For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
In Q2 2025, the U.S. cement and concrete additives market showed a mixed performance, with price trends diverging across products due to varied demand and supply conditions. GGBFS rose by around 2% in May and then stabilized, supported by infrastructure demand and freight inflation despite softer residential activity, while Silica fell sharply on persistent housing weakness, declining 3.6% in June amid oversupply and sluggish procurement. Cellulose Ether stayed largely stable but edged down 0.5% as suppliers cleared backlogs and export demand to Mexico and Canada remained muted. Petroleum Coke gained 3.2% on firm aluminum and steel demand but softened in July on weaker exports and seasonal construction slowdown. Calcium Carbonate dropped 4% on oversupply, muted restocking, and cautious procurement, with forecasts pointing to further weakness. Quicklime rose 2.36% on strong industrial and steel usage before June tariffs curtailed metallurgical demand. Sodium Lignosulphonate surged 9.2% on port congestion and constrained imports, with late-quarter restocking from construction and coatings boosting prices. Fly Ash slumped 5.3% on muted housing and ample inventories, while Soda Ash remained stable overall with a slight June dip as buyers adopted cautious restocking despite steady detergent and glass demand. Iron Oxide dropped 7% on weak coatings demand and tariff disruptions but firmed in July on supply tightness and elevated import costs. Overall, Q2 highlighted a two-speed market where infrastructure- and industry-linked additives held or gained ground, while residential construction–dependent products faced price pressure under weak housing sentiment, oversupply, and cautious procurement.
Europe
In Q2 2025, the European cement and concrete additives market presented a mixed but generally cautious pricing trend, shaped by fragile construction demand, port disruptions, and selective infrastructure support. GGBFS rose modestly (+2% in May) before stabilizing in June, supported by infrastructure optimism and steady slag supply, while Silica showed a mild upward trajectory on cost pressures and recovering housing sentiment in select regions, though overall momentum remained limited. In contrast, Cellulose Ether fell nearly 5% on weak construction demand, sluggish exports, and heavy inventories despite producers curtailing run rates. Petroleum Coke slipped by 2.1% as Russian-origin supply struggled to find takers in Europe and Turkey amid environmental scrutiny and surplus inventories. Calcium Carbonate also trended down (-1%), pressured by weak construction and plastics demand, alongside port congestion and cautious procurement. Meanwhile, Sodium Lignosulphonate strengthened (+4.8% in Sweden) due to tight supply and logistical delays, and Fly Ash rose by 2.5% early in the quarter but stabilized later as construction demand faltered. Soda Ash remained broadly stable, supported by consistent glass and detergent demand, while Iron Oxide declined 3% on oversupply and weak coatings demand. Overall, Q2 reflected a divergence: additives linked to infrastructure and steady industrial applications found moderate price support, while construction-dependent inputs remained bearish under persistent demand weakness, inventory overhang, and logistical challenges.
APAC
In Q2 2025, the Asia cement and concrete additives market showed a mixed trend across product segments, with some price gains offset by widespread weakness from the construction slowdown. GGBFS and silica prices edged higher on the back of government-led infrastructure projects, emission-compliant construction, and industrial modernization, though real estate weakness capped momentum. Fly ash spiked mid-quarter due to supply curbs but softened by June amid oversupply and monsoon-driven construction delays. Sodium lignosulphonate also rose modestly, supported by China’s urban infrastructure policies and restocking demand. In contrast, cellulose ether, calcium carbonate, soda ash, and iron oxide saw notable declines—particularly calcium carbonate (-14%) and iron oxide (-8%)—as ample supply, weak exports, and sluggish procurement weighed on prices. Petroleum coke also fell (-3.8%), pressured by oversupply from China and muted steel sector demand, while quicklime inched up (+1.7%) before easing again in June amid port congestion and weak steel consumption. Overall, the quarter reflected a divergence between infrastructure-driven additives, which found limited price support, and broader construction-linked materials, which trended bearish under oversupply, muted exports, and fragile real estate activity.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the U.S. cement and concrete additives market exhibited mixed trends across key products, reflecting varying degrees of supply-demand imbalances, economic uncertainties, and sector-specific dynamics. Petroleum Coke recorded the most significant increase with a 22.47% rise, driven by tight inventories, improved export demand, and robust downstream consumption in aluminum and steel industries. Silica also experienced a notable 6.92% price increase, supported by balanced supply and steady manufacturing output, despite sluggish residential construction. GGBFS (Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag) showed a modest 1.31% gain, underpinned by stable domestic production and single-family homebuilding activity. In contrast, Iron Oxide prices fell sharply by 6.93%, primarily due to improved supply conditions and reduced construction demand late in the quarter.
Calcium Carbonate and Sodium Lignosulphonate declined by 4.91% and 3.97% respectively, with Calcium Carbonate pressured by macroeconomic headwinds and muted food-sector demand, while Sodium Lignosulphonate saw early gains offset by tighter inventories and caution in procurement.
Fly Ash prices dropped 1.86% as supply outpaced demand amid weak residential and commercial construction. Quicklime saw a 1.85% decline, with regional variations and limited downstream activity balancing out market volatility. Cellulose Ether posted a 1.21% decrease, reflecting weak coatings and construction demand despite moderate export support. Soda Ash faced the steepest fall among all additives with a 17.36% decline, impacted by sluggish domestic demand and high inventory levels, though a slight recovery in March offered limited relief.
Overall, the sector faced headwinds from elevated interest rates, inflation concerns, and weather disruptions, though some segments showed resilience amid improving logistics and export activity.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the European cement and concrete additives market exhibited mixed pricing trends amid fluctuating demand and persistent macroeconomic challenges. Cellulose Ether prices fell sharply by 7.74%, impacted by high inventories, weak construction demand, and logistical bottlenecks at German ports. Quicklime prices declined marginally by 0.85% due to sluggish construction activity and macroeconomic uncertainty, although industrial demand offered some support. Silica saw a 4.14% price increase, driven by balanced inventories and stable supply despite continued weakness in the construction sector. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) posted a modest 1.81% rise in prices, supported by stable production and limited inventory growth, although demand remained constrained. Calcium Carbonate experienced a 5.15% quarterly decline, primarily due to soft demand and oversupply conditions early in the quarter, despite a slight rebound in March. Conversely, Sodium Lignosulphonate prices rose steadily by 2.4%, bolstered by strong export demand, resilient manufacturing activity, and tight inventories. Fly Ash recorded a 2.56% increase, driven by elevated production costs despite subdued construction demand. Meanwhile, Soda Ash prices dropped by 8.33% as oversupply, weak industrial activity, and high inventories pressured the market. Overall, while industrial demand supported some segments, the broader cement and concrete additives market remained under pressure due to weak construction activity and economic headwinds across Europe.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the APAC market for cement and concrete additives demonstrated a generally positive trajectory, with several key materials registering price increases amid shifting demand and supply dynamics. Petroleum Coke led the gains with a 21.71% rise, driven by tight supply, strong demand from aluminum and steel sectors, and improved logistics post-Spring Festival. Calcium Carbonate prices increased by 13.16%, fueled by robust construction sector activity in Malaysia and infrastructure projects like the East Coast Rail Link, although March saw corrections due to demand weakening and oversupply. GGBFS (Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag) rose 7.87%, supported by stable construction activity and infrastructure development, particularly in Vietnam. Silica prices grew by 5.23%, reflecting steady demand in top-tier Chinese cities and balanced market conditions. Sodium Lignosulphonate recorded a 4.35% increase, mainly due to constrained inventories and steady construction demand in early Q1, though momentum softened by quarter-end. Iron Oxide saw a 3.46% rise despite a late-quarter correction from an influx of low-cost imports and subdued end-user demand. Fly Ash rose moderately by 2.04%, supported by recovering infrastructure demand and a stable supply from coal-fired power plants. Quicklime prices increased 1.97%, with steady demand across Thailand and Malaysia from the construction and manufacturing sectors. Cellulose Ether saw a 2.60% rise early in the quarter due to tight supply but closed Q1 lower after a bearish market and improved inventory levels. Soda Ash posted a modest 0.49% gain, with steady demand from glass and detergent sectors offset by rising inventories later in the quarter. Overall, the sector experienced cautious optimism, with additive prices generally trending upward amid region-specific demand recovery and supply fluctuations.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the North American chemical markets experienced mixed price trends across key commodities, influenced by supply disruptions, logistical challenges, and demand fluctuations. Several commodities faced bearish trends, including Cellulose Ether, which saw declining prices due to oversupply, weak exports, and bearish downstream sentiment despite temporary support from raw material shortages. Iron Oxide prices fell by 12% due to weak construction demand, logistical bottlenecks, and low-cost imports, while Quicklime declined as sluggish construction activity and cheaper imports from China pressured the market. Calcium Carbonate saw a 6% price drop amid supply surpluses, seasonal slowdowns, and hurricane-related logistical disruptions. Similarly, Sodium Lignosulphonate prices dropped by 8.9% due to high inventories and weak demand from the construction sector. Soda Ash fell by 4.5%, weighed down by oversupply and weak consumption in the glass and construction industries. Meanwhile, Petroleum Coke declined by 1% due to competitive fuel discounts and weaker post-election demand, though a brief rebound occurred in December. On the other hand, certain commodities exhibited stable to slightly bullish trends. Silica remained steady, with strong demand in November balancing a seasonal slowdown in December, while GGBFS (Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag) prices held firm, supported by consistent infrastructure demand despite broader construction sector challenges. Fly Ash saw a modest 2% price increase, driven by fluctuating supply conditions and temporary port disruptions. Overall, Q4 2024 was characterized by weak demand across several commodities, compounded by logistical hurdles and economic uncertainties. While select materials like Silica, GGBFS, and Fly Ash showed resilience, most markets trended bearish heading into 2025.
Asia
In Q4 2024, the Asia-Pacific cement and concrete additives markets exhibited mixed price trends, influenced by supply fluctuations, demand uncertainties, and macroeconomic conditions. Cellulose Ether initially saw a 1% decline due to weak demand from coating industries but rebounded by 2.5% in the last two months as supply tightened and raw material costs increased. Iron Oxide faced a sharp 9% drop due to weak construction demand, economic uncertainties, and an oversupply exacerbated by slow exports. Quicklime experienced a volatile quarter, with prices declining by 1.4% in November amid weak construction demand but stabilizing in December as domestic consumption improved. Silica remained stable, rising by 3.6% in November before stabilizing in December, supported by steady industrial demand and a cautious recovery in China's construction sector. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) saw fluctuations, with prices rising by 2.4% in October due to stimulus-driven demand, falling by 2.3% in November, and stabilizing in December with a mild recovery in infrastructure projects. Petroleum Coke followed an upward trend, driven by strong post-holiday demand, supply shortages from typhoon-related disruptions, and renewed buying interest from China, India, and Türkiye. Calcium Carbonate exhibited a mixed trend, declining early in the quarter due to weak construction activity but stabilizing by December, supported by government stimulus. Sodium Lignosulphonate prices rose by 3.6%, supported by steady manufacturing activity, improved downstream demand, and positive trade with India. Fly Ash saw a 9% price increase due to early-quarter supply constraints and strong demand from infrastructure projects, though prices corrected later due to inventory liquidation and weakening cement sector procurement. Soda Ash declined throughout the quarter due to oversupply and weak demand from glass and photovoltaic sectors, stabilizing by December with balanced inventory management. Overall, Q4 2024 reflected a mix of bearish and stable trends across cement and concrete additives, with price movements driven by macroeconomic conditions, construction sector dynamics, and regional supply-demand fluctuations.
Europe
The European Cement and Concrete Additives market in Q4 2024 exhibited mixed pricing trends, largely influenced by subdued construction activity, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainties. Cellulose Ether prices fluctuated throughout the quarter, experiencing a net decline due to ample supply, weak construction demand, and logistical challenges. Iron Oxide prices fell by 3%, pressured by low-cost imports, high borrowing costs, and sluggish demand, with only temporary stabilization in November. Quicklime saw a brief price rise in October, followed by a 1.26% decline in November as construction activity in Germany weakened significantly. Silica prices remained stable in October, increased by 3.6% in November due to selective construction demand, and stabilized again in December as broader economic conditions remained weak. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) experienced moderate fluctuations, with early-quarter gains driven by infrastructure projects, followed by a decline in November amid economic slowdowns and political instability, before stabilizing by year-end. Petroleum Coke prices dropped 1% due to competition from alternative fuels and weak global demand but rebounded in December following policy changes in China that boosted consumption. Calcium Carbonate prices initially rose on strong construction and industrial demand but declined toward the quarter’s end due to rising costs, economic uncertainty, and seasonal slowdowns, ending with a modest 0.6% increase. Sodium Lignosulphonate prices remained largely stable as weak construction activity in Germany and France limited price movement. Fly Ash prices rose 5% despite early-quarter weakness, as inventory accumulation and supply chain challenges influenced the market, though overall demand remained sluggish. Meanwhile, Soda Ash prices increased steadily, rising by 5.2% due to tight supply, rising production costs, and seasonal restocking demand, particularly from the glass and automotive industries. Overall, Q4 2024 was marked by weak construction demand, oversupply concerns, and cautious procurement strategies, with only selective commodities showing price resilience amid broader economic uncertainty.
