Costs continue to ease, with the pricing range trending downward (Sep 25–30, 2026)

1. Key Market Focus This Week

1. October long-term contract pricing for downstream refrigerant industry: Sinochem Taicang at RMB 14,600/ton; Shangyu at RMB 14,500/ton; Juhua at RMB 14,500–14,550/ton; Meilan at RMB 14,800/ton; Dongyue at RMB 14,760/ton.

2. Industry-wide capacity utilization and production volumes are expected to remain stable this week.

3. Fluorinated refrigerants maintain firm offers with gradual transaction matching.

2. Weekly Market Analysis

Data Source: Chempricehub

Weekly Price Table for Domestic Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid Market

This week, cost pressures in the domestic anhydrous hydrofluoric acid market continued to ease, leading to a downward shift in pricing ranges. The current period coincides with the tender-based pricing cycle, resulting in strong bearish sentiment across the market. Pricing centers in East China regions such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang, as well as South China, concentrated around RMB 14,500–14,800/ton. In Shandong, pricing centers focused on RMB 14,760–15,000/ton, showing a general downward trend. The primary driver is the sustained decline in sulfuric acid prices, which has expanded profit margins. Additionally, there are expectations of shrinking future demand, with negative signals continuously transmitting from the refrigerant market. Downstream major producers have adjusted operating loads and reduced consumption operations. Meanwhile, high-end supply remains tight, with no significant change in pricing. Inquiry activity is robust within the market, creating an apparent shortage situation while participants await further guidance. As of publication, mainstream delivered prices for October in the East China market are referenced at RMB 14,500–14,800/ton, and in the Shandong market at RMB 14,760–15,000/ton.

3. Raw Material Market Analysis

Weekly Fluorite Market Analysis:

This week, the domestic market for 97% fluorite concentrate showed limited fluctuation as participants awaited developments. Coinciding with the hydrogen fluoride tender pricing cycle, pricing centers generally declined by RMB 200–600/ton, exhibiting notable regional divergence that continues to impact fluorite market dynamics. The fluorite market itself shows divergent trends: Northern markets have ample supply, but demand is supported by winter stockpiling needs, while freight costs in Mongolia have risen due to prolonged fuel shortages. Southern markets show strong wait-and-see attitudes; although downstream pricing dropped significantly after the holiday and sulfuric acid prices showed signs of rebound, holders maintained firm stances, and end-users showed low enthusiasm for entering the market, awaiting post-holiday momentum. Current spot delivered price references by region are: Inner Mongolia RMB 3,350–3,500/ton; Zhejiang RMB 3,500–3,600/ton; Jiangxi and Fujian RMB 3,700–3,850/ton; Shandong RMB 3,550–3,650/ton; Northwest China RMB 3,400–3,500/ton; Henan and Anhui RMB 3,450–3,550/ton. As of publication, the mainstream delivered price for domestic wet fluorite powder is referenced at RMB 3,300–3,850/ton.

Sulfuric Acid:

This week, the domestic sulfuric acid market exhibited divergent trends. In some regions, previous price drops to low levels improved sales performance. Combined with planned maintenance shutdowns by acid enterprises in Guangxi, Anhui, and Shandong following the holiday, market expectations for tighter future supply drove localized rebounds. Prices in Zhejiang and Jiangxi rose by RMB 100–200/ton this week. Most other regions remained stable, focusing on fulfilling prior orders with no significant quote changes. Overall demand remains weak, with downstream fertilizer and chemical enterprises maintaining rigid procurement needs, and market sentiment remaining cautious. Short-term outlook suggests continued divergent trends. As of now, ex-factory prices for 98% smelting acid in Jiangxi range from RMB 1,090–1,150/ton, up 10.10%/9.52% week-on-week. Delivered prices for 98% smelting acid in Guangxi range from RMB 1,300–1,550/ton, down 8.45%/unchanged week-on-week.

R22:

This period, mainstream large-scale manufacturers in East China maintained firm quotes for both domestic and export trade of fluorinated refrigerant R22, with the overall market continuing a weakly stable pattern. As of publication, quotes from mainstream East Chinese manufacturers are referenced at RMB 24,000/ton (combined domestic/export). Mainstream market quotes in East China range from RMB 21,000–23,000/ton, while the transaction center for R22 (feedstock grade) is referenced at RMB 12,000/ton. For the domestic ODS-grade R22 market, bulk liquid demand is poor, with channel inquiries mainly focused on small packages. However, shipment volumes have decreased significantly, leading some channels to sell inventory at lower prices. Under social inventory pressure, the industry operating rate for R22 (ODS + feedstock grade) remained stable at 69% (flat week-on-week). Regarding terminal markets, usage in South China declined sharply, while Northern markets have entered the off-season with further shrinking demand. Bearish sentiment dominates among channel participants, yet holders continue to maintain firm quotes despite buying at high levels, mostly waiting for official quote signals from mainstream manufacturers. In the short term, mainstream factory quotes remain firm, operating rates stay low, and the market awaits downstream digestion. Chempricehub predicts that mainstream factory quotes for fluorinated refrigerants in East China will remain firm, with R22 (ODS) quotes referenced at RMB 24,000/ton.

R32:

This period, mainstream factories for fluorinated refrigerant R32 maintained firm quotes, controlling volume to support prices. As of publication, quotes from mainstream East Chinese manufacturers are referenced at RMB 65,500/ton (combined domestic/export). Mainstream market quotes in East China range from RMB 63,500–64,500/ton. Due to seasonal factors, industry demand has softened, with original equipment manufacturers shipping according to orders. Recent negotiations for Q4 contracts have been conducted at high price levels. On the production side, quota adjustments primarily involve volume reductions to control spot supply bases. During the export "window" period, suppliers are actively increasing export volumes to ensure quota fulfillment. Statistics show that the industry operating rate for R32 remained stable at 44% (flat week-on-week), with balancing limited demand being preferable to high operating rates leading to inventory accumulation. Market intelligence indicates that supported by firm high-level official quotes for R32 and R125, the price range for mixed refrigerant R410A remains firmly high, though channels are experiencing slight price declines in transactions. Chempricehub predicts ex-factory quotes for R32 at RMB 65,500/ton (combined domestic/export) and for R410A at RMB 59,500/ton.

5. Next Week Market Forecast

Based on the above analysis, spot transaction prices have once again reached annual highs. While this has influenced market sentiment, participants remain rational, with actual transactions primarily consisting of spot deals. Future developments depend on the resumption of operations by northern large-scale plants and subsequent demand performance. Chempricehub forecasts that the domestic anhydrous hydrofluoric acid market will experience range-bound fluctuations next week.