Sulfur and sulfuric acid
Powder / Crushed Sulfur 99.5% — Sized Feedstock for Acid Plants
FOB Black Sea / MENA · CFR/CIF worldwide on request
Indicative price
USD 451–550 / MT
Indicative range, firm quote on request
Key parameters
Full product details
Product overview
Powder and crushed sulfur is elemental sulfur (S₈) milled or screened to 0–5 mm particle size for direct feed into contact-process sulfuric acid plants, rubber vulcanization lines, agricultural soil amendment programs and specialty chemical synthesis. Unlike lump sulfur that requires on-site crushing, sized powder grade arrives ready for pneumatic conveying into burners and reaction furnaces — reducing handling losses and dust generation at the receiver's terminal.
Our export grade carries 99.5% sulfur minimum with ash capped at 0.05% and moisture at 0.2% — parameters that protect acid plant catalyst beds from poisoning and keep pneumatic transport systems free of caking. Bright yellow crystalline appearance confirms low organic contamination typical of Claus-process recovery units at oil refineries and natural gas processing plants. Origins include Black Sea, Caspian and Middle Eastern production hubs with established bulk sulfur jetties and covered storage.
Typical buyers are integrated sulfuric acid producers securing merchant sulfur cover, phosphate fertilizer complexes feeding wet-process acid circuits, rubber manufacturers blending accelerator packages, and agricultural distributors supplying micronutrient programs on alkaline soils. 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 | 0.03% max |
| Chlorides | 50 ppm max |
| Arsenic | 1 ppm max |
| Particle size | 0–5 mm (powder / crushed) |
| Appearance | Bright yellow crystalline solid |
| Bulk density | 1.2–1.4 t/m³ (loose) |
| HS code | 2503.00 |
Loading ports & logistics
Elemental sulfur is a solid bulk cargo classified under IMSBC Code — it requires covered storage and dust-controlled handling at every stage. We coordinate three principal delivery modes depending on parcel size and receiver infrastructure.
Bulk vessel parcels of 3,000–50,000 MT suit FOB loading at dedicated sulfur jetties on the Black Sea, Caspian and Arabian Gulf. Self-discharging bulk carriers with grab cranes are standard; covered holds or tarpaulin protection during transit prevents rain wetting that raises moisture above specification.
Coastal feeders and river barges move parcels of 1,000–5,000 MT on short-sea routes to inland acid plants with river berth access. Minimum parcel 1,000 MT for FOB assembly from stockpile at exporter terminal.
Big-bag and containerized lots of 500–1,000 MT can be arranged for buyers without bulk berth infrastructure — 1-tonne FIBC bags loaded into 20-foot containers at origin. CFR and CIF quotes include vessel or container freight, marine insurance and discharge-port compatibility check before firm offer. Typical lead time 14–28 days from contract execution to loading window.
Packaging & documentation
Bulk sulfur ships loose in vessel holds or as 1-tonne FIBC big bags on buyer request. Each lot is accompanied by a mill certificate of analysis showing sulfur content, ash, moisture and particle size distribution, safety data sheet (SDS) per GHS (combustible solid, dust explosion hazard), commercial invoice, weight certificate, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Sulfur content is confirmed by combustion-titration method; particle size by sieve analysis on the COA.
Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas or equivalent) at loading can be arranged on buyer request. Hold cleanliness certificate and previous-cargo statement are issued with the shipping instructions package. UN number 1350 applies for road and container transport of powdered sulfur.
FAQ
What is the difference between powder, crushed and lump sulfur?
All three are elemental sulfur (S₈) differing only in particle size distribution. Powder and crushed grades (0–5 mm) suit direct feed to contact-process acid plants, rubber compounding and agricultural dusting. Lump sulfur (above 25 mm) requires crushing at destination and trades at a discount to sized grades.
How should powdered sulfur be stored after discharge?
Store under cover in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse away from oxidizers and ignition sources. Fine sulfur dust is combustible — ground all equipment, suppress dust during handling and maintain pile temperature below 160 °C to prevent self-heating in large static heaps.
What drives the indicative sulfur powder price per tonne?
FOB quotations track global refinery and gas-plant sulfur output, Chinese phosphate demand, vessel freight to your discharge port and particle-size premium over lump. The USD 451–550/MT band reflects current origin and sizing differentials; firm pricing is fixed at contract signing.
Related products
- Sulfuric Acid — downstream product from elemental sulfur combustion
- Phosphoric Acid — wet-process grade consuming sulfuric acid feedstock
- Phosphate Rock — upstream ore for the phosphate-sulfur value chain