coliseum.

However, the porous, soft, and brittle nature of natural stone is anticipated to restrain the market growth. For instance, some of the natural stones are porous and absorb stains more easily. Due to this, they must be sealed properly and resins must be used for longevity.

The versatile characteristics of natural stones such as timeless appeal and immense beauty are estimated to attract huge growth opportunities. Natural stone adds elegance and aesthetic to any space whether it is an architectural design or ornamental design structure such as statue. In addition, recent advancements in natural stone quarrying, extraction, and fabrication process such as sandblasting, 3D modeling, and detailed surface work have made natural stones easier to use and durable which is anticipated to boost the natural stone market share during the analysis timeframe.      

According to regional analysis, the natural stone market in Asia-pacific region generated a revenue of $19,907.20 million in 2021 and is projected to reach up to $35,170.00 million by 2030.

Natural Stone Overview

Natural stones are produced by complex geological processes, and they are quarried & mined from earth. Natural stone is regarded as a premier building material because of its uniqueness as no two natural stones are exactly same, stable, and grandeur. Various natural stones such as granite, sandstone, marble, travertine, onyx, and limestone have limitless design potential and green attributes that promote sustainability. For instance, natural stone contributes towards LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which is widely adopted green building rating system. Some of the popular ancient monuments and incredible structures were built using natural stone like the Taj Mahal located in Agra, India, the Washington Monument located in Washington D.C, U.S., the Colosseum located in Rome, Italy, the Egyptian Pyramids Giza located in Egypt, and many others.

COVID-19 Impact on Natural Stone Market

The global crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the natural stone market and brought real challenges for its functioning. For instance, the quarry activities, processing facilities, logistics, and administrative offices in natural stone industry had to suspend their operations to contain the pandemic. The lockdown imposed across various countries forced the natural stone manufacturers to go into complete lockdown mode that led to economic crisis and laying off employees. The companies were unable to meet the demand from ongoing essential construction projects such as building of hospitals due to transport restrictions and reluctance of workers to work due to the fear of COVID-19 virus. The import-export of natural stone was negatively impacted that led to drastic decline in the demand from domestic and foreign market. All these factors have negatively impacted the natural stone market size during the pandemic.

Various government initiatives which notified that few industries including those related to construction sector can start their work with minimal staff, social distancing norms, and proper precautions have helped the natural stone manufacturers to start their business operations. Towards the end of 2020, many construction sites had resumed their normal operations that indirectly helped the natural stone manufacturers to pick up the pace. Various safety & hygiene protocols were introduced such as social distancing norms, regular health checkup of workers, and others that have helped natural stone manufacturers to balance the available minimal workforce and to meet the natural stone demand during the pandemic.

Wide Range of Applications of Natural Stone to Drive the Market Growth

Natural stone finds variety of applications in the interior spaces of your home such as kitchen, bathroom, living room, and others. For instance, granite, one of the hardest stones, is widely used in kitchen countertops which is known for its durability and heat resistance capacity. This natural stone is known for its elegance and unique pattern as no two granite slabs are alike and can meet the demands of busiest kitchen without any signs of wear. Marble is widely used for flooring, columns, steps, table, or countertop. Onyx, which is formed from limestone, is available in many colors and it is used for walls to enhance its translucent color. Quartzite is used as building blocks and slabs. Limestone formed from calcium carbonate is used in building construction of cornices, facades, and pillars. It is also used for floor tiles, fireplaces, wall tiles, staircases, and others.

To know more about global natural stone market drivers, get in touch with our analysts here.

Presence of Alternative Building Material Such as Ceramic Tiles to Restrain Market Growth

The use of alternative materials such as ceramic tiles is gaining popularity as glazed ceramic tile is ready to use and does not require any additional coating. Whereas the natural stone tiles are porous and can absorb stains due to which they must be sealed properly and resins must be used to close the pores. Ceramic tiles are man-made and available in various colors and patterns. In addition, ceramic tiles can be custom-made to resemble the look of natural stone which is estimated to restrain the natural stone market growth in the upcoming years.  

Sharp Rise in Construction Activities Across the World to Generate Enormous Opportunities

The building & construction sector is experiencing significant growth in the recent years owing to rapid urbanization, development of smart cities, and mega projects. Natural stones such as marble, granite, and others are largely used in the residential and commercial sectors for infrastructure developments as well as for reconstruction & remodeling projects. For instance, marble, which is majorly quarried in China, India, Italy, and Spain represents beauty with its inherent warmth and it is a popular choice for floors, fireplace facings, countertops, walls, and windowsills. Owing to its appearance and ease of maintenance, it is widely used for table tops, wall claddings, floor, vanity tops, wainscot, and others. Similarly, soapstone, which is another natural stone, is softest material used for countertops as it is completely resistant to heat and stain. It shows high abrasion and scratch resistance due to which it is used for flooring. 

To know more about global natural stone market opportunities, get in touch with our analysts here.

Global Natural Stone Market, by Type

Based on type, the market has been divided into granite, marble, limestone, travertine, and others. Among these, the granite sub-segment accounted for the highest revenue share in 2021 and is estimated to show the fastest growth during the forecast period.

Global Natural Stone Market Share, by Type, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The granite sub-segment is anticipated to have a dominant market share and shall surpass $23,376.80 million by 2030, with an increase from $13,074.50 million in 2021. This is because granite adds value to your home and investing in this countertop will increase your home’s sale price. This is because granite is known for outstanding hardness, abrasion resistance, and elegance. Granite is resilient stone that can resist very high temperature due to which it is used as kitchen countertops where the granite is subjected to direct heat. Granite is available in variety of colors and patterns with distinctive veins, swirls, and specks which are eye-catching. Also, granite countertops are easy to clean owing to its smooth and polished surface. As granite can resist abrasion, bear significant weight, can resist weathering, and has brilliant polish, they make it a desirable and popular natural stone.

Global Natural Stone Market, by Application

Based on application, the market has been divided into flooring, wall cladding, cut-to-size items, and others. Among these, the flooring sub-segment accounted for the highest market share in 2021 and is estimated to show the fastest growth during 2022-2030.

Global Natural Stone Market Share, by Application, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The flooring sub-segment is anticipated to have a dominant market share and shall surpass $31,971.30 million by 2030, with an increase from $18,352.10 million in 2021. Natural stone is widely used for flooring in residential and commercial sectors owing to its durability, beauty, and increased value to your home. Natural stone has organic surface that can resist dust & allergenic organisms, thus making your flooring safe and durable. Some of the popular natural stones preferred for flooring include marble, granite, slate, and limestone. For instance, the marble used for flooring provides the ambience of luxury and antiquity. It comes in wide range of colors and shades that provide pristine appeal. Slate is preferred natural stone for flooring as it is easy to cut and turn into sheets. Slate is mostly available in grey, gold, and black colors which works well for both dry and wet areas. Due to its stain resistance properties, slate is an ideal solution for flooring in hallway, bathroom, living room, kitchen areas, and dining.

Global Natural Stone Market, by End-use Industry

Based on end-use industry, the market is further classified into residential and commercial. Among these, the commercial sub-segment is anticipated to have a dominant market share and residential sub-segment is projected to the have fastest growth during the timeframe.

Global Natural Stone Market Share, by End-use Industry, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

Commercial sub-segment is anticipated to have the highest market share in the forecast time period and shall surpass $30,809.80 million by 2030, with an increase from $18,798.30 million in 2021. The sub-segment growth is attributed to rising demand for natural stones for flooring in commercial buildings like shopping centers and big complexes. Natural stones are available in a variety of textures and colors. Thus, these stones provide esthetic and appealing look to the buildings.

Global Natural Stone Market, Regional Insights

The natural stone market was investigated across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Global Natural Stone Market Size and Forecast, By Region, 2021 to 2030 ($ Million)

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The Market for Natural Stone in Asia-Pacific to be the Most Dominant and is Anticipated to Show the Fastest Growth

The Asia-Pacific natural stone market accounted $19,907.20 million in 2021 and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 6.3%. Growing construction activities owing to rapid urbanization & industrialization are estimated to boost the demand for natural stones for flooring, wall cladding, memorial arts, civil works, and others. The presence of leading natural stone producers namely India and China is estimated to boost the Asia-Pacific natural stone market size. For instance, as stated on August 13, 2018, in the World of Stones, well-known exporter and supplier of quality natural stone, India accounts for 27% of commercial natural stone production from its quarries. In addition, the export of natural stones in India is estimated to be around $300 million each year. The Makarana area of Rajasthan, India, is popular for calcite marble available in white and different varieties. Also, the percentage of export of Indian green marble found in Keshryaji, near Udaipur, Rajasthan, is high. In addition, one-fourth of the world’s granite deposits are found in India and these granite countertops are widely exported to the U.S.

In the future, India's natural stone sector is predicted to expand dramatically. Due to its diversified geographical location, India has abundant stone reserves. According to an article posted on the International Labor Organization, India would rank third in global natural stone production in 2022, with a nearly 11% share of the world natural stone market. Rajasthan is the most important and significant contributor to the country's mining industry, accounting for almost 90% of the country's sandstone production. Natural stone deposits can be found all over Rajasthan, including in Kota, Bharatpur, Tonk, and Sawai Madhopur. Natural stone extraction, processing, export, and import are the primary drivers of the country's natural stone sector.

Competitive Scenario in the Global Natural Stone Market

Investment and acquisition are common strategies followed by major market players.

Source: Research Dive Analysis

Some of the leading natural stone market players are ARO Granite Industries Ltd., Dimpomar, Dermitzakis Bros S. A., Levantina Asociados de Minerales, S.A., Margraf Spa, Mumal Marbles Pvt. Ltd., Polycor Inc., Temmer Marble, Ranamar, and Xishi Stone Group.