In April 2025, Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) prices show the divergent price trend in the key market. Production costs, demand patterns and the shift in trade policies mainly drove the market price for the HCl.
In the United States market, HCl price experienced a significant decline in April 2025, dropping by 3.59% and reached at USD 188/MT Ex-works USGC. The price trend was mainly influenced by the insufficient cost support from the feedstock side and the uncertainty in the downstream market. Local production costs declined, supported by the weak prices for the feedstock Liquid Chlorine, which fell by 4.3% during the month.
Demand for the HCl also remained uncertain from the downstream industries, especially steel manufacturing industry. Data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), revealed that the US steel production fell by 0.4% weekly and 0.8% year on year basis, on the week ending April 19, 2025. Price decline reflects the ongoing demand weakness and the market pressure.
Contrastingly, prices for the HCl in Canadian market remained steady during the month, with prices maintained at USD 216/MT FOB Vancouver. The sluggish market condition, mainly from the downstream steel manufacturing industries, restricted any upward rise in the HCl prices. The 25% US tariff on Canadian steel from March 12, 2025, straining the country’s steel sector. Low demand from the US market, price gaps and high dependency on the export market, risking future market conditions.
In the European market, prices for HCl witnessed a significant rise. HCl price took a surge of 3.66% especially in Germany and reached at USD 170/MT FOB Germany. The prices rise is mainly attributed to the tight supply of the feedstock chlorine market and the depreciation of the US dollar. In April the US currency dropped by 4.67%, pushing HCl prices higher in the USD, however Euro prices remained steady. European steel market remained steady after the Ester holiday, with sluggish market activity and cautious market sentiment, limiting the consumption for the HCl during the period.
In the Asian Pacific market, Prices for the HCl remained steady in April 2025. The domestic market held the ample inventory level and affordable feedstock Liquid chlorine prices. Demand for the HCl remained weak from the local and the regional market. Downstream steel manufacturing industries performance was subdued due to the effect of US tariff on the steel products, adding uncertainty to the regional steel industry, limiting the HCl consumption level. Thus, the prices for the HCl were maintained in Japanese market at USD 150/MT FOB Tokyo.
