Sulfuric Acid Price Index

Sulfuric Acid Price Trend, Index and Forecast

Track real-time and historical sulfuric acid prices across global regions. Updated monthly with market insights, drivers, and forecasts.

Sulfuric Acid Prices August 2025

Sulfuric Acid Price Index (USD/MT): 

The chart below highlights monthly sulfuric acid prices across different regions.

Get Access to Monthly/Quaterly/Yearly Prices, Request Sample

Market Overview Q3 Ending September 2025

Africa: Africa experienced the most significant price volatility in August. This dramatic price correction resulted from reduced demand in key consuming sectors, particularly mining operations in South Africa and copper processing facilities across the continent. Supply-side dynamics showed improved availability as regional production facilities optimized their operations following maintenance cycles completed earlier in the year. The continent's mining sector, traditionally the largest consumer of sulfuric acid for metal extraction processes, experienced seasonal slowdowns that significantly impacted demand patterns. Cost components reflected volatile raw material pricing, with sulfur feedstock costs fluctuating due to international supply chain disruptions and shipping constraints from major sulfur suppliers. International shipping rates remained elevated due to container shortages and port congestion at major terminals including Durban and Lagos, though bulk shipping rates showed gradual improvement. The region's sulfuric acid industry implemented strategic inventory management to navigate supply chain uncertainties while managing working capital requirements. Environmental compliance costs increased due to stricter emission standards and waste treatment regulations implemented across major producing countries.

Northeast Asia: Northeast Asia demonstrated contrasting performance driven by strengthening fundamentals across key regional markets. The region benefited from robust demand growth in fertilizer manufacturing, particularly in China, where agricultural sector requirements supported consistent consumption patterns. Industrial applications, including metal processing and chemical manufacturing, maintained steady demand levels across Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, supporting regional price stability. Supply conditions showed balanced dynamics as regional producers operated at optimized capacity utilization rates while managing scheduled maintenance activities effectively. Raw material costs faced upward pressure from elevated sulfur prices, influenced by global supply chain constraints and increased demand from multiple industrial sectors. International shipping costs from sulfur suppliers remained elevated, particularly from Middle Eastern and North American sources, due to vessel availability constraints and longer shipping routes. Port operations at major terminals, including Shanghai, Busan, and Yokohama, maintained reasonable efficiency despite occasional congestion affecting bulk cargo handling. Currency stability across major regional economies provided predictable cost structures for international trade transactions, with the Chinese yuan showing relative strength against supplier currencies. Domestic logistics infrastructure supported reliable distribution networks, though rising fuel costs and labor shortages in transportation sectors created some margin pressure.

Europe: Europe recorded moderate price decline, reflecting regional demand challenges and supply optimization efforts. The market faced headwinds from reduced industrial activity across key consuming sectors, particularly in Germany and France, where chemical manufacturing and metal processing operations experienced seasonal slowdowns. Fertilizer demand showed mixed patterns, with agricultural applications maintaining steady consumption while industrial applications faced competitive pressure from alternative chemicals. Supply dynamics remained balanced as regional producers implemented strategic capacity management to align production with seasonal demand patterns. Cost structures benefited from improved energy price stability, particularly natural gas costs that had previously created significant operational challenges for sulfuric acid production facilities. Raw material procurement showed mixed results, with sulfur costs remaining elevated due to global supply constraints while other input costs stabilized throughout the quarter. International shipping rates for raw material imports decreased gradually, supported by improved container availability and optimized shipping routes from traditional suppliers.

India: India maintained relatively stable pricing, reflecting the region's balanced supply-demand dynamics and cost-competitive production structure. The domestic market benefited from consistent demand across multiple sectors including fertilizer manufacturing, textiles, and chemical processing industries that form the backbone of industrial consumption. Regional demand patterns showed seasonal strength from agricultural applications as monsoon season requirements supported fertilizer production activities. Supply conditions remained adequate as domestic producers operated at steady capacity utilization rates while managing raw material procurement effectively. Cost components reflected ongoing challenges with sulfur availability and international shipping costs, though domestic production capabilities provided some insulation from global price volatility. Raw material costs showed mixed trends, with imported sulfur prices remaining elevated while domestic sources provided more stable pricing structures. International shipping costs for essential raw materials maintained elevated levels due to logistical constraints and vessel availability issues affecting major trade routes.

North America: North America experienced significant price pressure, primarily driven by supply abundance and seasonal demand moderation. The regional market faced challenges from reduced consumption in key sectors, including copper mining operations and phosphate fertilizer production, where operational adjustments affected sulfuric acid requirements. Supply dynamics showed ample availability as regional producers maintained high capacity utilization rates while smelting operations generated substantial sulfuric acid as a byproduct of metal processing activities. The region's integrated production structure, where sulfuric acid is produced as a secondary product from copper and zinc smelting, created supply pressures when base metal production remained strong despite reduced acid demand. Cost structures benefited from competitive domestic raw material availability and relatively stable energy costs compared to other global regions. International shipping costs for exports remained manageable due to established logistics networks and improved vessel availability at major Gulf Coast and Great Lakes ports.

Sulfuric Acid Price Trend, Market Analysis, and News

IMARC's latest publication, “Sulfuric Acid Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data Report 2025 Edition,” presents a detailed examination of the sulfuric acid market, providing insights into both global and regional trends that are shaping prices. This report delves into the spot price of sulfuric acid at major ports and analyzes the composition of prices, including FOB and CIF terms. It also presents a detailed sulfuric acid price trend analysis by region, covering North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. The factors affecting sulfuric acid pricing, such as the dynamics of supply and demand, geopolitical influences, and sector-specific developments, are thoroughly explored. This comprehensive report helps stakeholders stay informed with the latest market news, regulatory updates, and technological progress, facilitating informed strategic decision-making and forecasting.

Sulfuric Acid Industry Analysis

The global sulfuric acid industry size reached USD 15.25 Billion in 2024. By 2033, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 22.47 Billion, at a projected CAGR of 4.18% during 2025-2033. The market is driven by the expanding fertilizer production supporting global food security initiatives, increasing battery manufacturing demand from electric vehicle adoption, growing metal processing and mining activities requiring acid leaching processes, and rising chemical industry applications across pharmaceutical and specialty chemical sectors worldwide.

Latest developments in the sulfuric acid industry:

• April 2025: BASF announced that it will build a new semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid plant at its Ludwigshafen site, Germany, targeting operations by 2027. The facility is meant to serve growing demand for ultra-pure chemicals in Europe's expanding chip-fabrication industry.
   
• October 2023: Swedish mining and smelting company Boliden took a significant step toward a greener future with the launch of low-carbon sulfuric acid. The new product increases Boliden's collection of low-carbon offerings, joining the likes of low-carbon zinc, recycled zinc, low-carbon copper, and recycled copper within the Green Transition Metals portfolio.

Product Description

Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive, dense, oily liquid chemical compound with the molecular formula H2SO4, representing one of the most important industrial chemicals in global manufacturing. This strong mineral acid occupies a fundamental position in the global chemical industry hierarchy, serving as a critical input material for numerous industrial processes worldwide. Sulfuric acid exhibits exceptional chemical reactivity and dehydrating properties, making it indispensable for diverse industrial applications. Primary industrial uses include fertilizer production where it processes phosphate rock into phosphoric acid for crop nutrients, battery manufacturing for lead-acid and lithium-ion applications, metal processing and mining operations for ore leaching and purification, petroleum refining for alkylation processes, chemical synthesis for producing various organic and inorganic compounds, textile processing for fiber treatment, and wastewater treatment applications. The compound enhances industrial performance through its strong acidic properties, excellent heat transfer capabilities, and chemical transformation abilities, making it essential for modern industrial operations across multiple sectors globally.

Report Coverage

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report presents a detailed analysis of sulfuric acid pricing, covering global and regional trends, spot prices at key ports, and a breakdown of FOB and CIF prices.
• The study examines factors affecting sulfuric acid price trend, including input costs, supply-demand shifts, and geopolitical impacts, offering insights for informed decision-making.
• The competitive landscape review equips stakeholders with crucial insights into the latest market news, regulatory changes, and technological advancements, ensuring a well-rounded, strategic overview for forecasting and planning.
• IMARC offers various subscription options, including monthly, quarterly, and biannual updates, allowing clients to stay informed with the latest market trends, ongoing developments, and comprehensive market insights. The sulfuric acid price charts ensure our clients remain at the forefront of the industry.