Calcium silicon alloy is also called calcium silicon inoculant. Like ferrosilicon and barium silicon, it is an additive in steelmaking and casting. Calcium silicon blocks are generally used in steelmaking, and in small foundries, silicon is generally used. Calcium cored wire, because the dosage of calcium silicon cored wire is more precise.
Therefore, the price of calciumsilicon undoubtedly plays a vital role in the steelmaking and casting industries. As a supplier of calcium silicon alloy, this article summarizes the price trend of calcium silicon alloy in the Chinese market in 2024 and what the calcium silicon alloy market will be like in 2025.
Price trend of calcium silicon alloy in China market in 2024
In 2024, the downstream demand for calcium silicon will decrease, and the market trend will mostly be downward. During the first half of the year, the price trend of calcium silicon was weak at first and then strong. Around the Spring Festival, the price of calcium silicon continued to decline due to inventory and weak demand. In April, the raw material cost of calciumsilicon increased and spot resources were scarce. Therefore, factory quotations continued to rise from April to May. From October to December, facing the weak supply and demand situation, calcium silicon prices once again entered a downward channel, but the decline gradually slowed down.
Calcium silicon alloy price trend in the first half of 2024
- In January, steel mills’ stocking demand was released, calcium silicon mills had a strong attitude towards stabilization, and the supply of low-priced goods decreased. Market transactions were poor in February. Major factories maintained operations during the Spring Festival. After the holiday, inventory pressure increased. Downstream demand recovered slowly, and factory quotations fell. The market depression intensified in March, downstream prices were significantly lowered, and calcium silicon plant quotations fell under pressure.
- Production capacity was reduced in March, and calcium silicon quotations stopped falling and rebounded in April, but demand did not improve and transaction prices were chaotic. Quotations continued to rise in May due to tight supply, rising prices of calcium metal, and rising raw material costs. However, downstream purchases were cautious and transactions at high prices were limited. Prices were firm in early June. In mid-June, the Zhongwei calcium silicon plant started operations, increasing production capacity and lowering prices.
Calcium silicon alloy price trend in the second half of 202
- Downstream demand weakened in July, construction resumed, supply was strong and demand was weak, and high prices made it difficult to transact. The decline narrowed in August, the price trend was stable, and companies struggled to stabilize prices. Prices fell slowly in September, with some transactions at low prices. In the export market, prices rose slightly due to the rise in the RMB exchange rate.
- In October, the calcium silicon market quotations first rose and then fell. Affected by inspections in Inner Mongolia and rising futures, they rose first, but demand was weak. In the second half of the year, prices came under pressure after enterprises in Inner Mongolia started operations. The negative demand pattern remained unchanged in November, and prices continued to fall slightly. In December, major domestic factories were operating normally, with output on the high side. Downstream stocking demand was slow to release, inventory pressure remained, and prices were weak.
Price trend of calcium silicon alloy from 2022 to 2024
In the three years from 2022 to now, the price adjustment of calcium silicon alloy has slowed down year by year, and the overall price trend is mainly downward. Taking Ningxia as an example:
- During 2022, the highest average price of calcium silicon Ca1 is 21,100 yuan/ton, and the lowest average price is 12,100 yuan/ton. The overall price difference is about 9,000 yuan/ton, and the annual average price is about 14,789 yuan/ton;
- During 2023, the highest average price of calcium silicon Ca1 is 12,900 yuan/ton, and the lowest average price is 11,250 yuan/ton. The overall price difference is about 1,650 yuan/ton, and the annual average price is about 11,962 yuan/ton;
- During 2024, the highest average price of calcium silicon Ca1 is 11,900 yuan/ton, and the lowest average price is 10,550 yuan/ton. The overall price difference is about 1,350 yuan/ton, and the annual average price is about 11,230 yuan/ton.
- From the beginning of 2022 (21100) to the present (10950), the overall decline of the national standard calcium silicon alloy Ca1 is approximately 10150 yuan/ton.
Calcium silicon market outlook in 2025
This year, the calcium silicon market supply and demand are not optimistic. Terminal demand is shrinking rapidly, which has kept the price of calcium silicon alloy from rising. Although factors such as policies, construction conditions, and raw materials can sometimes make the price rise, it does not last long.
Looking ahead to 2025, the impact of policy on domestic and international demand is key. However, judging from the current market economic situation, a sharp rebound in demand is unrealistic, and terminal companies may continue to reduce production capacity and output. Therefore, it is expected that the calcium silicon market will most likely fluctuate within a small range next year, with prices mainly adjusting weakly. Market participants need to pay close attention to policy dynamics and changes in upstream and downstream industries, and adjust business strategies in a timely manner to cope with market uncertainty.
