The end of June saw declines in sulphur prices in many regions amid subdued global demand across regions. Most import markets are sufficiently covered through July at least, resulting in limited activity while supply increases. These conditions have exerted downward pressure on prices as bearish sentiment spread across regions.
Caitlyn India Pvt Ltd (CIPL) has announced a $46 million investment to build a 50,000 t/a phosphoric acid plant in India. The plant aims to reduce import dependence and boost the country’s fertiliser self-sufficiency. Commissioning is planned for the financial year 2027. The facility, to be set up in a port-accessible industrial zone in southern India, will use hemihydrate-dihydrate technology to produce high purity phosphoric acid and cleaner gypsum by-products. A captive sulphuric acid unit will also be included to support efficient operations. Initially, the acid produced will supply Indian fertiliser manufacturers, with plans for captive use in future fertiliser production.
Titanium dioxide is one of the major chemical uses for sulphuric acid outside of phosphate and metals processing, and sulphate route plants remain concentrated in China.