BC Insight's September 18 acid trade insight said Chinese authorities unofficially suspended sulphuric acid exports from May through year-end 2026 to preserve domestic supply amid the global sulphur shortage, removing an estimated 2.8 million metric tonnes from the traded acid market in 2026 with no single origin able to replace the volume.
Alberta recovered sulfur still leaves mainly through the Vancouver stem. World supply shocks show up there as stem tightness, remelt draws, and Gulf-versus-Pacific basis.
Importers responded by cutting requirements, easing prices from May record highs while levels stayed historically elevated. Indonesian buyers were described as active in spot acid as nickel operations sought alternative feedstock when smelter sulphuric acid supply lagged expectations.
The piece linked acid tightness back to elemental sulphur scarcity and slower fourth-quarter sulphur flow normalization if Middle East conflict persists. Open trade press analysis;