Since 1975, Australian scholar K C. Since Ganvil first proposed the new concept of using the volume effect generated by the ZrO2 phase transition of zirconia to achieve toughened ceramics, research on zirconia has become exceptionally active. Especially in 1983, Tosoh successfully industrialized nanocomposite zirconia for the first time. Due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, countries have increased their investment in the research and development of nanocomposite zirconia products. Its application has gradually expanded to structural materials, functional materials, and other fields, and is currently widely used in various industries.

(1) The current status and trends of global zirconium industry development

Zircon sand is mainly produced in Australia, South Africa, the United States and other regions, as well as in Hainan and Guangdong provinces of China. According to the data from the 2009 International Zirconia Conference, zircon sand exports from Australia and South Africa account for 91% of global zircon sand exports. In terms of demand, China is the largest consumer country.

From 2003 to 2008, the annual growth rate of the global zirconium industry reached 9.3%. In 2009, due to the financial crisis, the demand for the zirconia industry in the market sharply declined. However, it is expected that the annual growth rate will stabilize at around 4.4% after the economic recovery before 2020.

(2) The Development Status and Trends of China's Zirconium Industry

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the demand for infrastructure construction, real estate, and home decoration industries has remained strong, leading to a sharp increase in the use of zirconium products in the ceramic industry. The main upstream materials consumed by the ceramic industry are zirconium oxychloride and zirconium silicate. In addition, with the acceleration of consumer upgrading among Chinese residents, zirconium containing special ceramics play an important role in the material application of high-tech fields such as fuel cells, advanced special ceramics, optical communication devices, and oxidation sensors. Meanwhile, the superior physical properties of zirconia structured ceramics have been vigorously promoted in civilian fields such as cutting tools and watches. In addition, as an important new material in the industrial field, it has been widely used in the production of components such as valves and drilling cylinder sleeves.

(3) Strong demand for emerging zirconia ceramic tile products and higher profit margins

Emerging zirconia products include composite zirconia and zirconia structural ceramics. Zirconia structural ceramics refer to ceramic materials mainly composed of zirconia. It not only has the advantages of high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and high strength, but also has excellent thermal and electrical properties. The decisive factor in the performance of zirconia structural ceramics lies in its raw material composite zirconia.

The stability of composite zirconia has been improved, and its application range has been greatly expanded. The demand for composite zirconia is growing rapidly. High performance composite zirconia powder is widely used in special ceramics and new materials industries, such as optical communication devices, sensitive ceramics, solid fuel cells, cutting tools, and advanced refractory materials. Emerging zirconia products have a short development history, strong demand, and high profit margins.