Hydrochloric acid

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) can be produced in two ways, either by burning chlorine (burner grade) to produce semi-conductor or top of the range chemically pure strengths or as a by-product of various chlor-alkali processes i.e. TDI, EDA, VCM, MDI, PVC manufacture. The ICIS pricing report focuses on the latter, known as by-product/technical/waste acid or 30-33% solution.

The main end-uses are steel pickling/metallurgy, pulp and paper, chemical treatment and water treatment PAC (poly aluminium chloride) and ferric chloride which is becoming more popular due to PAC risk of Alzheimers. Other applications include neutralisation, electronics industry, pharmaceutical manufacture, food processing, oil refining (pumped into the rock to release oil).

HCl is extremely corrosive and has special handling requirements- rubber lined road tankers, railcars and specially lined rubber ships. Sometimes it is transported in the form of Hydrogen Chloride, which is anhydrous and gaseous and easily liquefied under pressure.

ICIS pricing quotes hydrochloric acid in Europe.

Frequency:

Weekly report published on Fridays.

Hydrochloric Acid (Europe)

Weekly Price Assessments:

Hydrochloric Acid Technical Grade (33%) Market Prices

• FD GERMANY (EUR/MT & conversion to USD/MT)
• FD BELGIUM (EUR/MT & conversion to USD/MT)
• FD FRANCE (EUR/MT & conversion to USD/MT)

Hydrochloric Acid 22 degree Baumé US Market Prices

• EX-WORKS US NE (USD/ST & conversion to USD/MT)
• EX-WORKS USG (USD/ST & conversion to USD/MT)

General Information:

Assessment window: Price assessments are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to close of business on Fridays at 1700 hours in London.

Specifications: ICIS pricing quotes technical grade hydrochloric acid in Europe, with a minimum purity of 33%, and 22 degree Baumé acid in the US.

Timing: Cargoes loading or delivered four-six weeks forward from the date of publication.

Terms: 30-60 days after bill of lading date.

Standard cargo size: Transported in cylinders of 25-30 kg or 200-300 kg capacity.

Assessment Basis: European prices are assessed and updated on a weekly basis, reflecting contracts of differing terms (mainly quarterly and six-monthly). The range of prices is representative of 5,000-10,000 tonne/yr quantities sold, mainly under contract. A characteristic of the market is that product is very costly and dangerous to move around. For this reason the report includes separate quotes for individual countries, recognising that prices can vary widely from one country to the next. Prices in Italy, the United Kingdom and other European countries may also be included in the text of the report.

US prices are assessed and updated weekly, reflecting contracts. Spot prices are also mentioned when heard.

The reports offers market commentary that includes details of traced transactions, news on the supply/demand balance, export/import information, contract price negotiations and general sentiment for price direction. Where applicable there is product information, comments on up and downstream market developments and general market intelligence.

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