Sci99 published its September 17 sulfuric acid market morning briefing on Wednesday, putting the national average for 98 percent sulfuric acid at 1,771.25 yuan per metric tonne on September 16.
The print was down 24.69 yuan from the prior session in the open table, a smaller move than the elemental sulfur benchmark correction Shengyishe had already published for September 16.
Shandong sulphur-burning acid was quoted in a 2,700 to 3,000 yuan per tonne band, unchanged on the day according to the same release.
North China smelting acid fell 300 yuan per tonne in Sci99's morning account, reflecting smelter-side weakness that does not automatically track refinery sulfur quotes.
The acid market sits downstream of elemental sulfur, so desks typically read acid as lagging sharper moves in recovered sulfur benchmarks rather than leading them.
Shengyishe's last open national sulfur benchmark remained 7,704.00 yuan per tonne on September 16 after a 5.79 percent correction on September 15.
Domestic phosphate and industrial acid demand in China continues to face high import-cost floors from Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb shipping risk even when national sulfur indices fall.
SunSirs and BC Insight accounts for mid-September still put theoretical CFR southern China landed costs above 1,070 dollars per tonne and granular import offers near 1,000 dollars at the top of open ranges.
For Alberta forming plants, acid prices in Shandong near 3,000 yuan do not by themselves reduce Pacific sulfur netbacks when seaborne granular imports still clear four-digit dollars.
Middle East contract postings such as QatarEnergy's September 880 dollars per tonne FOB remain far below landed parity once freight and insurance surcharges are applied on Hormuz-risk cargoes.
US phosphate economics remain stressed in open TFI and farmdoc chains that link sulfur above 1,000 dollars per tonne to Mosaic curtailments and record Tampa molten settlements at 705 dollars per long ton.
Canadian elemental sulfur exports through Vancouver rose in 2025 to 3.51 million tonnes through the port authority statistics, with national pace estimates near 4.25 million tonnes for the full year.
Alberta provincial sulfur stocks were last cited in open trade press at 11.66 million tonnes in July 2025, the lowest since May 2019, which keeps the inventory draw story intact even as Chinese benchmarks correct.
Desk read: September 17 Sci99 acid is a modest down print that confirms downstream markets are adjusting after elemental sulfur moved first. Watch whether Shandong sulphur-acid holds at 2,700 to 3,000 yuan if benchmarks stabilize near 7,700 yuan.