For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
During the first quarter of 2022, prices of Calcium Carbonate in North America soared by more than 4% due to the increase in demand from the downstream sector amidst the ongoing geopolitical tension between Russia and Ukraine. This extended hostility two-folded its impact on the demand outlook of Calcium Carbonate. US market for Calcium Carbonate continued to struggle with logistics issues which led to the limited availability of the product in the regional market. As a ripple effect, Q1 of 2022 ended with stable demand and inadequate supply of Calcium Carbonate.
Asia Pacific
Calcium Carbonate prices increased in Asia during the first quarter of this year due to the robust demand from downstream sectors. The demand for Calcium Carbonate remained high in India as cement companies ramped up volumes to meet their year-end target. Rise in raw materials cost and strong demand for Calcium Carbonate from the construction industry led to the rise in prices of Calcium Carbonate. According to the market players, Calcium Carbonate's downstream cement costs rose by 11% monthly until the first quarter, due to the increase in construction activities. As a ripple effect, prices of Calcium Carbonate Indl. Grade (PCC) in India settled at USD 207/Tonne in Q1, 2022.
Europe
In Europe, the ongoing geopolitical turmoil between Eastern European nations soared the global raw material prices and disrupted the supply chain and logistics during the first quarter of 2022. The persistent demand for Calcium Carbonate from downstream pharma and construction industry kept the prices inflated. According to the European market players, the Omya, leading exporters of Europe, temporarily implemented a surcharge on the Calcium Carbonate products, which shifted the market dynamics of Calcium Carbonate. As a ripple effect, the Calcium Carbonate Industrial Grade price for CFR Hamburg (Germany) settled at USD 297 per tonne in Q1 2022.
For the Quarter Ending December 2021
North America
In the fourth quarter of 2021, the Calcium Carbonate market movement remained silent in the North American region. Although, in the latter half of the quarter the offers eased slightly amidst better operational loads at the manufacturing sites after the production capabilities were restored after the impact of Hurricane Ida. The demand outlook remained stagnant, and the region witnessed a slight oversupply of Calcium Carbonate in the fourth quarter. As a ripple effect, the FOB US Gulf Calcium Carbonate USP grade offers were assessed at USD 9295 per tonne, during the quarter ending in December.
Asia Pacific
Overall, the Calcium Carbonate sentiments in the Asia Pacific market remained consolidated throughout the Q4 of 2021, owing to the adequate cost support from the demand outlook and supply hindrance in China. The imposition of dual-energy control coupled with the power rationing in China forced the suppliers to reduce the run rates at the manufacturing sites. However, the situation improved to some extent in the latter half, although the resurgence of COVID uplifted the demand in the Asian domestic market. As a ripple effect, the FOB Qingdao discussions for the Calcium Carbonate USP grade were assessed at USD 9677 per tonne, during the quarter ending in December.
Europe
In the fourth quarter of 2021, the Calcium Carbonate market sentiments in the European region remained buoyed amidst the supply-demand imbalance. Whereas the operational loads remained dull amidst the ongoing energy crisis in Europe led to constrained supplies of Calcium Carbonate in the domestic market. in addition, the domestic players were hesitant to inquire from the overseas market amidst the higher charges and limited availability of freight vessels. The resurgence of COVID supported the demand outlook for Calcium Carbonate in the European domestic market. Therefore, due to the supply-demand imbalance against the adequate inquiries, the Calcium Carbonate quotations staggered upwards throughout the fourth quarter of 2021.
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
North America
In North America, Calcium Carbonate market remained dampened during Q3 of 2021 backed by the limited supply of the product amidst firm demand from downstream sectors. Supply of Calcium Carbonate tightened in the North American market as an impact of the Ida hurricane which caused an abrupt supply chain imbalance in the region. In August, many manufacturers were compelled to shut their production plants ahead of the arrival of Ida hurricane as a part of the contingency plan, that directly affected the production rates and consequently pushed up the prices of Calcium Carbonate in this time frame. Calcium Carbonate FOB Gulf Coast prices stood at USD 9300 per MT in September.
Asia
In Asia, Calcium Carbonate prices witnessed an exponential rise during the third quarter of 2021. Demand for Calcium Carbonate remained firm throughout the quarter following an active rebound in industrial and construction activities. In addition, spike in the prices of raw materials also contributed to push up the pricing trend of the Calcium Carbonate. In India, as Calcium Carbonate is majorly imported from other Asian countries therefore a continuous price increment was observed due to the high freight charges and extreme shortage of shipping containers. Besides, clogging on the interoceanic trade routes led to the delays of cargoes that consequently surged Calcium Carbonate prices in India. Ex-Mumbai Calcium Carbonate Industrial grade prices were assessed at USD 208.89 per MT in September.
Europe
In Q3 2021, Calcium Carbonate values experienced a gradual rise in the European market influenced by the Asian market fundamentals. In addition, soaring freight costs and limited availability of containers also sent ripples to the prices of Calcium Carbonate. Moreover, incessantly increasing energy costs further pushed up the prices of Calcium Carbonate in the region. On the other hand, demand remained sturdy from the downstream pharmaceuticals and construction sectors during this timeframe.
For the Quarter Ending June 2021
North America
Rebound in construction sector in North America, improved the demand for Calcium Carbonate during this quarter. Rapid vaccination drive and decline in COVID cases led to the improved demand for Calcium Carbonate from this segment. However, pharma segment also witnessed firm offtakes in the meantime. Therefore, in combined effect, prices of Calcium Carbonate increased effectively in the USA, and rose from USD 509/MT to USD 520/MT from mid-April till May. Later, in June, prices started declining, due to ample stock availability amidst the stagnating demand scenario in USA.
Asia
Recovering economy of China post decline in COVID cases, improved the demand for Calcium Carbonate from domestic construction sector. Downstream cement prices rose month-on-month, under the influence of booming construction activities. Therefore, a fair rise in prices of Calcium Carbonate was observed in the country. While in the Indian market, due to second wave of pandemic, consumption from construction segment remained dull, which reduced the overall demand for Calcium Carbonate. Later, in June, prices rebounded, under optimism of recovering economic activities, as new cases started declining effectively. Therefore, in India, after a steep fall in prices, Calcium Carbonate rebounded in June and settled at USD 165.05/MT for Industrial grade.
Europe
Prices of Calcium Carbonate remained influenced by global factors like rising freight and energy costs. Therefore, a fair rise in prices of Calcium Carbonate was observed in the European region. On the demand side, construction sector of Europe witnessed boom during this timeframe, and manufacturers were worried about the rapid escalation in prices of construction related raw materials including Calcium Carbonate. In addition, a major European manufacturers Omya increased its Calcium Carbonate prices for global market during this quarter, due to rise in global freight cost, energy cost and other factors.
For the Quarter Ending March 2021
North America
Devastating winter storm across North America halted almost all the production activities in mid-February. Due to this winter storm several other activities like construction farming also got affected, while some industries like pharma had to keep working amidst increasing requirements for medicines. In line with this trend, demand for Calcium Carbonate from downstream cement sector also reduced however it witnessed improvement from pharma sector, which supported its prices. Prices for Calcium Carbonate rose from USD 485/MT (January 2021) to USD 495/MT (March 2021). In addition, Huber Engineering announced the acquisition of Nutri Granulation business from IMCD, which is a major producer of food grade Calcium Carbonate, deal is expected to be closed by 1st April.
Asia
AsianCalcium Carbonate market witnessed mixed sentiments under wavering demand supply fundamentals, which varied country by country. Where China had faced firm demand for Calcium Carbonate while maintaining ample supply to satisfy the demand, high demand supported the prices and led it go rise marginally by 1.7% during Q1 2021. On the other hand, India witnessed high demand for Calcium Carbonate from both cement and pharma sector which led to the rise in prices of construction grade Calcium Carbonate by 14.87% and pharma grade Calcium Carbonate by 14.98% during this period. Meanwhile, to rectify this price rise, Indian government reduced the import duty from 2.5% to zero from all grades of Calcium Carbonate, this decision was especially imposed to favour the steel sector of India.
Europe
Demand forCalcium Carbonate across Europe maintained its stagnant demand from downstream sectors like construction and pharma during Q1 2021. As the domestic supply was not sufficient enough to satisfy this demand, hence the prices projected an upward trend across different European countries. In Germany, FOB prices for Calcium Carbonate rose by 3.44% during Q1 2021 and settled at USD 150 per MT during March end.
For the Quarter Ending December 2020
Asia
Calcium Carbonate’s demand in Asia surged in Q4 2020 as various countries like China and India majorly focused on the development of pharmaceutical and infrastructure following the fears of Coronavirus in 2020. With revival of the infrastructure activities in India in the festive season in November, demand from paints, coatings, and adhesives witnessed a much-needed rebound. Thus, in Q4 of 2020, the price of calcium Carbonate settled at 320 USD/MT. With increase in industrial and civil activities, demand from paper industry also revived which further contributed to surging the prices of Calcium Carbonate across Southeast Asia.
Europe
Consistent uptick in demand for Calcium Carbonate from pharmaceutical, paper, and plastic industry has kept its market sentiments rich in Europe. The increased focus on green economy in Q4 following several government initiatives requires infrastructure investment in Europe which further pushed the demand for Calcium Carbonate in the regional market. Appreciable demand for Calcium Carbonate from downstream sectors has kept its pricing firm in Europe for Q4 2020. Uptick observed in the demand from steel and glass manufacturing sector also contributed in surging prices of Calcium Carbonate.
North America
Prices of the Calcium Carbonate firmed in the quarter ending December following the rise in prices for feedstock Calcium. Thus, the prime factor supporting the rise in prices of prices of Calcium Carbonate in the Q4 of 2020 were the supply shortage of raw material. Amidst increasing focus on healthcare sector, the demand for Calcium Carbonate surged in the pharmaceutical industries which further contributed in giving a considerate push to its market fundamentals.
