In January, the hydrofluoric acid market experienced a further upward shift in its price center, supported by the continuous strengthening of upstream raw material costs. According to the analysis system of Business Society, as of January 31, the benchmark price of hydrofluoric acid was 13,033.33 yuan per ton, representing a 2.36% increase compared to December.
On the raw material side, the rising prices of fluorite and sulfuric acid have significantly increased production costs for hydrofluoric acid manufacturers, squeezing profit margins. The persistently high raw material costs have provided strong support for hydrofluoric acid prices, serving as the core driver for the price increase in February. As of January 30, the benchmark price of fluorite was 3,412.50 yuan per ton, up 0.37% from the beginning of the month (3,400.00 yuan per ton).
On the demand side, downstream demand remained relatively stable. The refrigerant industry, the largest downstream consumer of hydrofluoric acid, approached the end of the year with depleted production quotas, leading to no explosive growth in overall demand. Procurement continued to follow a demand-driven pattern, with many market participants adopting a wait-and-see approach and showing low enthusiasm for purchasing. As a result, market prices struggled to rise further, maintaining weak stability in the short term, primarily driven by contract order fulfillment.
Outlook: The persistently high raw material costs continue to provide strong support for hydrofluoric acid prices. Downstream demand remains relatively stable, with procurement mainly driven by rigid demand. It is expected that the market price of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid will maintain a stable to slightly stronger trend in the near future. Further attention should be paid to changes in market supply and demand dynamics.
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