Continuous decline in raw material prices, with market sentiment strained by conflicting demand dynamics.

1. Daily Summary

① The domestic fluorspar market remains in a wait-and-see mode with limited upside potential. The mainstream price for 97% wet fluorspar powder is currently referenced at 3,300–3,850 CNY/ton.

② The mainstream contract price for anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF) for September is tentatively referenced at 15,050–15,200 CNY/ton, while the spot market price ranges from 15,500 to 16,000 CNY/ton.

2. Spot Market Overview

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

Data Source: Chempricehub Information

Today, market information regarding the domestic 97% fluorspar concentrate market remains mixed. Sentiment within the market is complex, showing divergence between northern and southern regions. Feedback from the northern market indicates rising freight costs, suggesting that delivered prices may see slight increases while ex-factory prices remain stable. Conversely, although overall supply in the southern market is less abundant than in the north, expectations of a downward trend in hydrogen fluoride prices are putting pressure on sellers' willingness to maintain fluorspar prices. Current reference spot delivered prices across various domestic markets are as follows: Inner Mongolia region 3,300–3,400 CNY/ton; Zhejiang region 3,500–3,600 CNY/ton; Jiangxi and Fujian regions 3,700–3,800 CNY/ton; Shandong region 3,500–3,600 CNY/ton; Northwest region 3,250–3,350 CNY/ton; Henan and Anhui regions 3,250–3,350 CNY/ton. As of press time, the mainstream delivered price for domestic 97% wet fluorspar powder is referenced at 3,300–3,800 CNY/ton.

3. Production Dynamics

The monthly capacity utilization rate for anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in August was 56%.

4. Price Forecast

Momentum for pushing up fluorspar prices is strong, but upside potential is limited. The anhydrous hydrogen fluoride market continues to receive robust support from cost factors.

5. Related Product Status

Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride (AHF) Market:
The domestic AHF market remains in a wait-and-see mode today. With the bidding pricing cycle approaching, sentiment is cautious. On the raw material side, sulfuric acid prices continue to decline, with prices in many areas dropping below 1,000 CNY/ton, resulting in insufficient cost support. Upward momentum for fluorspar is hindered, and the market may experience some loosening in price ranges later. Downstream demand continues to send negative signals, with severe situations regarding downstream inventory and export markets, significantly weakening future absorption capacity. As of press time, the mainstream delivered price for domestic AHF in September is referenced at 15,050–15,200 CNY/ton, while the spot market price ranges from 15,500 to 16,000 CNY/ton.

Sulfuric Acid:
Today, the Chempricehub index for 98% sulfuric acid stood at 1,245 CNY/ton, down 7 CNY/ton from yesterday, consistent with morning expectations. The center of gravity for sulfuric acid prices continued to shift downward in multiple domestic regions. In Guangxi, consecutive reductions in external acid prices have recently impacted the local market, leading to cautious purchasing attitudes among downstream users and limited willingness to take delivery, resulting in insufficient transaction volume. To align with market changes, major local acid plants reduced prices by 100 CNY/ton today, further lowering the transaction center. The Henan sulfuric acid market saw localized declines, with the overall trend remaining weak. In the Jiyuan area, some acid enterprises resumed production after previous maintenance, slightly increasing regional output. Coupled with the approach of the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, acid producers have a strong desire to reduce inventory before the holidays, leading to price drops in Jiyuan this week. Demand-side performance has been flat, with downstream operating rates maintaining low levels and strong wait-and-see sentiment, expanding room for negotiation on actual orders. The Hebei sulfuric acid market is running weakly, with the transaction center shifting slightly lower amid heavy wait-and-see sentiment. With the dual holidays approaching, some end-users expect to reduce loads, making it difficult to improve demand. Sulfuric acid enterprises in Henan lowered 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 discounts. In the short term, the domestic sulfuric acid market is expected to continue its weak downward trend, with the transaction center likely shifting further down.

Refrigerants:
Based on the bulk water market in East China, mainstream factories for fluororefrigerant R32 are maintaining high prices through controlled output. As of press time, quotes from mainstream large-scale factories in East China are referenced at 65,500 CNY/ton (coordinated for domestic and foreign trade); mainstream market quotes in East China range from 63,500 to 64,500 CNY/ton, consistent with morning expectations. According to market intelligence, inquiries in the channel market for bulk sales have been passively stagnant for a long time. Fixed supply guarantees are provided to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), while quarterly long-contract negotiations are ongoing, with actual transactions pending finalization. Shipment frequency for small packages is slow, so source factories are strictly controlling the increase in spot inventory. Statistics show that the industry-wide operating load for R32 remains near 40%. Recently, factory production scheduling and consumption forces have further contracted. Foreign trade exports have declined. Under the high-level sideways trading of R32, channel holders are seeking opportunities to sell off inventory, while buyers show little intention to purchase high-cost inventory, waiting for clear quote signals from mainstream large-scale factories. Chempricehub forecasts that R32 will primarily focus on controlled output to maintain prices in the short term, with negotiated contracts setting prices. Industry unit dynamics and production scheduling rhythms should be monitored.