US prices for H-Acid rebounded by 1.5% in December 2025, supported by the rising costs of feedstock, growing import prices from China and a steady demand from textile and pigment. Chinese refined naphthalene and sulphuric acid prices soared, driving up Chinese export prices and the landed cost for buyers in the US Transpacific freight rates on major route surged as congestion at the Louisville Rail Ramp added inland logistics cost, overall effective supply tightened. While US container imports from China dropped sharply year on year, specialty intermediates such as H-Acid remained tight in availability. Tariffs inflated input prices again, which limited downside price flexibility. Textile restocking ahead of the New Year and stronger US consumer confidence helped to bolster buying interest despite longer-term risks as seasonal textile downtimes and cuts in production in China’s polyester sector.
