China, the United States, and Germany are the leading exporters of calcium carbonate, collectively accounting for over 40% of global exports in recent years; major importers include India, Vietnam, and Mexico, reflecting strong demand from construction, plastics, and paper manufacturing sectors. Imports by Southeast Asian and Latin American countries have grown steadily since 2022, coinciding with moderate upward pressure on calcium carbonate prices amid tightening supply chains and rising raw material costs.
Recent Market Dynamics Intelligence for Calcium CarbonateI. Price Trends1. **Domestic Market**: - Light Calcium Carbonate: Mainstream regional prices range from 600 to 800 yuan/ton, with some high-end products exceeding 1,000 yuan/ton. Price fluctuations compared to the previous month are within ±3%. - Heavy Calcium Carbonate: Prices range from 400 to 650 yuan/ton, with some premium products approaching 700 yuan/ton. Overall prices remain stable, with minor fluctuations in certain regions due to supply and demand adjustments.2. **International Market**: - Southeast Asia: Export prices for light calcium carbonate are between 120 and 150 USD/ton, while heavy calcium carbonate prices range from 100 to 130 USD/ton. Prices have slightly increased due to international shipping costs. - Europe and the US: Imported calcium carbonate prices have risen by approximately 5% compared to the previous month, driven by increased costs resulting from stricter environmental standards.II. Supply and Demand Situation1. **Supply Side**: - Domestic Production Capacity: The overall capacity utilization rate in the calcium carbonate industry remains at 75%-80%. In some regions, capacity release is limited due to environmental production restrictions. - New Capacity: There has been no large-scale commissioning of new production capacity recently; market supply is primarily based on existing capacity. - Imports: Import volumes have slightly decreased compared to the previous month, mainly due to rising international prices and increased import costs.2. **Demand Side**: - Plastics Industry: Demand is stable, with significant demand for light calcium carbonate, primarily used for filling and modification. - Paper Industry: Demand has slightly increased, with a rising proportion of heavy calcium carbonate applications in papermaking. - Coatings Industry: Demand is steady, with high requirements for the fineness and purity of calcium carbonate. - Building Materials Industry: Demand fluctuates slightly due to the impact of the real estate sector but remains stable overall.III. Cost Factors1. **Raw Materials**: - Limestone: Prices are stable with sufficient supply, having minimal impact on calcium carbonate costs. - Coal: Price fluctuations have some impact on production costs, but coal prices have remained relatively stable recently.2. **Environmental Costs**: - Stricter environmental policies have led to increased environmental investments by enterprises, raising production costs. Some companies have passed these costs on through price increases.IV. Policy and Industry Developments1. **Environmental Policies**: - Environmental inspection efforts have been intensified in various regions, leading to production suspensions and rectifications for companies not meeting environmental standards, thereby reducing market supply. - Enterprises are encouraged to adopt clean production technologies to promote green development in the industry.2. **Industry Standards**: - The implementation of new national standards has imposed higher requirements on indicators such as fineness and purity, driving industry upgrades.V. Analysis and Judgment1. **Short-Term**: - Prices: Affected by environmental production restrictions and rising costs, calcium carbonate prices are expected to remain stable or see slight increases in the short term. - Supply and Demand: Supply may tighten slightly due to environmental restrictions, while demand remains stable, resulting in a balanced market.2. **Medium- to Long-Term**: - Prices: With the continued advancement of environmental policies and higher industry standards, calcium carbonate prices are expected to gradually rise. - Supply and Demand: Limited new capacity and stable demand growth may lead to a tighter supply-demand relationship.VI. Forecasts1. **Price Forecast**: - Over the next month, light calcium carbonate prices are expected to fluctuate between 620 and 820 yuan/ton, while heavy calcium carbonate prices may range from 420 to 680 yuan/ton. - International market prices may continue to rise due to shipping costs and environmental standards.2. **Supply and Demand Forecast**: - Supply Side: Environmental restrictions may lead to reduced production by some enterprises, slightly decreasing market supply. - Demand Side: Demand from the plastics and paper industries is expected to remain stable, while demand from the coatings and building materials industries may see slight growth.3. **Market Trends**: - Industry concentration will further increase, with market share expanding for high-quality enterprises. - Environmental protection and energy conservation will become the main directions for industry development, driving product upgrades and technological innovation.
Calcium carbonate is a white, odorless, crystalline solid that occurs naturally as limestone, chalk, and calcite; it is non-volatile and decomposes above 825 °C rather than melting. It is an inorganic salt and the most common calcium compound. Calcium carbonate serves as a key raw material in the production of lime (calcium oxide) and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), and functions as a filler, pigment, and neutralizing agent across numerous industrial processes. It is widely used in paper manufacturing (as coating and filler), plastics (as reinforcing filler), paints and coatings (for opacity and brightness), construction materials (e.g., cement and mortar additives), and pharmaceuticals (as an antacid and calcium supplement).
Calcium carbonate isprobably the most widely used raw material in thechemical industry. It has numerous applications,primarily to produce cement, mortars, plasters, refractories,and glass as building materials. It is also used toproduce quicklime, hydrated lime and a number ofcalcium compounds.
Calcium carbonate occurs in two forms—hexagonal crystal known as calcite, and orthorhombic form, aragonite. Calcite decomposes on heating at 825°C, aragonite melts at 1,339°C (at 102.5 atm). Density 2.71 g/cm3 (calcite), 2.83 g/cm3 (aragonite); insoluble in water (15mg/L at 25°C); Ksp 4.8x10–9 ; soluble in dilute mineral acids.
This chemical is included in Fine Chemicals - Adhesives & Coating Raw Materials. See more about what is Calcium carbonate and Calcium carbonate SDS information.
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