Sulfuric Acid Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Raw Material (Elemental Sulfur, Base Metal Smelters, Pyrite Ore, and Others), By Type (Reagent Grade and Industrial Grade), By Application (Fertilizers, Chemical Manufacturing, Metal Processing, Petroleum Refining, Textile Industry, Automotive, Pulp & Paper, and Others), and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Sulfuric Acid Market size was valued at US$ 11,897.4 million in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 14,533.1 million by 2031 at a CAGR of 2.9% from 2025-2031. Moreover, the U.S. Sulfuric Acid Market is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of US$ 4,534.3 Million by 2031.  The market is dedicated to the production, distribution, and utilization of sulfuric acid (H2SO4), a powerful and highly corrosive mineral acid.

The market is primarily driven by its critical role in fertilizer production, especially in manufacturing phosphoric acid for DAP and MAP fertilizers. As global food demand surges due to population growth and changing climate conditions, countries with large agricultural footprints, such as India, China, and Brazil, continue to invest heavily in sulfuric acid-intensive fertilizers to boost crop productivity. A major trend shaping the market is the integration of smelter-based sulfuric acid production in metal-processing industries, particularly in China and Chile. These integrated systems help capture sulfur dioxide emissions and convert them into usable acid, supporting both economic and environmental goals.

In terms of opportunity, growing demand from the mining sector for metal leaching, especially in copper- and zinc-rich nations like Peru and the DRC, opens up high-margin applications beyond agriculture. Additionally, innovation in acid recycling and green infrastructure offers long-term growth potential. However, the market expansion is restrained by environmental and safety concerns, as sulfuric acid is highly corrosive and hazardous. Regulatory compliance, logistical complexity in transport, and high operational costs, especially in developing regions, remain significant barriers. Despite these constraints, the sulfuric acid market continues to expand steadily, supported by its indispensable industrial applications and emerging sustainable production models.

Facts & Figures

• Fertilizer Demand and Agricultural Growth: Sulfuric acid is essential in producing phosphoric acid, which is used to manufacture phosphate fertilizers such as DAP and MAP, critical for global food production. For instance, according to the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), global phosphate fertilizer demand is expected to exceed 46 million tonnes by 2025, driven by rising food needs and shrinking arable land, especially in populous nations like India and China.
• Mining and Metal Leaching: The rise in global demand for metals like copper, zinc, and uranium, especially for electronics and EV batteries, is increasing the use of sulfuric acid in leaching operations. For instance, in 2023, Chile's state-owned Codelco expanded its sulfuric acid plant to support increased copper extraction amid global electrification and clean energy transition targets.
• Shift Toward Circular Production and SO? Capture: Smelter-integrated acid production is emerging as a sustainable trend, where SO? emissions from metal refining are converted into sulfuric acid, reducing waste and cost. For instance, in 2023, China Nonferrous Mining Corporation (CNMC) invested in a $150M SO?-to-sulfuric-acid plant in Zambia to comply with emission norms and meet internal acid demand, demonstrating the economic and environmental value of this model.
• Water and Wastewater Treatment: Sulfuric acid is used for pH control and purification in municipal and industrial water treatment plants. With rising urban populations and water scarcity, this demand is growing steadily. For instance, according to the World Bank, global water treatment investment is projected to grow at a 6.2% CAGR through 2030, especially in regions like Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Developments

• In March 2024, Aurubis announced a €250 million investment to expand its smelter in Pirdop, Bulgaria. The project includes a new sulfuric acid recovery unit, aligning with EU environmental standards and boosting capacity for internal copper leaching operations.
• In February 2024, as part of India’s fertilizer self-reliance strategy, FCIL, in collaboration with Ramagundam Fertilizers & Chemicals, revived a long-dormant sulfuric acid facility, aiming to support domestic DAP production and reduce imports.
• In November 2023, PVS Chemicals completed a strategic acquisition of sulfuric acid facilities from Chemtrade Logistics in the U.S. Midwest. Valued at $105 million, the acquisition strengthens PVS’s logistics and supply capabilities in the industrial and agricultural sectors.
• In June 2023, BASF formed a joint venture with Zhejiang Jiahua Energy Chemical to build a joint sulfuric acid unit in Jiaxing, China, worth $75 million. The plant focuses on meeting the growing demand from China’s chemical and battery industries.

High-Purity Sulfuric Acid Market Segmentation

Based on the raw material

• Elemental Sulfur
• Base Metal Smelters
• Pyrite Ore
• Others

The elemental sulfur segment holds the largest market share in the market due to its high availability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of processing. Most elemental sulfur is recovered as a by-product from petroleum refining and natural gas processing, making it a reliable and economical feedstock for sulfuric acid production, especially in countries with well-established refining industries like the U.S., China, and the Gulf nations. Additionally, it offers lower emissions and better operational control compared to other sources. In contrast, the pyrite ore segment holds the smallest share, largely due to its declining use, higher extraction costs, and environmental concerns related to pyrometallurgical processing.

Based on the type

• Reagent Grade
• Industrial Grade

The industrial grade segment holds the largest market share in the market, primarily because of its widespread use in high-volume applications such as fertilizer manufacturing, metal processing, petroleum refining, and wastewater treatment. Industrial-grade sulfuric acid meets the chemical requirements for these large-scale processes without the need for ultra-purity, making it more cost-efficient and accessible. Countries with strong industrial and agricultural sectors, like China, the U.S., and India, drive the demand for this grade. In contrast, reagent-grade sulfuric acid, which is used in laboratories, pharmaceuticals, and electronics manufacturing, commands a smaller share due to its limited volume and higher purity requirements.

Based on the application

• Fertilizers
• Chemical Manufacturing
• Metal Processing
• Petroleum Refining
• Textile Industry
• Automotive
• Pulp & Paper
• Others

Based on the applications, the fertilizers segment holds the largest market share in the market. This dominance is due to sulfuric acid’s critical role in producing phosphoric acid, a key ingredient in phosphate fertilizers such as DAP and MAP, which are vital for enhancing crop yields globally. With growing food demand, countries like India, China, and Brazil heavily rely on these fertilizers, thus driving consistent sulfuric acid consumption. Additionally, government-supported agricultural schemes in developing regions further boost demand. On the other hand, the textile and pulp & paper segments hold comparatively smaller shares, as they use sulfuric acid in specific niche processes, contributing less to overall global volume consumption.