Asian Calcium Silicate Prices Increase while European Prices Hold Steady in May 2024

In May 2024, the Calcium Silicate market exhibited varied price trends, with prices surging in the Asian market, particularly in China, while remaining stable in Europe. This fluctuation occurred as the market showed signs of recovery after previous declines attributed to factors affecting supply and demand dynamics within the industry. The demand for Calcium Silicate from the downstream construction industry, although still subdued, improved from the previous month. However, the global market for Calcium Silicate remained sluggish. Rising freight rates due to geopolitical tensions and disruptions in major trade routes also influenced price dynamics. In China, seasonal factors and reduced construction activity impacted demand, whereas in Europe, the pricing trend was affected by the cost of imported materials. Consequently, the price of Calcium Silicate increased by 1% FOB Qingdao (China) this month.

In Europe, the Calcium Silicate market, prices remained steady after previous months' declines, despite increased costs of imported materials. Low demand led traders to maintain stable prices, reflecting a balanced supply-demand gap. However, demand for Calcium Silicate stayed muted due to sluggish activity in the downstream construction sector amid challenging economic conditions. Although the prolonged downturn in Eurozone manufacturing showed signs of easing, with new orders declining at their slowest rate in two years, boosting business confidence, supply disruptions worsened due to rain and flooding in Germany, causing evacuations and halting transport along sections of the River Rhine. These disruptions strained central European supply lines and impacted Calcium Silicate costs. Additionally, macroeconomic factors, including a projected increase in Euro area annual inflation to 2.6% in May 2024, as reported by Eurostat, influenced the market sentiments, contributing to the conditions shaping the Calcium Silicate market.

Meanwhile, the Asian Calcium Silicate market exhibited an increasing price trend. In China, prices surged despite low downstream demand, influenced by government initiatives to boost the property sector. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the construction industry's business activity index dropped to 54.4 percent, down 1.9 percentage points from the previous month, mainly due to reduced output. Weak new and export orders indicated slack demand. To stabilize the housing market, China recently relaxed down-payment requirements and lowered minimum interest rates on some home loans, responding to falling housing prices, stalled construction, and developers defaulting on debts after government measures to curb excessive borrowing. Additionally, ocean freight rates increased as exporters accelerated shipments before the holiday season, amid concerns over potential US tariff hikes and ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea, potentially affecting the supply chain and market dynamics for Calcium Silicate in the overseas markets. Moreover, the price trend for the Calcium Silicate is forecasted to continue its upward trajectory as demand is anticipated to improve across the global market.