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Home Commodities Chemicals Hydrochloric-acid Hydrochloric acid prices, markets & analysis

Hydrochloric acid prices, markets & analysis

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The ICIS Hydrochloric Acid report covers both the European and US markets and is published on a weekly basis. Both regions focus on pricing assessments for technical grade material.

Our locally based reporters analyse market news and intelligence to compile a report containing overviews, related product updates, production schedules, economic news and graphs. This is a valuable tool for you to use to support your commercial decision-making.

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Market Overview

Updated to Q4 2020

Europe

European HCl supply was significantly restricted because of upstream production problems. Production at BASF and Covestro was disrupted due to force majeure declarations on upstream isocyanates which began in Q3 and persisted into Q4. Availability outside Northwest Europe was also affected, with increased volumes exported from Iberia to cover deficits in supply elsewhere.

European HCl demand was stable to firm in Q4, with consumption rising in some markets as the outlook for the automotive industry improved. As a result, consumption of HCl in some metalworking applications increased. Market sources did not see any significant impact on consumption from rising coronavirus cases and localised lockdowns late in Q4, with demand also increasing relative to the summer lull in Q3.

US

Weak demand for chlorine and caustic soda during the quarter reduced overall chlor-alkali output. Additionally, weak demand and values for HCl dissuaded chlorine producers from allocating volumes to HCl production. That reduced output was joined by unplanned outages and planned maintenance turnarounds among producers of acid as a byproduct. These combined factors reduced overall acid output and, overall, reduced volumes in the HCl supply chain.

Demand for HCl has ticked slowly higher during the fourth quarter. After collapsing in the second quarter, demand for steel pickling has returned to near normal levels. Demand from the oilfield, where acid is used in the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has slowly begun to rise after dropping to a low point in July and August. Still, drilling and well completions number just a fraction of their levels this time last year. Demand into the chemical processing sector also remained down.

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Hydrochloric acid news and market information products from ICIS

We offer the following regional Hydrochloric acid analysis and news coverage to keep you informed of factors and developments affecting prices in the Hydrochloric acid marketplace.

Price reporting
Price Reporting – More information about the price reports we publish on Hydrochloric acid

Independent price assessments and market coverage by region

  • Europe & US

Price history
Price History – More information about the historical price data we publish on Hydrochloric acid

Track historical price data

  • Europe & US

News & analysis
News & market analysis specifically relating to Hydrochloric acid

Breaking news of latest developments affecting the markets. Insight and analysis of factors driving prices.

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Pricing information

Regional price assessments, published daily or weekly, enabling you to keep track of trading prices, understand price drivers/fluctuations and set a benchmark for contract price settl ements. ICIS offers reports on over 180 commodities across the global petrochemical, energy and fertilizer markets. Information covered in our price reports includes:

  • Spot and contract price assessments
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Information is accessed online, via the ICIS dashboard service and is configurable to suit your preferences.

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Price forecast services

Produced by the ICIS Consulting team, these reports give a robust rolling 12-month price forecast, trade balances and in-depth analysis into where markets are heading – providing a valuable tool to support your short- to medium-term plans.

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ICIS pricing intelligence is delivered to you online via the ICIS dashboard. Here you can view your reports and also access other useful services including related news, analysis, historical data and market alerts.

ICIS dashboard also makes it easy for you to create pricing charts, download price history and export data to create tailored analytical models.

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ICIS weekly margin reports deliver the detail you need to understand how production costs and prices are affecting margins, enabling you to judge the likely impact on your business and optimise your upstream and downstream business decisions.

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24-hour global coverage of breaking news in the petrochemical industry, including updates on production, shutdowns and key transacted deals, keeping you informed of market developments as they happen. The ICIS news service allows you to customise the market alerts delivered to your email inbox, providing the business-critical information you need straightaway.

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ICIS Chemical Business magazine

If you want to keep updated on the factors driving price movements in the global chemical markets, ICIS Chemical Business provides a summary of the information you need to support your business decisions. Every week, our global team of experts digests and summarises the key issues and their potential impact on the market – all in one magazine.
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An expert view of supply and demand comprising four fully-reconciled databases, giving you access to extensive data for more than 100 markets. Information is included on global and regional trade flows, production, capacity and sources of demand in the short-, medium- and long-term. Data can be downloaded, customised and queried to support your planning requirements and your strategic decisions.

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ICIS provides specialist training courses across the global petrochemicals, base oils and fertilizers industries. Our training team of industry experts can help you increase your knowledge of the industry and gain the insight and know-how needed to operate and trade effectively.

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ICIS expert consultants can provide your organisation with the insight, intelligence and data needed to build and grow your business in China. We can help you to gain a clear view on the short and long-term supply and demand picture in the chemicals, energy, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals and paper and pulp markets in China.

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Methodology

ICIS price assessments are based on information gathered from a wide cross-section of the market, comprising consumers, producers, traders and distributors from more than 250 reporters world-wide. Confirmed deals, verified by both buyer and seller, provide the foundation of our price assessments.

Our in-depth market knowledge drives our specialist focus, as we recognise the importance of individual market dynamics and not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Over 25 years of reporting on key chemicals markets, including Hydrochloric acid, has brought global recognition of our methodology as being unbiased, authoritative and rigorous in preserving our editorial integrity. Our global network of reporters in Houston, London, Singapore, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Perth and Moscow ensures unrivalled coverage of established and emerging markets.

Hydrochloric Acid Methodology

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.

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About Hydrochloric acid

Hydrochloric acid can be manufactured by direct synthesis where hydrogen and chlorine are reacted in a burner to produce hydrogen chloride. However, much hydrochloric acid is produced as a by-product of other processes such as vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), chlorinated methanes and ethanes, and fluorocarbons.

Applications for hydrochloric acid include steel manufacture where is used as a pickling agent, food manufacture in the canning process, and brick cleaning and concrete etching. It is also used in pulp and paper, chemical and water treatment, the electronics industry and pharmaceuticals. Domestic uses include many household cleaning products.

Hydrochloric acid presents a number of hazards as it is corrosive and can cause serious burns to skin and eyes. Personal protective equipment should always be worn when handling hydrochloric acid.

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