China quietly turns off supply of world's most used industrial chemical
China has halted exports of sulphuric acid to secure its domestic supply amid disruptions to global sulphur trade caused by the Iran war. The move affects industries worldwide, including textiles, fertilisers, and electronics, that rely on the chemical. Australian manufacturers are facing challenges in sourcing the chemical, with limited alternatives available.
- ▪China banned sulphuric acid exports on May 1, 2026, to protect its downstream industries from supply disruptions.
- ▪Sulphuric acid is essential for producing textiles, fertilisers, batteries, and electronics, and is used in water treatment and petroleum refining.
- ▪About half of the global sulphur supply, a key input for sulphuric acid, came from the Middle East in 2025, but trade has been disrupted by the Iran war.
- ▪Australia produces some sulphuric acid domestically, but not at the grade required by certain industries like textile manufacturing.
- ▪China was the world's largest exporter of sulphuric acid, shipping nearly 5 million tonnes in 2025, making its export ban a significant disruption to global supply chains.
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Amid disruption from Iran war, China quietly turns off supply of sulphuric acidMBy Megan HughesABC RuralTopic:Chemical IndustrySun 17 May 2026 at 6:33amSun 17 May 2026 at 6:33amSun 17 May 2026 at 6:33amLoomTex is a textile manufacturer based in Geelong, Victoria. (Supplied: LoomTex)abc.net.au/news/china-turns-off-sulphuric-acid-supply/106682704Link copiedShareShare articleChina has moved to protect its supply of the world's most used industrial chemical, with ramifications for everything from food production to fashion and mobile phones.Sulphuric acid is a crucial ingredient in the manufacture of batteries, clothing and phosphate fertilisers, and is also used to treat drinking water, purify petroleum, and produce some metals and computer chips.China is a key exporter, but it relies on…
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