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.
Kazakh sulphur railings curbed by August maintenance
Kazakh sulphur railings curbed by August maintenance
London, 6 September (Argus) — Kazakh sulphur delivered to sea ports along the Russian rail network fell by 3pc in August, reflecting maintenance at the Tengiz oil field, Russian rail data show. Rail deliveries from Tengiz dropped by 23pc on the month to 155,000t, with 133,000t heading to Russia's Baltic port of Ust Luga, and 22,000t to Georgia's Black Sea port of Batumi. Operator TCO said on 3 September that it has completed annual Tengiz maintenance . The month-long work was carried out on two of five production trains. But sulphur output from Kazakhstan's Kashagan oil field rose in August, with rail deliveries up by 19pc, at 219,000t. Some 119,000t was sent to Ust-Luga, and 61,000t to Taman, 35,000t to Kavkaz and 4,000t to Batumi — all on the Black Sea. Kashagan will undergo three-four weeks maintenance from around 1 October, which will lead to lower sulphur output. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Libya's NOC issues sulphur sales tender
Libya's NOC issues sulphur sales tender
London, 5 September (Argus) — Libyan state-owned sulphur producer NOC issued a spot tender offering an 8,000t +/- 10pc granular sulphur cargo for September lifting. The tender is for tonnes loading at Mellitah port on 22-24 September, closing on Monday 9 September at 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT), with bids to remain valid until 10 September. Libyan sulphur is often delivered to end-users in Egypt, given the proximity of the two countries and consequent freight advantage. That said, Egyptian consumers have been comfortable with stock levels in recent weeks with supply sourced primarily from Russia at a lower price compared with Libyan tonnes and Mediterranean sulphur. By Jasmine Antunes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises Sep sulphur price by $23/t
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises Sep sulphur price by $23/t
London, 4 September (Argus) — Abu Dhabi's state-owned Adnoc set its September official sulphur selling price for the Indian subcontinent at $130/t fob Ruwais, up by a substantial $23/t on its August OSP. Adnoc's September OSP implies a delivered price of $153-154/t cfr India, with the freight cost for a 40,000-45,000t shipment to the east coast of India last assessed at $23-24/t on 29 August. Fellow regional sulphur marketer Muntajat/Qatar Energy on 29 August announced its September sulphur price at a slightly lower level at $125/t fob, up by $19/t on July's OSP. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Kuwait's KPC raises Sep sulphur price to $123/t fob
Kuwait's KPC raises Sep sulphur price to $123/t fob
London, 3 September (Argus) — Kuwait's state-owned sulphur supplier KPC has set its September Kuwait sulphur price (KSP) at $123/t fob, up by $17/t from $106/t fob in August. The latest adjustment for September implies delivered pricing to China of $151-157/t cfr at current freight rates, which were last assessed on 29 August at $26-28/t to south China and at $30-32/t to Chinese river ports for a shipment of 30,000-35,000t. This follows Qatari state-owned sulphur producer and marketer Muntajat/Qatar Energy's announcement of its September sulphur price at $125/t fob Qatar late last week. KPC issued two spot tenders of granular sulphur for loading during September, which each offered 30,000t plus or minus 10pc. The tenders closed during August, with both likely awarded in the mid-upper $120s/t fob. 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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