Should the sulfuric acid industry continue to develop further?

It is time to consider the issue of phosphate rock resources. Mining, import: Proceed in two steps. At present, most of the chemical engineering survey teams are engaged in engineering exploration. The prospective reserves of pyrite and phosphate rocks are decreasing steadily; it is unclear whether the Phosphate Fertilizer Association can do anything about this.

In 2006, the phosphate mines in Florida, United States, began to degrade, and as the grade of the ore dropped to around 15%, the United States shifted from being a exporter of phosphate ore to an importer. Meisheng Company was formed as a result of the merger between the American company Cargill Fertilizers and the American company IMC. After its establishment, it shut down phosphate production capacity of 3 million tons per year and sulfuric acid production capacity of 8 million tons per year.

China is vigorously developing its sulfuric acid industry, while the United States is actively shutting down production capacity in this sector. Will China’s sulfuric acid industry follow in the United States’ footsteps?

It can’t really be called repeating the same mistakes, after all, the sulfuric acid industry is an industry on the decline. Although the United States is a major producer of phosphate fertilizers, its domestic consumption is much lower than that of China. Many fields are cultivated using crop rotation methods. Moreover, as phosphate mining in the U.S. has declined, the amount of acid used has also decreased; several years ago, sulfur mines in the U.S. were completely shut down. We have a large population but limited land; every year we rely on this scarce land to feed 1.5 billion people, including you and me. Therefore, our country uses much more fertilizer than the United States. More fertilizer is used, which means more acid is needed, and as a result more sulfuric acid production facilities are built. It can’t really be said to be developing vigorously these days; everything has become market-driven. The year before last, while chatting with Lao Tao in Yunnan, I said that once those large sulfuric acid production facilities in Yunnan were built, that would be the end of it – no further major developments would take place, and small and medium-sized plants would be regulated by the market.

Suzhou Shuangshi currently produces 1.2 million tons of sulfuric acid per year, all of which is commercial-grade acid. Of this amount, 200,000 tons are used locally in Suzhou, while the remaining 1 million tons are sold to regions such as Taiwan, Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Shandong, and northern Jiangsu. The plant under construction, capable of producing 1.3 million tons of sulfuric acid, is intended to export all of its output overseas, according to the owner.

In Jiangsu, apart from the sulfuric acid producers in Taixing, Nantong, and Yancheng of Nanhua Group, which use sulfuric acid to produce phosphate fertilizers, the rest produce commercial sulfuric acid; the annual output of such commercial sulfuric acid is around 3 million tons.

It is estimated that China’s sulfuric acid production will reach 53 million tons in 2010, of which 16 million tons will be produced from pyrite, accounting for 30.2% of the total sulfuric acid output； Acid production from smelting flue gas: 11 million tons, accounting for 20.8% ； Sulfur-based acid production: 25.4 million tons, accounting for 47.9% ； The other 600,000 tons, accounting for 1.1%, will gradually give rise to a landscape dominated by three main methods: acid production from sulfur, acid production from pyrite, and acid production from smelting flue gases. 　　According to incomplete statistics, the new sulfuric acid production capacity between 2005 and 2008 will be 23 million tons per year; in 2005, the increase will be 7.9 million tons per year, in 2006 it will be 8–9 million tons per year, and in 2007 it will be 4–5.5 million tons per year ； An additional 1.5–2.5 million tons per year was added in 2008. It is estimated that by 2010, the national sulfuric acid production capacity will reach 66.7 million tons per year, while the total domestic demand will be 53 million tons. As a result, there will be an unused capacity of 13.7 million tons per year, making a reshuffle in the sulfuric acid market inevitable.

I believe the phosphate rock industry is not the main reason for the further development of the sulfuric acid industry (although it is a foundation); it is merely a key factor for stability. The development of the sulfuric acid industry is closely tied to the non-ferrous metals sector, particularly in the field of hydrometallurgy. I recall that in 1998, due to low prices for non-ferrous metals, the price of sulfuric acid reached one of the lowest levels on record. Starting from the previous year, prices for non-ferrous metals began to rise sharply; many new hydrometallurgical plants were established, which increased the demand for acid significantly, and as a result, the price of sulfuric acid also started to climb. This year, it seems to be the highest record for sulfuric acid prices yet.

Could any friends help introduce some suppliers? I’m extremely grateful! Please! ·

I work with sulfuric acid at work, but they tell me it’s an industry on the decline – it’s frustrating

There are no declining or emerging industries; it depends on how well you do your job. In so-called sunrise industries, does everyone manage to make huge profits? The key lies in the company’s own competitiveness and the balance between short-term and medium-to-long-term interests

Sulfuric acid is an essential industry; without it, how can 1.3 billion Chinese people meet their food needs? Without sulfuric acid, how can Mr. Yuan’s rice yield exceed 1,000 kg? Without it, China’s overall economic output is estimated to drop by 30%!

Right. Although it may not enjoy the same level of prominence as some other industries, sulfuric acid is absolutely essential; it cannot be underestimated or taken lightly. From the perspective of industry development, it still needs to go through tests and integration driven by various factors such as market policies

Sulfuric acid is an essential industry, often referred to as the mother of industries, and holds a significant position. However, its development should not be pursued recklessly; it must adapt to market conditions, otherwise it will also face consequences.

It’s now difficult for phosphorus chemical companies to export, and the demand for sulfuric acid has **decreased**

The construction of Suzhou Shuangshi’s second sulfuric acid production facility with an annual capacity of 1 million tons is in full swing, and it is expected to come online in February next year. By then, Suzhou Shuangshi’s total annual sulfuric acid production capacity will reach 2.2 million tons per year.

Experts suggest that in the next 3–5 years, China’s strategy for sulfuric acid production should make full use of flue gas from smelting processes to produce acid, develop sulfur-based acid production to a moderate extent, and appropriately expand acid production from pyrite. 　 　　(1) Make full use of non-ferrous metal flue gas for acid production. In 2005, the output of acid produced from smelting flue gas could reach 8.5–9 million tons, accounting for 22% of the total output. The additional capacity would be over 2 million tons; among this, Jiangxi Copper Industry would add 700,000 tons, Anhui Tongling would add 500,000 tons, Gansu Jinchuan would add 500,000 tons, Huludao Zinc Factory would add 200,000 tons, and Yunnan would add 200,000 tons. In 2010, the production of acid from smelting flue gas reached 10 million tons, accounting for 25% of the total output. Gradually phase out facilities with low capacity, severe environmental pollution, low recovery rates for non-ferrous metals, and low sulfur utilization rates; concentrate resource use to improve recovery rates, thereby enhancing the international competitiveness of China’s acid smelting industry. 　 　　(II) Strengthen the development of key pyrite mines Make full use of tailings from non-ferrous metal processing, boost the development of key pyrite mines in Yunfu and Xinqiao, and appropriately increase the production of acid derived from pyrite. Jiangxi Copper Company will jointly invest with Guizhou Hongfu, as well as enterprises from Hubei and Hunan, to build 1–2 sets of facilities for producing acid from pyrite, with a capacity of 400,000 tons each ； Anhui Tongling Chemical Group Company uses its own pyrite to build a 400,000-ton pyrite-based acid production facility, which is integrated with a newly constructed phosphatic ammonium fertilizer plant ； Yunfu pyrite is also raising funds to build a facility for producing acid from 400,000 tons of pyrite, while Hubei Xiangyun is constructing one for producing acid from 150,000 tons of pyrite. In areas near pyrite deposits or the tailings from non-ferrous metal processing, China’s abundant pyrite resources should be fully utilized by upgrading existing medium-scale facilities to larger ones, in order to meet the demand for acid in phosphate fertilizers and industrial applications. Small-scale facilities that cause severe \"three-waste\" pollution, with a production capacity of less than 30,000 tons, should be phased out as soon as possible. 　 　　(III) Making use of domestic and international sulfur resources to develop sulfur-based acid production on a moderate scale: With the development of high-concentration phosphate fertilizers, China’s output of sulfur-based acid increased to 12.5 million tons, with an average annual growth rate of 56% over seven years. According to incomplete statistics, the new sulfuric acid production capacity added in 2003 was 3 million tons; from 2004 to 2005, an additional 5 million tons was added. In total, 8 million tons of capacity were added over these three years, representing an average annual increase of 18.6%. Of this amount, 73% was used for the production of phosphate fertilizers. In 2005, the total capacity for producing sulfuric acid via sulfur will reach 20 million tons, accounting for 43% of the total production. The rapid growth rate of sulfur-based acid production in our country poses a threat of resource shortages; it is necessary to carefully analyze the domestic and international sulfur market conditions and develop sulfur-based acid production in a moderate manner. 　　1. China’s sulfur resources are limited; the capacity of existing and under-construction oil and natural gas desulfurization facilities in the country amounts to 1.425 million tons. In 2001, 450,000 tons of sulfur were recovered; in 2002, 600,000 tons were recovered. It is estimated that by 2005, the production of sulfur will be around 1 million tons, accounting for approximately 12%–15% of total sulfur consumption, with most of the sulfur being imported. 　 　　2. In 2002, the world’s sulfuric acid production was 169.937 million tons, of which 64.3% was produced from sulfur. It is estimated that by 2007, world sulfuric acid production will reach 180.752 million tons, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%; sulfur-based production will account for 65% of the total production, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. In China, the growth rate of sulfur-based sulfuric acid production is much higher than the global average. 　　In 2002, the world’s sulfur trade volume was 21.712 million tons; China’s imports of sulfur amounted to 4.09 million tons, accounting for 18.8% of that total. From January to September 2003, the world’s sulfur trade volume increased by 8.1% on a year-on-year basis, while China’s imports increased by 10.3%, accounting for 21.1% of the world’s total trade volume. From 2000 to 2002, the global sulfur trade volume increased by 11.6% on an average per year, while China’s imports increased by 20% per year. In 2002, the world’s sulfur trade volume increased by 2.696 million tons compared to 2001, with China accounting for 34.4% of this global increase. China’s imports of sulfur to the world have come to play a crucial role in global sulfur trade. The rapid increase in the volume of sulfur imported by China has had a significant impact on world sulfur trade. 　 　　3. World sulfur production is expected to continue growing, but an increase in sulfur production does not equate to an increase in sulfur trade volume. For example: The newly discovered sulfur resources in Canada can basically not be exported ； Sulfur from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan is transported to China over long distances, and there are many issues associated with this transportation process. Sea transport also presents challenges, as does inland waterway and land transport; to date, these methods have not been effectively utilized ； Canada, the Middle East, and Russia are all actively exploring the testing of hydrogen sulfide or sulfur reinjection; such reinjection can increase oil production, which means that if the tests are successful, sulfur production will decrease. At present, the growth rate of sulfur trade predicted by experts earlier has not met expectations, indicating a crisis of insufficient growth in sulfur trade volumes. 　　4. In sectors around the world other than fertilizers, the use of sulfuric acid and sulfur is also increasing; demand is rising rapidly while trade volume is growing slowly, which will lead to a supply shortage and consequently high prices. Experts have predicted that within the next 3 to 5 years, there could be a shortage of sulfur worldwide. Therefore, our country cannot blindly develop sulfur-based acid production. Last year, the tight supply of sulfur led to soaring prices, with a slow decline in those prices, which has served as a warning for China’s sulfuric acid industry. If the development of sulfur-based acid production in our country continues unchecked, it will inevitably lead to some enterprises being unable to cope with the high prices of sulfur.

I always feel that there have been too many new sulfuric acid products launched this year. Especially in the production of acid from pyrite, **it should be controlled. Mineral resources are non-renewable; methods such as acid production from flue gas and acid production using gypsum, which fall under the category of circular economy, should be given priority support.

With the development of other industries, particularly the non-ferrous metallurgy industry, I believe sulfuric acid, as the mother of industries, will still see significant growth

Although sulfuric acid is an essential industry, often referred to as the mother of industries, and holds a significant position, its production cannot be expanded recklessly; it must adapt to market conditions. Everyone still remembers those years when there was a rush to increase production, resulting in an overabundance of sulfuric acid! Often, the price of sulfuric acid drops so low that there’s no profit at all!