Sodium Sulfate Price Trend and Forecast

Regional Price Overview

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Sodium Sulfate in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).

Sodium Sulfate Price Trend for October-December of 2023

North America

Sodium sulfate experienced a miscellaneous price trend in the fourth quarter of 2023. The North American sodium sulfate market maintained its steady growth trajectory. It was supported by consistent demand from downstream industries, although there were no significant spikes in either production or demand.

Sodium Sulfate Price Trends

The market was characterized by a balance between supply and demand, leading to stable pricing. However, external factors such as fluctuations in natural gas prices continued to impact production costs. Moving forward, the market is expected to stay stable, with a watchful eye on global economic trend and energy prices.

Asia-Pacific

The Asian sodium sulfate price trend in the fourth quarter of 2023 showed a mixed trend. In India, the market experienced a hike in sales, propelled by an increase in the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) to 54.9 in December, indicating a significant expansion in manufacturing activities.

However, this positive trend was somewhat offset by the announcement from Tosoh Corporation, Asia’s largest chlor-alkali manufacturer, about ceasing its sodium sulfate production due to significant losses. This development could lead to a tightening of supply in the region and may affect regional pricing dynamics. The overall market sentiment in Asia remained cautious, with market players closely monitoring the supply adjustments and potential impacts on prices.

Europe

The European sodium sulfate largely mirrored the trend in the fourth quarter as was in the previous quarter. Prices continued to show an upward trend, driven by steady demand from downstream sectors such as the detergent industry. However, the market also faced challenges, including high production costs influenced by elevated natural gas prices.

The PMI in key markets like Germany indicated a slight recovery in manufacturing activities, but the overall economic conditions, including inflation rates, continued to play a crucial role in shaping market dynamics. The sodium sulfate market in Europe is expected to navigate these challenges while adapting to any shifts in both domestic and global economic conditions.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the global price trend for sodium sulfate is anticipated to demonstrate the consistently mixed curve as was seen in the fourth quarter of 2023. The demand could rise from the downstream industries and can therefore register a price hike.

Sodium Sulfate Price Trend for the July-September of 2023

Asia

Throughout the third quarter, the sodium sulfate price trend took a bleak turn. The producers and traders were forced to adjust their price quotations. This was on account of poor demand for sodium sulfate and the feeble movement of the downstream industries.

The procurement rates were also affected by the slow economic recovery of the region. The effect of poor economic growth was also evident in the fall in the export and import of goods and rising unemployment. In all, these factors combined synergistically to keep the sodium sulfate price trajectory on the negative side.

Europe

Unlike Asian countries, the sodium sulfate market followed an inclining trajectory as the end-user industries exerted a positive influence on sodium sulfate price trend. The inclination was also the result of a subtle decline in inflation and maintained equilibrium between the supply and demand sectors. Additionally, the uproar in the cost of production caused by the surge in the prices of energy and the influx of expensive imports also played a major role in the northward journey of sodium sulfate price trend.

North America

During the starting phase of the third quarter, the consumers were hesitant to place bulk orders due to sliding economic conditions. However, as the quarter progressed, the demand scenario started to change, and downstream industries picked up their pace and gave the sodium sulfate market sentiments its required push. In addition to this, the disruptions in the supply chains and exponential surge in the prices of natural gas, the sodium sulfate price graph was able to trace an inclining trajectory.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Sodium Sulfate are expected to oscillate as the changing market sentiments and economic challenges are expected to dictate the trajectory of sodium sulfate prices.

Sodium Sulfate Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

Q1 2023 began with a surge in Sodium Sulfate demands from various downstream and end-user industries, so the market sentiments were fairly positive. But by the end of the second quarter, the inventories had started to overflow with excess supplies, and the demands, though steady, were not growing anymore. So, by the middle of May, the Sodium Sulfate prices had shifted to a downhill track and closed the second quarter in a similar manner. Overall, mixed market behavior was observed by Sodium Sulfate during the first two quarters of 2023 in the Asian market.

Europe

In the European Sodium Sulfate market, a fluctuating price trend was observed in H1 2023. As trade activities started normalizing in the European markets, Q1 2023 saw some fresh downstream demands supporting the Sodium Sulfate prices.

The price trend wavered on the upper side for most of the first quarter, but as the quarters shifted, the inventories started overfilling, and the demands started dipping. This pulled the reverse gear and pushed the prices southward, and these low swinging price trend for Sodium Sulfate continued for most of the second quarter.

North America

The North American Sodium Sulfate market could not behave any differently and almost replicated the European price trend. However, the supply-demand dynamics were still stable, which kept both upward and downward fluctuations in a very narrow range.

Analyst insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend for Sodium Sulfate are expected to oscillate in the coming quarter owing to the unsettled supply-demand dynamics amid rising rates of global inflation.

Sodium Sulfate Price Trend for the Second Half of 2022

Asia Pacific

In the third quarter, the price of sodium sulfate fluctuated in the Asian market. The rise in domestic manufacturers' inquiries in the region was prompted by the downstream detergents industry. The prices of upstream sulphuric acid and sodium chloride also fluctuated which caused cost pressure on the product’s values. The fourth quarter was, however, favourable in terms of the price trend of sodium sulfate. The prices increased due to low inventories and a limited supply of the product. The region observed a strong downstream demand despite towering inflation rates.

Europe

Due to the region’s inability to effectively use the product, the demand for sodium sulfate for downstream fertilizers fell sharply throughout Europe. The market’s weak purchasing behaviour from the end-users resulted in a fall in sodium sulfate prices. The price was further pushed on the edge by the abundance of inventories and ample supply. Due to the cost pressure brought by the fall in crude oil prices, the prices of sodium sulfate declined. The market also saw a decline in the demand from the detergent industry.

North America

The prices of sodium sulfate rose in the middle of the third quarter of 2022 and then sharply declined. The manufacturing sector in the US experienced a decline in July and the manufacturers reduced their production given the declining orders and rising inventories. The market, however, saw an upsurge in August. This upsurge continued till the fourth quarter, as the demand from the downstream industries increased and the exports increased.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the prices of Sodium sulfate are likely to increase during the coming month given the robust demand in the end-user industry and positive upstream cost pressure.

Sodium Sulfate Price Trend For the First Half of 2022

Asia

After persistent drop in previous quarters, sodium sulfate prices saw an increased growth in India. This increase in sodium sulfate prices was mainly driven by a recovery in market dynamics, as costs increased by more than 3% since conflicts started in the Eastern European countries.In China, by March alone, the spot price of sodium sulfate increased by roughly 40%.

The price of sodium sulfate averaged 129USD/MT in March. The price trend for sodium sulfateremained anchored throughout the second quarter due to several reasons. The unplanned shutdown of production units, high cost of sourcing raw materials , supply constarints and port congestion further supported the increased quotations by the manufacturers.

Europe

The major European economies' access to resources has been severely impacted by the continuing Russian invasion on Ukraine. Russian natural gas supplies have been restricted, which has raised concerns about the supply of sodium sulphate amid increased cost of production and supply chain issues.

North America

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has had a significant impact on trade activities all over the world. In the second quarter, sodium sulphate  prices increased by about 8% on the upstream price front.

According to market players the manufacturing capacity has been hampered by supply shortages as a result of sharp increases in input and output costs. Furthermore, the rise in material tariffs, higher fuel prices, and higher transportation costs have increased operating costs and supported the increased prices of sodium sulphate.

For the Fourth Quarter of 2021

Asia

During the fourth quarter of 2021, the market sentiments varied for the Northeast Asia market and Southeast Asian market in the APAC region. In China, the market sentiments gradually eased after reaching the historic highs as the consistent efforts made by the Chinese authorities had curbed the power rationing in the country.

As a response, the output efficacy improved after being dampened for two months. Whereas, due to the rising offers of crude oil and sulphur, sulphuric acid’s market remained buoyed in India, which was further backed by the constant demand from the fertilizers industry. As a ripple effect, the FOB Qingdao quarterly average discussion for the feedstock was assessed at 124 USD/MT.

Middle East

In the final quarter of 2021, the sentiments for the sulphuric acid market in the Middle East remained strongly upwards which affected the sodium sulfate prices. The market participants from the regional and international markets actively inquired about the acid throughout the quarter. Consequently, the Ex-Jeddah quarterly discussion for the feedstock was concluded at 210 USD/MT in the fourth quarter of 2021.

North America

After observing a constant upward trend in the previous quarter, the market sentiments for the chemical eased during the fourth quarter of 2021. This development in the market movement was majorly attributed to the better availability of upstream sulphur as the OPEC+ alliance decide to steadily increase the production of Crude Oil and it further backed by the announcement made by the Biden’s administration to release the strategic oil reserves in the mid of the fourth quarter. As a consequence, the FOB Linden NJ sulphuric acid price settled at 178 USD/MT.

For First, Second and Third Quarters of 2021

Asia

In the first quarter, the Asian market observed a fair import demand from other continents like Europe, although the regional demand remained low due to lesser enquiries from the downstream fertiliser sector. The Chinese Lunar year impacted Asian sulphuric acid output for a couple of weeks as inventory levels of several major manufacturers reduced to their lowest.

Meanwhile, in the Indian market, domestic demand from phosphate fertilisers producers was lower than the export demand from Europe amid spring seasons. Despite sufficient availability, prices of the feedstock remained well backed by high priced imports arriving from some European countries. In India, the acid prices rose from 177.23 USD/MT in January 2021 to 207.17 USD/MT in March 2021.

Sodium sulfate prices were also impacted by this rise in feedstock prices. The market reported an extreme rise in demand for the chemical, primarily in China during the second quarter. Meanwhile, the demand in India remained moderate due to an unanticipated surge in pandemic cases.

In the Indian market, the price of the commodity is highly influenced by the demand from downstream phosphate fertilizers segments and upstream crude oil values. Thus, the price of Battery Grade sulphuric acid was assessed at 288.7 USD/MT during the final week of the quarter.

While in China, the upstream sulphuric acid prices increased by double-digit, due to a sudden hike in demand from the downstream market, supported by whooping economic recovery in the second quarter of 2021.

The prices of feedstock rose effectively in the Asia Pacific region during the third quarter of 2021, backed by consistent demand from the emerging economies including China and India. The prices climbed up in India in August followed by the sharp rise in prices of catalyst vanadium in the country, as a result of which sodium sulfate prices also rose.

Despite a decline in the price trend of sulphur, amidst modest demand from the domestic market, producers had to elevate their product prices to sustain the product margin during Q3. Sources revealed that producers were facing the burden of surging production costs due to hiked catalyst prices, which pushed them to increase their product prices to protect their margin in Q3 of 2021. Ex-Depot Delhi NCR (India) price was last assessed at 174 USD/MT during the last week of September.

Europe

Europe had a modest demand for the chemical from the regional fertiliser sector during Q1 2021. The demand majorly was induced by the phosphate fertiliser manufacturing sector and remained high due to the onset of the spring season.

The domestic supply ranged from moderate to low across the region amid strong demand which send the regional prices to new highs during the quarter. Trading activity remained halted due to freezing weather across the region that disrupted the supply activity across the region.

The market had firm demand for the feedstock in the second quarter amidst supply shortages across the region. The tight supplies of the feedstock influenced the production of sodium sulfate.

Post pandemic spot demand from the regional downstream businesses effectively escalated, as the spot market activities were reaching their normalcy week over week. Additionally, curtailed supply activities due to lower inventory levels backed the prices to gain upward momentum in the meantime.

While INEOS announced the closure of its UK based upstream sulphuric acid plant operations, that induced uncertainties among buyers. In the European region, the feedstock’s market outlook showcased an upward price trend in the third quarter followed by the rise in demand from the downstream fertilizers sector.

The crises of Europe's natural gas and a high energy surcharge raised the overall production cost of local manufacturers. Strong elemental sulphur during Q3 and disruptions in supply pushed the prices higher. Additionally, curtailed supply activities due to lower inventory levels further backed the price upward trend.

North America

The North American sulphuric acid market observed a downward trend in the first quarter due to lower demand from the downstream derivatives. As production activities were halted across the US gulf, due to freezing weather conditions, some production plants remained idle, for example, PCL Nitrogen shut its Texas-based production unit in mid-February.

Although demand from the domestic market remained very low and several producers claimed sufficient availability of upstream sulphuric acid, average prices reduced by 2.4% during the quarter to settle at 60.5 USD/MT till March-end.

The market remained strong during the second quarter, gaining momentum from the pick-up in domestic fertilisers and other downstream industries. The demand for the commodity remained high in the meantime, while the supply showcased some fluctuations that led the prices to fluctuate respectively across the USA.

Regular offtakes from the fertilizers segment maintained the demand for the feedstock while the industrial acid sector elevated demand lately, and eventually, the supply-demand gap escalated leading to a steep rise in its prices which in turn affected sodium sulfate prices.

During the third quarter of 2021, the market price sulphuric acid observed a significant rise in the North American region. An improvement in the sulphur supply was observed which resulted in the adequate availability of the feedstock in the US market. In terms of demand, the regional market experienced an uptrend in Q3 as a result of strong demand from the downstream petroleum refining, chemical, and fertilizer industry. Pricing remained a key concern as manufacturers struggled to grapple with high energy costs.

For the Year 2020

Asia

Sulphuric acid is the primary feedstock in the production of sodium sulfate in the Manheim process. Shortage in its supply was observed in Q3 2020 in the Asia Pacific region, because of escalated demand of the commodity from the downstream sectors in China which led to an increment in domestic Chinese consumption. This affected the production of sodium sulfate in the region.

China is one of the major exporters and consumers of the feedstock in the Asia-Pacific region and strongly drives the regional market outlook. The demand-supply equilibrium of the region was seen impending shifts towards China and South Korea with manufacturers running out of stocks till the end of 2020.

Europe

The supply of upstream sulphuric acid was stable in Europe in Q3 of 2020, while its demand, which remained poor in July & August, showed gradual recovery by the end of September 2020. Most of the economies in the European region started recovering with demand from the acid consuming sectors gaining the lost upward trend by the second half of the quarter as rollovers were readily accepted by most buyers.

North America

The upstream supply of the feedstock was tight in Q3 because of the outbreak of Hurricane Laura in the region, which caused disruptions in the US power supply and ultimately impacted the sodium sulfate production. Kennecott, one of the largest manufacturers of feedstock sulphuric acid via the smelter route reported a decline in sulphuric acid production due to disruptions in the power supply.

Several other manufacturing units were heard announcing closures at their units temporarily, exacerbating the supply constraints. Some units were unable to resume production until the end of September, resulting in a significant demand-supply gap, impacting sodium sulfate prices as well.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Sodium Sulfate. Each price database is tied to a user-friendly graphing tool dating back to 2014, which provides a range of functionalities: configuration of price series over user defined time period; comparison of product movements across countries; customisation of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.

Please Login or Subscribe to explore our dashboard.

About

Sodium Sulfate is the inorganic compound obtained either from deposits of the sodium Sulfate minerals mirabilite and thenardite or from chemical synthesis. It is highly soluble in water and all forms of Sodium Sulfate are white solids.

Sodium Sulfate Anhydrous disassociates in water to form sodium ions and Sulfate ions. The sodium ion is the primary cation of the extracellular fluid that plays a huge role in the therapy of fluid or electrolyte disturbances.

Product Details

Report Features Details
Product Name Sodium Sulfate
Chemical Formula Na2SO4
Industrial Uses Adhesives and sealant chemicals, Agricultural chemicals (non-pesticidal), Bleaching agents, Catalyst, Corrosion inhibitors and anti-scaling agents, Curing accelerator, Detergent manufacturing, Dyes, Fillers, Fining agent in glass melting process (degassing), Finishing agents, Formulation agent,Functional fluids, Intermediates, Laboratory chemicals, Manufacturing aid, Oil and gas exploration, Oxidising/reducing agents, Pigments, Propellants and blowing agents, Solids separation agents, Surface active agents, Used in tanning process of leather, Substitute for raw material
Supplier Database Acros Organics, American Elements, Charkit Chemical Company LLC, Penta Manufacturing Company
Molecular Weight 142.04 g/mol
Synonyms 7757-82-6, 7727-73-3 (decahydrate), Sulfate of sodium, Salt cake, Thenardite (mineral), Glauber's salt (decahydrate), Sal mirabilis (decahydrate), Mirabilite (decahydrate mineral), Disodium Sulfate
Region/Countries Covered 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
Currency US$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database Availability Yes
Customization Scope The report can be customized as per the requirements of  the customer 
Post-Sale Analyst Support 360-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 Processes

  • Production of Sodium Sulfate via the Mannheim process; and the Slurry process

In the Manheim process, Manheim furnace is utilised for the production of Sodium Sulfate. Chemicals like the sodium chloride and sulphuric acid are the main components of this production process. These products are mixed are rotated in the furnace, to which, more sodium chloride is added, which leads to the production of Sodium Sulfate cake.

Methodology

The displayed pricing data is derived through weighted average purchase price, including contract and spot transactions at the specified locations unless otherwise stated. The information provided comes from the compilation and processing of commercial data officially reported for each nation (i.e. government agencies, external trade bodies, and industry publications).

Assistance from Experts

Procurement Resource is a one-stop solution for businesses aiming at the best industry insights and market evaluation in the arena of procurement. Our team of market leaders covers all the facets of procurement strategies with its holistic industry reports, extensive production cost and pre-feasibility insights, and price trends dynamics impacting the cost trajectories of the plethora of products encompassing various industries. With the best analysis of the market trends and comprehensive consulting in light of the best strategic footstep, Procurement Resource got all that it takes.

Client's Satisfaction

Procurement Resource has made a mark for itself in terms of its rigorous assistance to its clientele. Our experienced panel of experts leave no stone unturned in ensuring the expertise at every step of our clients' strategic procurement journey. Our prompt assistance, prudential analysis, and pragmatic tactics considering the best procurement move for industries are all that sets us apart. We at Procurement Resource value our clients, which our clients vouch for.

Assured Quality

Expertise, judiciousness, and expedience are the crucial aspects of our modus operandi at Procurement Resource. Quality is non-negotiable, and we don't compromise on that. Our best-in-class solutions, elaborative consulting substantiated by exhaustive evaluation, and fool-proof reports have led us to come this far, making us the ‘numero uno' in the domain of procurement. Be it exclusive qualitative research or assiduous quantitative research methodologies, our high quality of work is what our clients swear by.

Table Of Contents

Our Clients

client-image

Get in Touch With Us

flag
UNITED STATES

Phone:+1 307 363 1045

flag
INDIA

Phone: +91 1203185500

flag
UNITED KINGDOM

Phone: +44 7537 132103

Email: sales@procurementresource.com

NEWSLETTER

Get latest News About Procurement Resource
Subscribe for news

This site uses cookies (including third-party cookies) to record user’s preferences. See our Privacy PolicyFor more.