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VietnamQ1 2025 – In the first quarter of 2025, the price of calcium carbonate experienced a notable increase of $104 per ton, FOB Shanghai reflecting a 1.33% rise compared to the previous quarter. This uptick suggests a modest but steady demand growth, potentially driven by heightened industrial activity in sectors such as construction, plastics, and paper manufacturing. The increase may also indicate supply chain adjustments or higher raw material and energy costs impacting production. While the percentage gain appears moderate, the absolute increase in price underscores ongoing market pressure and could signal further price volatility if demand continues to rise or supply remains constrained.
Q4 2024 – In Q4 2024, the market for calcium carbonate experienced a notable price decline, dropping by $103 per ton, FOB Shanghai which corresponds to a 1.90% decrease. This downward trend suggests a softening in demand, potentially due to reduced industrial activity in key sectors such as construction, paper, and plastics, where calcium carbonate is widely used as a filler and coating agent. The price movement may also reflect a surplus in supply or cost reductions in raw materials and production processes. Additionally, macroeconomic factors such as slower economic growth or shifting trade dynamics could have contributed to the price reduction. This trend warrants close monitoring as it could impact profitability for producers and signal shifting conditions in downstream markets.
Q3 2024 – The stable trajectory is maintained throughout Q3 2024, mirroring the pricing trends observed in the previous quarter. Prices remained relatively consistent, reflecting a balanced supply-demand dynamic. Key players in the Chinese market, including Omya, Imerys, and CCIC, continued to dominate the landscape, leveraging their established distribution networks and production capabilities. Steady demand from various end-use industries, such as construction, plastics, and paper, contributed to the market’s stability. Overall, the Chinese calcium carbonate market exhibited a positive outlook in Q3 2024, characterized by consistent pricing and a strong presence of leading industry players.
Q2 2024 – The calcium carbonate market maintained a relatively stable trajectory throughout the second quarter of 2024, with prices settling at approximately USD 110 per ton. Following a slight price increase at the beginning of the quarter, prices stabilized due to increased supply, moderating demand, and inventory adjustments. While regional variations existed, the overall trend was consistent. The outlook for the year’s second half is uncertain, with potential downward pressure on prices if demand weakens or supply continues to outpace growth. Key end-user industries, such as construction, plastics, and paper, continued to drive demand for calcium carbonate, although fluctuations in these sectors could impact future pricing trends.
Q1 2024 – In the APAC region during the first quarter of 2024 the calcium carbonate market has been influenced by several factors. Supply shortages due to planned maintenance shutdowns in multiple production plants, particularly in China, have contributed to price fluctuations. While prices in China have decreased from the previous quarter due to moderate supply levels, the potential escalation of the West-Asia conflict and possible increases in freight rates could drive prices upward. Compared to the same quarter last year, calcium carbonate prices in China have declined, likely influenced by market dynamics, winter storm impacts on construction demand and freight rate fluctuations. The current price of GCC Industrial Grade FOB Shanghai in China is approximately USD 83 /MT.
PriceWatch is your trusted resource for tracking global calcium carbonate price trends. Our platform delivers real-time data and expert analysis, offering deep insights into the key factors driving price fluctuations in the calcium carbonate market. By monitoring critical events such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and economic shifts, PriceWatch keeps you fully informed of market dynamics.
In addition, PriceWatch provides detailed forecasts and updates on production capacities, enabling you to anticipate market changes and make well-informed decisions. With PriceWatch, you gain a competitive edge in understanding all the elements that influence calcium carbonate prices worldwide. Stay ahead of the curve with PriceWatch’s reliable, accurate, and timely calcium carbonate market data.
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These events underscore the Calcium Carbonate market’s vulnerability to global disruptions and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of supply-demand dynamics.
This research methodology ensures that PriceWatch delivers the most accurate, timely, and actionable Calcium Carbonate pricing assessments, helping our clients stay ahead of market trends and make informed business decisions.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
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Molecular Formula
Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), commonly known as limestone, is a naturally occurring mineral composed primarily of calcium, carbon, and oxygen. It appears as a white or off-white crystalline solid and is one of the most abundant materials in the Earth's crust. Limestone is widely used in industries such as construction (as aggregate and cement raw material), agriculture (as a soil conditioner), and manufacturing (in glass, paper, plastics, and paints). It also serves as a key ingredient in lime production and environmental applications like flue gas desulfurization. Calcium carbonate occurs in various forms including calcite, aragonite, and chalk.
Packaging Type
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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.
| Calcium Carbonate as CaCo3 | 96-98 |
| Magnesium Oxide as MgO | 0.4- 1.0 |
| Silica as SiO2 | 0.3-0.8 |
| Alumina as AI2O3 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Soluble Alkali as Na20 | 0.05 |
| Iron As Fe | < 100 ppm |
| Polyphosphates | – |
| Chloride | Traces |
| Loss on Drying | 0.4 Max |
| Ph | 9.5 +1 0.5 |
| Loss on ignition (Solid/ solid %) | 43.0-44 |
| Color | White |
| Brightness (ISO) | 93% + 1% |
| Mean Particle Size Range | 1.5 -5 Microns |
| Bulk Density (gm/cc) | 0.9-1.35 |
Applications
Cosmetics: Used as a filler and opacifier in cosmetics, such as powders, creams, and lipsticks.
Rubber: Used as a filler and reinforcement agent in rubber products, improving their strength and durability.
Animal Feed: Used as a calcium supplement in animal feed.
Construction: Calcium carbonate is a key ingredient in cement, concrete, and plaster products, providing strength, durability, and workability.
Paper Industry: Used as a filler and pigment in paper production, enhancing paper brightness, opacity, and printability.
Plastics: Used as a filler and reinforcement agent in plastics, improving their strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability.
Paint Industry: Used as a pigment and extender in paints, enhancing color, opacity, and texture.
Pharmaceuticals: Used as a filler, diluent, and antacid in pharmaceuticals, improving tablet formulation and providing relief from heartburn and acid reflux.
Food Industry: Used as an anticaking agent, acidity regulator, and calcium supplement in food products, enhancing texture, shelf life, and nutritional value.
Agriculture: Used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure, fertility, and water retention.
Calcium carbonate prices are influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including:
1. Raw Material Quality
Purity and grade (e.g., industrial, food, pharmaceutical) significantly affect pricing.
Higher CaCO₃ content (typically >95%) commands a premium.
2. Mining and Processing Costs
Extraction, crushing, grinding, and refining involve energy and labor-intensive processes.
Increased fuel, electricity, or labor costs drive up prices.
3. Transportation and Logistics
Limestone is bulky and heavy; freight costs (especially for exports) greatly affect final pricing.
CIF vs. FOB shipping terms also impact landed cost.
4. Regional Availability
Local deposits reduce transport costs and lower prices.
In regions with limited access, prices are higher due to import dependency.
5. Demand from End-Use Industries
Used in construction, cement, plastics, paper, paints, steel, and more.
Price fluctuates with demand in these sectors—e.g., higher demand from the cement or plastic filler industries can raise prices.
8. Currency Fluctuations and Trade Tariffs
Exchange rates and import/export duties affect international pricing.
Local currency depreciation can make imports more expensive.
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