Sulfuric acid prices rose sharply through the first half of 2026 before retreating from their mid-year peak as supply conditions loosened. Weak downstream demand has contributed to the easing, though the commodity remains a critical revenue buffer for copper smelters facing squeezed processing margins. The price trajectory reflects the interplay between by-product supply dynamics and broader industrial demand.
China's 98% smelting sulfuric acid price eased over the week as spot trading weakened and recovering supply added pressure. Elevated sulfur and metal ore costs provided partial support, but the market faces further downside as lower-priced regional supplies increase competitive pressure.
In the first quarter of 2024, the price trend of diethyl ether was closely influenced by fluctuations in the ethanol market, a key feedstock for its production. In Asia, countries like China, India, and Thailand increased ethanol production, driven by stable raw material supplies and rising consumption for transportation and oil dependency reduction. This heightened demand exerted pressure on global supplies and feedstock costs, leading to sustained pricing pressures and volatility. Meanwhile, European ethanol prices experienced narrow movements due to high feedstock costs and geopolitical tensions, impacting production.
Despite increased demand from the gasoline and automotive sectors, constrained supply chain activities and import volumes limited market growth. The ongoing Israel-Hamas crisis further complicated the trade routes, affecting the ethanol market outlook. In North America, ethanol production surged, supported by government investments and rising gasoline prices. However, concerns over corn availability due to dry weather and geopolitical tensions surrounding Russian exports influenced price dynamics, contributing to expectations of sustained high prices and market stability. These regional factors collectively impacted the diethyl ether market, which relies heavily on ethanol, resulting in fluctuating prices and a complex supply-demand landscape in the first quarter of 2024.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, the price of Diethyl Ether is estimated to incline with the rise in global production of ethanol and the demand for diethyl ether in chemical synthesis. The uptrend might also be favored by the rise in the prices of base chemicals by significant market players.
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Diethyl ether is a highly flammable liquid with a characteristic sweet odor. The liquid has a very low boiling point of approximately 34.6 °C. This ether is an excellent solvent and is thus widely used in organic synthesis reactions for the extraction and purification of compounds. It is also used as a reaction medium in Grignard reactions due to its ability to stabilize the reaction intermediates. Additionally, it serves as a starting fluid for engines and is also widely used in the production of pharmaceuticals and smokeless gunpowder.
(C2H5)2O
Solvent, Anesthetic, Pharmaceuticals, Smokeless gunpowder
INEOS, Merck KGaA, Industrial Solvents & Chemicals Pvt Ltd, BASF SE, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings BV
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
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This production process involves a simple reaction between sodium ethoxide and ethyl iodide which results in the formation of diethyl ether as the main product and sodium iodide as the side product.
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