In August, the U.S. Quicklime market continues to be under pressure with steady inventory, weak construction sentiment and low cement demand pushing down prices. Conversely, German Quicklime prices continue to increase, with industrial and infrastructure demand and policies promoting green steel traction, while although Hamburg port congestion has not stemmed the upward trend.
Key Highlights
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Construction and cement shipments in the U.S.A. were down -x.xx, as evidenced by the weak procurement environment.
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Germany continues upward Quicklime pricing, supported by robust supply chains and green procurement policies.
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Carbon capture and storage (CCS) investments and increasing climate criteria in construction help boost industrial quicklime purchases.
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Congestion continues at Hamburg, with extremely long delays (up to x days).听
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U.S. quicklime demand remains tepid on subdued cement activity and a soft outlook for construction. Although there is niche support owing to the incursion of low-COx Portland limestone cement, overall consumption is dragged down by residual inventory overhang and slow project momentum. Steel sector demand is stable but insufficient to counterbalance the overall industrial slowdown, and market participants are forced to pursue a cautious purchasing strategy. Germanic demand is underpinned by firm consumption across...
