According to the monitoring by the Business News Agency, the price of potassium sulfate content 50 at the beginning of this week was 3950 yuan/ton, while the price of potassium sulfate content 50 at the end of this week was 3933 yuan/ton, with a decrease of 0.42%.

The domestic potassium sulfate market price has experienced a slight correction trend, and the unit operating rate of processing type Mannheim potassium sulfate manufacturers has remained at a level of less than 50%. The operating rate is limited, and downstream factories mainly purchase on demand. Currently, the mainstream factory price of Mannheim 52% powdered potassium sulfate is 3850-3950 yuan/ton, and the price of granular potassium sulfate is basically in line with the 52% powdered price. The actual transaction is mainly based on the purchase order, but the overall procurement demand is relatively limited.

The overall operating rate of downstream compound fertilizer plants in the recent period is less than 50%. With the prices of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium raw materials all declining, even if there is a small amount of raw material procurement demand from downstream plants, they have maintained the on-demand procurement model, with limited market support for potassium fertilizer.

Prediction: The domestic potash fertilizer market is in a weak and downward state, with a slight confusion in the market. It is expected that the market price may be dominated by a weak consolidation trend.

According to the monitoring of the Business News Agency, the price of activated carbon at the beginning of this week was 10533 yuan/ton, while the price of activated carbon at the weekend was 10633 yuan/ton, with a price increase of 0.95%.

The factory price of domestic activated carbon for coconut shell water purification is between 9600-12500 yuan/ton, with an increase in market inquiries. Domestic coal based activated carbon production enterprises operate normally, with a relatively high spot supply compared to the annual average level, and a moderate enthusiasm for shipment.

Active carbon has a rich source of raw materials, including coal, sawdust, fruit shells, straw, etc. Through a series of processes to prepare activated carbon suitable for water treatment, active carbon manufacturers are also continuously improving the performance of activated carbon, increasing its working capacity, and effectively adsorbing and purifying wastewater.

Prediction: The transaction in the activated carbon market is active and fair, and the trading atmosphere on the floor has warmed. It is expected that the price of activated carbon will mainly fluctuate in a narrow range in the short term.

According to the monitoring of the Business Agency, the domestic MTBE market has surged and fallen back. From March 10th to 17th, the price of MTBE fell from 7412 yuan/ton to 7237 yuan/ton, with a 2.36% decrease in price during the cycle, a 5.20% month-on-month increase in price, and a 3.50% year-on-year decrease. As the price rises to a high level, the enthusiasm for receiving goods from downstream has weakened. In addition, crude oil has declined broadly in the second half of the week, resulting in a strong pessimistic atmosphere in the market, and demand has been increasingly reduced. MTBE prices have followed the downward trend.

In terms of cost and crude oil, international crude oil has plummeted continuously, with Brent falling by more than 10%. The impact of pessimism has spread, and the market is mostly on the sidelines. The cost side is negative for the domestic oil industry chain, while the MTBE cost side is temporarily negative.

On the demand side, the gasoline market slightly decreased, while downstream demand followed suit. The MTBE demand side is temporarily negative.

As of the close of March 16th, the closing price of the Asian MTBE market was reduced by 75.50 US dollars per ton compared to the previous trading day, while FOB Singapore closed at 886.49-888.49 US dollars per ton. The closing price of the European MTBE market increased by US $14.25/ton compared to the previous trading day, while the FOB ARA closed at US $950.74-951.24/ton. The closing price of the US MTBE market increased by 33.20 US dollars per ton compared to the previous trading day, while the FOB Gulf price closed at 1190.31-1190.66 US dollars per ton (335.30-335.40 US cents per gallon).

In the future, it is predicted that the prices of gasoline and gasoline raw materials will follow the downward trend due to the continuous deep decline of crude oil, resulting in a weaker transaction. Business agency MTBE analysts believe that in the short term, the domestic MTBE market may be dominated by fluctuations and consolidation.

Recent price trend of sulfuric acid

As can be seen from the above figure, the domestic sulfuric acid market price rose slightly this week, with the sulfuric acid price rising from 268.33 yuan/ton at the end of last week to 273.33 yuan/ton at the end of this week, an increase of 1.86%. Compared with the same period last year, the year-on-year decrease was 71.63%. The sulfuric acid commodity index stood at 42.54 on March 19, unchanged from yesterday, down 77.38% from the cycle’s highest point of 188.07 (2022-04-13), and up 34.96% from the lowest point of 31.52 on June 6, 2019. (Note: The cycle refers to 2011-09-01 to now)

Upstream market fluctuates and falls, while downstream procurement enthusiasm is good

From the perspective of the upstream and downstream industrial chains, the upstream sulfur market declined slightly, with the sulfur price falling from 1223.33 yuan/ton at the end of last week to 1213.33 yuan/ton at the end of this week, a decrease of 0.82%. Compared to the same period last year, the year-on-year decline was 61.07%, with a slight decline in the upstream market and weakened cost support. The downstream hydrofluoric acid market has stabilized at a low level, with a market price of 9714.29 yuan/ton. Compared to the same period last year, the year-on-year decrease was 10.30%. The downstream titanium dioxide market has stabilized at a high level, with a market price of 17116.67 yuan/ton. Compared to the same period last year, the year-on-year decrease was 18.88%. Downstream prices fluctuate with each other, and downstream procurement enthusiasm is good.

Slightly volatile decline in the future market

In late March, the domestic sulfuric acid market may fluctuate slightly and fall mainly. The upstream sulfur market has recently declined slightly, and cost support has weakened. Downstream ammonium sulfate and hydrofluoric acid markets have stabilized at a low level, while titanium dioxide markets have stabilized at a high level. Downstream customers have a general enthusiasm for purchasing sulfuric acid, and the product trend has declined due to supply and demand conflicts. Sulfuric acid analysts from the Business Society believe that the short-term domestic sulfuric acid market is mainly affected by supply and demand, raw materials, and other factors, and the sulfuric acid market price may fluctuate slightly.

According to the data monitored by the Business News Agency, as of March 20, the price of high-quality power type lithium iron phosphate was 121000 yuan/ton, which was a weak decline compared to the lithium iron phosphate market in the same period last week. The overall price fell by 13.57%. The mainstream price range was around 120000 yuan/ton, mainly for contract customers, and new orders were not received.

Lithium iron phosphate is mainly operated in a weak manner, with a significant price decline. Currently, the mainstream price is 120000 yuan/ton. The upstream price is operated in a weak manner, with a downward trend in price. The cost side support for lithium iron phosphate is insufficient. Downstream procurement is based on demand, with insufficient demand and slow order issuance. The manufacturer’s supply source is only for old customers. Currently, the operating rate is normal, and logistics is smooth. In the short term, lithium iron phosphate is operated in a weak manner.

Chemical commodity index: On March 19, the chemical index stood at 918 points, unchanged from yesterday, down 34.43% from the cycle’s highest point of 1400 points (2021-10-23), and up 53.51% from the lowest point of 598 points on April 8, 2020. (Note: The cycle refers to 2011-12-01 to now)

Analysts from the Business Society believe that the weak operation of the lithium iron phosphate market is dominant in the short term.