Track H Acid Price Report Historical and Forecast

Executive Summary

The global H Acid market experienced notable volatility through 2024 and 2025, shaped by fluctuating feedstock costs, persistent logistics disruptions, uneven downstream textile demand, and changing international trade flows. During the quarter ending September 2025, H Acid prices rose across major regions, including North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, despite subdued consumption from textile, polyester, and dye intermediates. Price gains were largely driven by cost-push pressures originating in China, compounded by port congestion, weather disruptions, and intermittent plant outages that constrained export availability.

Quarterly price movements reflected a delicate balance between weak demand and tightening supply reliability. Elevated sulphuric acid and naphthalene prices increased production costs for Chinese manufacturers, while freight volatility and shipment delays raised landed import costs across importing regions. Procurement behavior remained cautious, with buyers prioritizing short-term coverage and inventory discipline amid uncertain demand recovery. Looking ahead, H Acid price forecasts suggest moderate upside risks, particularly if restocking activity coincides with further logistics bottlenecks or feedstock cost inflation.

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Introduction

H Acid, a critical intermediate in the production of azo dyes and specialty textile chemicals, plays a vital role in global dye manufacturing chains. Its pricing dynamics are closely linked to feedstock markets, especially naphthalene and sulphuric acid, as well as operational conditions within China, the world's primary production and export hub. Over the past several quarters, the H Acid market has been shaped by recurring disruptions, ranging from severe weather events and port congestion to fluctuating demand from downstream textile and polyester industries.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of H Acid price trends and forecasts, covering quarterly movements, regional dynamics, production cost structures, procurement behavior, and trade-flow impacts. It draws on market observations from North America, APAC, and Europe, while also reviewing historical developments from late 2024 through Q3 2025.

Global H Acid Price Overview

Globally, H Acid prices remained sensitive to cost-side pressures rather than demand-driven momentum. While downstream consumption remained muted due to weak textile operating rates and elevated fabric inventories, supply-side constraints repeatedly offset bearish fundamentals. Chinese production costs rose significantly during 2025, driven by sharp increases in sulphuric acid and naphthalene prices, alongside higher logistics and conversion costs caused by flooding, heatwaves, and congestion at major export ports.

International trade flows remained inconsistent. Export volumes from China to the United States and Europe declined on a year-on-year basis, reflecting tariff uncertainty, freight volatility, and cautious buying behavior from importers. Despite weak demand, these trade disruptions tightened effective availability in importing regions, lending support to regional price indices.

Quarterly Price Snapshot for Q3 2025

Clean text-based table summarizing key regional data for the quarter ending September 2025:

Region Location Price Index QoQ Average Price (USD/MT) Trade Basis

North America USA +3.46% 5,226.33 CFR Texas

APAC South Korea +4.90% 5,133.33 CFR Busan

Europe Belgium +5.11% 5,211.67 CFR Antwerp

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Regional Market Analysis

North America H Acid Market

During the quarter ending September 2025, H Acid prices in North America registered a 3.46 percent quarter-over-quarter increase. The average quarterly price stood at approximately USD 5,226.33 per metric ton on a CFR Texas basis. This upward movement was primarily cost-driven rather than demand-led.

Supply reliability emerged as a key concern. Delayed shipments from China due to port congestion and severe weather disrupted delivery schedules, tightening effective availability in the U.S. market. At the same time, Chinese production costs rose due to elevated sulphuric acid and naphthalene prices, increasing landed import costs for U.S. buyers.

Despite these pressures, domestic demand remained weak. Textile and polyester producers continued destocking, operating at reduced utilization rates amid high finished-goods inventories. Procurement behavior remained cautious, with buyers favoring smaller, staggered purchases rather than bulk commitments. Inventory accumulation and subdued spot liquidity limited aggressive price escalation, even as cost-push factors supported the price index.

Asia-Pacific H Acid Market

In the Asia-Pacific region, H Acid prices recorded a stronger quarter-over-quarter increase of 4.9 percent during Q3 2025. In South Korea, the average quarterly price reached approximately USD 5,133.33 per metric ton on a CFR Busan basis.

The APAC market was heavily influenced by supply-side disruptions originating in China. Plant outages, flood-related production interruptions, and congestion at export hubs reduced available volumes for regional buyers. Rising feedstock prices further amplified cost pressures, strengthening the regional price index.

Demand across APAC remained seasonally muted, reflecting off-season textile activity and elevated inventories of finished goods. However, logistics bottlenecks and volatile intra-Asian freight rates prompted some buyers to secure short-term cargoes as a precautionary measure. This defensive procurement behavior provided near-term support to prices, even as overall consumption remained weak.

Europe H Acid Market

Europe experienced the strongest price increase among the major regions, with the H Acid price index in Belgium rising by 5.11 percent quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025. Average prices settled at approximately USD 5,211.67 per metric ton on a CFR Antwerp basis.

European markets faced tightening supply conditions due to delayed CIF shipments from China and persistent port congestion. Chinese plant outages and festival-related slowdowns further constrained export volumes, increasing landed costs for European importers.

Demand in Europe remained seasonally weak, as downstream textile and polyester sectors postponed restocking amid high inventories and soft consumer demand. Procurement activity remained conservative, limiting the extent of price gains despite supply tightness. Freight rate volatility and weather-related disruptions continued to inject uncertainty into the European price outlook.

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Historical Quarterly Review from Q4 2024 to Q2 2025

During Q4 2024, H Acid prices initially declined across regions due to cheaper imports from China, falling feedstock costs, and easing freight rates. However, December 2024 marked a sharp reversal as early restocking activity coincided with tightening Chinese supply and rising logistics costs.

In Q1 2025, prices softened again across North America, APAC, and Europe, driven by weak textile demand, cautious procurement, and high inventories. Competitive shipping rates and lower feedstock costs provided temporary relief. Despite this, average quarterly prices remained relatively firm compared to Q4 2024 due to earlier price spikes.

Q2 2025 saw continued demand weakness, but cost-side pressures re-emerged. Flooding in central China, port congestion, and rising feedstock prices elevated production and logistics costs, preventing further price declines and setting the stage for the Q3 2025 rebound.

Production and Cost Structure Insights

H Acid production costs are heavily influenced by naphthalene and sulphuric acid prices, energy inputs, and environmental compliance costs. In 2025, sharp increases in feedstock prices significantly raised manufacturing expenses for Chinese producers. Weather-related disruptions further reduced operating efficiency, while logistics congestion increased conversion and delivery costs.

These cost pressures were passed through to export prices, despite weak demand, underscoring the structural importance of cost-side dynamics in the H Acid market.

Procurement Behavior and Supply Conditions

Across regions, procurement strategies remained defensive. Buyers prioritized inventory optimization, short-term contracts, and flexible sourcing strategies. Bulk purchases were avoided due to uncertain demand recovery and volatile freight costs.

Supply conditions remained fragile due to export concentration in China. Even minor disruptions had outsized impacts on global availability, reinforcing the market's sensitivity to logistics and operational risks.

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H Acid Price Forecast and Outlook

The near-term H Acid price forecast suggests moderate upside risks. Potential restocking activity, festival-related freight increases, and persistent feedstock inflation could support prices. However, weak downstream demand and high inventories are expected to cap significant price rallies. Market participants are likely to remain cautious, with price movements continuing to reflect cost-driven volatility rather than demand-led growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did H Acid prices rise despite weak demand in 2025?

Prices increased primarily due to higher feedstock costs, logistics disruptions, and reduced export availability from China, which outweighed weak downstream demand.

Which region saw the strongest H Acid price growth in Q3 2025?

Europe recorded the highest quarter-over-quarter increase at 5.11 percent, driven by supply tightness and freight volatility.

How do feedstock prices impact H Acid production?

Naphthalene and sulphuric acid represent major cost components. Sharp price increases directly raise production costs and export pricing.

What factors will influence H Acid prices going forward?

Key factors include feedstock cost trends, Chinese production stability, freight rates, and downstream textile demand recovery.

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This release was published on openPR.