Domestic Sulfuric Acid Market Expected to Remain Weak and Consolidate

Last week, the domestic sulfuric acid capacity utilization rate also declined slightly to 63.13% (down 0.53 percentage points week-on-week); metal ore prices remained high and stagnant, maintaining pressure on sulfuric acid production costs.

Overall, the domestic sulfuric acid market is expected to show regional divergence, with the general price level likely to continue drifting slightly reduce. Regarding costs, sulfur prices are fluctuating at high levels with tight spot availability; despite a strong wait-and-see sentiment in the market, supply-side support remains. Prices to metal ores—such as pyrite, copper, lead, and zinc—also remain high and stagnant, keeping production cost pressures elevated and providing a floor to acid prices. On the supply side, domestic sulfuric acid supply is expected to rise slightly in the coming period as some previously idled units resume production, though the pace of restarts varies by region. Regions such as Hubei and East China might face pressure from increased supply, whereas Inner Mongolia and Gansu remain constrained by raw material availability and operating limits, resulting in relatively limited supply expansion. On the demand side, the phosphate fertilizer market is currently characterized by a strong wait-and-see attitude, though operating rates are expected to rise slightly as autumn fertilizer stockpiling progresses. However, the overall business climate in downstream chemical sectors remains lackluster, with continued weak demand to items such as titanium dioxide and dicalcium phosphate. Overall demand shows a slight downward direction, making it difficult to generate a significant boost to the market. Current market sentiment is characterized by a standoff; downstream buyers remain generally cautious, largely waiting to further price adjustments before entering the market, and the typical procurement window has yet to arrive in most regions.

Overall, the market is shaped by the tug-of-war between high costs and weak demand, with a rebound in supply adding localized pressure. The domestic sulfuric acid market is expected to remain sluggish and undergo consolidation this week; regional price disparities might widen, and the overall price level could drift slightly reduce, though the decline will likely be limited by rigid cost constraints.