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 Q3 2026
- Hydrochloric Acid (18%) prices followed a mixed path in Q3 2026, briefly rebounding in mid-summer before softening as chlor-alkali oversupply and weak co-product economics weighed on markets.
- Chlorine, the base material for hydrochloric acid, lost value sharply as negative chlorine prices and losses at chlor-alkali plants forced producers to cut operating rates.
- Steel pickling, metal treatment and chemical processing users maintained steady purchases, but cautious buying and comfortable stocks prevented a sustained recovery.
Asia
In China, Hydrochloric Acid (18%) prices recovered in late July, as maintenance and reduced operating rates at several plants tightened supply. Demand from steel pickling, metallurgy and chemical users also improved, while transport restrictions limited the movement of material between regions. However, the rebound did not last, and prices eased in August as supply recovered and buying slowed, with the short-term outlook turning bearish by September. The wider chlor-alkali market stayed under heavy pressure, as liquid chlorine prices in Shandong fell below zero and producer margins turned negative, prompting output cuts.
Europe
European Hydrochloric Acid (18%) supply tightened as chlor-alkali producers reduced output. Chlorine production fell 6.8% from a year earlier in July, and capacity utilisation dropped to 64.8%, limiting the availability of by-product acid. Caustic soda stocks declined in July, pointing to better balance in the chlor-alkali chain and providing some support for acid values, although industrial demand remained cautious.
North America
In North America, Hydrochloric Acid (18%) market conditions were shaped by changes in the chlor-alkali sector. Producers reported improved caustic soda and EDC pricing, which helped offset higher natural gas and power costs. However, lower VCM volumes and plant outages reduced chlorine-chain output, limiting hydrochloric acid availability. Producers expected third-quarter chemical results to remain similar to the second quarter, suggesting broadly stable conditions.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, Hydrochloric Acid (18%) prices are expected to remain uneven, as lower chlor-alkali operating rates tighten supply in some regions while weak chlorine economics and high caustic soda stocks keep pressure on others.
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- Hydrochloric Acid (18%) prices moved unevenly in H1 2026, falling broadly in the first quarter on oversupply before Asian values recovered in the second quarter while Western markets stayed soft.
- High chlor-alkali operating rates increased by-product availability early in the year, while extensive maintenance in the second quarter reduced chlorine output and tightened supply in Asia.
- Demand from steel pickling, construction, water treatment and chemicals stayed subdued for most of the half, though steel and oilfield activity improved in North America later on.
Asia
In the first quarter, Hydrochloric Acid (18%) prices in China declined sharply as sustained chlor-alkali production lifted chlorine output and increased acid availability, while weak steel activity and limited chemical consumption reduced purchases. The trend reversed in the second quarter as merchant supply tightened. Chinese exports of 8,156.2 tonnes in January to March, up 149.3% year on year, reduced domestic availability, and more than 5 million tonnes of chlor-alkali capacity underwent maintenance in May and June, lowering chlorine output. The market corrected in June as some supply returned and buyers resisted higher offers. Demand from water treatment and steel stayed weak, with crude steel production falling 2.7% in May.
Europe
European Hydrochloric Acid (18%) prices eased slightly in the first quarter, at a slower pace than other regions. Stable chlor-alkali operations increased by-product supply, while slow construction activity reduced the need for acid in steel pickling. In the second quarter, the market stayed stable to softer, as higher chlorine production in April and rising caustic soda inventories eased supply concerns. Weak EU steel activity limited demand from metal processing, and stronger German steel output was not enough to offset broader regional weakness.
North America
In North America, Hydrochloric Acid (18%) prices softened in the first quarter, as steady chlor-alkali production kept supply ample and demand from oilfield services and construction showed little improvement. Prices fell further early in the second quarter on weaker chlor-alkali conditions and higher production costs. However, demand improved later in the quarter, as rising crude steel output supported pickling and coil processing, while higher drilling activity lifted demand for well stimulation.
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
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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
The current outlook for hydrochloric acid (18%) points to continued price volatility, shaped by production management and industrial activity. Asia and Europe are expected to sustain gradual recovery through rebalanced supply-demand and firmer downstream consumption from metal processing, ore beneficiation, and industrial cleaning. North America will likely remain cautious amid subdued steel processing and water treatment demand.
Hydrochloric acid (18%) prices are shaped primarily by chlor-alkali production rates, downstream industrial demand, and producer supply management. Elevated chlor-alkali output can create persistent oversupply, pushing prices down when steel pickling activity softens alongside weaker steel production. Production curtailments at key facilities and rising export volumes can tighten supply, triggering sharp but temporary price spikes. As production normalizes, prices tend to soften again before recovering as metal processing, ore beneficiation, and industrial cleaning demand strengthens and producers exercise greater supply discipline.
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 combusted to form hydrogen chloride gas, which is then absorbed in water to yield the 18% aqueous solution. The main feedstocks are salt (sodium chloride), water, and electricity for electrolysis. Downstream, hydrochloric acid (18%) is consumed in ferrous chloride production via its chemical reaction with iron, along with applications in steel pickling, pH control, and chemical synthesis.
Procurement Resource assesses hydrochloric acid (18%) prices through a structured, data-driven methodology combining primary engagement with producers, suppliers and traders, secondary market data, continuous monitoring of feedstock and input costs, trade-flow and inventory tracking, and exchange or spot benchmarks. All 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
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