Regional declines vary, with differences in cost and supply support

1. Today's Summary

① Sentiment in the domestic fluorspar market remains cautious, with limited upside potential for the future. The mainstream price for 97% wet fluorspar powder is currently quoted at 3,350–3,850 RMB/ton.

② The mainstream contract price for anhydrous hydrofluoric acid (AHF) for October is tentatively referenced at 14,500–14,600 RMB/ton.

2. Spot Market Overview

Table 1: Domestic Fluorspar Price Summary (Unit: RMB/ton)

Data Source: Chempricehub

Today, the domestic market for 97% fluorspar concentrate presents mixed information and sentiment. The overall atmosphere is complex, with divergence observed between northern and southern markets. Feedback from northern markets indicates rising freight costs, suggesting that delivered prices may see a slight increase while ex-factory prices remain stable. In contrast, although supply in southern markets is less abundant than in the north, expectations of a downward trend in hydrofluoric acid prices are creating resistance to maintaining high fluorspar prices. Current reference spot delivered prices across various regions are as follows: Inner Mongolia at 3,300–3,400 RMB/ton; Zhejiang at 3,500–3,600 RMB/ton; Jiangxi and Fujian at 3,700–3,800 RMB/ton; Shandong at 3,500–3,600 RMB/ton; Northwest regions at 3,250–3,350 RMB/ton; and Henan and Anhui at 3,250–3,350 RMB/ton. As of press time, the mainstream delivered price for domestic wet fluorspar powder is referenced at 3,300–3,800 RMB/ton.

3. Production Dynamics

The monthly capacity utilization rate for anhydrous hydrofluoric acid in August was 56%.

4. Price Forecast

Sentiment in the fluorspar market leans towards bullishness, but upside potential remains limited. Meanwhile, the anhydrous hydrofluoric acid market continues to receive strong support from cost factors.

5. Related Product Status

Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid Market: Today, the domestic AHF market experienced a downward shift within its trading range. With the bidding pricing period underway, bearish sentiment is prevalent, and the pricing center is currently focused on 14,500–14,600 RMB/ton. The Shandong market remains influenced by supply gaps, keeping overall sentiment relatively firm, with a pricing center concentrated at 15,000–15,100 RMB/ton. The pattern of higher prices in the south and lower prices in the north persists. As of press time, the mainstream delivered price for domestic AHF for October is referenced at 14,500–14,600 RMB/ton, while the Shandong market is referenced at 15,000–15,100 RMB/ton.

Sulfuric Acid: Today, the Chempricehub index for 98% sulfuric acid stood at 1,245 RMB/ton, down 7 RMB/ton from yesterday, aligning with morning expectations. Across most regions of the domestic market, the pricing center continued to decline. In Guangxi, recent continuous reductions in external acid prices have significantly impacted the local market. Downstream buyers have become more cautious, showing limited willingness to take delivery, resulting in insufficient transaction volumes. To adapt to market changes, major acid plants in the region lowered their prices by 100 RMB/ton today, further pushing down the transaction center. The sulfuric acid market in Henan saw localized declines, with the overall trend remaining weak. In the Jiyuan area, some acid enterprises resumed operations after previous maintenance shutdowns, leading to a slight increase in regional production. Coupled with the approaching Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, acid producers showed a strong intent to reduce inventory before the break, causing acid prices in Jiyuan to fall this week. Demand remained flat, downstream operating rates stayed low, and market sentiment was heavily观望 (wait-and-see), widening the room for negotiation on actual transactions. The Hebei sulfuric acid market operated weakly, with the transaction center slightly shifting downwards amid strong wait-and-see sentiment. With the dual holidays approaching, some end-users anticipate reducing loadings, making it difficult to see improvement in demand. Sulfuric acid producers in Henan lowered their quotes again, enhancing the penetration of low-priced goods into the Hebei market. Some end-users shifted procurement to Henan, forcing Hebei acid producers to follow suit with price concessions. In the short term, the domestic sulfuric acid market is expected to continue its weak downward trend, with the transaction center likely to shift further down.

Refrigerants: Based on the bulk liquid market in East China, mainstream factories for fluororefrigerant R32 maintained high prices through volume control. As of press time, quotes from major East China producers were referenced at 65,500 RMB/ton (unified quotes for domestic and export trade); mainstream market quotes in East China ranged from 63,500 to 64,500 RMB/ton, consistent with morning expectations. Market intelligence suggests that inquiries in the channel market for bulk liquid have been passively prolonged. Fixed supply contracts with main OEMs are ongoing, while quarterly long-term agreement negotiations with enterprises are active, awaiting finalization of actual transactions. Shipment frequency for small packages has slowed, prompting source factories to strictly control incremental spot supply. Statistics indicate that the overall industry operating load for R32 remains near 40%. Recently, factory production schedules and consumption forces have contracted further, and export volumes have declined. Amidst the sideways movement at high levels, channel holders are seeking opportunities to offload inventory and reduce stockpiles. Buyers show little interest in purchasing high-cost inventory, preferring to wait for clear quote signals from major producers. Chempricehub forecasts that R32 will primarily focus on volume control and price maintenance in the short term, with commercial pricing determined through negotiations. Attention should be paid to industry unit dynamics and production scheduling rhythms.