In October 2024, the Calcium Silicate market in both Asia and Europe saw a significant decline, primarily due to reduced activity in core downstream sectors like construction and cement. Demand for Calcium Silicate, commonly used as a cement additive and in construction materials, weakened as these industries faced persistent slowdowns. In Europe, additional pressure came from an influx of low-cost imports and tepid construction demand, further softening the market. Lower freight rates from Asia to Europe also reduced import costs for commodities, including Calcium Silicate. As a result, Calcium Silicate prices in China dropped by 15.2% FOB Shanghai, while German prices fell by 9% CFR Hamburg, reflecting the overall bearish market sentiment in both regions.

The Calcium Silicate market in Asia is significantly shaped by demand from the construction and cement sectors, with China as the leading market, now experiencing a downturn due to ample supply and subdued demand. This trend has broadly impacted the Asian market. Recent data highlights a notable drop in cement sales, directly affecting Calcium Silicate demand. In Indonesia, cement sales fell by 2.9% year-on-year (YoY) in September 2024, with this decline persisting into October as high costs and economic uncertainties slowed construction activity and dampened new project investments. Similarly, Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction reported sharp drops in cement production and sales through the first eight months of 2024, underscoring ongoing issues like excess capacity, reduced exports, and weak domestic demand. The overall slowdown in Asia’s construction industry points to a more cautious investment climate and decreased infrastructure spending, which is driving down the demand for essential construction materials, including Calcium Silicate.

In Europe, the Calcium Silicate market is seeing a similar decline to that in Asia as the region endures a prolonged construction slowdown, particularly in Germany, one of the EU's largest consumers of Calcium Silicate. Further, Germany’s construction sector entered the fourth quarter with further declines in activity and new orders. The housing sector faced the steepest contraction, while the commercial and civil engineering sectors also experienced notable slowdowns. In October 2024, construction activity across all subsectors including residential, commercial, and civil engineering dropped sharply, sending ripples throughout the supply chain as purchases of building materials and product orders were scaled back, directly impacting Calcium Silicate demand. The continued weak demand in the housing and commercial construction sectors poses ongoing challenges, with low investment in new projects contributing to the downturn in Calcium Silicate prices.

As per ChemAnalyst, Calcium Silicate prices are expected to continue their downward trend through the year’s end, reflecting the bearish market pattern seen in October. In Europe, this decline is likely to persist due to sustained weak demand alongside ample supply. Meanwhile, the outlook for the Chinese Calcium Silicate market remains uncertain, pressured by ongoing challenges in the construction and cement sectors. Additionally, year-end destocking could put further downward pressure on prices in the short term, as ample supply meets the softer construction demand anticipated during the winter season.