① Sentiment in the domestic fluorspar market remains cautious, with limited upside potential for future prices. The mainstream reference price for 97% wet fluorspar powder in the domestic market is 3,300–3,750 RMB/ton.
② The mainstream contract price for anhydrous hydrofluoric acid (AHF) downstream for October is tentatively referenced at 14,500–14,800 RMB/ton.
Table 1: Domestic Fluorspar Price Summary (Unit: RMB/ton)
| Market | Specification | Oct 15 | Oct 16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inner Mongolia | 97% Wet Powder | 3,300-3,400 | 3,300-3,400 | -50/-50 |
| Zhejiang, Jiangsu | 97% Wet Powder | 3,500-3,600 | 3,500-3,600 | 0/0 |
| Jiangxi, Fujian | 97% Wet Powder | 3,700-3,750 | 3,700-3,750 | 0/0 |
| Shandong | 97% Wet Powder | 3,550-3,600 | 3,500-3,600 | 0/0 |
| Ningxia, Qinghai | 97% Wet Powder | 3,400-3,500 | 3,400-3,500 | 0/0 |
| Henan, Anhui | 97% Wet Powder | 3,400-3,500 | 3,400-3,500 | 0/0 |
| Key Downstream Markets | ||||
| East China | Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid | 14,500-14,800 | 14,500-14,800 | 0/0 |
Data Source: Chempricehub Information
The domestic market for 97% fluorspar concentrate powder remained generally weak today. Current trading activity in the fluorspar market is limited. Suppliers are eager to sell, but mid- and downstream buyers have limited capacity to accept goods. The slight recovery in prices earlier has deepened downstream wait-and-see sentiment, extending their entry cycle. Furthermore, most traders had already stockpiled in the previous period; therefore, even though some downstream regions have purchasing demand, the ripple effect on upstream suppliers remains limited. In southern markets, the price center dropped by 50–100 RMB/ton after the holiday. Sulfuric acid prices are still expected to increase, continuing to exert pressure on fluorspar.
Current delivered spot price references across domestic regions are as follows:
As of publication, the mainstream delivered price for domestic 97% wet fluorspar powder is referenced at 3,300–3,750 RMB/ton.
The monthly capacity utilization rate for anhydrous hydrofluoric acid (AHF) in September was 57%.
Upward momentum in the fluorspar market is strong, but the room for future price increases is limited. The AHF market is strongly supported by costs.
Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid (AHF) Market:
Sentiment in the domestic AHF market remains cautious today. Recent trading activity in AHF has slowed, and spot offer prices have retreated relative to previous levels. However, cost pressures continue to intensify. Recently, sulfuric acid prices in Jiangxi and Fujian have risen steadily layer by layer. Meanwhile, production enterprises are mostly operating at high loads. Industry participants remain bearish on the medium-to-long term outlook, intending to maintain high price levels amidst market volatility. As of publication, the mainstream delivered price for domestic AHF in October is referenced at 14,500–14,800 RMB/ton, while the Shandong market reference is 14,760–15,000 RMB/ton.
Sulfuric Acid:
Today, the Chempricehub index for 98% sulfuric acid stood at 1,345 RMB/ton, unchanged from yesterday and consistent with morning expectations. The national sulfuric acid market is running weakly stable. In Yunnan, the supply-demand structure post-holiday changed little compared to pre-holiday levels, with acid plants largely maintaining shipments based on prior orders. However, acid prices in surrounding regions like Central and East China rose sequentially after the holiday, boosting local sentiment in Yunnan, alongside a slight uptick in demand for calcium hydrogen phosphate. On the supply side, maintenance at smelting acid units in Liangshan, Sichuan, led to increased external shipments. Local acid plants in Yunnan have maintenance plans scheduled for November and December. Amidst expectations of reduced supply, regional acid prices were raised by 40 RMB/ton this week. While there is rigid demand support from fertilizer producers, markets for titanium dioxide and calcium hydrogen phosphate remain weak, resulting in low procurement enthusiasm among enterprises, who are mostly restocking as needed. Traders are also operating cautiously, with general willingness to take delivery. Overall, positive factors in the current Yunnan sulfuric acid market are limited, showing a trend of small upward adjustments. If downstream demand does not improve significantly, regional acid prices will likely continue to consolidate within a narrow range.
The Hebei sulfuric acid market continued its post-holiday weakness, with supply showing a divergent pattern. Major ore-based acid producers in Handan are still under maintenance, constraining regional supply. Conversely, major ore-based producers in Shijiazhuang resumed operations before the holiday, gradually releasing output, which offsets the supply gap caused by Handan's maintenance. Demand-side performance is sluggish; post-holiday downstream purchases are mainly small-scale rigid demands, with strong wait-and-see sentiment and insufficient willingness for bulk stocking. Low-priced supplies from neighboring regions like Henan and Inner Mongolia continue to flow into Hebei, squeezing local producers' sales. In the short term, the Hebei sulfuric acid market lacks upward momentum. Demand is unlikely to improve before winter storage begins, and combined with the persistent impact of low-priced external supplies, ore-based acid prices face downward pressure. It is expected that the domestic sulfuric acid market will continue to exhibit regionally divergent trends.
Refrigerants:
Based on the loose bulk market in East China, quotes from major manufacturers for refrigerant R125 remained firm, consistent with morning market expectations. As of publication, quotes from mainstream East China manufacturers referenced 60,000 RMB/ton (coordinated domestic and export trade), while the mainstream market quote in East China referenced 54,000–57,000 RMB/ton (ex-factory, tax-inclusive), also consistent with morning expectations.
Currently, the overall industry operating load for refrigerant R125 is near 30%. The restart timing for equipment at a certain plant in East China within the month remains undetermined. The industry is primarily characterized by reduced loads and low operating rates. Sales of R125 are mainly conducted through mixed blending and repackaging for commodity circulation. Quotes for refrigerants R410A and R507A in the East China market remain firm, with mainstream transaction prices relatively stagnant. Bulk shipments are limited, while small-package products are actively sold out using bundling strategies.
Chempricehub forecasts that in the short term, the R125 market will maintain a wait-and-see standoff between supply and demand. Quotes will remain firm, but subsequent prices are highly likely to consolidate weakly within a stable range.
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