North America
The North American Calcium Hydroxide market—particularly in the United States—exhibited a predominantly downward price trajectory. Although November showed modest signs of recovery, these gains were outweighed by December's pronounced slowdown in the residential real estate market and the continued weakness of the cement industry.
October witnessed weak demand across the U.S. market, primarily reflecting a downturn in manufacturing activity. This slowdown pointed to sluggish construction activity, applying downward pressure on Calcium Hydroxide prices.
November brought slight improvements, driven by a rise in commercial construction activity, notably from government-funded infrastructure projects. Nevertheless, the persistent sluggishness of the cement industry and a decline in housing starts and permits indicated sustained weakness in overall construction demand. As a result, prices for Calcium Hydroxide remained largely flat during the month.
In December, seasonal slowdowns combined with broader macroeconomic challenges further pressured the market. High mortgage rates and waning buyer confidence caused a sharp 21.9% drop in mortgage demand, signaling a significant decline in residential real estate activity. While overall construction spending showed a slight year-on-year increase, the decline in residential investment and continued softness in the cement sector contributed to notable downward pressure on Calcium Hydroxide prices. A decline in the cement production index further reinforced this trend.
Get Real time Prices for Calcium Hydroxide: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/calcium-hydroxide-1204
The APAC Calcium Hydroxide market, particularly in China, experienced considerable volatility in Q4 2024. Prices rose in October, supported by increased feedstock costs, limited supply, and robust steel sector demand stemming from a rebound in construction activity.
However, this bullish trend reversed sharply in November and December, with prices falling by 0.8% and 3.3%, respectively. The decline was driven by multiple factors: subdued post-holiday demand, destocking by manufacturers offering discounts, and decreased operating rates due to an oversupplied market. Weakness in the construction sector—especially in the real estate segment—further exacerbated pricing pressures.
While government stimulus efforts helped stabilize demand in top-tier cities, persistent challenges in lower-tier markets, including high foreclosure rates and excess inventory, weighed heavily on overall consumption. Additionally, stagnant calcium carbonate costs added to the bearish sentiment in December.
In summary, Q4 2024 revealed a dynamic pricing pattern for Calcium Hydroxide in China. An initial period of price strength gave way to a significant downturn, illustrating the market’s sensitivity to fluctuations in economic and construction activity. These price movements underscore the inherent volatility of China’s construction sector, a key demand driver for Calcium Hydroxide.
The European Calcium Hydroxide market, with Germany as a key player, also experienced notable volatility throughout Q4 2024. Prices increased in October, driven by higher calcium oxide feedstock costs and limited availability, despite subdued construction activity. Strong demand from industries such as steel production helped partially offset the weak construction environment.
However, this momentum reversed in November and December, with prices declining by 1.3% and 0.8%, respectively. A post-holiday demand slowdown across end-use industries, active destocking by manufacturers, and reduced operating rates all contributed to the downward trend. Ample supply in the face of weak demand intensified the pricing pressure.
The construction sector remained persistently weak, hampered by ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty across the region. Falling calcium carbonate prices in December added further downward momentum to Calcium Hydroxide pricing.
In conclusion, while October brought a brief uptick, the overall trend for Q4 2024 in the European Calcium Hydroxide market was one of decline. This reflected the region's economic fragility and emphasized the importance of agile inventory management in navigating demand-side challenges.
Get Real time Prices for Calcium Hydroxide: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/calcium-hydroxide-1204
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