For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
• In USA, the Calcium Carbide Price Index rose by 14.39% quarter-over-quarter, supported by tight inventories.
• The average Calcium Carbide price for the quarter was approximately USD 1818.00/MT, reported by market sources.
• Weekly Calcium Carbide Spot Price remained firm amid constrained spot availability and elevated seller confidence.
• Market commentary reflects Calcium Carbide Price Forecast showing modest monthly oscillations driven by seasonal restocking.
• Rising metallurgical coke and electricity costs underpin the Calcium Carbide Production Cost Trend, pressuring margins.
• Strong steel and battery-sector offtake support the Calcium Carbide Demand Outlook despite seasonal construction softness.
• Calcium Carbide Price Index momentum supported by tight inventories and Gulf Coast logistics, limiting downside.
• Domestic operating constraints and import frictions intensified availability, thereby influencing spot and contract negotiation pricing.
Why did the price of Calcium Carbide change in December 2025 in North America?
• Tight domestic inventories and near-capacity furnace operation reduced merchant availability, supporting December price strength.
• Logistical delays and slower import arrivals tightened supply lines, adding upward pressure to December offers.
• Elevated metallurgical coke and electricity costs increased production expenses, discouraging higher output during December.
APAC
• In Japan, the Calcium Carbide Price Index rose by 5.52% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting higher import costs.
• The average Calcium Carbide price for the quarter was approximately USD 401.33/MT, landed CFR Tokyo.
• Calcium Carbide Spot Price firmed amid tighter Chinese export offers and thinner Tokyo-Bay bonded inventories.
• Calcium Carbide Production Cost Trend strengthened as rising semi-coke costs.
• Calcium Carbide Demand Outlook remained mixed with steady welding demand but softer PVC consumption trends.
• Calcium Carbide Price Index showed ascending weekly trends despite holiday-related procurement pauses and steady freight.
• Calcium Carbide Price Forecast indicates volatility from currency effects, origin offers, and seasonal restocking activity.
• Calcium Carbide Spot Price and inventory destocking pressured distributors to rebuild stocks at higher costs.
Why did the price of Calcium Carbide change in December 2025 in APAC?
• Chinese origin increases and power tariffs materially lifted export prices, pushing CFR import costs higher.
• Weaker yen amplified dollar-denominated import bills, prompting earlier Japanese bookings and supporting upward price momentum.
• Thin Tokyo-Bay inventories and selective supplier prioritization tightened spot availability despite broadly muted downstream PVC demand.
Europe
• In Germany, the Calcium Carbide Price Index rose by 14.08% quarter-over-quarter, driven by tight inventories.
• The average Calcium Carbide price for the quarter was approximately USD 1496.33/MT, including delivered assessments.
• Calcium Carbide Spot Price firmed as import offers rose and elevated energy costs tightened supply.
• Calcium Carbide Price Index reflects firmer offers amid constrained output and high electricity feedstock tariffs.
• Calcium Carbide Production Cost Trend shows rising lime coke and power expenses squeezing producer margins.
• Calcium Carbide Demand Outlook stays mixed; steel desulfurisation and acetylene demand offset weak construction activity.
• Calcium Carbide Price Forecast points to winter restocking upside then stabilization as seasonal demand softens.
• Calcium Carbide Price Index momentum supported by low distributor stocks and selective buying in hubs.
Why did the price of Calcium Carbide change in December 2025 in Europe?
• Elevated electricity and coal tariffs pushed production costs higher, directly increasing landed and ex-works prices.
• Limited spot availability and low distributor inventories constrained supply, enabling sellers to sustain firmer offers.
• Improved steel furnace utilisation and year-end restocking increased offtake from desulfurisation and acetylene derivative producers.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In USA, the Calcium Carbide Price Index rose by 8.23% quarter-over-quarter, supported by feedstock costs.
• The average Calcium Carbide price for the quarter was approximately USD 1626.00/MT, reflecting tight inventories.
• Calcium Carbide Spot Price remained firm as distributor inventories tightened, keeping the Price Index elevated.
• Calcium Carbide Price Forecast indicates mild volatility from seasonal restocking and higher energy cost pressures.
• Calcium Carbide Production Cost Trend rose due to firm lime and elevated energy expenditures recently.
• Calcium Carbide Demand Outlook is mixed; steel desulfurization supports demand while PVC consumption remains weak.
• The Price Index reflected pre-hurricane inventory draws, while export weakness constrained broader domestic demand levels.
• Domestic plants ran steadily with few outages, supporting supply despite tight merchant availability in region
Why did the price of Calcium Carbide change in September 2025 in North America?
• Tight inventories and selective restocking ahead of hurricane season tightened supply, supporting higher realized offers.
• Firm lime and energy costs increased production expenses, exerting upward pressure on producer pricing strategies.
• Robust steel-sector demand for desulfurization offset weak PVC procurement, shifting net demand balance higher materially.
APAC
• In Japan, the Calcium Carbide Price Index fell by 4.04% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weaker downstream PVC demand.
• The average Calcium Carbide price for the quarter was USD 380.33/MT, based on Tokyo imports.
• Calcium Carbide Spot Price volatility increased mid-September as feedstock coke costs supported higher export offers.
• Calcium Carbide Price Forecast suggests modest recovery into Q4 amid seasonal restocking and cost-push pressures.
• Calcium Carbide Production Cost Trend rose due to higher coke and energy costs in exporters.
• Calcium Carbide Demand Outlook remains generally subdued from construction-linked PVC segments, limiting sustained price appreciation.
• Calcium Carbide Price Index was influenced by Qingdao port congestion, freight fluctuations and inventory levels.
• Import flows and merchant inventories in Japan restrained buying, keeping Price Index depressed despite supply tightness.
Why did the price of Calcium Carbide change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Rising feedstock coke and energy costs in China pushed export offers higher, supporting near-term price uptick.
• Seasonal restocking and holiday stocking in September temporarily significantly tightened supply, amplifying short-term price volatility.
• Weak Japanese PVC demand and elevated regional inventories constrained procurement, thereby limiting sustained price increases.
Europe
• In Germany, the Calcium Carbide Price Index rose by 6.47% quarter-over-quarter, pushed by energy costs.
• The average Calcium Carbide price for the quarter was approximately USD 1311.67/MT, FD Hamburg survey.
• Calcium Carbide Spot Price tightened as local availability fell despite muted downstream and export demand.
• Calcium Carbide Price Forecast shows autumn upside supported by restocking and sustained energy price headwinds.
• Calcium Carbide Production Cost Trend rose with doubled electricity rates and higher coke input prices.
• Calcium Carbide Demand Outlook remains subdued as construction and automotive weakness limits PVC, steel consumption.
• Calcium Carbide Price Index was supported by distributor restocking amid port congestion limiting outbound flows.
• German plants ran reduced rates, preserving margins with conservative supply strategies amid energy cost volatility.
Why did the price of Calcium Carbide change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Tight domestic inventories and limited export flows raised offers despite weak downstream procurement after holiday restocking.
• Surging electricity and elevated coke costs increased production expenses, prompting producers to sustain firmer pricing.
• Persistent Hamburg port congestion delayed shipments, built distributor inventories.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Calcium Carbide Price Index in the U.S. moved upward through Q2 2025, with gains driven mainly by cost-side pressures and automotive-linked demand, while weakness in construction and sluggish downstream PVC and acetylene sectors restrained broader market momentum.
• April saw a sharp increase in prices as feedstock coke strengthened, inventories tightened, and robust synthetic rubber and PVC demand from the automotive industry supported fundamentals. U.S. auto sales rose, boosting acetylene and PVC pull, though construction demand lagged as housing starts fell 11.4% amid high interest rates and soft builder sentiment.
• May brought a modest retreat as lime prices softened, balancing surging coke costs to keep overall production costs steady. Downstream demand stayed weak, with building permits and completions declining month-on-month and year-on-year, weighing on PVC and acetylene consumption. Producers maintained cautious output levels, inventories remained sufficient, and buyers continued to purchase only for immediate needs, keeping transaction volumes muted.
• By June, prices edged higher again, driven by rising industrial energy expenses that inflated manufacturing costs despite stable feedstock inputs. Demand fundamentals stayed soft as homebuilder confidence deteriorated, buyer traffic weakened, and both residential and commercial construction activity stalled. With overseas orders showing little recovery and downstream procurement confined to essential volumes, the U.S. market remained cost-supported but sentiment-driven, lacking strong demand-side catalysts.
Why did the price of Calcium Carbide change in July 2025 in North America?
• In July, the Calcium Carbide Price Index in North America edged higher as rising lime feedstock costs and precautionary restocking ahead of hurricane season supported firmer offers despite subdued PVC-linked demand.
• The Calcium Carbide Production Cost Trend strengthened slightly, driven by elevated lime prices while coke remained stable, prompting sellers to hold firm on pricing even as output matched seasonal demand and Gulf Coast logistics stayed smooth.
• The Calcium Carbide Price Forecast signals mild upward pressure into August, as continued restocking activity and firm feedstock costs are expected to counterbalance weak construction-driven PVC consumption.
Asia
• The Calcium Carbide Price Index in China softened through Q2 2025, as weak feedstock trends and sluggish downstream PVC demand offset seasonal agricultural-driven support early in the quarter.
• April saw a brief uptick in prices as agricultural PVC consumption improved with rising temperatures, while domestic calcium carbide output fell 0.88% month-on-month due to plant maintenance and reduced operating rates. Feedstock coke prices remained weak, but tighter supply and post-Eid export demand expectations from the Middle East and parts of Asia lent partial stability. However, real estate and construction activity stayed muted, curbing broader demand momentum.
• Prices retreated in May as feedstock coke fundamentals weakened further and PVC demand sagged under the weight of a sluggish construction sector and ongoing trade tensions. Operating rates at PVC plants remained between 40–50%, and with inventories ample, buyers avoided bulk procurement, focusing on short-term volumes. Port congestion at Qingdao and rerouting to Ningbo slowed shipments but did little to support pricing, as regional inventories remained elevated.
• By June, prices declined further as feedstock coke backlogs and persistently high calcium carbide inventories pressured producers to lower offers. While lime prices held stable, soft coke fundamentals and subdued PVC spot demand reinforced a loose supply-demand balance. High operating rates at PVC facilities, muted construction-sector recovery, extreme weather limiting on-site activity, and delayed overseas orders post-Eid collectively kept sentiment bearish, with market participants sticking to need-based procurement.
Why did the price of Calcium Carbide remain stable in July 2025 in Asia?
• In July, the Calcium Carbide Price Index in Asia stayed flat as oversupply, sluggish PVC downstream demand, and weak export activity kept market sentiment subdued despite stable feedstock conditions.
• The Calcium Carbide Production Cost Trend remained steady, with manageable input costs, but profitability stayed thin as falling PVC operating rates, high social inventories, and port congestion at Qingdao limited price recovery.
• The Calcium Carbide Price Forecast points to continued pressure into August, as monsoon-driven construction slowdowns in South Asia and stagnant domestic PVC demand are expected to keep procurement subdued and spot activity minimal.
Europe
• The Calcium Carbide Price Index in Germany trended largely flat-to-lower through Q2 2025, as oversupply and persistently weak downstream demand outweighed minor cost fluctuations and seasonal factors. Market sentiment remained weighed down by the protracted slowdown in construction and steel sectors, with buyers favoring short-cycle procurement over forward commitments.
• April held prices stable as subdued demand from acetylene, PVC, and steel end-users offset modest cost relief from falling electricity and gas rates. German crude steel production dropped 13.5% year-on-year, reducing carbide consumption for desulfurization, while 25% U.S. tariffs on EU imports added uncertainty to exports. Port congestion at Hamburg and low Rhine water levels constrained outbound shipments, inflating inventories and capping any upside momentum.
• May showed little pricing movement despite a slight rebound in PVC activity, as acetylene and steel demand stayed muted. Thyssenkrupp reported further declines in steel output, while elevated gas costs—3.3 times U.S. levels per Cefic—kept producers under margin strain. Congestion at major North European ports, coupled with tighter customs checks under EU green compliance rules, extended delivery times and slowed trading activity across the region.
• By June, prices edged down again as demand from PVC and acetylene segments failed to pick up amid deepening contractions in housing, commercial, and infrastructure activity. Stable lime and coke costs provided no upward leverage, while ample distributor inventories and spot-based purchasing kept volumes thin. With steel output stagnant, construction-linked PVC offtake subdued, and export demand from neighboring EU markets limited, European calcium carbide markets closed Q2 under clear bearish pressure, with no near-term demand catalyst in sight.
Why did the price of Calcium Carbide change in July 2025 in Europe?
• In July, the Calcium Carbide Price Index in Europe rose modestly as surging electricity and coke costs, driven by a regional heatwave and energy strain, lifted production overheads despite sluggish PVC demand.
• The Calcium Carbide Production Cost Trend strengthened, with electricity rates doubling and feedstock coke prices rising, prompting producers to hold firm on offers even as lime prices stayed steady and Hamburg port congestion slowed outbound shipments.
• The Calcium Carbide Price Forecast points to continued cost-driven firmness into August, though lackluster construction activity and muted PVC consumption are expected to keep overall demand momentum restrained.
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.
