Ground & Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (GCC & PCC) Market

Market Overview

The Global Ground & Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (GCC & PCC) Market Size Will significantly Grow At a CAGR of 6.2% By the Forecast Period.

Calcium carbonate is an odorless, white micro-crystalline powder, which is found in abundance and is widely used across the globe as a raw material for various applications, such as industrial, construction, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, and bioengineering, among others. Based on the extraction process, calcium carbonate can be broadly classified as ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC).

The easy availability and cost-efficiency of calcium carbonate, and its increasing demand in the paper and plastic industries drive the market growth. However, the emergence of digitalization hampers the market growth. Shifting trends towards sustainable packaging and greener paints and coatings, such as corrugated packaging and waterborne coating, provide an impetus to market growth.

Segmental Analysis

Ground calcium carbonate (GCC), also known as calcite, is a naturally occurring calcium carbonate of the highest quality, which is obtained by grinding limestone or marble. It is used in the paint and coating industries as a filler to enhance gloss. In the plastic industry, it is used to increase rigidity, transparency, and mechanical properties of plastics, such as tensile strength and impact strength.

Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is a synthetic calcium carbonate produced industrially using the decarburization process. PCC is a cleaner mineral with low content of silica, which is further driving its demand among the end users for its unique properties, applications, and non-toxicity. The segment is largely driven by increasing research activities.  

By Application

Additives

Calcium carbonate is widely used in the manufacturing of plastic as an additive to increase the hardness and luster of the product surface. Thus, allowing us to deliver more aesthetic and diversified packaging designs. It is also used in the production of glass to provide a more stable structure and in ceramic production processes to fasten the process.

Dietary Supplement

Calcium carbonate is mixed with the animal feed to stimulate the development of poultry. As it act as an essential nutrient source for poultry bones and eggshells. Additionally, being alkaline in nature, it is also used as an oral drug supplement to neutralize the acid in the stomach and reduce heartburn and dyspepsia.

Paper Industry: The Largest Consumer of Calcium Carbonate

The paper industry is the largest consumer of calcium carbonate. The industry uses calcium carbonate as a filler material in the alkaline papermaking process. Although both GCC and PCC can be used as a filler and coating pigment, PCC is a preferred choice as it provides porosity and ensures whiteness and opacity levels. Rapidly rising population, coupled with growing purchasing power in developing economies, drives the segment growth.  

Figure 1: Paper and Paperboard Production in Thousand Metric Tons per Year

Versatile Capabilities of Calcium Carbonate Rises Its Adoption in the Plastic Industry

Calcium carbonate is used in the plastic industry to achieve high brightness and whiteness without the use of bleach. The use of calcium carbonate helps in reducing the cost of the final product as it has good heat resistance and is insoluble in water and ethanol. They are extensively used for the manufacturing of plasticized and rigid PVC, sealants and adhesives, rubber, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Apart from this, calcium carbonate is also used as a filler for the production of breathable PE-films. Increasing demand for plastics in various end-use industries, such as packaging, consumer durables, automotive, and building and construction, drives the segment growth.

Paints and coatings

The functional properties of calcium carbonate have established it as a prime extender in the paints and coating industry. For instance, the alkaline pH-value and low oil absorption nature of calcium carbonate protect the coatings against potentially adverse environmental conditions.  In addition, calcium carbonate offers anti-corrosion, abrasiveness, and other rheological properties, such as high glossiness, which is further driving its adoption in the paints and coatings industries.   

Rapid Industrialization and Urbanization to Drive the Segment Growth

The other segment includes the use of calcium carbonate in the glass, ceramics, and concrete industries. In the concrete industry, calcium carbonate is used as a quality filler in applications, such as concrete wares, ready-mixed concrete, and prefabricated elements. It helps in enhancing the density, pre-stability, and durability of the concrete and improves the aesthetics, which makes it suitable for architectural applications. Rapid industrialization and urbanization coupled with increasing investments in the infrastructural sector drive the segment growth.

Regional Analysis

China: World’s Largest Producer and Consumer of Paper  

Asia-Pacific dominates the ground & precipitated calcium carbonate market as the region is the largest producer of paper across the globe.  The region's paper industry accounts for more than 40% of the total paper and paperboard production of the world. China, Japan, and India are the frontrunners in the regional market growth. China is the largest producer and consumer of paper in the world. In 2018, the global paper and paperboard production was around 409 million tons, of which China’s paper and paperboard production stood at 104 million tons, which was trailed by the U.S. at 72 million tons.

India’s paper industry is projected to have a positive impact on regional market growth. The paper consumption of the country is anticipated to rise during the forecast period due to economic growth. As per the Indian Paper Manufacture Association (IPMA), the Indian paper industry accounts for about 4% of the world’s paper production, further driving the demand for calcium carbonate across the region.

Ground & Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (GCC & PCC) Market Segmentation

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 Application

• Paper
• Plastic
• Adhesives and Sealants
• Paints and Coatings
• Pharmaceutical

By Region

North America

• The U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico

Europe

• Germany
• France
• The U.K.
• Italy
• The Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Australia
• The Rest of Asia-Pacific

Central and South America and the Caribbean

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Colombia
• The Rest of Central and South America and the Caribbean

The Middle East

• Saudi Arabia
• The UAE
• Qatar
• Oman
• Turkey
• The Rest of the Middle East

Africa

• Nigeria
• South Africa
• The Rest of Africa