CALCIUM CARBONATE MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)

Market Challenges And Opportunities

• Availability of substitutes 
• High production and transportation costs

Calcium Carbonate Market Drivers:

• Driver for Increasing Usage in Paper Industry: The paper industry has been one of the largest end users of calcium carbonate over the years. Calcium carbonate is used as a filler material in the paper industry to improve the brightness and opacity of paper at lower costs. It helps to reduce the usage of more expensive wood pulp in paper manufacturing. Around 40% of the global calcium carbonate production is consumed by the paper industry alone. With the growing demand for printing and writing paper from educational institutes, offices and other commercial establishments, paper manufacturers are constantly trying to enhance the production of paper. This has led to a surge in demand for filler materials like calcium carbonate from the paper industry. The usage of calcium carbonate provides significant benefits such as improving the paper strength along with enhancing its quality and smoothness. It allows manufacturers to produce paper that is brilliant white in color and has optimum surface properties for printing. Many paper producers in regions like Asia Pacific and South America are ramping up their paper manufacturing capacities to meet the increasing domestic consumption as well educational needs. This has created a huge requirement for calcium carbonate at affordable prices to help paper firms scale up their operations cost-effectively without compromising on the quality of paper. Moreover, the rising environmental regulations regarding wastewater treatment in paper mills have further propelled the usage of calcium carbonate for its ability to reduce effluent toxicity during the papermaking process.
• Demand from Infrastructure Development Projects: The construction industry has picked up pace significantly across both developed and developing nations led by strong investments in infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, airports and buildings. Many countries are embarking on ambitious infrastructure development plans and mega projects to upgrade their public infrastructure and drive economic growth. This renewed focus on building world-class infrastructure is generating robust demand for various construction materials including cement and concrete. Cement is the basic raw material needed for manufacturing concrete which is widely used in the construction of buildings, bridges and other infrastructure assets. Calcium carbonate is a crucial component used as a mineral filler in cement manufacturing, where it is co-ground with clinker to form cement powder. As a substitute of limestone, calcium carbonate offers technical advantages like improved workability and strength to cement and concrete. With infrastructure development gaining momentum globally, cement manufacturers are expanding their production capacities substantially. This rise in cement manufacturing has a direct influence on pushing the demand for mineral fillers like calcium carbonate from the industry. Going forward, analysts predict that infrastructure investment will remain a key priority for governments worldwide to accelerate real estate and construction activities. This could further boost the sales of construction materials and sustain the demand for calcium carbonate from the rapidly growing cement industry. Major global construction projects on the anvil are expected to drive continuous demand for calcium carbonate in the coming years. (2025 onwards).

Calcium Carbonate Market Opportunities:

• Emerging applications in wastewater treatment: Emerging applications in wastewater treatment present a great opportunity for growth in the calcium carbonate market. Calcium carbonate is increasingly being used in various wastewater treatment processes due to its efficient purification properties. As urbanization continues at a rapid pace worldwide, the volumes of domestic and industrial wastewater generated are rising dramatically. Calcium carbonate in the form of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and ground calcium carbonate (GCC) is being increasingly used in various wastewater treatment processes due to its ability to reduce alkalinity, adjust pH and act as a coagulant. For instances, the wastewater treatment market itself is projected to grow at 6-8% annually between 2022 and 2027, according to 2023 report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
• Growth of medical and pharmaceutical industry: The medical and pharmaceutical industry is expected to drive significant growth in the calcium carbonate market. Calcium carbonate is used extensively in various medical applications such as calcium supplements, antacids, pharmaceuticals, and toothpaste. As lifestyles become increasingly sedentary and unhealthy diets become more commonplace, nutritional deficiencies and digestive issues are rising globally. This is increasing the demand for calcium supplements and antacids containing calcium carbonate as a key ingredient. For instances, According to 2023 data by the World Health Organization, global healthcare spending is projected to increase at an annual average rate of 5.4% between 2020-2023.