Sulfuric Acid Industry Plagued by Capacity Surplus

By CnAgri2013-11-15 10:37:36 Print

China’s sulfuric acid productive capacity hit 106 million MT/year in 2012, but only 80% of the capacity was utilized. Sulfuric acid production registered 59.14 million MT in Jan. ~ Sept., 2013, an increase of 5.5% on the year-on-year basis.
 
Sulfuric acid capacity is still under expansion, including 4 million MT/year complexes supporting high-concentration phosphate compound fertilizer projects, 3 million MT/year complexes in coastal areas for the purpose of energy-saving and 7.5 million MT/year complexes to reclaim sulfur from metallurgical plants’ gas. It is predicted that sulfuric acid supply may exceed demand by 20 ~ 30 million MT by Year 2015.
 
Due to stagnant phosphate compound fertilizer market, sulfuric acid price is on the fall currently amid fierce competition.
 
In light of the sulfuric acid industry’s plight, experts suggest tightening pollution control and energy consumption standards to eliminate backward facilities. It is also important to develop down-stream sulfuric acid products.

From “China Fertilizer Market Weekly Report”