On September 8, China has finally resumed its international supply of sulfuric acid after suspending exports since May.
In 2025, China produced 127.8 million tons of sulfuric acid, accounting for 40% of the global total, and exported 4.649 million tons. Global sulfuric acid trade volume ranges between 25 to 30 million tons, meaning China’s exports represent about 15% of that total.
Previously, Chile imported 37.1% of its sulfuric acid from China, while Indonesia accounted for 61.6%. Since China suspended exports, spot prices in Chile have surged by 57.9%, and delivered prices in the Democratic Republic of Congo have soared to $1,500 per ton.
The real significance of this shipment lies not in the 32,000 tons itself.
First, China holds weight in basic chemical markets due to its actual production capacity and strategic position in the supply chain. Given the relatively small scale of global sulfuric acid trade, any disruption can significantly impact prices.
Second, developed countries long ago abandoned such dirty and heavy industries. Emerging markets struggle to take over due to power shortages and lack of equipment. In contrast, China controls the entire chain—from raw material imports and production to logistics and foreign trade—this is the ultimate strength.
Third, China isn’t merely selling finished products; it serves as a hub within the foundational industrial network. You can relocate a smartphone production line, but you cannot move an industrial system capable of producing hundreds of millions of tons of chemicals.
What’s worth watching next is how this ability to control supply—both to restrict and release—will be used in the future, and how it might reshape the global rules governing basic chemical trade.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1875938286763208/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.