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The sulfur market remains in a state of consolidation. Author/Source: Date: 2016-12-08. Clicks: 18. On Wednesday (December 7), the sulfur market continued to show no significant changes; port traders adopted a wait-and-see attitude, while downstream factories continued to draw down their inventory levels, resulting in a sluggish trading atmosphere. Regarding ports: Currently, the sulfur inventory in China’s main ports is around 1.48 million tons, 650,000 tons in Nantong Port, and 295,000 tons in Zhenjiang Port. The reference price for bulk granular goods at Yangtze River ports is 900 yuan per ton. Suppliers are waiting to see how the market develops. A few small manufacturers downstream have inquired sporadically, with an intended purchase price of 885–890 yuan per ton; negotiations remain stuck at an impasse. The price of sulfur on the overseas market is relatively high, which provides some support for spot prices; however, there are few actual transactions, and industry players lack confidence in future market trends, leading them to be cautious in their actions. The sulfur inventory in Fangchenggang is around 300,000 tons, mainly supplied to factories; the southwestern factories consume this inventory, with little demand for spot purchases. Trading activity in Fangchenggang is sluggish, and the price for a small amount of granular sulfur is around 900 yuan per ton. The sulfur inventory at Qingdao Port is around 72,000 tons. The reference price for powdered sulfur at the port is 840–850 yuan per ton, while the reference price for granular sulfur is 880–900 yuan per ton. This week, downstream fertilizer factories have placed orders for purchases; the transaction price for lump and powdered sulfur is 840 yuan per ton ； Henan’s titanium dioxide manufacturers have intentions to make purchases in the near future, but no new orders have been signed yet. Market forecast: Downstream factories have shown no significant purchasing activity in recent times, and there are no indicative news updates from the international market. As a result, manufacturers remain cautious, and the sulfur market continues to remain in a state of high-level consolidation. (Bai Chuan)