In Q1 2025, calcium carbide prices in China fell to 624 usd/ton, representing a 4% decrease from the previous quarter’s price of 647 usd/ton. This decline was due to reduced demand from key industries such as the chemical sector, steel manufacturing, and metallurgy. Slower industrial activity and seasonal maintenance contributed to lower calcium carbide consumption during this period.
Additionally, improved supply conditions and easing raw material costs helped drive prices down. Despite the decrease, calcium carbide remained essential for critical applications like acetylene production and steel desulfurization in early 2025.
According to the PriceWatch, In Q2 2025, the price of Calcium Carbide from China declined to USD 614 per ton, registering a 2% decrease compared to the previous quarter. This slight drop was influenced by reduced demand across key end-use industries such as chemicals, steel and metallurgy, and agriculture. A steady supply flow and lower input costs contributed to the downward price adjustment.
The steel and metallurgy sector, a major consumer of Calcium Carbide, experienced a moderate slowdown, impacting overall consumption levels. Additionally, agricultural demand remained subdued due to seasonal factors, further easing pressure on prices.
Despite the decline, the market remained relatively stable, with no significant supply disruptions. Overall, Q2 2025 reflected a mild softening in Calcium Carbide prices driven by balanced supply conditions and cautious buying across industrial sectors.
In Q1 2024, calcium carbide prices in China averaged 633 USD/ ton, marking a 2% increase from the previous quarter’s price of 623 USD/ ton. This rise was driven by growing demand from key end-use industries, including the chemical industry, steel production, and metallurgy. Increased activity in these sectors contributed to stronger consumption of calcium carbide for processes like acetylene generation, steel desulfurization, and chemical manufacturing.
Despite some supply challenges, the market saw steady growth in prices as industries ramped up production following earlier slowdowns, reflecting a recovering industrial demand in early 2024.
In Q2 2024, calcium carbide prices in China dropped to 615 USD/ ton, decreasing by approximately 3% from the previous quarter’s price of 633 USD/ton. This decline reflected a slowdown in demand from key end-use industries such as the chemical industry, steel production, and metallurgy. Factors like reduced industrial activity and seasonal maintenance in these sectors contributed to the decreased consumption of calcium carbide.
Additionally, improved supply conditions and lower raw material costs helped ease prices. Despite the price drop, calcium carbide remained essential for processes including acetylene production and steel desulfurization during the second quarter of 2024.
In the third quarter of 2024, calcium carbide prices in China climbed to 647 usd/ton, representing a 5% increase compared to 615 usd/ton in the previous quarter. This rise was fueled by a recovery in demand from major industries, including chemicals, steel production, and metallurgy. Higher industrial output and increased production in these sectors led to greater consumption of calcium carbide for uses such as acetylene production and steel desulfurization.
Additionally, supply limitations and escalating raw material costs further pushed prices upward. Overall, Q3 2024 showed stronger market conditions and heightened demand for calcium carbide in China.
In Q4 2024, calcium carbide prices in China held steady at 647 USD/ ton, unchanged from the previous quarter. This price stability indicated a balanced supply and demand scenario within major end-use sectors like the chemical industry, steel manufacturing, and metallurgy. Industrial operations continued at a consistent level, sustaining steady calcium carbide consumption for uses such as acetylene generation and steel desulfurization.
While market conditions remained stable, careful monitoring of raw material costs and supply chain dynamics was still necessary. Overall, the fourth quarter reflected a period of equilibrium in China’s calcium carbide market.
In Q1 2025, calcium carbide prices in CIF India edged up to 702 per ton, reflecting a 1% increase from the previous quarter’s 694 per ton. This slight price rise was driven by consistent demand from key industries like chemicals, steel manufacturing, and metallurgy. Industrial activity remained steady, ensuring continued consumption of calcium carbide for uses such as acetylene production and steel desulfurization.
While supply conditions stayed largely stable, minor fluctuations in raw material costs influenced the pricing. Overall, the first quarter exhibited a stable market with a gradual increase in calcium carbide demand across India.
According to the PriceWatch, In Q2 2025, the price of Calcium Carbide (CIF India) imported from China fell to USD 672 per ton, marking a 4% decrease compared to the previous quarter. This decline was primarily driven by subdued demand across key end-use industries such as chemicals, steel and metallurgy, and agriculture.
Slower industrial activity and stable supply levels from Chinese producers contributed to the downward price trend. The steel and metallurgy sector, a significant consumer of Calcium Carbide, showed reduced procurement due to moderate production levels, while agricultural usage remained seasonally low.
Importers in India benefited from the softened international prices, which also reflected easing raw material costs. Overall, Q2 2025 witnessed a moderate decline in Calcium Carbide prices in the Indian market, shaped by a mix of global supply dynamics and weak downstream demand.
In Q1 2024, CIF India calcium carbide prices rose to 687 USD/ ton, marking a 7% increase from the previous quarter’s price of 643 USD/ton. This price surge was driven by stronger demand from major end-use industries such as the chemical sector, steel manufacturing, and metallurgy. Increased industrial activity and production levels in these sectors boosted the consumption of calcium carbide for applications like acetylene generation and steel desulfurization. Supply constraints and rising raw material costs also contributed to the price increase. Overall, the first quarter reflected a robust market and growing demand for calcium carbide in India
In Q2 2024, CIF India calcium carbide prices declined to 675 usd/ ton, representing a 2% decrease from the previous quarter’s price of 687 usd/ ton. This drop was influenced by a slight reduction in demand from key industries such as the chemical sector, steel manufacturing, and metallurgy. Seasonal factors and maintenance activities contributed to the lower consumption of calcium carbide during this period.
Additionally, improved supply conditions helped ease prices. Despite the decline, calcium carbide remained an essential material for applications like acetylene production and steel desulfurization in India throughout the second quarter of 2024.
In Q3 2024, CIF India calcium carbide prices increased to 724 usd/ton, marking a 7% rise from the previous quarter’s price of 675 usd/ton. This price increase was driven by a resurgence in demand from key industries including the chemical sector, steel manufacturing, and metallurgy. Higher industrial activity and increased production in these sectors boosted calcium carbide consumption for critical uses such as acetylene generation and steel desulfurization.
Additionally, rising raw material costs and tighter supply conditions contributed to the upward price trend. Overall, the third quarter reflected strong market demand and increased calcium carbide consumption in India.
In Q4 2024, CIF India calcium carbide prices decreased to 694 per ton, reflecting a 4% decline from the previous quarter’s price of 724 per ton. This reduction was due to a slowdown in demand from key industries such as the chemical sector, steel manufacturing, and metallurgy. Seasonal factors and temporary production adjustments contributed to lower calcium carbide consumption during this period.
Additionally, easing raw material costs and improved supply availability helped bring prices down. Despite the decline, calcium carbide remained vital for applications like acetylene production and steel desulfurization throughout India in the final quarter of 2024.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Calcium carbide is a grayish-black solid chemical widely used in various industrial applications. It is primarily produced by reacting high-purity lime (calcium oxide) with coke (carbon) at high temperatures in an electric arc furnace, making lime and coke the main feedstocks for its production. Calcium carbide reacts with water to produce acetylene gas, which is essential for welding, cutting, and chemical synthesis. It is also used in agriculture for fruit ripening and as a raw material in manufacturing chemicals such as calcium cyanamide. Its versatility and reactivity make it a vital industrial chemical.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
Items | Specification |
Gas yield | ≥295 L/Kg |
Lump Size | 50-80 mm |
PH3 | ≤0.6%(v/v) |
H2S | ≤0.10%(v/v) |
Applications
Calcium carbide is a versatile industrial chemical with a wide range of applications across various industries. Its primary use is in the production of acetylene gas, which is generated when calcium carbide reacts with water. This acetylene is essential for welding, cutting, and lighting purposes. In chemical manufacturing, calcium carbide serves as a raw material for producing compounds such as calcium cyanamide, which is used as a fertilizer, along with other organic chemicals. In agriculture, it is commonly used to ripen fruits like bananas and mangoes by releasing acetylene gas that acts as a natural ripening agent. The steel industry benefits from calcium carbide through its use in desulfurization and as a carburizer to enhance steel quality. Additionally, in mining, acetylene generated from calcium carbide provides lighting in underground environments. The plastic and rubber industries also rely on calcium carbide as a source of acetylene for polymer synthesis. Furthermore, calcium carbide is used in water treatment processes to help remove impurities and treat wastewater. These diverse applications highlight calcium carbide’s important role in modern industrial and agricultural sectors.
These events underscore the Calcium Carbide market’s vulnerability to global disruptions and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of supply-demand dynamics.
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Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Calcium carbide is a grayish-black solid chemical widely used in various industrial applications. It is primarily produced by reacting high-purity lime (calcium oxide) with coke (carbon) at high temperatures in an electric arc furnace, making lime and coke the main feedstocks for its production. Calcium carbide reacts with water to produce acetylene gas, which is essential for welding, cutting, and chemical synthesis. It is also used in agriculture for fruit ripening and as a raw material in manufacturing chemicals such as calcium cyanamide. Its versatility and reactivity make it a vital industrial chemical.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
Items | Specification |
Gas yield | ≥295 L/Kg |
Lump Size | 50-80 mm |
PH3 | ≤0.6%(v/v) |
H2S | ≤0.10%(v/v) |
Applications
Calcium carbide is a versatile industrial chemical with a wide range of applications across various industries. Its primary use is in the production of acetylene gas, which is generated when calcium carbide reacts with water. This acetylene is essential for welding, cutting, and lighting purposes. In chemical manufacturing, calcium carbide serves as a raw material for producing compounds such as calcium cyanamide, which is used as a fertilizer, along with other organic chemicals. In agriculture, it is commonly used to ripen fruits like bananas and mangoes by releasing acetylene gas that acts as a natural ripening agent. The steel industry benefits from calcium carbide through its use in desulfurization and as a carburizer to enhance steel quality. Additionally, in mining, acetylene generated from calcium carbide provides lighting in underground environments. The plastic and rubber industries also rely on calcium carbide as a source of acetylene for polymer synthesis. Furthermore, calcium carbide is used in water treatment processes to help remove impurities and treat wastewater. These diverse applications highlight calcium carbide’s important role in modern industrial and agricultural sectors.
Calcium carbide prices in the global market are influenced by several key factors. The cost of raw materials, mainly lime (calcium oxide) and coke (carbon), plays a significant role in production expenses. Because manufacturing is energy-intensive, changes in electricity prices also impact costs. Supply and demand fluctuations, driven by industries like steel, agriculture, and chemicals, affect pricing as well. Environmental regulations can raise production costs by requiring cleaner technologies. Trade policies, such as tariffs and export restrictions, disrupt supply chains and influence prices. Technological improvements can lower costs, while currency exchange rates affect international trade prices, making calcium carbide pricing complex and variable.
Changes in global supply and demand significantly impact calcium carbide pricing trends. When demand from key industries like steel manufacturing, agriculture, and chemical production rises, calcium carbide prices tend to increase due to higher consumption. Conversely, a drop in demand leads to price declines. On the supply side, disruptions caused by raw material shortages, energy price hikes, or geopolitical tensions can reduce availability, pushing prices up. Conversely, increased production capacity or improved technology can boost supply, easing prices. Thus, the balance between supply and demand directly influences calcium carbide’s market price, causing fluctuations based on economic conditions and industry needs worldwide.
Key regional differences in calcium carbide pricing arise from variations in raw material availability, energy costs, labor expenses, and environmental regulations. For example, regions with abundant lime and cheap electricity, such as China and India, often have lower production costs, resulting in more competitive prices. In contrast, areas with higher energy prices or stricter environmental laws may face higher costs. These regional disparities affect procurement strategies, as companies often source calcium carbide from cost-effective regions to minimize expenses. However, logistics, trade tariffs, and supply reliability also influence decisions, leading buyers to balance price, quality, and delivery when planning procurement globally.
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