China Ammonium Sulfate Market

Standard ammonium sulphate prices rose to $190-200/t fob China due to increased domestic demand and tight supply, with several factories reducing production or upcoming maintenance work in August-September. A southern supplier sold two batches of 7,000-8,000-ton standard ammonium sulfate to traders at $195 per ton FOB to be shipped to the Philippines in September.

Argus estimates that the reported shutdowns and cuts will reduce China's caprolactam-grade large sulphur capacity by around 6-7% - although maybe the data will be higher than expected as many plants are running at reduced capacity. Known disruptions and planned reductions include: Luxi Chemical's 300,000-ton/year ammonium sulfate plant will start turning production on August 20. On August 18, Juhua's 235,000-ton/year amsul plant in Zhejiang started a 15-day turnaround. Lanhua cut production at its 100,000-ton/year plant to 70% on Aug. 17. Whatsminer will cut production at its 100,000-ton/year plant by 50% in September. Granular and compacted prices were stable at $220-300/ton fob China. Compactors could achieve higher net gains in the European and African markets, but supplies are limited in September and negotiations in October have not yet begun.