Recent price trend of sulfuric acid

As can be seen from the above figure, the domestic sulfuric acid market price rose slightly this week, with the sulfuric acid price rising from 268.33 yuan/ton at the end of last week to 273.33 yuan/ton at the end of this week, an increase of 1.86%. Compared with the same period last year, the year-on-year decrease was 71.63%. The sulfuric acid commodity index stood at 42.54 on March 19, unchanged from yesterday, down 77.38% from the cycle’s highest point of 188.07 (2022-04-13), and up 34.96% from the lowest point of 31.52 on June 6, 2019. (Note: The cycle refers to 2011-09-01 to now)

Upstream market fluctuates and falls, while downstream procurement enthusiasm is good

From the perspective of the upstream and downstream industrial chains, the upstream sulfur market declined slightly, with the sulfur price falling from 1223.33 yuan/ton at the end of last week to 1213.33 yuan/ton at the end of this week, a decrease of 0.82%. Compared to the same period last year, the year-on-year decline was 61.07%, with a slight decline in the upstream market and weakened cost support. The downstream hydrofluoric acid market has stabilized at a low level, with a market price of 9714.29 yuan/ton. Compared to the same period last year, the year-on-year decrease was 10.30%. The downstream titanium dioxide market has stabilized at a high level, with a market price of 17116.67 yuan/ton. Compared to the same period last year, the year-on-year decrease was 18.88%. Downstream prices fluctuate with each other, and downstream procurement enthusiasm is good.

Slightly volatile decline in the future market

In late March, the domestic sulfuric acid market may fluctuate slightly and fall mainly. The upstream sulfur market has recently declined slightly, and cost support has weakened. Downstream ammonium sulfate and hydrofluoric acid markets have stabilized at a low level, while titanium dioxide markets have stabilized at a high level. Downstream customers have a general enthusiasm for purchasing sulfuric acid, and the product trend has declined due to supply and demand conflicts. Sulfuric acid analysts from the Business Society believe that the short-term domestic sulfuric acid market is mainly affected by supply and demand, raw materials, and other factors, and the sulfuric acid market price may fluctuate slightly.

According to the data monitored by the Business News Agency, as of March 20, the price of high-quality power type lithium iron phosphate was 121000 yuan/ton, which was a weak decline compared to the lithium iron phosphate market in the same period last week. The overall price fell by 13.57%. The mainstream price range was around 120000 yuan/ton, mainly for contract customers, and new orders were not received.

Lithium iron phosphate is mainly operated in a weak manner, with a significant price decline. Currently, the mainstream price is 120000 yuan/ton. The upstream price is operated in a weak manner, with a downward trend in price. The cost side support for lithium iron phosphate is insufficient. Downstream procurement is based on demand, with insufficient demand and slow order issuance. The manufacturer’s supply source is only for old customers. Currently, the operating rate is normal, and logistics is smooth. In the short term, lithium iron phosphate is operated in a weak manner.

Chemical commodity index: On March 19, the chemical index stood at 918 points, unchanged from yesterday, down 34.43% from the cycle’s highest point of 1400 points (2021-10-23), and up 53.51% from the lowest point of 598 points on April 8, 2020. (Note: The cycle refers to 2011-12-01 to now)

Analysts from the Business Society believe that the weak operation of the lithium iron phosphate market is dominant in the short term.

According to the data monitored by the Business News Agency, as of March 17, the average price of domestic general transparent premium PMMA products was 14775.00 yuan/ton. This week, the overall PMMA market was in a weak position, with prices falling slightly. Currently, the market is in a balanced supply and demand situation, with downstream replenishment on demand, and the focus of negotiations stable.

This week, domestic general transparent grade premium PMMA products were mainly operated smoothly, with stable prices. The overall market negotiation atmosphere was general, with the quotation range of mainstream manufacturers maintaining around 15000 yuan/ton. The overall market operating rate was stable, with a balance between supply and demand. The manufacturer gave up profits and took orders. Downstream procurement was primarily required. The enterprise quotation was Shanghai Hongqi Plasticizing Technology Co., Ltd. at 14300 yuan/ton.

Rubber and Plastic Index: On March 16, the rubber and plastic index stood at 678 points, down 3 points from yesterday, down 36.04% from the cycle’s highest point of 1060 points (2012-03-14), and up 28.41% from the lowest point of 528 points on April 6, 2020.

PMMA analysts from the Business Agency believe that in the short term, PMMA will maintain a stable operation with a limited range of price fluctuations.

1、 Price trend

According to monitoring data from the Business News Agency, the average factory price of domestic ammonium sulfate on March 10th was 1126 yuan/ton, while the average factory price of domestic ammonium sulfate on March 16th was 1073 yuan/ton. This week, the price of ammonium sulfate fell by 4.73%.

2、 Market analysis

The market price of ammonium sulfate fell sharply this week. At present, the market demand for ammonium sulfate is sluggish, downstream procurement is cautious, and on-site trading is weak. The export performance of ammonium sulfate was poor, and the international quotation was lowered. This week, the bidding price of coking grade ammonium sulfate significantly decreased, while the domestic grade ammonium sulfate declined in a narrow range. As of March 16, the mainstream ex-factory price of coking grade ammonium sulfate in Shandong Province was around 980 yuan/ton, and the mainstream ex-factory price of ammonium sulfate in Hebei Province was around 950 yuan/ton. The mainstream ex-factory quotation for domestic ammonium sulfate in Shandong is 1080-1160 yuan/ton.

This week, the price trend of downstream compound fertilizer was weak. The price trend of raw materials is not good, and the composite fertilizer market is dominated by wait-and-see. At present, the transaction of new orders on the market is generally general, with orders mainly issued to old customers.

3、 Aftermarket Forecast

According to ammonium sulfate analysts from the Business News Agency, the domestic market for ammonium sulfate has been weak recently, with no improvement in foreign market demand. Under the leadership of negative market conditions, the ammonium sulfate market is moving downward. In the absence of positive conditions, it is expected that the price of ammonium sulfate will continue to decline in the short term.

1、 Price trend

According to the monitoring data of the Business News Agency, the price of caustic soda fell. The average market price in Shandong at the beginning of the week was 896 yuan/ton, and the average market price in Shandong at the end of the week was 860 yuan/ton. The price fell 4.02%, and the price fell 14.51% compared with the same period last year. The caustic soda commodity index on March 9 was 126.04, which was the same as yesterday, down 52.52% from the cycle’s highest point of 265.47 (2021-10-27), and up 93.58% from the lowest point of 65.11 on October 9, 2020. (Note: the period refers to September 1, 2011 to now)

2、 Market analysis

According to the survey data of the Business Agency, the domestic caustic soda price fell this week. The average market price in Shandong is about 800-870 yuan/ton. The ex-factory price of 32% of the mainstream liquid caustic soda in Hebei is about 850-1150 yuan/ton. The price of caustic soda in the site is weak. The overall supply of caustic soda is relatively sufficient, the downstream demand is less than expected, the intra-field trading atmosphere is weak, lack of positive factors to support, and the downstream is cautious.

According to the price monitoring of the Business Agency, there were 2 commodities that rose, 2 commodities that fell, and 1 commodity that rose or fell to 0 in the price list of chlor-alkali industry in the 9th week of 2023 (2.27-3.3). The main commodities rising were hydrochloric acid (6.02%) and light soda ash (0.36%); The main commodities falling were caustic soda (- 1.31%) PVC (- 0.98%). This week’s average rise and fall was 0.82%.

Analysts from the Business Agency believe that in the near future, the price of caustic soda has declined, the downstream alumina procurement is general, and the trading atmosphere is relatively light. Some caustic soda units have been lightened, but the overall supply is relatively sufficient. Downstream procurement is mainly based on demand, and the market caution is lingering. It is estimated that the weak operation in the later stage of caustic soda is mainly based on the downstream market demand.