Calcium carbide prices in Asia gained slightly in early April 2025 due to plant maintenance and marginal output reductions. However, prices stabilized mid-to-late month as sluggish demand from downstream PVC sectors and weak construction activity weighed on market momentum. In the European market, prices also stayed under pressure amid continued oversupply and demand weakness.

In China, early April saw support from reduced production and scheduled maintenance at several Calcium carbide plants. Output fell to 346,508 tons, down 0.88% from the previous month. Lower operating rates provided brief upward pressure, but sentiment weakened by mid-month as supply normalized and demand from PVC producers stayed weak.

Downstream PVC demand in China remained tepid due to a slowdown in the end user construction sector. With limited new project starts and low builder confidence, downstream consumption stayed restricted. Most buyers avoided large-volume commitments, focusing on immediate needs. Calcium Carbide traders reported soft inquiry levels, and spot trading dominated an otherwise muted market. The lack of strong project demand contributed to flat market dynamics.

Production across major Calcium Carbide plants after mid-month stayed mostly stable, and inventories remained sufficient through April. Input costs, including coke and energy, stayed low, limiting any production cost-driven price support.

Geopolitical concerns, particularly persistent U.S.-China trade disputes, cast a shadow over the market. Cautious buyers and dim export hope slowed trading. The resulting sentiment kept long-term deals on hold, with market players preferring short-cycle transactions.

In Japan, Calcium carbide demand stayed subdued. Weak construction activity, project delays, and declining building permits continued to weigh on downstream PVC applications. Buyers adopted a conservative procurement approach, and export interest declined slightly amid regional uncertainty.

In Europe, Calcium carbide prices remained under pressure during April. While production was stable, oversupply and sluggish demand kept the market soft. Construction stayed slow, and demand from acetylene and PVC sectors showed no real pickup.

Germany’s crude steel output fell 13.5% year-on-year, cutting calcium carbide use in steel applications. Construction demand also lagged, limiting any potential recovery.

Port congestion in Hamburg and low Rhine River water levels disrupted logistics. Energy costs dropped across Europe, further reduced the production cost of Calcium Carbide. Buyers continued to restrict purchases to short-term spot deals, reflecting overall economic uncertainty.

As per the ChemAnalyst, Calcium Carbide prices may find limited support from seasonal activity. However, persistently weak construction demand and cautious buyer sentiment are likely to cap gains, keeping the market rangebound in the near term.