The calcium carbide market is estimated at US$18.314 billion in 2025 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.19% during the forecast period and reach US$21.431 billion in 2030.
Calcium carbide is a grayish-black solid compound of chemistry that reacts with water to give acetylene gas (C?H?) and calcium hydroxide. The most widespread use of calcium carbide these days is in the industrial production of acetylene, a major fuel in welding and metal cutting, and as a precursor in the chemical synthesis of organic compounds in general. Other uses of calcium carbide are in the manufacture of calcium cyanamide important source of nitrogen fertilizer in the desulfurization of iron.
In addition, the demand for calcium carbide is anticipated to grow, owing to the increase in the steel sector.
The increasing investment in the construction and automotive sectors is fuelling the demand for steel, which is propelling the calcium carbide market growth. For instance, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the total value added to the industrial sector in 2023 was 39,910.3 billion yuan, which was 4.2% higher than in 2022. Similarly, the value added of construction enterprises was 8,569.1 billion yuan in 2023, which was 7.2% higher compared to 2022.
Similarly, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the total construction spending in the United States in July 2024 was US$2,162.7 billion, which was 6.7% higher than that of 2023, where the construction spending was US$2,027.4 billion. Hence, with the growing application of calcium carbide in various end-use sectors, the market for calcium carbide is expected to grow substantially in the projected period.
By application, the calcium carbide market is segmented into acetylene gas, calcium cyanamide, reducing & dehydrating agents, steelmaking, and others. The acetylene gas segment is anticipated to hold a significant market share in the projected period, owing to increasing demand for acetylene gas in various applications such as oxyacetylene welding, dyestuff industries, and manufacturing plastics and synthetic rubber. The increasing use of acetylene gas for producing polyvinyl chloride, preferred in producing wires, cables, films, and sheets, is expected to increase the demand for the acetylene segment in the forecasted period.
The chemical sector is expected to hold a significant market share in the calcium carbide market, as calcium carbide is used for synthesis chemicals, including calcium cyanimide and other organic chemicals. Additionally, the use of calcium carbide for the production of acetylene and acetylene derivates, which are being majorly used in the pharmaceutical and plastic industries, is anticipated to boost the market for calcium carbide.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at a noteworthy rate due to the propelling steel and chemical manufacturing industry in countries such as India and China. China is one of the major producers of crude steel. According to the World Steel Association, crude steel production in China was 90.2 million tons in May 2023 and grew to 92.6 million tons in May 2024. Additionally, the rising production of PVC in the region is expected to positively influence the market for calcium carbide in the forecasted period. Similarly, the North American region is anticipated to grow in the coming year due to increased demand for chemicals and steel in various end-use industrial sectors.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| Calcium Carbide Market Size in 2025 | US$18.314 billion |
| Calcium Carbide Market Size in 2030 | US$21.431 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 3.19% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segmentation |
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| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| List of Major Companies in Calcium Carbide Market | |
| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |
The calcium carbide market is analyzed into the following segments: