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.
Turkish Tupras awards September domestic sulphur tender
Turkish Tupras awards September domestic sulphur tender
London, 28 August (Argus) — A lack of export outlets has led to a fall in sulphur prices in Turkish refiner Tupras' latest sales tender to the domestic market. The refiner awarded its September e-tender in full at $856-882/t fca for various lot sizes. Prices are down by $11.5/t on a midpoint basis compared with the last tender on 28 July, which was awarded at $849-912/t fca. The price drop is because local producers can only offer to the domestic market owing to an ongoing Turkish sulphur export ban. The awards were as follows: From Izmir — lots ranging 100-750t and totalling 4,500t, awarded at $866-875/t fca against August prices of $909-912/t fca. From Izmit — lots ranging 100-1,500t and totalling 12,000t, awarded at $856-867/t fca against August prices of $849-852/t fca. From Kirikkale — lots ranging 100-650t and totalling 2,250t, awarded at $872-884/t fca against August prices of $876-882/t fca. By Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Sulphuric acid Malawi production resumes for Lotus
Sulphuric acid Malawi production resumes for Lotus
London, 13 August (Argus) — Sulphuric acid production and uranium processing has resumed at Lotus Resources' Kayelekera uranium mine, the company announced on 12 August. Both the acid plant and processing plant were halted in June "following the disruption of third-party acid supply and a setback in the commissioning of the acid plant, due to the partial failure of refractory bricks within the sulphur furnace". The acid plant has sufficient sulphur inventory onsite and supply visibility for the remainder of 2026, managing director Greg Bittar said. This is a key strategic project for Kayelekera and "will deliver improved acid supply security and significantly reduced reagent costs", he added. The sulphur burner is understood to produce around 73,000 t/yr of sulphuric acid, requiring around 24,000 t/yr of sulphur to operate at full capacity. By Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Kuwait's KPC drops August sulphur price by $85/t
Kuwait's KPC drops August sulphur price by $85/t
London, 4 August (Argus) — Kuwait's state-owned sulphur producer KPC has set the August Kuwait Sulphur Price (KSP) at $865/t fob Kuwait, down by $85/t from the July KSP of $950/t fob. Freight rates as of 30 July were $140-145/t for a 30,000-35,000t shipment to Chinese ports. This implies a delivered cost of $1,005-1,010/t cfr, although additional insurance premiums are raising prices further on a delivered basis. Additional costs are said to be as much as $200/t for a 30,000-35,000t vessel, accounting for both freight and additional insurance premiums payable for those vessels willing to accept a higher risk of entering the strait of Hormuz, implying a delivered cost as high as $1,065-1,070/t cfr China. 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 rolls over August sulphur price
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc rolls over August sulphur price
London, 4 August (Argus) — Abu Dhabi's state-owned Adnoc has rolled over its August sulphur official selling price (OSP) for the Indian subcontinent at $1,000/t fob Ruwais, stable on its July OSP. Adnoc's August OSP implies a delivered price of $1,140-1,142/t cfr India, with the freight cost for a 40,000-45,000t shipment to the east coast of India last assessed at $140-142/t on 30 July. Shipping costs have increased by $35/t since the July price was set, following the collapse of the US-Iran ceasefire deal, translating to a corresponding increase in delivered prices implied by the fob level. Additional costs such as insurance premiums, on top of higher bunker costs, could elevate delivered price levels further. 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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