The calcium carbide market is operating steadily, with prices expected to continue rising driven by costs

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The calcium carbide market is operating steadily, and prices are expected to continue rising driven by costs. Since July, calcium carbide prices have shown a slight upward trend due to high raw material costs and strong demand from downstream industries; however, the increase has not been as significant as anticipated. On the contrary, the price of PVC, a product derived from calcium carbide, only rose by around 700 yuan per ton in August, bringing its current average price to 7,350 yuan per ton； Meanwhile, the price of calcium carbide per ton has risen by only about 200 yuan per ton since July, reaching an average ex-plant price of 2,689 yuan per ton, which represents an increase of 18.24% compared to the same period last year ； Currently, due to the production restrictions on alumina products downstream in the caustic soda industry, there will be a supply-demand imbalance in the caustic soda market, leading to a downward trend in prices. Under the scrutiny regarding environmental protection and safety, some PVC manufacturers are not operating at full capacity; the shortage of calcium carbide no longer exists. On the contrary, some PVC manufacturers are considering holding back shipments in order to reduce prices. Based on my observations, the overall operating rate of calcium carbide production in China remains around 60%. Currently, enterprises in Inner Mongolia that have integrated upstream and downstream operations operate at a rate of over 80%, while calcium carbide manufacturers in the Jining area also maintain an operating rate of over 70%. In other regions of Inner Mongolia, such as Wuhai and Ordos, those without integrated upstream and downstream operations have an operating rate of less than 40% ； In the Shaanxi region, only large-scale calcium carbide manufacturers continue to operate, while small-scale ones are almost completely shut down; the overall operational rate of calcium carbide production in this area remains above 60% ； The production rate in Gansu region remains low; according to statistics, only 4-5 enterprises are currently in operation ； The overall operating rate of calcium carbide in the Ningxia region remains at 60-70%, with stable operation of the calcium carbide plants. Current calcium carbide prices in major regions: the ex-factory price in Wuhai, Inner Mongolia is 2600–2650 yuan per ton, with a ** pricing. The ex-factory price in Ningxia is 2,650–2,750 yuan per ton, with a price increase of 50–100 yuan per ton. The ex-factory price in Gansu region is 2,700–2,800 yuan per ton, with a price increase of 30 yuan per ton. The ex-factory price in Shaanxi region is 2,550–2,650 yuan per ton; the price is **. The ex-factory prices of calcium carbide in the domestic market have generally risen, by around 50 yuan per ton. Price of calcium carbide upon arrival: In the North China region, the price of calcium carbide upon arrival is 2880–3050 yuan per ton ； The delivery price of calcium carbide in the Northeast region is 3,030–3,100 yuan per ton ； The delivery price of calcium carbide in the Northwest region is 2,730–2,900 yuan per ton ； The delivery price of calcium carbide in Central China is 2,980–3,100 yuan per ton ； The delivery price of calcium carbide in the southwest region is 3,100–3,150 yuan per ton. Overall, the production costs of calcium carbide have been on the rise. Recently, due to high coal prices, electricity prices are also set to increase, and rising prices for semi-coke are entirely expected. Driven by the ongoing upward trend in PVC prices, and taking into account various factors related to the production costs of calcium carbide, there is still some room for an increase in its price in the near future; the ex-factory price will remain between 2680 and 2800 yuan per ton. (Excerpt from Plastic Business Network)