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.
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.
Sulphur shipment crosses the strait of Hormuz
Sulphur shipment crosses the strait of Hormuz
London, 6 May (Argus) — The Richsing Lotus, which is carrying sulphur , is the latest vessel to cross the strait of Hormuz. The vessel loaded on 27 March at UAE's Ruwais port and has been waiting for safe passage through the Iranian and US blockades of the strait. AIS tracking from Kpler shows the vessel navigating the strait of Hormuz on 1-6 May, and then appearing today just outside the US blockade line. The ship is understood to be moving around 50,000t of granular sulphur to Morocco's Jorf Lasfar under usual quarterly contracts, having been delayed by the effective closure of the strait. Several other sulphur shipments are waiting in the Mideast Gulf to exit, with estimates putting the quantity at close to 1mn t of sulphur loaded and ready to sail, with the expectation that around 60-70pc of this quantity is tied into contracts, with the balance likely to become available on the spot market when the strait is safe to navigate. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Kuwait's KPC raises May sulphur price by $195/t
Kuwait's KPC raises May sulphur price by $195/t
London, 5 May (Argus) — Kuwait's state-owned sulphur producer KPC has set its May Kuwait Sulphur Price (KSP) at $765/t fob Kuwait, up by $195/t from the April KSP of $570/t fob. This is the highest level the KSP has reached in this round of steady price rises starting in July 2025 and since its launch in July 2019. The May KSP implies a delivered price to China of $881-887/t cfr at current freight rates, which were assessed on 30 April at $116-119/t to south China and at $120-122/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 © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises May sulphur price by $160/t
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises May sulphur price by $160/t
London, 5 May (Argus) — Abu Dhabi's state-owned Adnoc has set its May sulphur official selling price (OSP) for the Indian subcontinent at $760/t fob Ruwais, up by $160/t from its April OSP. This is the highest level since June-August 2008, when the OSP hit $800-820/t fob and then softened slightly to $770/t fob. Adnoc's May OSP implies a delivered price of $855-859/t cfr India, with the freight cost for a 40,000-45,000t shipment to the east coast of India, last assessed at $95-99/t on 30 April. Additional costs such as insurance premiums on top of higher bunker costs elevate delivered price levels further in addition to lower product availability. Freight costs have risen by 476pc since the onset of the US-Iran war, from $16-18/t on 26 February, driven by additional toll payments required for safe passage. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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