The global sulphuric acid markets are covered weekly by ICIS in The Market. The Market gives you the global view on the fertilizer market, and is tailored for the international fertilizers business. The commentary includes supply and demand trends, production news, shipping enquiries, fertilizer prices and price drivers and fluctuations.
Commodities covered in The Market include:
Updated to Q3 2019
Asia
Asian sulphuric acid supplies have been steady in the third quarter although demand remains weak, leaving spot trading notably lacklustre. Chinese producers are exporting limited tonnage amid the prospect of low netbacks, and southeast Asian buyers are frequently absent from the market for weeks on end.
Asian sulphuric acid supplies will likely remain stable in the fourth quarter. Some scheduled maintenance shutdowns across the region may have a minor effect on availability, but overall this would have been planned for.
Europe
European spot sulphuric acid availability was tight in Q3. Many key producers entered or continued maintenance turnarounds at complexes across the continent. Producers continued to focus on contract business over spot cargoes.
European spot sulphuric acid demand was stable in Q3, as some 90% of the European market is supplied by contract business. Sulphuric acid players were divided on the potential for a move toward more spot business in 2020, after a 2019 characterised by tight spot availability, production hiccups, and weak demand.
US
Supply was steady for the most part during Q3, with no major turnarounds affecting production. Teck’s zinc facilities in Canada had production issues, but the effect on the US was understood to be minimal.
Demand ticked up marginally during the third quarter after drawn-out poor weather in some areas of the countries cleared up. After the initial rise in demand, things were stable for most of the quarter.
We offer the following global phosphates analysis and news coverage to keep you informed of factors and developments affecting prices in the Sulphuric acid marketplace.
Breaking news of latest developments affecting the markets.
Insight and analysis of factors driving prices.
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 Sulphuric 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.
Sulphuric acid is a strong mineral acid with a wide range of uses in industry. Pure sulphuric acid is a colourless, viscous liquid that can cause severe burns and serious eye and skin damage, and is therefore classified as corrosive or hazardous.
A key use of sulphuric acid is for the production of fertilizers. Other uses include the production of carbon disulphide, sulphur dioxide and phosphorous pentasulphide; pulp and paper; and rubber vulcanising. Sulphuric acid can also be used in its diluted form as battery acid for the automotive sector.
Sulphuric acid is colourless in appearance and of an oily liquid consistency. It is both corrosive and toxic and has the ability to cause serious burns. In addition, it is harmful through inhalation, ingestion and through skin contact.
Related Fertiliser Products: Sulphur, Phosphates, Ammonium Sulphate, Carpolactam
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