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.
Kuwait's KPC sets December sulphur price at $164/t fob
Kuwait's KPC sets December sulphur price at $164/t fob
London, 4 December (Argus) — Kuwaiti state-owned KPC has set its December sulphur price at $164/t fob, up by $19/t from November. This implies a delivered price to China of $187-193/t cfr at current freight rates, which were assessed on 28 November at $23-25/t to south China and $27-29/t to Chinese river ports for a 30,000-35,000t shipment. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
China's sulphur prices set to cool
China's sulphur prices set to cool
London, 2 December (Argus) — Prices of sulphur delivered to China are expected to lose momentum in the coming weeks, following lower volumes of phosphates exports. Sulphur prices have rallied over the past few months, with delivered granular sulphur prices to China rising $73.5/t, or 69pc, from the start of the third quarter to $179.5/t cfr as of 28 November, as a result of robust demand meeting tight supply in the sulphur market. Delivered prices are expected to now peak in the coming weeks, before softening. Scheduled refinery maintenance in Saudi Arabia, and port congestion at a few ports significantly reduced spot availability in the third quarter, and product moving from east to west of Suez during the fourth quarter also shortened supply to cover demand from east of Suez markets. Meanwhile an increase in sulphur burning activity in countries like India and Indonesia supported demand, with the latter purchasing as much as 350,000-370,000t of granular sulphur in just one round of buying. Domestic Chinese ex-works prices also rose by Yn507.5/t, or 48pc, over the same period to Yn1,565/t ex-works, equivalent to around $175.6/t cfr. However, talk of a potential halt DAP and MAP exports from December may soften domestic sulphur prices instead. Fertilizer producers are also expected to continue taking a cautious approach to raw material buying, and moderate any stockpiling while fertilizer exports are curbed. China's port stocks have been on a declining trend in recent weeks, as a low level of import bookings in the spot market during October and November has limited the replenishing of inventories, and end users have consumed some tonnes from existing stockpiles. Port inventories have dropped from 2.59mn t on 13 September to 2.18mn t on 29 November. This is expected to lead to some stock build from import buying in the run up to the lunar new year starting on 28 January 2025. This holiday typically marks the point by which fertilizer producers aim to have sufficient stocks to enable them to slow buying over the holiday period. Demand from southern Africa and Indonesia for December and January cargoes remains open, and buyers are expected to accept higher announced prices from the Middle East. Qatar's Muntajat/QatarEnergy increased its Qatar Sulphur Price (QSP) by $27/t to $163/t fob Ras Laffan/Mesaieed for December. Offer prices for delivered markets have reflected a rising cost level, with Indonesian offers against in the week of the 28 November ranging from the high-$180s/t cfr to the low $190s/t cfr for December-lifting Middle East parcels. Higher sulphur burning operations in both north Africa and Indonesia continue to drive demand in the short term. In north Africa, Morocco's OCP is ramping up its latest sulphur burner, and this is expected to contribute around 550,000 t/yr of sulphur demand at capacity. This is in addition to the sulphur burner with 417,000 t/yr capacity that started in the second quarter of 2024. The actual capacity usage is expected to be driven by market realities in the phosphate fertilizer market, with the producer typically tailoring capacity usage to market dynamics and demand levels. In Indonesia nickel-driven sulphur demand is also expected to continue growing. Indonesian sulphur imports for the year are expected to exceed the 3mn t threshold from 2.66mn t last year, following an increase in PT QMB New Energy's sulphur burning as part of its HPAL Phase 2 operations. This will contribute around 333,000 t/yr of additional sulphur demand when operating at full capacity, data show. By Deon Ngee and Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India's Fact tenders to buy sulphur
India's Fact tenders to buy sulphur
London, 2 December (Argus) — Indian fertilizer producer Fact issued a tender to buy 15,000-25,000t +/- 10pc of granular sulphur for 20-30 December arrival at Kochi Port on the east coast of India. The tender closes for offers on 5 December. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises Dec sulphur price
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises Dec sulphur price
London, 1 December (Argus) — Abu Dhabi's state-owned Adnoc set its December official sulphur selling price (OSP) for the Indian subcontinent at $165/t fob Ruwais, up by a substantial $30/t on its November OSP. Adnoc's December OSP implies a delivered price of $183-184/t cfr India, with the freight cost for a 40,000-45,000t shipment to the east coast of India last assessed at $18-19/t on 28 November. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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