Calcium carbonate price April 2024 and outlook (see chart below)
- North America:US$0.45/KG, 4.7% up
- Europe:US$0.28/KG, 3.7% up
- Africa:US$0.34/KG, unchanged
- Northeast Asia:US$0.75/KG, 1.4% up
- Southeast Asia:US$0.39/KG, 2.6% up
- South America:US$0.36/KG, unchanged
- Middle East:US$0.34/KG, 3% up
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Calcium carbonate price index
This post is a summary of the global Calcium carbonate price developments. The price developments of global Calcium carbonate are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Calcium carbonate price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.
The outlook for global Calcium carbonate prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:
- Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of global Calcium carbonate prices
- Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of Calcium carbonate
- Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of global Calcium carbonate prices
- Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the Calcium carbonate market
- Longer term trends in likely demand conditions
Further information on the Calcium carbonate price index
What is calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks as the minerals calcite and aragonite (most notably as limestone, which contains both of these minerals) and is the main component of pearls and the shells of marine organisms, snails, and eggs. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime and is created when calcium ions in hard water react with carbonate ions to create limescale. It is medicinally used as a calcium supplement or as an antacid, but excessive consumption can be hazardous.
How is calcium carbonate produced
There are several ways to produce calcium carbonate. One common method is to extract it from limestone through mining. This involves quarrying the limestone rock and then crushing it to a fine powder. The powder is then treated with acids to remove impurities and then screened to produce the final product.
Calcium carbonate can also be produced synthetically through the chemical reaction of calcium oxide (also known as lime or quicklime) with carbon dioxide. This reaction is known as “carbonation.” Calcium oxide is obtained by heating limestone to a high temperature in a kiln, causing it to release carbon dioxide and leave behind the calcium oxide. When the calcium oxide is mixed with water, it creates a slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) solution. When this solution is mixed with carbon dioxide, the calcium carbonate precipitates out and can be separated and purified.
Another method for producing calcium carbonate is to use a “calcination” process, which involves heating limestone at a high temperature to release the carbon dioxide, followed by a precipitation process to separate the calcium carbonate from the other components.
Overall, the production of calcium carbonate involves quarrying, crushing and purifying the limestone, or synthesizing it from other chemicals.
What drives the cost of calcium carbonate
The cost of calcium carbonate can be influenced by several factors, including:
Raw material availability
Calcium carbonate is primarily made from limestone and marble, which are natural resources. The cost of calcium carbonate is, therefore, affected by the availability and cost of these raw materials.
Production capacity
The cost of calcium carbonate is also influenced by the production capacity of the manufacturing plant. Large-scale production is usually more cost-effective than small-scale production, which may result in a higher cost per unit.
Processing and transportation costs
Calcium carbonate needs to be processed and transported to its destination. These costs can add up and affect the overall cost of calcium carbonate.
Quality and grade
The quality and grade of calcium carbonate can also affect its cost. High-quality calcium carbonate with a high percentage of calcium can be more expensive than lower-grade calcium carbonate.
Overall, the cost of calcium carbonate is affected by a combination of these factors, and can vary depending on the specific market and region.
What is calcium carbonate used for
Calcium carbonate has a wide range of uses, including:
Construction
Calcium carbonate is a key ingredient in cement, which is used to make concrete and mortar. It is also used as a filler in many building materials, such as plaster and wallpaper paste.
Pharmaceuticals
Calcium carbonate is used as a dietary supplement to help increase calcium intake and improve bone health. It is also used as an antacid to neutralize excess stomach acid.
Food
Calcium carbonate is often used as a dietary supplement in the form of calcium pills, and it is also added to some food products, such as flour and cornmeal, to increase their calcium content.
Paper
Calcium carbonate is used in the production of paper as a filler and a coating material to improve the paper’s brightness, smoothness, and other physical properties.
Plastics
Calcium carbonate is used as a filler in many plastic products, such as toys, films, and pipes, to improve their strength and rigidity.
Personal care
Calcium carbonate is used as a mild abrasive in toothpaste and as a drying agent in deodorants.
Other uses
Calcium carbonate is also used in the production of paint, rubber, and glass, and it is used in the purification of iron from iron ore in the production of steel. It is also used to neutralize acidic soil in agriculture.
What types of calcium carbonate are there
There are several types of calcium carbonate, including:
Ground calcium carbonate (GCC)
GCC is produced by grinding limestone or marble into a fine powder. It is the most common type of calcium carbonate and is used in a variety of applications, including construction, paper, and pharmaceuticals.
Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC)
PCC is produced by reacting calcium oxide (also known as lime or quicklime) with water to create a slaked lime solution, which is then mixed with carbon dioxide to produce the calcium carbonate. PCC is used in a variety of applications, including paper, plastics, and paint.
Heavy calcium carbonate (HCC)
HCC is produced by crushing and grinding marble or limestone into a fine powder. It is used as a filler and a coating material in a variety of applications, including paper, plastics, and rubber.
Light calcium carbonate (LCC)
LCC is produced by calcining limestone at a high temperature to release the carbon dioxide, followed by a precipitation process to separate the calcium carbonate from the other components. It is used in a variety of applications, including paper, paints, and rubber.
Overall, the main difference between the different types of calcium carbonate is the way in which they are produced and the purity of the final product. The specific type of calcium carbonate used will depend on the desired application.
Calcium carbonate market size
It is difficult to estimate the exact size of the global calcium carbonate market, as it depends on various factors such as demand from different end-use industries, production capacity, and market trends. However, according to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the global calcium carbonate market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% from 2020 to 2025, reaching a market size of around USD 45.44 billion by 2025.
Calcium carbonate is used in a variety of applications, including construction, paper, pharmaceuticals, food, plastics, personal care, and others. The demand for calcium carbonate is expected to increase due to the growing demand for construction materials and the increasing use of calcium carbonate in various end-use industries. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the global calcium carbonate market, due to the large and growing populations in countries such as China and India, which drive demand for construction materials and other products that use calcium carbonate.
According to https://oec.world/ :Calcium carbonate are the world’s 2206th most traded product.
In 2020, the top exporters of Calcium carbonate were Belgium ($115M), Egypt ($55.2M), China ($52.1M), Malaysia ($51.3M), and Turkey ($39.8M).
In 2020, the top importers of Calcium carbonate were Germany ($101M), India ($45.6M), Belgium ($27.3M), Saudi Arabia ($26.6M), and Indonesia ($25M).
Which countries produce the most calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a common mineral that is used in a wide range of industries, including construction, agriculture, and healthcare. The largest producers of calcium carbonate in the world are:
China
China is the largest producer of calcium carbonate, with an estimated annual production capacity of over 20 million metric tons. The country’s high production is due to the large demand for calcium carbonate in the construction, paper, and plastic industries.
United States
The United States is the second-largest producer of calcium carbonate, with an estimated annual production capacity of around 18 million metric tons. The country’s high production is due to the strong demand for calcium carbonate in the construction, paper, and plastics industries.
Europe
The European region, including Germany, France, and the UK, is a significant producer of calcium carbonate, with an estimated annual production capacity of around 15 million metric tons. The high production is due to the strong demand for calcium carbonate in the construction, paper, and plastics industries.
India
India is a significant producer of calcium carbonate, with an estimated annual production capacity of around 12 million metric tons. The country’s high production is due to the large demand for calcium carbonate in the construction, paper, and pharmaceutical industries.
Japan
Japan is also a significant producer of calcium carbonate, with an estimated annual production capacity of around 8 million metric tons. The high production is due to the strong demand for calcium carbonate in the paper, plastics, and pharmaceutical industries.
Further information
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