Udeesha Tomar
AVP - Strategy and Solutions
Leading procurement research solutions across chemicals, materials, and food & beverages, with expertise in price forecasting and market analytics.
Hydrochloric Acid (18%) Price Trend Analysis 2026: Price Drivers, Latest News, Historical Prices, Supply Demand Analysis & Market Insights
Written ByUdeesha Tomar
Hydrochloric Acid (18%) Price Trend 2025
Asia
The Asian Hydrochloric Acid (18%) market experienced considerable volatility throughout the year, reflecting shifting supply-demand dynamics across industrial sectors. The opening period witnessed sharp price declines as oversupply conditions emerged, with chlor-alkali production remaining elevated while downstream consumption weakened. Steel pickling applications, typically a major consumption driver, displayed reduced activity amid softer steel production rates. The early spring months maintained depressed pricing levels as inventory accumulation persisted and demand from water treatment and chemical processing sectors remained subdued. Mid-year brought a dramatic recovery as supply tightened unexpectedly due to production curtailments at key facilities and increased export activity. However, this spike proved temporary as production rates normalized and domestic availability improved, leading to renewed price softening through the summer. The latter portion witnessed sustained recovery as supply-demand fundamentals rebalanced. Demand from metal processing, ore beneficiation, and industrial cleaning applications strengthened gradually, while producers exercised greater supply discipline. The final quarter demonstrated continued upward momentum as downstream industries increased consumption ahead of year-end requirements, supporting progressive price appreciation.
Europe
European Hydrochloric Acid (18%) markets mirrored Asian volatility patterns throughout the year. Early-period weakness emerged from oversupplied conditions and reduced industrial activity across key consuming sectors. Steel pickling and metal surface treatment applications remained soft, while chemical synthesis demand stayed moderate. Mid-year witnessed temporary strengthening as supply constraints developed, though this reversed quickly. The latter portion brought gradual recovery as supply management improved and downstream consumption from various industrial applications increased steadily.
North America
North American markets diverged significantly from Asian trends, displaying sustained weakness throughout most of the year. The prices were about 106 USD/MT (CIF) in January and around 97 USD/MT in December. The opening period began with elevated pricing that declined progressively as the year advanced. Steady production rates met with weakening demand from steel processing, water treatment, and chemical manufacturing sectors. Abundant supply availability and reduced industrial activity across multiple applications created persistent downward pressure. The year concluded with slight recovery as prices found support levels, though overall sentiment remained cautious amid subdued consumption patterns.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, Hydrochloric Acid (18%) prices are expected to remain volatile in the near term, influenced by production management strategies and industrial activity levels across key consuming sectors.
Need Latest Hydrochloric Acid (18%) Prices?
Get real-time price assessments, periodic trends, forecasts and price driver insights across key global markets.
Our Clients
Procurement Resource Database
Turn price intelligence into action with the Procurement Resource Database. Log in or subscribe to unlock live price trends, historical charts, supplier databases, cost curves, and analyst-backed insights across chemicals, agriculture, energy, packaging, and more. Use these tools to benchmark your contracts, plan budgets with confidence, and stay ahead of market moves on every product you buy.
0
+Products
0
+Regions
0
+Subscriptions
About Hydrochloric Acid (18%)
Hydrochloric acid (18%) is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride gas with approximately 18% concentration by weight. It is a clear, highly corrosive liquid widely used as an industrial chemical. The solution is valued for its strong acidic properties and is commonly used in chemical processing, metal treatment, pH control, and manufacturing applications
.
Hydrochloric Acid (18%) Product Detail
HS Code
2806
Chemical Formula
HCl
CAS Number
7647-01-0
Molecular Weight
36.46 g/mol
Supplier Database
Olin Corporation, Westlake Corporation, BASF SE, Covestro AG, Tata Chemicals Limited, AGC Inc.
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Production Process
Hydrochloric acid production involves generating hydrogen chloride gas through chemical reactions and absorbing it into water to form an acid solution. Manufacturers control gas absorption, concentration, and impurity levels to produce industrial-grade hydrochloric acid suitable for chemical, metal processing, and water treatment applications.
Industrial Uses
Hydrochloric acid (18%) is used in steel pickling, metal cleaning, ore processing, chemical production, water treatment, and pH adjustment. It is also used in the production of chlorides, dyes, pharmaceuticals, food additives, and PVC manufacturing. Industries use it for removing rust, scale deposits, and mineral residues from equipment and surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
North American hydrochloric acid (18%) prices stood at approximately 106 USD/MT (CIF) in January 2025 and softened to around 97 USD/MT by December. Asian and European markets experienced comparable volatility through the year, opening under oversupplied conditions as chlor-alkali output stayed elevated and downstream steel pickling demand weakened, then recovering mid-year on production curtailments before softening again as supply normalized, with gradual rebalancing supporting a firmer close to the year.
The 2025 outlook for Hydrochloric Acid (18%) points to continued price volatility driven by production management and industrial activity. Asia and Europe are expected to see gradual recovery as supply-demand fundamentals rebalance, supported by metal processing, ore beneficiation, and industrial cleaning. North America may find cautious support if downstream consumption from steel processing, water treatment, and chemical manufacturing picks up. Sustained price appreciation depends on producers maintaining supply discipline; renewed production normalization or weakened industrial demand could reintroduce softening pressure.
Hydrochloric acid (18%) prices in 2025 were driven by chlor-alkali production rates and supply management. Elevated output flooded the market early in the year, pushing prices down, before mid-year curtailments at key facilities tightened supply and triggered a sharp, temporary spike. Weaker steel production reduced pickling activity, suppressing demand. Downstream demand from water treatment, chemical processing, metal processing, ore beneficiation, and industrial cleaning was subdued mid-year before gradually strengthening in latter months. Spring inventory accumulation added downward pressure before stocks drew down.
Hydrochloric acid (18%) is produced primarily as a co-product or by-product of chlor-alkali manufacturing, where chlorine and hydrogen generated during the electrolysis of brine are burned together to form hydrogen chloride gas, which is then absorbed in water to yield the 18% aqueous solution. The main feedstock inputs are salt (sodium chloride), water, and electricity for electrolysis. Downstream, hydrochloric acid (18%) is consumed in ferrous chloride production via chemical reaction with iron, as well as in steel pickling, pH control, water treatment, and various chemical synthesis applications.
Procurement Resource assesses hydrochloric acid (18%) prices through a structured, data-driven methodology that combines primary engagement with producers, suppliers, and traders, secondary market data, monitoring of feedstock and input costs, trade-flow and inventory tracking, and exchange or spot benchmarks. These inputs are validated and translated into a transparent price assessment and outlook. The detailed methodology is available on the Procurement Resource website.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
About the Author
Schedule A Demo
Experience how Procurement Resource transforms raw material price data into clear, decision ready intelligence. Optimise your performance with reliable, expert market data and analysis. Schedule your demo today to experience a live walk-through where our experts will showcase interactive price charts, forecasted prices, and insights driving the prices for your key commodities, tailored to your workflows. Contact us now!
Our Team will be happy to assist you
We are just a text away
Still Need Help?
Europe & Africa
+44 7573 171117
Sales@procurementresource.com
USA & Canada
+1 307 363 1045
Sales@procurementresource.com
APAC
+91 8850629517
Sales@procurementresource.com
Other Related Reports
Ferrous Chloride Production by the Chemical Reaction of Hydrochloric Acid with Iron
This study analyzes Ferrous Chloride Production by the Chemical Reaction of Hydrochloric Acid with Iron, covering manufacturing, process flow, operating expenses, and financial considerations.
Magnesium Chloride Production via HCl Acid Leaching Method
The study offers a detailed cost analysis of Magnesium Chloride Production via HCl Acid Leaching Method. In addition, the report incorporates the manufacturing process with detailed process and material flow, operating costs along with financial expenses and depreciation charges.
Acetamidine Hydrochloride Manufacturing Plant Project Report 2026: Cost Analysis, ROI, and Feasibility Insights
Acetamidine Hydrochloride Manufacturing Plant Project Report thoroughly focuses on every detail that encompasses the cost of manufacturing. Our extensive cost model meticulously covers breaking down expenses around raw materials, labour, technology, and manufacturing expenses. This enables precise cost structure optimization and helps in identifying effective strategies to reduce the overall cash cost of manufacturing.
Unlock full access to Procurement Resource's price databases, interactive charts, and short-term forecasts for thousands of commodities. Elevate your sourcing decisions by comparing prices across regions, downloading historical data, and layering in analyst-backed insights, all with our flexible plans that scale as your portfolio grows.
Still have any Questions
Contact Us
Price Trend Dashboard - What's Included
Price trends across a diverse portfolio of categories and products, spanning board to niche chemicals
Coverage extendable to grade-specific chemicals based on procurement requirements
Regular price tracking supported by robust historical datasets
News, policy updates, and key market drivers impacting price movements
Short-term and long-term price outlooks and forecasts
Supply–demand dynamics and capacity-driven market analysis
Related News
View All
Why Procurement Database
Commodity Market Intelligence
Track prices, market movements, supply-demand dynamics, and industry developments across hundreds of commodities through a centralized intelligence platform built for informed procurement decisions.
Price Forecasts & Market Outlooks
Understand market fluctuations using analyst-backed forecasts, historical pricing patterns, and evolving industry trends to strengthen sourcing strategies and budget planning.
Cost & Procurement Optimization
Leverage cost models, pricing benchmarks, and procurement insights to evaluate purchasing opportunities, improve negotiations, and enhance operational efficiency.
Global & Regional Market Insights
Access region-specific price trends, trade activities, capacity changes, and supply chain developments influencing commodity markets worldwide.
1/4