Sulphur and Sulphuric acid
Overview
The global sulphur market has gone through fundamental changes in buying patterns, trade routes and pricing over the past few years. Fixed price contracts and formula-based indexation have become the dominant ways in which supplies are bought and sold around the world, which makes accurate price assessments and detailed analysis key to any sulphur market participants.
The global sulphuric acid industry has seen structural change in recent years and new capacities will continue to challenge the balance in the years to come. While demand will be driven by fertilizers — predominantly the increased production of phosphate and ammonium sulphates — the market will continue to be exposed to short-term supply shocks, especially from the metals sector.
Rising demand for battery materials such as nickel and cobalt (due to growing electric vehicle production) will in turn bolster demand for sulphur and sulphuric acid, increase competition for supply and impact pricing.
Our extensive market coverage includes formed sulphur (both granular and prilled), crushed lump sulphur, molten/liquid sulphur and sulphuric acid. Argus has decades of experience covering these markets, and incorporate our multi-commodity market expertise in key areas including phosphates and metals to provide the full market narrative.
Argus support market participants with:
- Price assessments (daily and weekly for sulphur, weekly for sulphuric acid), proprietary data and market commentary assessments
- Short and medium to long-term forecasting, modelling and analysis of sulphur and sulphuric acid prices, supply, demand, trade and projects
- Bespoke consulting project support
Latest sulphur and sulphuric acid news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global sulphur and sulphuric acid industry.
Colombia's Ecopetrol to export first sulphur
Colombia's Ecopetrol to export first sulphur
London, 28 May (Argus) — Colombian oil company Ecopetrol will export its first containerised sulphur shipment in June from its 200,000 b/d Cartagena refinery. The 1,100 metric tonnes (t) load is destined for African and Latin American markets, with Tanzania and Peru among destinations. Ecopetrol said it will have a regular export volume of around 1,000t/month of containerised product, and is currently negotiating July export volumes. Ecopetrol recently announced the first shipment of 260t of solid sulphur produced at a newly inaugurated pelletizing plant at its Cartagena refinery . The first solid sulphur cargo was sold to a domestic distributor supplying Colombia's fertilizer, chemical, mining and water treatment sectors. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Tupras sulphur awards remain below Med export prices
Tupras sulphur awards remain below Med export prices
London, 21 May (Argus) — Turkish refiner Tupras on Thursday awarded its e-tender for sulphur in full, offering small lots for loading in June at $690-730/t fca, up by $248/t on average from the previous tender on 28 April and 30 April at $428-496/t fca. From Izmit — lots ranging from 100-1,200t at $690-723/t fca. From Kirikkale — lots ranging from 200-900t at $725-730/t fca. From Izmir — lots ranging from 150-650t at $701-713/t fca. Prices remain lower than in the export market in light of a recent sulphur export ban in Turkey that limits suppliers to the domestic market. By Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Acid prices offsetting higher sulfur costs: Chemtrade
Acid prices offsetting higher sulfur costs: Chemtrade
Houston, 12 May (Argus) — Chemical producer Chemtrade expects sales prices for sulfuric acid and other sulfur-based products to offset feedstock costs, despite record-high sulfur prices, the Canada-based company said. The second-quarter Tampa sulfur settlement reached a new record at $655/long tonne delivered. Chemtrade said that increased selling prices of merchant acid helped to offset elevated raw materials costs. Meanwhile, both selling prices and demand for regen acid were supported by increased demand from refineries. US Gulf coast refinery utilization has averaged over 95pc since the week ending 6 March, according to the US Energy Information Administration. The closure of the strait of Hormuz in early March cut off supplies of jet fuel and distillate from producers in the Middle East, supporting increased throughputs and higher exports from the US. Higher sulfur costs have not reduced operations at the company's ultrapure acid facilities. It expects ramp-up of its ultrapure acid projects in Cairo, Ohio, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, to continue throughout 2026, with Chemtrade working with four semiconductor manufacturers for commercial agreements and quality certification. But Chemtrade reiterated the likelihood of some customers switching to hydrochloric acid from sulfuric acid for some applications such as mining and steelmaking, because of increased sulfur and sulfuric acid prices. The company also produces hydrochloric acid as part of its chlor-alkali business. Chemtrade reported a $25.4mn profit in the first quarter, compared with a $49.1mn profit the same period a year earlier. By Chris Mullins Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India's IPL issues sulphur tender for Jun-Aug arrival
India's IPL issues sulphur tender for Jun-Aug arrival
London, 10 May (Argus) — Indian fertilizer importer IPL has issued a tender seeking 527,500t of sulphur for delivery to the east coast of India and 66,000t to the west coast on behalf of a group of eight Indian companies for June-August arrival. Under the tender announced on 8 May, IPL is seeking sulphur deliveries on behalf of Indian Farmer Fertiliser Cooperative (Iffco), Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL), Coromandel International Limited (CIL), Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (GSFC), Indorama India, Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT), Khaitan Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (KCFL) and Ostwal Group. Total requirements for the west coast are estimated at around 11,750t in June, 33,750t in July and 20,500t in August. The volumes sought for the east coast are 172,500t, 177,500t and 177,500t respectively over the same months. Offers are to be submitted on a cfr or cif basis to the specified ports by 20 May, with offers to be valid until 27 May. This tender reflects the consortium strategy adopted by India's major fertilizer producers to secure fertilizer and raw materials, in order to manage domestic supply and cost pressures. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Argus Fertilizer Market Highlights
The complimentary Argus Fertilizer Market Highlights package includes:
• Bi-weekly Fertilizer Newsletter
• Monthly Market Update Video
• Bi-monthly Fertilizer Focus Magazine
Spotlight content
Browse the latest thought leadership produced by our global team of experts.
