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.
Bangladesh's BCIC issues sulphur buy tender
Bangladesh's BCIC issues sulphur buy tender
London, 26 October (Argus) — Bangladeshi fertilizer producer Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) has issued a tender to buy 15,000t of crushed lump sulphur. The tender is due to close on 24 November, with the cargo to be shipped to Chattogram within seven weeks of the tender closing. BCIC previously issued a buy tender for the same quantity of sulphur in July, but it is understood that no award was made. By Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Two sulphur vessels cross the straight of Hormuz
Two sulphur vessels cross the straight of Hormuz
London, 19 October (Argus) — Two bulk carriers carrying sulphur shipments from the Middle East have crossed the strait of Hormuz in the past two days despite the heightened risk of Iranian missile and drone attacks against commercial shipping. The 35,062 dwt Calista loaded sulphur in Ruwais, UAE, and has crossed the strait of Hormuz in recent days, likely for delivery to an Indonesian nickel producer, shiptracking data on Kpler show. The 50,992 dwt Exeed loaded in Ras Laffan, Qatar, and also crossed the strait in the past few days, according to Kpler. The destination for this shipment is not yet clear. These crossings come despite as many as 12 incidents last week , according to the to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). These include a bulker that was hit alongside a container ship and several oil tankers. This is significant for sulphur shipments, because bulkers were said to not be targeted. Oil tankers have been taking most of the damage in recent months. Vessels mostly have AIS tracking switched off while loading, waiting for crossing after loading cargoes and during the crossing in either direction, appearing back on tracking tools such as Kpler once safely out of the Gulf. Costs for sulphur bulk shipments are estimated at $140s-200/t for 30,000-50,000t as a result of the high risk. There is a limited pool of ships willing to accept these voyages, with additional high insurance costs and risk payments for crew on Hormuz crossings. Freight costs have also risen across regions as a result of higher bunker fuel pricing. These additional costs are limiting achievable netbacks for suppliers inside the strait, and are unlikely to fall unless the security situation improves substantially. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India's Fact awards sulphuric acid tender to Hindalco
India's Fact awards sulphuric acid tender to Hindalco
New Delhi, 8 October (Argus) — Indian fertilizer importer and producer Fact has awarded its 24 September tender for 10,000-14,000t of sulphuric acid to west coast-based smelter Hindalco at 34,100 rupees/t delivered Kochi, equivalent to around $355/t cfr at the time of the offer. The tender sought a cargo for arrival on 1-10 November and offers were received from domestic suppliers Hindalco and Kutch Copper . Fact's 17 August purchase tender was awarded to Kutch Copper at Rs34,385/t delivered, equivalent to around $370/t cfr at the time of the offer. By Nikhil Gill Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Kuwait's KPC cuts Oct sulphur price by $45/t
Kuwait's KPC cuts Oct sulphur price by $45/t
London, 5 October (Argus) — Kuwait's state-owned sulphur producer KPC has set the October Kuwait Sulphur Price (KSP) at $820/t fob Kuwait, down by $45/t from $865/t fob in September. Freight rates were last assessed at $150-160/t for a 30,000-35,000t shipment to Chinese ports on 1 October from Middle East ports inside the strait of Hormuz. Freight costs are persistently high as a result of the volatile security situation. This implies a delivered cost of $970-980/t cfr China. Delivered granular sulphur prices have fallen by 8pc, from $1,050/t cfr China on midpoint basis on 6 August to $965/t by 1 October, reflecting growing global demand destruction from unworkably high raw material prices for fertilizer producers and chemical industry sulphur buyers. Lower prices from suppliers are expected to lead to some return of spot demand from consumers, once the downstream economics become workable for the majority of sulphur consumers. 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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