U.S. Gulf:
Gulf sulfuric acid pricing continued to be reported at $245-$250/mt CFR for the week, steady from the prior report.
Gulf Coast:
Gulf Coast 2021 contracts were quoted in the $85-$110/st DEL range.
Midwest:
Midwest tons were heard at parity with the Gulf Coast at $85-$110/st DEL for annual agreements.
West Coast:
Sources put current-year West Coast pricing at $100-$130/st DEL.
Brazil:
Rising treatment charges (TC/RCs) paid by miners to smelters helped to spark an increase in global smelter operations in September, Reuters reported. Worldwide production was seen increasing even as government curbs on smelting were imposed on China, part of that country’s ongoing energy crisis.
The rising TC/RCs were noted combining with soaring prices in both the sulfuric acid and metals markets to incentivize running an increased number of potlines. Sources hoped a resulting supply increase could help tame the exploding sulacid market, which has shown little interest in slowing down in recent months.
Further increases were noted in the Brazil spot import market, with sources noting last-done firming to the $260-$265/mt CFR range, up from $250-$255/mt CFR at last report.