October long-term contract pricing for downstream refrigerant industry: Sinochem Taicang at 14,600 RMB/ton; Shangyu at 14,500 RMB/ton; Juhua at 14,500–14,550 RMB/ton; Meilan at 14,800 RMB/ton; Dongyue at 14,760 RMB/ton.
Industry-wide capacity utilization and production volume are expected to remain stable this week.
Fluorocarbon refrigerants maintain firm quotes, with transactions gradually aligning with these levels.
Domestic Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid (AHF) Weekly Price Table
| Region | Specification | Oct 15 | Oct 22 | Change (RMB/t) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South China | AHF | 14,500 | 14,500 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Shandong | AHF | 14,760 | 14,760 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Jiangsu | AHF | 14,700 | 14,700 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Zhejiang | AHF | 14,500 | 14,500 | 0 | 0.00% |
Data Source: Chempricehub Information
The domestic anhydrous hydrofluoric acid market maintained a strong wait-and-see sentiment this week, with regional trends showing divergence. Earlier spot inquiries and transactions pushed the market center higher, but this failed to offset the decline in demand, leading to a cooler market atmosphere compared to previous periods. From the raw material side, sulfuric acid prices continued to rise, particularly in Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, where price tiers increased progressively and supply became tight. Consequently, some HF plants reduced operating loads due to cost pressures. Northern major producers have not yet announced clear restart timelines, keeping market participants cautious and observant. On the demand side, weakness persists; the limited boost from improved exports earlier was insufficient, leaving downstream sectors struggling with low order volumes. As of press time, mainstream delivered prices in East China ranged from 14,500–14,800 RMB/ton, while Shandong market delivered prices stood at 14,760–15,000 RMB/ton.
Weekly Fluorite Market Analysis:
Supply-demand tensions intensified in the domestic 97% fluorite concentrate market this week, resulting in subdued trading activity. Stakeholders on both sides hold divergent views, heavily influenced by external factors. On the supply side, mine operations face challenges, and beneficiation plants suffer from raw material shortages. Additionally, northern regions are experiencing rising production costs due to temperature drops, with expectations of significant reductions in future operating rates, leading suppliers to adopt a cautious wait-and-see approach. Conversely, downstream buyers exhibit strong price-suppression sentiments. While inventory levels vary among northern downstream enterprises, there remains willingness to negotiate with some room for adjustment. In southern markets, squeezed by high sulfuric acid costs, fluorite price declines are being absorbed into profit margins. Current spot delivered prices across regions are as follows: Inner Mongolia 3,300–3,400 RMB/ton; Zhejiang 3,500–3,600 RMB/ton; Jiangxi and Fujian 3,700–3,750 RMB/ton; Shandong 3,550–3,650 RMB/ton; Northwest 3,400–3,450 RMB/ton; Henan and Anhui 3,450–3,500 RMB/ton. As of press time, mainstream delivered prices for domestic wet fluorite powder range from 3,300–3,750 RMB/ton.
Sulfuric Acid:
The average domestic sulfuric acid price stood at 1,380 RMB/ton this period. The market showed mixed movements with distinct regional disparities. On the supply side, maintenance activities or planned outages in parts of East and Central China led to localized supply contractions. Most acid producers maintained reasonable inventory levels, supporting prices in areas with tight supply. Demand remained primarily driven by essential replenishment needs. Prices rose in Jiangxi, Anhui, Zhejiang, Hubei, Hunan, Fujian, and Guangdong, with increases ranging from 50–200 RMB/ton. However, significant drops in feedstock sulfur prices weakened cost support, exerting downward pressure on sulfur-based acid prices in some regions. Overall, downstream sentiment remains cautious, and short-term regional divergence is likely to persist. Currently, 98% smelter-grade acid delivered prices in Hubei hover around 1,250–1,500 RMB/ton, representing a weekly change of 0.00%/7.14%. Ex-factory prices for 98% mineral acid in Shandong stand at 1,350–1,400 RMB/ton, a weekly change of 0.00%/4.11%.
R22:
This period, major manufacturers in East China maintained firm quotes for R22 refrigerants for both domestic and export markets, sustaining a weakly stable overall trend. As of press time, mainstream East China large-scale manufacturer quotes are referenced at 24,000 RMB/ton (coordinated domestic/export quotes); general East China market quotes range from 18,000–19,000 RMB/ton. The transaction center for R22 (feedstock grade) is approximately 12,000 RMB/ton. Bulk liquid demand for R22 (ODS) in the domestic market continues to contract, with channel inquiries focusing mainly on small packaging, though shipment volumes remain poor, prompting some channels to discount inventory to move goods. Under social inventory pressure, the industry operating rate for R22 (ODS + feedstock grade) stabilized at 69% (unchanged from the previous period). Terminal markets in both northern and southern regions have entered the off-season, causing significant demand shrinkage. Bearish sentiment dominates among channel players, who are actively adjusting quotes to clear stock, while closely watching official quotes from major factories. In the short term, mainstream factory quotes remain firm, operating loads stay low, and the market awaits downstream digestion.
R32:
This period, major R32 manufacturers maintained firm quotes, controlling output to support prices. As of press time, mainstream East China large-scale manufacturer quotes are referenced at 65,500 RMB/ton (coordinated domestic/export quotes); general East China market quotes range from 63,500–64,500 RMB/ton. Beyond seasonal effects, industry demand has turned sluggish. Slow order digestion by equipment manufacturers has kept industry operating rates low, aligning with essential demand procurement volumes. Meanwhile, during the foreign trade "window period," suppliers are actively exporting to meet quota completion targets. Statistics show the R32 industry operating rate stabilized at 44% (unchanged from the previous period), indicating that balancing limited demand space is preferable to high operating rates leading to inventory accumulation. Market reports suggest that supported by firm high-level official quotes for R32 and R125, the blended refrigerant R410A maintains a high-price range. Recent active shipments of small-packaging R410A have slightly stimulated price adjustments in channel inventories. Chempricehub forecasts ex-factory quotes for R32 at 65,500 RMB/ton (coordinated domestic/export) and for R410A at 59,500 RMB/ton.
Based on the above analysis, current market sentiment has cooled, although sulfuric acid prices remain high. Participants are increasingly observing the potential restart status of major northern plants. Chempricehub Information predicts that the domestic anhydrous hydrofluoric acid market will experience range-bound fluctuations next week.
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