Calcium Carbide Global Market Report 2025

The calcium carbide market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $17.6 billion in 2024 to $18.45 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to demand for acetylene gas in chemical and industrial applications, growth in the steel and metallurgy industries for desulfurization, expansion of the plastics and chemicals manufacturing sector, increased use of acetylene in welding and cutting applications, and expansion of the construction and infrastructure development.

The calcium carbide market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $25.28 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to sustainability and environmental concerns, adoption of calcium carbide for acetylene-based electricity generation in remote areas, growing utilization of acetylene inThe automotive and aerospace sectors, increasing need for calcium cyanamide as a soil conditioner and plant growth regulator, and regulatory support for safe handling and storage of carbide products. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements in calcium carbide production methods, advancements in energy storage technologies, sustainable practices in carbide manufacturing and waste management, advancements in manufacturing technology and process efficiency, and investment in research and development of new carbide applications.

The forecast of 8.2% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by disrupting acetylene gas production, heavily reliant on calcium carbide from China and India. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing demand for plastic is anticipated to drive the growth of the calcium carbide market in the future. Plastic demand refers to the overall need or desire for plastic products within a market, influenced by various industries and consumer preferences. This increase in plastic demand is fueled by factors such as higher consumption of packaged goods, the expansion of the automotive and construction sectors, innovations in plastic applications, and consumer preferences for convenience and durability. Calcium carbide plays a significant role in supporting plastic demand as it is a key component in producing acetylene, which is used to manufacture various plastics, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other polymers. For instance, a report published by IBISWorld in May 2024 noted that in 2023, the plastic products industry employed 394,112 people, with projections of reaching 20 million metric tons by 2040. Thus, the rise in plastic demand is a driving force behind the calcium carbide market.

The increase in infrastructure development activities is expected to drive the growth of the calcium carbide market in the future. Infrastructure development provides essential foundational services that support economic growth and improve quality of life. Governments worldwide are ramping up their investments in infrastructure development, leading to a rise in demand for calcium carbide, as it is widely utilized in various infrastructure projects. For example, according to GitHub, a US-based software company, private investment in infrastructure projects saw a notable resurgence in 2022, with transactions increasing by 29% and overall investment value rising by 41% compared to the five-year average. Therefore, the growth in infrastructure development activities is fueling the expansion of the calcium carbide market.

The adoption of advanced production technologies is a prominent trend gaining traction in the calcium carbide market. Leveraging cutting-edge production technologies enhances overall productivity by integrating innovative methods to reduce human effort and production time. An exemplar of this trend is the introduction of CacliPro by AlzChem Group, a Germany-based chemicals company, in the Russian steel industry. CacliPro proves highly effective in the calcium treatment of molten steel, contributing to improved casting ability and enhanced mechanical qualities of the final steel products. This emphasis on technological advancement is a key aspect shaping the calcium carbide market landscape.

Calcium carbide (CaC2) is a crystalline, dark-gray chemical substance produced industrially by combining lime and coke at a temperature of approximately 2200 °C. When calcium carbide reacts with water, it generates acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide. Acetylene gas serves as a key raw material in the production of various organic compounds and functions as a fuel component in metal cutting and the manufacturing of diverse polymers.

The primary applications of calcium carbide encompass acetylene gas, calcium cyanamide, reducing and dehydrating agents, desulfurizing and deoxidizing agents, and other versatile uses. Acetylene gas is produced through the reaction of calcium carbide with water in an acetylene generator. Acetylene finds applications as a raw material in the production of various organic chemicals and as a fuel component in metal cutting, oxy-acetylene welding, and the manufacturing of several plastics. End-users of calcium carbide include the chemical, metallurgical, pharmaceutical, food, and other industries. Distribution channels for calcium carbide include both online and offline platforms.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The escalating U.S. tariffs and rising trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to significantly affect the chemicals sector, which is facing a disproportionate impact - particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic alternatives are limited. Specialty chemical producers, who rely heavily on Chinese raw materials, are encountering production disruptions. Meanwhile, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing their profit margins squeezed due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are increasing investments in R&D for bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to strengthen purchasing power, and relocating production to tariff-neutral countries like Saudi Arabia.

The calcium carbide market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides calcium carbide market statistics, including calcium carbide industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a calcium carbide market share, detailed calcium carbide market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the calcium carbide industry. This calcium carbide market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

In May 2023, Xinjiang Tianye Co., Ltd., a chemical manufacturing company based in China, acquired Tianchen Chemical Co., Ltd. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to help Xinjiang Tianye Co., Ltd. expand its market presence, improve its production capabilities, and diversify its product range. Tianchen Chemical Co., Ltd. is also a China-based manufacturer that produces various chemical materials, including fertilizers and plastics.

Major companies operating in the calcium carbide market include AlzChem AG, Carbide Industries LLC, DCM Shriram Ltd., Denka Company Limited, Inner Mongolia Biayanhu Chemical Co. Ltd., Iran Carbide Co., KC Group Ltd., Lonza Group Ltd., MCB Industries Sdn. Bhd., Merck KGaA, Mil-Spec Industries Corporation, PT Emdeki Utama Tbk, Xinjiang Tianye Co. Ltd., Ningxia Jinhaoyuan Chemical Group Co. Ltd., Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, American Elements Corp., Madhuraj Industrial Gases Pvt. Ltd., All Win Aluminium Industries, Powder Pack Chem, Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Co. Ltd., Erdos Xinhua Silicon Metal Industries Co. Ltd., Aldon Corporation, Praxair Inc., SA Calcium Carbide.

North America will be the largest region in the calcium carbide market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the calcium carbide market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

The countries covered in the calcium carbide market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and the USA.

The calcium carbide market consists of sales of calcium carbide that is used in steel manufacturing and as a reducing agent in various chemical processes. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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