For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
Throughout Q1 2025, the calcium carbide market in North America experienced a mixed trend, beginning with slight gains in January, a dip in February, and a strong recovery in March. The initial uptick in January was largely driven by rising feedstock coke and energy costs, though downstream demand from PVC and acetylene sectors remained soft due to severe winter conditions that disrupted construction activity.
February saw prices decline as demand weakened further, particularly in the residential construction sector, and stable feedstock prices offered little cost support. Despite ongoing challenges such as high interest rates, reduced hiring in construction, and cautious industrial procurement, manufacturing output showed signs of improvement.
By March, prices rebounded as feedstock costs rose and procurement activity picked up, particularly in acetylene-linked sectors. A slight recovery in construction, improving manufacturing indicators, and modest restocking efforts contributed to the upward momentum. Export interest also revived slightly, supporting sentiment. Calcium carbide prices in the U.S. closed Q1 2025 at USD 1,341/MT FOB USGC.
APAC
Throughout Q1 2025, the calcium carbide market in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region experienced consistent price declines, driven by persistent weakness in downstream demand and soft cost fundamentals. In January, prices fell amid high operating rates and weak procurement from the PVC sector, a key end-user. Seasonal construction slowdowns and limited new orders kept market sentiment bearish. In February, prices remained under pressure, as holiday-related shutdowns and cautious post-festival restocking restricted consumption. Export activity slowed, while feedstock, provided minimal cost support. By March, prices continued to decline, weighed down by oversupply and muted activity in construction and infrastructure. Despite some maintenance at PVC plants, operating rates remained high across calcium carbide producers, sustaining supply pressure. Weak international demand, high inventories, and cautious global sentiment kept export volumes subdued. With no significant recovery in downstream PVC or construction sectors, and feedstock prices staying low, calcium carbide values are likely to remain soft in the short term, barring any major supply-side disruptions or demand resurgence.
Europe
Throughout Q1 2025, the calcium carbide market in Europe saw consistent price increases, largely driven by cost-push inflation rather than improved demand fundamentals. In January, rising feedstock coke prices and elevated energy costs pushed prices higher, despite subdued demand from downstream acetylene and PVC sectors. Seasonal slowdowns, holiday-related disruptions, and a decline in construction activity further restrained market momentum. February saw continued price support from rising input costs and regulatory constraints. However, sluggish procurement from construction-linked sectors, weak industrial output, and cautious buyer sentiment limited any significant uplift in demand. By March, while prices initially stabilized due to mixed feedstock cost trends—high coke and softening lime—downstream consumption remained weak amid stagnating Eurozone construction and industrial contraction. Strikes and congestion at Hamburg port disrupted export logistics, though domestic supply remained steady. With EU27 manufacturing facing high production costs, overcapacity, and subdued new orders, the calcium carbide market remained cost-driven, not demand-led. Unless there is a revival in downstream consumption, particularly from the construction sector, the sustainability of this price trend remains uncertain.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
Throughout Q4 2024, the calcium carbide market in North America experienced mixed trends, with prices slightly increasing in October before declining in both November and December. In the USA, the market saw the most significant price changes, with October's rise driven by increased demand from the downstream PVC and acetylene industries, supported by a modest recovery in construction activity and improved operational rates among manufacturers.
However, November marked the start of a decline as subdued housing starts, high mortgage rates, and reduced export opportunities weakened demand for calcium carbide. The acetylene sector also faced challenges from sluggish industrial activity, further dampening procurement volumes.
By December, prices continued their downward trajectory, with manufacturers adopting aggressive destocking strategies to manage high inventory levels. Weak demand from PVC and acetylene applications, combined with rising energy costs due to the winter season, added to the bearish market sentiment. Ending the quarter, the price for calcium carbide in the USA was recorded at USD 1,311/MT FOB USGC, reflecting ongoing supply-demand imbalances and weak downstream activity.
APAC
Throughout Q4 2024, the calcium carbide market in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region experienced mixed trends. In China, the market saw the most significant price changes, with slight increases in October and November followed by a decline in December. October's price rise was driven by improved demand from the downstream polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sector and stable operating rates at production facilities. November maintained this upward momentum, supported by consistent PVC production and steady feedstock coke costs. However, in December, calcium carbide prices fell due to weakened demand from the PVC market, which faced ongoing challenges from slow real estate development and limited infrastructure projects. Seasonal slowdowns in the construction activity and oversupply pressures led manufacturers to intensify destocking efforts, offering discounts to clear excess inventories. The combination of muted downstream procurement and minimal cost support from feedstocks contributed to the bearish market sentiment. Ending the quarter, the price for calcium carbide in China was recorded at USD 387/MT FOB Qingdao, reflecting oversupply and weak demand conditions.
Europe
Throughout Q4 2024, the calcium carbide market in Europe showed varying trends, with prices increasing in October but declining in November and December. In Germany, the market saw the most significant price changes, driven initially by improved demand from the downstream PVC, acetylene industries in October. The price rise was supported by steady supply levels and improved trading volumes, with producers attempting to recover margins. However, November marked the beginning of a downturn as weak demand from downstream manufacturers and the construction sector, coupled with accumulating inventories, pressured prices downward. Subdued procurement activity, stable feedstock coke costs, and bearish market sentiment further contributed to the decline. By December, prices stabilized, reflecting ample supply and cautious buying behaviors as downstream industries grappled with seasonal slowdowns and persistent economic challenges. High interest rates and elevated construction costs dampened activity in the Eurozone’s construction sector, further limiting calcium carbide demand. Ending the quarter, the price for calcium carbide in Germany was recorded at USD 1,185/MT FD Hamburg, highlighting the market's struggle with oversupply and tepid demand.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
Calcium carbide prices in the North America maintained an upward trend throughout Q3 2024, supported by strong demand from downstream industries such as PVC. Compared to Q3 2023, prices saw a notable 20% increase in USA, underscoring robust market conditions. Additionally, the market experienced an 8.3% rise from the prior quarter, driven by high feedstock costs and increased export activity. US calcium carbide prices remained resilient, bolstered by disruptions like the shutdown of Orbia's PVC plant in Altamira, Mexico, and logistical challenges in Asia, strengthening American exporters' position in markets such as Africa and Asia.
Bullish market sentiment prevailed due to limited export availability and expectations of further price increases, driven by strong domestic demand and strategic moves by US exporters to fill global supply gaps. Rising freight rates and tight vessel availability also reduced the competitiveness of Asian PVC, enhancing the traction of US exports in key regions.
Ending the quarter, the price for calcium carbide in the USA was recorded at USD 1570/MT, FOB USGC, reflecting an overall positive pricing environment.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Calcium Carbide market in the APAC region witnessed decreasing prices, reflecting a challenging quarter for the industry. The 11.6% change from the same quarter last year indicated a downward trend, with a 1.8% change from the previous quarter highlighting stability amid ongoing market pressures. Overall trading sentiment remained pessimistic, with traders facing sluggish demand and limited procurement activities.
Factors influencing these price declines included weak demand from downstream sectors, such as PVC, and high inventory levels, exerting downward pressure on prices. Seasonal factors, like heavy rainfall impacting construction activities, further dampened demand, contributing to the negative sentiment in the market. Japan, experiencing the most significant price changes, saw a significant shift between the first and second half of the quarter, emphasizing the deteriorating pricing environment.
The correlation between operational dynamics in the PVC sector and calcium carbide prices remained evident, with the latest quarter-ending price standing at USD 423/MT CFR Tokyo, indicating a continuation of the decreasing trend in the market.
Europe
Throughout Q3 2024, the European Calcium Carbide market experienced stable pricing, following increases from previous quarters. The quarter was marked by consistent market conditions, with Germany seeing the most notable fluctuations. Market prices were influenced by several factors, including stable raw material costs, steady demand from downstream sectors like PVC, and high natural gas prices driving production costs.
Compared to the same quarter in 2023, the European market showed a 15% increase, while prices rose by 2.8% from Q2 2024, reflecting a positive market trend. There was no significant price variation between the first and second half of the quarter, indicating sustained price stability. Additionally, robust export demand further kept the prices healthy, supporting the overall market trend.
Germany, a key market in the region, displayed resilience in calcium carbide pricing, closing the quarter at USD 1,235/MT FD Hamburg. This stability reflects strong market sentiment, supported by balanced demand and supply dynamics. The sustained equilibrium in pricing highlights the consistent nature of the calcium carbide market throughout the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the North American Calcium Carbide market experienced a significant uptick in pricing, driven primarily by robust demand from downstream sectors and logistical challenges. The market remained bullish, propelled by increased procurement activities in industries such as PVC and acetylene production. The steady rise in Calcium Carbide prices was further supported by stable raw material costs and heightened export activities, despite moderate supply levels.
In the USA, the trajectory of Calcium Carbide prices was particularly pronounced. The market saw an upward trend, marked by an 8.6% increase compared to the same quarter last year, reflecting a strong recovery and escalating demand. This surge was further compounded by a 2% rise from the previous quarter, underscoring consistent market momentum. The first half of the quarter recorded notable price gains, culminating in a 6% increase by the second half, indicative of sustained procurement activities and supply chain adjustments in response to geopolitical tensions and rising freight rates.
By the end of the quarter, the price of Calcium Carbide in the USA reached USD 1498/MT, DEL Louisiana. This steady incline in prices highlights a positive pricing environment, driven by strong domestic demand and strategic market positioning by American exporters.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the Calcium Carbide market in the APAC region maintained stable pricing, reflecting consistent supply and demand dynamics. The quarter was characterized by a balanced market environment, with no significant disruptions in the availability of raw materials, particularly coke, which offered cost support. Steady demand from downstream sectors, notably PVC, contributed to stable pricing patterns. Market participants remained cautious, yet optimistic, as stable crude oil prices and moderate shipping rates helped sustain the equilibrium. The influence of geopolitical factors and energy prices was minimal, allowing the market to avoid volatility. Japan, however, experienced notable price variations within this stable context, primarily due to seasonality and the shifting demand in downstream industries. The overall trend in Japan showed a steady market with a subtle decline, with prices exhibiting a -2% change from the previous quarter in 2024. The first and second halves of the quarter saw no change in prices, highlighting the stable sentiment throughout. These fluctuations were largely seasonal, influenced by varying levels of construction activity and procurement cycles in the PVC sector. Despite these changes, the pricing environment for calcium carbide remained stable overall. The quarter-ending price in Japan stood at USD 431/MT, CFR Tokyo, indicating a market that, while experiencing minor adjustments, has managed to uphold a consistent pricing structure.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the Calcium Carbide market in Europe experienced a bullish trend, driven by several significant factors. The quarter saw robust demand from the downstream PVC sector and acetylene production, catalyzing an upward momentum in calcium carbide prices. This surge was further compounded by supply constraints due to the shutdown of a major PVC plant in Mexico and logistical challenges in Asia, which reduced the competitiveness of Asian PVC exports. Rising freight rates and vessel shortages also contributed to the tightening of the market. Germany, in particular, has seen the most pronounced price fluctuations within the region. Reflecting an overall positive pricing environment, the country's calcium carbide market has experienced an 8% increase compared to the previous quarter in 2024. This is indicative of strong market dynamics and consistent demand in key sectors despite external challenges. Concluding Q2 2024, the price of calcium carbide in Germany stands at USD 1220/MT, FD Hamburg. This sustained positive sentiment is a result of tight supply conditions, elevated freight rates, and resilient downstream demand, painting a bullish outlook for the calcium carbide market in the near term.
