What is driving the structural shift in China's ammonium sulfate supply mix?

What is driving the structural shift in China's ammonium sulfate supply mix?
China's ammonium sulfate capacity grew from under 15 million tons in 2018 to 23.87 million tons by 2023, with production reaching 15.48 million tons. The supply structure is dominated by by-product sources: caprolactam plants account for 44%, coking operations 30%, and other routes including power plant desulfurization, acrylonitrile, and MMA units 25%. New caprolactam capacity additions of 1.04 million tons in H2 2024 alone will add roughly 1.4 tons of ammonium sulfate per ton of caprolactam. Environmental regulations are also boosting output: ammonia-based desulfurization technologies convert SO2 into ammonium sulfate fertilizer, eliminating gypsum waste and carbon costs while generating saleable product. Domestic consumption remains limited, with over 82% of output exported.