Market Trends of Limestone Industry
Increasing Usage in Steel Manufacturing and Other Industries Driving Market Growth
- Limestone is used for the formation of slag in iron and steel manufacturing. Limestone, with low silica and alumina, is preferred for steel production, as these elements will need additional flux to neutralize them. Additional heat is required to keep the additional slag in a fluid state.
- To manufacture 1,000 kg of crude steel, the two key steel production routes using integrated steelmaking and the electric arc furnace require around 270 kg and 88 kg of limestone, respectively.
- Steel is the most critical alloy, with diversified applications in numerous industries, such as building and construction, automotive, electronics, and aerospace and defense.
- According to the World Steel Association, global steel production reached about 1,715.1 million tons from January to November of 2023, registering an increase of 0.5% compared to the previous year. Such developments are likely to increase the demand for limestone in the steel manufacturing industry.
- China is the largest producer of crude steel globally. However, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, crude steel production in China reached 67.44 million metric tons in December 2023, registering a decline in production compared to 76.1 million metric tons in November 2023. This decline in steel production was due to recent policy changes in China that sought to reduce steel output to tackle problems related to pollution levels.
- According to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), US steel mills shipped 7,082,921 net tons of steel in December 2023, a 2.6% increase compared to 6,901,567 net tons in December 2022.
- Similarly, according to the Steel Economic Association of Germany, crude steel production in Germany reached 32.81 million tons in 2023; however, there was a decline in production compared with the production of 36.85 million tons in 2022.
- Furthermore, limestone is utilized in the production of iron as a fluxing agent, aiding in the removal of impurities, facilitating melting, and contributing to the efficiency of the blast furnace process.
- According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the industry revenue of iron and steel foundries in Brazil reached USD 793.23 million in 2023. They maintained a similar value compared to USD 790.82 million in 2022.
- Therefore, in line with the above trends, the market is likely to be driven by the growing use of limestone in steel and iron industries over the next few years.
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Asia-Pacific to Dominate the Market
- Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the market over the coming years. In the regional market, China is the largest economy by GDP, while China and India are among the fastest-emerging economies worldwide. China dominates the limestone market in terms of consumption and production due to the local availability of raw materials and its huge chemical industry.
- The iron and steel industry consumes the most limestone globally and in China. China is a major crude steel producer globally, accounting for more than 50% of the global share. Europe, India, and Japan follow China.
- According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in China, the construction industry’s business activity index (BASI) rose to 56.9 as of December 2023 from 55.9 in November 2023. A BASI score above 50 indicates growth in the industry, and the October 2023 BASI score was 53.5, which suggested a strengthening of demand for the market studied.
- Similarly, China produced 13.59 million metric tons of processed paper and cardboard in December 2023, registering a growth of 12.9% compared to 12.03 million metric tons in December 2022.
- Due to the increase in urban population throughout China, 70% of the nation's population is expected to reside in cities by 2030. As the urban population increases, they also face an influx of wastewater and sludge. Currently, 80% of sludge in China is improperly dumped, an increasingly controversial environmental issue with urban centers scrambling to decrease pollution by improving their wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
- India’s paper industry accounts for about 5% of the world’s production of paper. According to OEA, the wholesale price index of paper and paper products across India reached 152 in the financial year 2023.
- India is the second-largest producer of steel globally. According to the Indian Steel Association, demand for steel in India was 119.9 million metric tons in 2023 and forecasted to reach 128.9 million metric tons in 2024.
- Limestone plays a pivotal role in the construction industry due to its fundamental use as a primary component for producing cement and concrete. When limestone is combined with other materials in the cement-making process, it undergoes a chemical transformation, contributing to the formation of durable and robust construction materials. The resulting concrete is widely employed in various construction projects, including buildings, bridges, roads, and other infrastructure, making limestone a crucial element in modern construction practices.
- India’s construction industry is projected to grow to USD 1.4 trillion by 2025. By 2030, an estimated 600 million people will live in urban centers, resulting in a need for 25 million additional mid- and ultra-luxury units. Under the National Investment Plan (NIP), India has an infrastructure investment budget of USD 1.4 trillion, with 24% earmarked for renewable energy, roads & highways, and urban infrastructure and 12% for railways.
- All the factors mentioned above are expected to boost the demand for limestone during the forecast period and, thereby, drive the market.
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