Report

The global sulphuric acid market reached a volume of almost 297.40 MMT in 2024 . The industry is further expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.50% between 2025 and 2034 to reach a value of almost 345.14 MMT by 2034 .

The global sulphuric acid market is driven by the increase in the fertilizers and chemicals industry. The market is expected to be driven by the end-use sectors like the agriculture segment. The acid is used for producing phosphoric acid, and as a consequence, phosphate fertilizers, which are extensively used in the agricultural sector. The global sulphuric acid markets were well supplied in the period 2017-2018. The sulphuric acid market is predicted to remain oversupplied in the coming years. Thus, the market is expected to shift in the next two years towards the buyer's side.

The Asia Pacific region is the leading regional market for the product, accounting for 45% of the market share. In the Asia Pacific region, China is expected to drive the demand for sulphuric acid as the result of improved consumption by the phosphate industry. North America and Europe follow the Asia Pacific region as the other major markets for the acid, accounting for over a quarter of the industry share globally. North-East Asia is the major consumer of sulphuric acid, accounting for 37% of the total global consumption in the industry. North America and the Middle East and Africa are also significant consumers within the industry. The key producing regions include China, the United States, and India.

Key Trends and Developments

Growing sustainable food production activities; increasing demand for lead-acid batteries; rising emphasis on sustainability; and technological advancements are favouring the sulphuric acid market expansion.

February 2024

Ballestra signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Samruk Kazyna to construct a sulphuric acid plant in Kazakhstan to support the expansion of uranium mining operations in the country. The sulphuric acid plant, boasting a capacity of 800,000 metric tons per year, is expected to be based on MECS Elessent technology.

June 2023

Sumitomo Corporation completed the acquisition of Saconix LLC. From Copperbeck Energy Partners LLC to distribute and transport sulphuric acid in the US West and Gulf. Through the acquisition, the company aims to promote the stable supply of sulphuric acid.

December 2022

Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Company (AMMC) awarded Metso Outotec an order for the delivery of two sulphuric acid plants for AMMC's zinc roasting facility in Almalyk, Uzbekistan. Through this, the company aims to improve its operational reliability and reduce the environmental impact of sulphuric acid production.

July 2022

Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund announced a joint venture with Kanto Group for the greenfield construction of a high-purity sulphuric acid plant in Casa Grande, Arizona. The project, expected to cost between USD 175 and USD 250 million, is aimed at producing nearly 100,000MT of electronic-grade sulphuric acid per year.

Increasing sustainable food production activities

Sulphuric acid is a crucial component in the production of phosphate fertilisers, which play an essential role in global agricultural production. Innovations in fertiliser production aimed at minimising environmental impact and improving nutrient availability are leading to the development of specialised sulphuric acid-based fertilisers, hence boosting the market.

Growing demand for lead-acid batteries

In the production of lead-acid batteries, sulphuric acid is used as an electrolyte to activate the chemical reaction required for discharging and storing electrical energy. Hence, the growing demand for lead-acid batteries, especially in sectors such as telecom, energy storage, and automotive, is driving the sulphuric acid market development.

Rising emphasis on sustainability

With the growing emphasis on sustainability, leading manufacturers of sulphuric acid are increasingly adopting eco-friendly production methods and investing in clean technologies and carbon capture solutions to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions.

Technological advancements

Key players are leveraging advanced process control systems and automation to ensure consistent production quality, optimise production, lower downtime, and reduce production costs to enhance the affordability and cost-competitiveness of sulphuric acid. In addition, the adoption of AI-powered logistics and real-time tracking aimed at optimising the sulphuric acid supply chain and leading to better inventory management is expected to bolster the market growth in the forecast period.

Market Segmentation

Sulphuric acid, also known as vitriol, is a mineral acid consisting of elements such as sulphur, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is sans colour and odour and is syrupy, making it soluble in water. It is also synthesized in reactions that are highly exothermic.

On the basis of application, the market is segmented into the following:

- Fertilizers
- Chemicals
- Others

Market Breakup by Region:

- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East and Africa

Market Analysis

The global sulphuric acid market is driven by the increase in the demand from major consuming industries like agriculture. The market is invigorated by global agriculture production, which is expected to grow at 1-2% per year in the coming decade. The top importers of the product are India, China, and the United States, who are predicted to drive the market. Consumption of fertilizer is high in India and China, followed by the United States of America. According to FAO, in the next 25 years, the caloric requirement is estimated to double-up, with a population reaching approximately 8 million, thus, boosting the growth of the agricultural sector. The rising demand for fertilizers in the rapidly rising agriculture industry is expected to drive the demand for sulphuric acid in the coming years.

Agrarian nations, such as China, with 37% and India with a 15% contribution to global agro-economy, are expected to drive the demand for sulphuric acid due to its high consumption. The acid is extensively used in the formation of phosphate fertilizers within India and China. With both countries looking to bolster their agricultural productivity, the demand is expected to remain robust from this sector. However, with more imports flowing into this region in 2017, sulphuric acid is witnessing an inventory build-up. The electronic-grade sulphuric acid is witnessing a steady increase, and the demand is estimated to continue being high in the forecast period.

Sulphuric acid is, apart from its on-purpose production, produced as a by-product of metal smelting, where large volumes of the product are involuntarily produced. Therefore, no definitive capacity is installed for the commodity. In spite of this, the involuntary production has afflicted the market with excess supply for about a decade now. The production of sulphuric acid is nearly 10% more than the requirement, in spite of more than 200 million metric tons consumption of sulphuric acid every year. This persistent oversupply of the acid is expected to hinder the market growth in the coming years due to the significant gap between supply and demand.

Competitive Landscape

Key sulphuric acid market players are expanding their production capabilities to meet the growing demand for the chemical in different end-use sectors, including agriculture, food and beverage, and automotive, among others. Sulphuric acid companies are also leveraging digital tools, AI, automation, and data analytics to optimise production processes and lower transportation costs.

INEOS Group

INEOS Group, founded in 1998 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is one of the largest chemical and energy companies in the world. Comprising 30 businesses and 173 sites in 32 countries, the company serves essential sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, automotive, and medical and pharmaceuticals, among others. The company generates USD 55 billion in revenue per year.

DuPont de Nemours

DuPont de Nemours, founded in 1802 and headquartered in Delaware, United States, is a company that offers technology-based materials and solutions to transform sectors. It serves various industries, such as healthcare, construction, electronics, water, worker safety, and transportation, among others. Some of its prominent brands include MOLYKOTE�, Kevlar�, Corian�, Styrofoam�, and Tyvek�, among others.

PVS Chemicals, Inc.

PVS Chemicals, Inc., headquartered in Michigan, United States, and founded in 1945, is a global manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of basic chemicals. Its products and solutions are used by various sectors such as steel, electronics, metal finishing, agricultural, food processing, and water treatment, among others.

Chung Hwa Chemical Industrial Works, Ltd.

Chung Hwa Chemical Industrial Works, Ltd., established in 1956 and headquartered in Taoyuan, Taiwan, is a company that is engaged in the production, processing, and sales of chemical products. It provides speciality chemicals, basic chemicals, and electronic chemicals such as high-purity semiconductor-grade sulphuric acid, pigment intermediates, and functional fiber intermediates, among others.

Other key players in the sulphuric acid market include BASF SE, Inc., among others.