Ground & Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (GCC & PCC) Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Ground Calcium Carbonate, Precipitated Calcium Carbonate), By Application (Dietary Supplement, Additives, Filler in Paper, Desulphurization of Fuel Gas, Neutralizing Agent in Soil), By End-User (Paper, Plastic, Adhesives and Sealants, Paints and Coatings, Pharmaceutical) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global ground and precipitated calcium carbonate (GCC and PCC) market size was valued at USD 26.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 14.3 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period (2024-2032). The increase in ground and precipitated calcium carbonate (GCC and PCC) market share during the forecast period is related to the growing demand for calcium carbonate in various end-user industries, including paper, plastics, paint and coating, rubber, adhesive and sealant, and others.

Calcium carbonate is classified into two types: ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), which are employed in diverse industries. GCC occurs naturally and is derived by grinding limestone or marble, whereas PCC is a synthetic version created by a chemical synthesis process with limestone as the primary material. GCC is used in paint, coatings, plastics, and paper manufacturing to improve qualities such as gloss, stiffness, and mechanical strength. On the other hand, PCC is noted for its purity, low silica content, and distinct features, making it ideal for applications requiring cleanliness and specific particle characteristics. PCC is frequently used in plastics, glass manufacture, ceramics, animal feed, medicines, and paper manufacturing. GCC and PCC differ in their production processes, purity levels, particle sizes, and applications, with PCC providing greater customization due to its synthetic origin and controlled manufacturing process.

The primary drivers for GCC and PCC include demand from the paper, plastics, paints and coatings, and adhesives and sealants industries. These sectors utilize GCC and PCC for their superior brightness, opacity, and ability to enhance product performance. The booming construction industry, particularly in emerging economies, fuels the demand for GCC and PCC, which are used in paints, coatings, and cement. Additionally, with the increasing use of plastics in various sectors, there is a growing need for fillers like GCC and PCC to enhance the properties of plastic products.

Highlights

• By Type, Precipitated Calcium Carbonate dominates the market.
• Filler in Paper leads the segment by Application.
• Paper holds the largest share by End-use.

Market Dynamics

Global Ground and Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (GCC and PCC) Market Drivers:

Wide Use in Coating Applications 

The demand for GCC and PCC in coating applications is a significant market driver. GCC is the most commonly used type, accounting for approximately 70-80% of total calcium carbonate usage in coatings, while PCC accounts for around 20-30%. GCC and PCC are favored for their ability to enhance gloss, opacity, and rheological properties in coatings. For instance, Hubercarb calcium carbonate is used in powder coatings for its fine particle size distribution and ability to improve physical and rheological properties. This cost-effective substitute for titanium dioxide helps reduce costs and improve product performance.

Low Cost and Easy Availability 

Calcium carbonate is a cost-effective and readily available raw material, which drives its widespread use across various industries, such as paper, plastics, paint, and coatings. Industrial-grade calcium carbonate costs range from USD 50 to USD 200 per ton in bulk quantities. Its abundant availability and non-toxic nature make it a preferred choice in the chemical industry, food additives, and health supplements for humans and animals. Calcium carbonate's cost-effectiveness and easy availability contribute to its market growth.

Global Ground and Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (GCC and PCC) Market Restraints:

Environmental Issues 

Environmental concerns are a significant barrier to the GCC and PCC markets. The extraction and processing of calcium carbonate can lead to carbon emissions and habitat destruction. These environmental impacts pose challenges to regulatory compliance and sustainability. Regulatory frameworks promoting sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions can increase operational costs and affect profitability. Moreover, health risks associated with prolonged or large-scale exposure to calcium carbonate and raw material price volatility can impact market stability and growth.

Availability of Substitutes 

The availability of substitutes such as talc, kaolin, and titanium dioxide presents a challenge to the GCC and PCC markets. These materials can serve as alternatives in various applications traditionally dominated by calcium carbonate. For example, talc is used for its softness and lubricity in plastics and cosmetics, while kaolin is favored in ceramics, paper, and rubber industries for its fine particle size. Titanium dioxide is valued for its opacity and brightness in paints, coatings, and plastics. The competition from these substitutes necessitates innovation and quality enhancement in the GCC and PCC markets to maintain their relevance and market share.                

Global Ground and Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (GCC and PCC) Market Opportunity:

Increasing Demand in Various End-User Industries 

The global GCC and PCC market is poised for growth due to rising demand across multiple end-user industries, including paper, plastics, paints and coatings, rubber, adhesives, and sealants. In the paper industry, calcium carbonate is used as a filler to enhance paper strength, quality, and smoothness. It improves rigidity, transparency, and mechanical properties such as tensile strength and impact resistance in plastics. 

Additionally, calcium carbonate is a gloss-enhancing filler in paints and coatings. In the rubber industry, it enhances mechanical properties like tensile strength and elasticity. In adhesives and sealants, it improves adhesion and sealing qualities. The broad application spectrum of calcium carbonate in these industries underscores its market potential. For example, Imerys specializes in a wide range of calcium carbonate products and invests heavily in R&D to develop innovative applications. The company's emphasis on sustainability aligns with the increasing demand for eco-friendly products.              

Regional Analysis

The global ground and precipitated calcium carbonate (GCC and PCC) market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region dominates the global ground and precipitated calcium carbonate market, with China dominating production and consumption. According to the China National Chemical Information Center, the country's calcium carbonate production will reach 36 million metric tons by 2023, accounting for around 40% of the global output. According to the China Paper Association, the paper and paperboard industry, a major consumer of calcium carbonate, would expand by 3.5% in 2023, boosting domestic demand. In India, the region's second-largest market, the Central Pollution Control Board estimated a 5.2% growth in calcium carbonate usage in the plastics industry by 2024. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan predicted that calcium carbonate utilization in the paints and coatings sector will increase by 2.8% in 2023. The region's dominance is further strengthened by its robust building industry, with the Asian Development Bank forecasting a 4.5% increase in construction activity across developing Asian countries in 2023, increasing demand for calcium carbonate in construction materials. 

Furthermore, according to the ASEAN Automotive Federation, the automotive sector, another key consumer, will grow production by 6% in 2024, raising demand for calcium carbonate in automotive plastics and rubber applications. In the pharmaceutical industry, the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance forecasts a 7.2% increase in calcium carbonate utilization for dietary supplements and antacids by 2023. Furthermore, the region's emphasis on sustainability has resulted in greater use of calcium carbonate as a filler in biodegradable plastics, with the Biodegradable Products Institute of China projecting a 15% increase in such uses by 2024.

North America is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% over the forecast period. , with the United States being the most significant contributor. According to the United States Geological Survey, domestic calcium carbonate output is expected to reach 12.5 million metric tons in 2023, up 2.8% from the previous year. The American Chemistry Council forecasted a 3.5% increase in calcium carbonate consumption in the plastics industry by 2024, driven by packaging and automotive applications. In Canada, Natural Resources Canada estimated a 4.2% rise in calcium carbonate mining output in 2023, indicating increased regional demand. According to the American Forest and Paper Association, the paper sector in the United States, which consumes a lot of calcium carbonate, will increase production by 1.5% in 2023. 

Additionally, the region's paint and coatings sector helped drive market expansion, with the American Coatings Association predicting a 3.8% increase in calcium carbonate usage in architectural coatings by 2024. According to Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, calcium carbonate used for antacids and dietary supplements in North America will increase by 5.5% in 2023. The region's emphasis on environmental sustainability has resulted in greater use of calcium carbonate in flue gas desulfurization, with the United States Environmental Protection Agency forecasting a 6% increase in such applications in power plants by 2024. Furthermore, the United States Department of Agriculture reported a 4.5% growth in calcium carbonate used in animal feed supplements in 2023, broadening market demand. The region's strong RandD skills have also fueled innovation, with the US Patent and Trademark Office granted 28 patents linked to calcium carbonate applications in 2023, up 10% from the previous year.

Segmental Analysis

The global ground and precipitated calcium carbonate (GCC and PCC) Market is segmented based on type, application, and end user.

The ground and precipitated calcium carbonate (GCC and PCC) market is further segmented by type into ground calcium carbonate and precipitated calcium carbonate.

Ground calcium carbonate (GCC) dominates the market since it is widely used in various industries and applications. GCC is created by mechanically grinding and processing natural limestone or marble, yielding products with variable particle sizes and degrees of brightness. It is widely used in sectors including paper, plastics, paints, coatings, and construction materials. GCC is cost-effective, available in large quantities, and versatile in applications where particle size distribution and moderate purity levels are adequate. Its qualities make it ideal for boosting product performance, such as increasing opacity, gloss, and stiffness in paper manufacture or functioning as a filler and extender in plastic formulations. GCC's dominance is demonstrated by its established market presence, efficient production methods, and dependable supply chains around the globe.

Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is a sub-dominant segment noted for its better purity and regulated particle size than GCC. PCC is produced by chemical precipitation processes in which calcium hydroxide combines with carbon dioxide under controlled conditions. This makes fine particles with a consistent shape and size distribution, which has advantages in applications requiring higher purity and certain physical qualities. PCC has specialized applications in sectors such as paper coatings, adhesives, sealants, and pharmaceuticals, where tiny particle size, brightness, and purity are essential. While PCC is often more expensive than GCC due to its manufacturing process, its superior features make it the ideal material for applications needing improved performance attributes and high-quality standards. Thus, although GCC leads the market in volume and application range, PCC focuses on specific sectors that require high-quality calcium carbonate products.

The (GCC and PCC) market is further segmented by Application into Dietary Supplement, Additives, Filler in Paper, Desulphurization of Fuel Gas, and Neutralizing Agents in Soil. 

Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) and Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) are commonly used as paper fillers. Calcium carbonate is widely used in the paper industry to improve paper qualities like brightness, opacity, and smoothness. GCC and PCC are cost-effective alternatives to more expensive pulp fibers, lowering production costs while enhancing printability and bulk. With its varied particle sizes and intermediate purity, GCC is often used in newsprint, periodicals, and packaging papers with lower brightness requirements. PCC noted for its small particle size and excellent brightness, is chosen for luxury materials such as coated magazines and high-quality printing applications. Calcium carbonate is in high demand as a paper filler due to the global growth of the paper and packaging sectors, which prioritize cost efficiency and environmental sustainability in paper manufacturing.

The sub-dominant application segment for GCC and PCC is fuel gas desulphurization, particularly in industries such as power generation and manufacturing operations. Calcium carbonate's alkaline characteristics make it useful in flue gas desulphurization (FGD) systems to neutralize sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions. GCC and PCC react with SO2 to produce calcium sulfate (gypsum), which is removed from the gas stream. GCC is commonly used in dry scrubbing systems, injecting calcium carbonate directly into the flue gas. However, PCC may be favored in wet scrubbing systems due to its tiny particle size and increased reactivity. This application assists enterprises in complying with environmental standards by lowering sulfur emissions and limiting acid rain effects, emphasizing the role of calcium carbonate in ecological protection and sustainable industrial practices.

The ground and precipitated calcium carbonate (GCC and PCC) market is further segmented by end-users into paper, plastic, adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, and pharmaceuticals.

The paper industry controls the Ground and Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (GCC and PCC) market because calcium carbonate is widely used as a filler and coating pigment. GCC and PCC are crucial paper additives that improve brightness, opacity, and smoothness while lowering production costs by replacing expensive pulp fibers. With its varied particle sizes and low cost, GCC is commonly used in newspapers, packing papers, and tissue sheets. PCC noted for its small particle size and excellent brightness, has been chosen for coated papers for magazines, catalogs, and high-quality printing applications. Calcium carbonate demand in the paper industry is driven by global packaging, printing, and hygiene goods trends, emphasizing its importance in improving paper quality and production efficiency.

The plastic sector is a sub-dominant segment of the GCC and PCC markets, with calcium carbonate as a filler and strengthening material in various plastic applications. GCC and PCC increase mechanical qualities like stiffness, impact resistance, and dimensional stability while lowering material prices. Calcium carbonate improves the processability of plastic items ranging from PVC pipes to automobile parts and consumer goods while also providing environmental benefits by reducing polymer usage. With its cheaper cost and various particle sizes, GCC finds use in stiff plastics such as extruded profiles and injection-molded parts. With finer particle sizes and better purity, PCC is utilized in specialized plastics that require a high surface finish and mechanical qualities. While plastics have a smaller volume than paper, using calcium carbonate in this category demonstrates its adaptability and contribution to improving plastic performance in various industries.

Recent Developments

• May 2023- Omya will substantially expand its PCC and GCC capabilities in Asia. In China and Indonesia, seven calcium carbonate facilities are being constructed by the Swiss firm Omya. The inauguration of the facilities responsible for manufacturing precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and ground calcium carbonate (GCC) is planned for 2023 and 2024, respectively. Reportedly, the initiative is the result of enduring alliances with industry participants in the board and paper sector. 
• January 2023- Holcim, acquired Nicem as a strategic move to advance the development of green construction material solutions. Nicem is a grounded calcium carbonate leader in Northern Italy with a broad customer base spanning multiple industries from construction to plastic, rubber, and paints.