During the 3rd week of August 2025, Calcium Carbide prices remained under pressure across Asia due to low demand and high supply, while prices in Europe held steady and the U.S. market maintained high levels, supported by stronger steel sector activity.
In China, the calcium carbide market continued to perform sluggish. Supply remained ample, but demand from downstream PVC producers stayed weak. Sichuan Yongxiang has reduced the pricing for its calcium carbide-based PVC products. Most manufacturers operated steadily, yet procurement was limited to spot buying, and overall market sentiment was sluggish.
Feedstock coke prices rose due to strong summer coal demand, adding cost pressure. However, this failed to lift calcium carbide prices, as PVC demand remained soft. High inventories and slow recovery in hard plastics production kept operating rates low, while exports offered only partial relief from domestic oversupply.
The PVC market in China remained weakly consolidated, with stable operations but little momentum. Spot prices drifted slightly lower, and dealers’ offers stayed soft. Inquiry levels were low, and most transactions were tied to basic needs, reflecting a cautious trading atmosphere.
In Japan, calcium carbide demand was restrained by weak PVC activity. Housing starts dropped 15.6% year-on-year, reducing construction-linked PVC consumption. Manufacturers maintained stable output, but procurement stayed focused on immediate needs. Broader industrial weakness and flat overseas PVC markets added to the subdued demand.
In India, calcium carbide demand stayed weak during the monsoon season due to sluggish PVC consumption. High inventory levels limited restocking, while flooding and storms disrupted construction activity. Buyers remained cautious, with few inquiries and mostly spot purchases.
In Europe, calcium carbide prices remained stable as summer holidays reduced market activity. Demand from PVC and steel sectors was soft, with construction orders falling sharply across housing and commercial segments. Inflation and high interest rates further dampened investment sentiments.
Germany’s chemical output is forecast to decline by 2.0% in 2025, reflecting broader industrial slowdown. Overseas demand remained flat, and new orders were insufficient to ease domestic supply pressure. PVC consumption stayed low, with cautious procurement and weak construction-linked demand continuing to weigh on the market.
In the U.S., calcium carbide prices remained firm at high levels. Strong demand for desulfurizers from the steel industry supported market fundamentals, with production reaching 1.78 million short tons in late August. Protective tariffs helped domestic steelmakers maintain output. However, overall PVC demand stayed weak due to high mortgage rates.
As per the ChemAnalyst, Calcium Carbide prices may increase in the coming months as traders cautiously replenish inventories ahead of Q4 operations. Improving weather and easing off-season pressures may support a gradual recovery in downstream PVC activity.
