Sulfur and sulfuric acid
Granular Sulfur — Pastille & Lump Export Grade
FOB Black Sea / MENA · CFR/CIF worldwide on request
Indicative price
USD 492–600 / MT
Indicative range, firm quote on request
Key parameters
Full product details
Product overview
Elemental sulfur in solid form is the primary feedstock for the global sulfuric acid industry and a critical reagent in wet-process phosphoric acid manufacture. Recovered from Claus units at oil refineries and natural gas processing plants, our export grade is supplied as formed pastilles, screened granular or crushed lump — all meeting 99.5% S minimum with controlled ash and moisture content suitable for contact-process acid plants and phosphate complexes.
Pastille sulfur (2–6 mm discs) offers the best flow characteristics for automated conveyor feeding into sulfur burners, with minimal dust generation during ship-to-silo transfer. Granular grades (2–8 mm screened) provide equivalent handling at slightly lower cost. Lump sulfur suits buyers with in-plant crushing and screening capacity who prioritize price over uniformity. Bright yellow appearance confirms low organic contamination from upstream Claus recovery.
Typical buyers include integrated sulfuric acid producers securing merchant sulfur cover, phosphate fertilizer complexes in North Africa and South Asia, copper leaching operations consuming acid on-site, and agricultural distributors applying elemental sulfur as a soil amendment on alkaline calcareous soils. Origins include Black Sea and MENA Claus recovery terminals with established bulk loading jetties. HS code 2503.00.
Full specification
| Sulfur (S) | 99.5% min |
| Ash | 0.05% max |
| Moisture | 0.2% max |
| Acidity (as H2SO4) | 0.003% max |
| Organic matter | 0.02% max |
| Pastille size | 2–6 mm |
| Granular size | 2–8 mm (screened) |
| Appearance | Bright yellow solid |
| UN classification | UN 1350 (Class 4.1) |
| HS code | 2503.00 |
Loading ports & logistics
Bulk elemental sulfur requires dedicated bulk carriers with self-trimming hatch covers — it cannot share holds with food, fertilizer or general cargo due to dust contamination and fire risk. We coordinate three principal delivery modes depending on parcel size and receiver berth infrastructure.
Handysize and Supramax bulk carriers carry 25,000–55,000 MT per voyage on deep-sea routes from Black Sea and MENA loading terminals. Conveyor belts load directly from shore silos into ship holds with dust-suppression water sprays. Standard laytime 3–5 days depending on parcel size and shore equipment.
Coastal feeders and mini-bulkers assemble parcels from 1,000–5,000 MT for buyers without deep-water berths, transshipping at hub ports in the Mediterranean or Red Sea. Suitable for acid plants with limited silo capacity running on just-in-time sulfur supply.
FOB, CFR and CIF terms — FOB loading at exporter-nominated sulfur terminal; CFR and CIF quotes include bulk freight, marine insurance and discharge-port compatibility check (silo access, grab-unloader or conveyor discharge). Typical lead time 14–30 days from contract to loading window. Sulfur dust is combustible — all loading operations require spark-free equipment and grounding of conveyor systems.
Packaging & documentation
Cargo ships as bulk solid sulfur in dedicated vessel holds — no bagged or drummed form exists for export parcels above 500 MT. Each lot is accompanied by a mill certificate of analysis showing S content, ash, moisture and acidity results, safety data sheet (SDS) per GHS/IMDG, commercial invoice, stowage plan, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Sulfur content is confirmed by combustion-titration method on the COA; ash by residue after ignition at 600 °C.
Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas or equivalent) at loading for quantity and quality can be arranged on buyer request. Hold cleanliness certificate and previous-cargo declaration are issued with shipping instructions. For agricultural end-use, organic matter and heavy-metal limits can be confirmed against buyer specification on request.
FAQ
What is the difference between pastille, granular and lump sulfur for export?
Pastilles are formed by cooling molten sulfur into uniform 2–6 mm discs — low dust, ideal for conveyor handling at acid plants. Granular sulfur is screened to 2–8 mm with similar flow properties. Lump sulfur is crushed block material with wider size distribution, often priced lower but requiring additional screening before contact-process burners. All three meet 99.5% S min from Claus recovery units.
How is bulk elemental sulfur shipped on international routes?
Solid sulfur moves in dedicated bulk carriers with self-trimming hatches — Handysize and Supramax vessels carry 25,000–55,000 MT per voyage. FOB loading at Black Sea or MENA terminals uses conveyor belts direct to ship hold. Smaller parcels from 1,000 MT may be assembled on coastal feeders. Sulfur is classified UN 1350 (Class 4.1) and requires dust-control measures during loading.
What drives the indicative granular sulfur price per tonne?
FOB quotations track global refinery and gas-processing operating rates, Chinese phosphate demand for sulfuric acid feedstock, and bulk freight to your discharge port. The USD 492–600/MT band reflects form (pastille vs lump), origin and vessel availability; firm pricing is confirmed at contract signing against a named loading window.
Related products
- Sulfuric Acid — downstream product from elemental sulfur combustion
- Phosphoric Acid — wet-process acid consuming sulfuric acid feedstock
- Phosphate Rock — upstream ore attacked by sulfuric acid in the phosphate chain