Sentiment for price hikes persists, but actual hikes remain limited (20260908).

1. Today's Summary

• The domestic fluorite market showed strong upward sentiment today, with the mainstream price reference for 97% fluorite wet powder at 3,300–3,800 yuan/ton.
• Downstream, the September mainstream contract price for anhydrous hydrofluoric acid is tentatively referenced at 15,050–15,200 yuan/ton, while the spot market is referenced at 15,300–15,500 yuan/ton.

2. Spot Overview

Table 1 Summary of domestic fluorite prices (unit: yuan/ton)

Source: Chempricehub Information

Today, the domestic market for 97% fluorite powder concentrate remained firm at high levels. Wait-and-see sentiment dominated the market, with most players focused on fulfilling existing orders. Facing high prices, reluctance to pay premium levels, no winter stockpiling yet, and bearish long-term demand, market participants held divergent views. Some traded flexibly according to market movements, buying and selling as needed, while others carried out stockpiling operations and maintained a stable long-term outlook. Downstream buying sentiment was poor, and supply-demand bargaining continued. Current delivered spot price references across major domestic markets are as follows: Inner Mongolia 3,300–3,400 yuan/ton; Zhejiang 3,500–3,600 yuan/ton; Jiangxi and Fujian 3,700–3,800 yuan/ton; Shandong 3,500–3,600 yuan/ton; Northwest China 3,250–3,350 yuan/ton; Henan and Anhui 3,250–3,350 yuan/ton. As of this writing, the mainstream delivered price reference for domestic fluorite wet powder is 3,300–3,800 yuan/ton.

3. Production Update

The monthly capacity utilization rate of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid in August was 56%.

4. Price Forecast

The fluorite market has strong upward momentum, but future upside is limited. The anhydrous hydrofluoric acid market is strongly supported by costs.

5. Related Products

Anhydrous hydrofluoric acid market: Today, the domestic anhydrous hydrofluoric acid market fluctuated within a range. Market sentiment has recently turned warmer. At the beginning of the month, producers had mostly completed monthly orders and are currently delivering contracted volumes. Still, market participants remain cautiously watchful of the resumption of production at major northern plants. Some sporadic spot orders entered the market for inquiry, lifting overall sentiment. Feedstock prices were mixed. As previously anticipated, the fluorite market has largely settled at high levels as the mainstream price, while sulfuric acid prices continued to soften. Profit margins remained unsatisfactory. As of this writing, mainstream delivered prices for domestic anhydrous hydrofluoric acid in September are referenced at 15,050–15,200 yuan/ton.

Sulfuric acid: Today, the Chempricehub price index for 98% sulfuric acid stood at 1,540 yuan/ton, down 14 yuan/ton from yesterday, in line with expectations this morning. The sulfuric acid market in Jiangsu continued its weak consolidation. Persistently falling external markets weighed on sentiment within the province. Provincial output is dominated by sulfur-based sulfuric acid producers, which still face notable cost pressure due to high sulfur feedstock prices. However, downstream purchasing remained limited to rigid demand, with weak enthusiasm for taking deliveries, and actual orders generally left room for negotiation. The sulfuric acid market in Shandong ran steadily, with mainstream producers keeping ex-works quotes unchanged. Producers showed little inclination to lower prices to move goods, and a wait-and-see sentiment focused on price stability prevailed. Although starting auction prices for refinery acid edged up, no premiums appeared in actual transactions, while downstream acceptance was acceptable. Owing to feedstock price fluctuations, the actual transaction focus for sulfur-based sulfuric acid dropped slightly, and flexible negotiation room between buyers and sellers widened. 105% acid resources in the region remain scarce, and the tight supply is unlikely to be effectively alleviated in the short term. Downstream consuming enterprises remained generally cautious, with only a few making minor inventory replenishments. Overall demand release was limited, offering insufficient upward drive for prices. In the short term, domestic sulfuric acid prices are expected to lack upward momentum, with increasing downward expectations.

Refrigerants: Based on the bulk liquid market in East China, mainstream producers of fluorinated refrigerant R22 maintained firm offers, while the market consolidated in a light and stable manner. As of this writing, major producers in East China quoted a reference price of 24,000 yuan/ton (coordinated domestic and export offers); the mainstream offer reference in the East China market was 23,000–24,000 yuan/ton, in line with the morning expectation. According to market sources, mainstream East China producers remained firm on R22 quotes, with contract orders steadily delivered to distributors. Bulk delivery faced pressure, prompting active sales of small packages. In contrast, shipments in South China were slow due to objective force-majeure factors from weather, while the East China market saw poor monthly order intake, weak buying interest, and a focus on promotional destocking. In the short term, mainstream prices in the fluorinated refrigerant R22 (ODS) market are referenced at 23,000–24,000 yuan/ton, remaining weakly stable in a stalemate.