Who Is the Largest Producer of Asbestos in the World — and Why It Still Matters for UK Buildings
Asbestos was once called the wonder mineral. Cheap, fire-resistant, and extraordinarily versatile, it was woven into the fabric of 20th-century industry across every continent. But who is the largest producer of asbestos in the world today — and what does that tell us about the ongoing global risk? The answer is Russia, and the implications stretch far beyond its borders, including into the buildings being managed right now across the UK.
Understanding global asbestos production and consumption isn’t a purely academic exercise. It explains why asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) remain embedded in supply chains, why disease burdens are still rising in parts of Asia, and why UK property managers must take their legal duties seriously even decades after Britain’s ban.
Russia: The World’s Largest Producer of Asbestos
Russia holds the top position by a significant margin when it comes to global asbestos output. The country’s vast chrysotile deposits are concentrated in the Ural Mountains, centred around the city of Asbest — a city literally named after the mineral that built its economy.
The Russian government has consistently defended chrysotile asbestos production, arguing that controlled use presents an acceptable level of risk. That position is not supported by the World Health Organisation or the broader scientific consensus, which is unequivocal: all forms of asbestos are carcinogenic, and there is no safe level of exposure.
Russia exports chrysotile asbestos to dozens of countries, particularly across Asia and Central America. Domestically, asbestos-containing materials are used in construction, automotive components, and industrial manufacturing. Production levels have remained substantial year on year, making Russia the dominant force in the global asbestos trade.
Kazakhstan: The Second Largest Asbestos Producer
Kazakhstan ranks second globally in asbestos production, with chrysotile mining central to its industrial economy. The country both consumes asbestos domestically and exports significant quantities, primarily to neighbouring Asian markets.
Like Russia, Kazakhstan has resisted international pressure to curtail production. Both countries have repeatedly blocked attempts to list chrysotile asbestos under the Rotterdam Convention — an international framework governing trade in hazardous substances — preventing the kind of transparency measures that would help importing nations make informed decisions about what they are bringing into their supply chains.
The Biggest Consumers of Asbestos Globally
Production and consumption don’t always align. Some of the world’s largest asbestos consumers import the vast majority of what they use. Here is how the picture breaks down.
China
China has been the single largest consumer of asbestos in the world for decades. At peak consumption, the country was using enormous quantities annually — primarily chrysotile — in construction materials, insulation, friction products, and industrial applications.
China’s rapid urbanisation created insatiable demand for cheap, durable building materials. Asbestos-cement products — roofing sheets, corrugated panels, pipes — were perfectly suited to that purpose. China also has its own domestic mining operations, primarily in Qinghai Province, which has helped sustain consumption levels without relying entirely on imports.
India
India has consistently ranked among the world’s largest asbestos consumers. The country imports almost all of its asbestos — predominantly chrysotile from Russia and Kazakhstan — and uses it heavily in asbestos-cement products, particularly roofing sheets for lower-income housing and agricultural buildings.
India has no national ban on asbestos, and while regulatory frameworks exist, enforcement is inconsistent. Health researchers have raised serious concerns about occupational exposure. Given the long latency periods of asbestos-related diseases — typically 20 to 50 years — the full health impact of current exposure levels won’t become apparent for decades yet.
Brazil
Brazil occupied a dual role in the global asbestos story: it was both a major producer and a substantial consumer. The Cana Brava mine in the state of Goiás was one of the largest chrysotile operations in the world, and Brazil exported asbestos to numerous countries across Latin America and beyond.
Brazil’s position changed significantly when its Supreme Court ruled to ban asbestos production, distribution, and use. That ruling marked a genuine turning point. Brazil now stands as a meaningful example of how legal pressure can reshape an entrenched industry, even one with significant economic interests behind it.
Other Notable Consumers
Beyond the largest consumers, several other countries have maintained significant asbestos use:
- Indonesia and Vietnam — Both have used asbestos-cement products extensively in construction, with limited regulatory restrictions in place.
- Mexico — A historically significant consumer of imported asbestos for construction and manufacturing, though consumption has declined in recent years.
- Thailand and the Philippines — Continued importers of asbestos-containing products, primarily for roofing applications.
- Parts of Africa — Several nations continue to import and use asbestos products, often with minimal regulatory oversight.
The common thread across all of these countries is rapid construction demand, low-cost housing pressures, and the absence of affordable alternatives that match asbestos-cement’s performance in hot or humid climates.
The Global Health Consequences of Asbestos Production and Use
The scale of global asbestos consumption has created a public health legacy that will span generations. Asbestos-related diseases — mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleural conditions — typically develop 20 to 50 years after initial exposure.
This means the peak disease burden from mid-20th century exposure has only recently been reached in some countries, and the consequences of ongoing consumption in Asia and elsewhere won’t fully materialise for decades yet.
Mesothelioma has no cure. Asbestosis is progressive and irreversible. These are not theoretical risks — they are predictable, documented outcomes of fibre inhalation, and the medical and scientific consensus on this point is absolute.
In the UK, this is visible in our own mesothelioma mortality data. Despite a comprehensive ban introduced in 1999, the UK still records some of the highest mesothelioma rates in the world — a direct consequence of heavy asbestos use in shipbuilding, construction, and manufacturing during the mid-20th century. The disease burden from that era has not yet peaked.
International Efforts to Reduce Asbestos Production and Trade
National Bans
Over 70 countries have now banned asbestos in all forms. These include all EU member states, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Canada — which introduced its ban despite having been a major chrysotile producer itself. The United States has not enacted a comprehensive ban, though regulatory restrictions have tightened significantly in recent years.
Where bans have been properly implemented and enforced, the results are consistent: consumption drops, industries adapt, and safer alternatives emerge. The economic argument for continuing asbestos use does not hold up when downstream healthcare costs and long-term liability exposure are factored in.
The Rotterdam Convention
The Rotterdam Convention governs international trade in hazardous chemicals and pesticides. It requires exporting countries to notify importing nations before shipping listed substances, and gives importing countries the right to refuse or restrict certain hazardous imports.
Chrysotile asbestos has been proposed for listing under the convention multiple times. Russia, Kazakhstan, and other producing nations have consistently blocked its inclusion — a significant failure of the international regulatory framework. Despite this, the convention has contributed to greater transparency and has helped some lower-income countries make more informed decisions about asbestos imports.
The Role of Economic Pressure
Regulation alone doesn’t drive change — economic incentives matter too. As asbestos-free alternatives to fibre-cement products have become cheaper and more widely available, the economic argument for using asbestos has weakened.
Manufacturers in some consuming countries have begun transitioning voluntarily, partly due to export market requirements and partly due to growing domestic awareness of health risks. This transition is slow and uneven, but it is happening. The question is whether it will happen quickly enough to prevent another generation of preventable disease.
Why Global Asbestos Production Matters for UK Property Owners
You might wonder what global asbestos production patterns have to do with managing a property in Britain. The connection is more direct than it might appear.
Many ACMs installed in UK buildings during the mid-20th century were manufactured using imported asbestos from countries including Canada, South Africa, and the former Soviet Union. Understanding the global picture helps contextualise how deeply embedded asbestos became in industrial supply chains — and why so much of it ended up in British buildings.
Any UK property built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos-containing materials. That is not a remote possibility — it is a near-certainty for much of the UK’s housing and commercial building stock. The Control of Asbestos Regulations places clear legal duties on those who manage non-domestic premises to identify, assess, and manage any ACMs present.
Awareness of global consumption patterns is also a reminder that asbestos is not a historical curiosity. It is an ongoing risk in the built environment, and managing it properly requires professional survey work — not assumptions.
What UK Property Managers Should Do Now
If you manage or own a commercial property, a block of flats, or a public building constructed before 2000, your legal starting point is an management survey. This establishes whether ACMs are present, their condition, and what action — if any — is required. It forms the foundation of your asbestos management plan and satisfies your duty to manage under the Control of Asbestos Regulations.
If you’re planning refurbishment or demolition work, a demolition survey is required before any structural work begins. These surveys are more intrusive than management surveys and are designed to locate all ACMs that could be disturbed during the works — including those hidden within the fabric of the building.
If ACMs have already been identified and are being managed in place, a periodic re-inspection survey is essential. The condition of asbestos materials can change over time, and re-inspection ensures your management plan remains accurate and up to date.
Where you suspect asbestos is present but need confirmation, professional asbestos testing provides laboratory-confirmed results you can rely on. If you’ve already collected a sample and need it analysed, our sample analysis service gives you fast, accurate results. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to collect a sample yourself, you can order a testing kit directly from our website.
Where ACMs are damaged, deteriorating, or likely to be disturbed, asbestos removal by a licensed contractor is often the safest long-term solution. Our team carries out licensed removal work in full compliance with HSE guidance and HSG264.
We operate nationwide. Whether you need an asbestos survey London or an asbestos survey Manchester, Supernova’s qualified surveyors are ready to help. You can also explore our full range of asbestos testing options to find the right solution for your property.
Speak to Supernova Asbestos Surveys
Supernova Asbestos Surveys has completed over 50,000 surveys across the UK. Our UKAS-accredited surveyors work with commercial landlords, local authorities, housing associations, and private property owners to ensure full compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations.
If you have a property built before 2000 and you’re unsure of its asbestos status, don’t wait. Call us on 020 4586 0680 or visit asbestos-surveys.org.uk to book a survey or request a quote. The risk is real, the law is clear, and professional help is available today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the largest producer of asbestos in the world?
Russia is currently the world’s largest producer of asbestos, with mining operations concentrated in the Ural Mountains near the city of Asbest. Russia exports chrysotile asbestos to dozens of countries and has consistently resisted international efforts to restrict the trade.
Which country consumes the most asbestos?
China has been the largest consumer of asbestos globally for decades, using it primarily in construction materials such as asbestos-cement roofing sheets, pipes, and insulation products. India is also among the largest consumers, importing almost all of its asbestos from Russia and Kazakhstan.
Is asbestos still being mined and used around the world?
Yes. Despite bans in over 70 countries, asbestos is still mined and used in significant quantities across parts of Asia, Central America, and Africa. Russia and Kazakhstan are the dominant producers, and global consumption — while declining — remains substantial.
Does global asbestos production affect UK buildings?
Indirectly, yes. Many ACMs found in UK buildings today were manufactured using asbestos imported from major producing nations including Canada, South Africa, and the former Soviet Union. Any UK property built or refurbished before 2000 may contain ACMs, and the Control of Asbestos Regulations requires duty holders to identify and manage them.
What should I do if I think my building contains asbestos?
The first step is to commission a professional management survey from a qualified surveyor. This will identify whether ACMs are present, assess their condition, and inform your asbestos management plan. Do not attempt to sample or disturb suspected asbestos materials without professional guidance. Contact Supernova Asbestos Surveys on 020 4586 0680 or visit asbestos-surveys.org.uk for expert advice.