Copper smelters are relying on by-product sulfuric acid revenues to offset losses from negative concentrate treatment charges. Strong acid prices are supporting smelter profitability, with prices remaining elevated. The trend underscores the key role of sulfuric acid in smelter economics and suggests continued price strength.
Asia
The prices of AHF in Asia were characterized by a mixed and relatively stable pattern in the year 2025. The prices in the first quarter were relatively flat and slightly softening, driven by the rise in the supply of AHF from China and Africa. At the same time, the demand from batteries, chemicals, and energy storage systems was robust but erratic. By the second quarter, the oversupply of lower-grade AHF put downward pressure on the prices, although the high-grade AHF continued to hold up well because of the consistent demand from industries.
In the third quarter, the prices of AHF gradually increased because of the limited fluorspar and the rise in the cost of production. At the same time, the demand from industries was moderate. In the fourth quarter, the prices were relatively flat and steady because of the consistent production and the cautious demand from industries, despite the slightly higher raw material costs.
Europe
Prices for European AHF were mostly firm to unchanged during 2025. In the early part of the year, prices were lower as a result of increased imports and lacklustre demand from aluminium and chemical consumers. Through the middle part of the year, the market was quiet as buyers focused on consuming existing inventory rather than ordering more. While cost pressures from fluorspar and other materials were a factor, lacklustre industrial activity limited the ability of suppliers to increase prices. By the end of the year, prices were firm, holding steady as supply was adequate and most buyers were again cautious.
North America
In North America, AHF product pricing was range-bound in 2025. In Q1 and Q2, AHF prices was slightly weak due to continuous imports and decent domestic demand. Supply was consistent, and demand was largely used to rebuild inventories. In Q3, AHF product pricing was stable to firm due to decent demand in refrigerant and fluorochemical markets. In Q4, AHF product pricing was stable as demand in the downstream market was largely met, and supply was decent. The market was largely stable throughout the year in North America.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, AHF prices are expected to remain stable in the near term, with changes mainly depending on raw material costs and downstream consumption trends.
Related Report
Need latest Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid price?
Get real-time price assessments, periodic trends, forecasts and price driver insights across key global markets.
Unlock Price Insights NowOur Clients
Turn price intelligence into action with the Procurement Resource Database. Log in or subscribe to unlock live price trends, historical charts, supplier databases, cost curves, and analyst-backed insights across chemicals, agriculture, energy, packaging, and more. Use these tools to benchmark your contracts, plan budgets with confidence, and stay ahead of market moves on every product you buy.
0
+Products
0
+Regions
0
+Subscriptions
Asia
In Q4’24, the Asian market for anhydrous hydrofluoric acid experienced a stable trend, though with fluctuations driven by raw material costs. The price of fluorite, a key feedstock, remained high throughout the quarter, influenced by tight domestic supply and ongoing regulatory changes in mining.
Despite efforts to improve mining conditions, the supply remained constrained, limiting production and causing pressure on the prices of downstream products like hydrofluoric acid. Additionally, the demand from the refrigerant sector saw a reduction, primarily due to the seasonal slowdown and maintenance activities at factories, which somewhat tempered the market’s momentum.
Europe
The European market for anhydrous hydrofluoric acid in Q4’24 showed stability, with prices being largely influenced by the same upstream supply issues. Fluorite availability remained a challenge, which contributed to higher feedstock prices. However, demand in Europe was relatively stable, supported by industries such as refrigerants and certain chemical sectors, which continued to maintain steady production. Similar to Asia, some factors such as maintenance shutdowns in plants led to reduced consumption in the latter part of the quarter, affecting overall market dynamics.
North America
In North America, the anhydrous hydrofluoric acid market also experienced a period of stability in Q4’24. The region faced similar challenges with tight fluorite supply, which kept pressure on prices. Demand from the refrigerant sector was weaker as the quarter progressed, with factories reducing output as quotas reached their limits and maintenance activities took precedence. This led to a more cautious approach towards procurement and less aggressive price fluctuations compared to earlier in the year. Despite this, the region saw some increase in prices early in the quarter before stabilizing towards the end of the year.
Anhydrous hydrofluoric acid is a highly corrosive and hazardous chemical compound with the chemical formula HF. It is a colorless and pungent gas when in its purest form or a fuming liquid when dissolved in water. Anhydrous hydrofluoric acid is a strong acid and can react violently with various materials, including glass and metals. It is primarily used in industrial processes, such as etching and cleaning operations, and also finds applications in the manufacturing of certain chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
HF
Glass etching, Glass metal cleaning, Fluorine gas production, Catalyst
Fluorane, Hydrogen fluoride
Daikin, Dongyue Group, SinochemYingpeng Chemical, Honeywell International Inc, Stella Chemifa Corp., Koura Global, Lanxess, Solvay
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
The process starts with the aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution reacting with sulfuric acid. After heating the resulting solution, sulfuric acid works as a dehydrating agent to separate the water from the hydrofluoric acid component. After heating, the water vaporizes, and the resulting chemical compound is anhydrous hydrofluoric acid.
AVP - Strategy and Solutions
Leading procurement research solutions across chemicals, materials, and food & beverages, with expertise in price forecasting and market analytics.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
Experience how Procurement Resource transforms raw material price data into clear, decision ready intelligence. Optimise your performance with reliable, expert market data and analysis. Schedule your demo today to experience a live walk-through where our experts will showcase interactive price charts, forecasted prices, and insights driving the prices for your key commodities, tailored to your workflows. Contact us now!
Our Team will be happy to assist you
We are just a text away
Still Need Help?
Unlock full access to Procurement Resource's price databases, interactive charts, and short-term forecasts for thousands of commodities. Elevate your sourcing decisions by comparing prices across regions, downloading historical data, and layering in analyst-backed insights, all with our flexible plans that scale as your portfolio grows.
Still have any Questions
Contact Us
Price Trend Dashboard - What's Included
Price trends across a diverse portfolio of categories and products, spanning board to niche chemicals
Coverage extendable to grade-specific chemicals based on procurement requirements
Regular price tracking supported by robust historical datasets
News, policy updates, and key market drivers impacting price movements
Short-term and long-term price outlooks and forecasts
Supply-demand dynamics and capacity-driven market analysis
Track prices, market movements, supply-demand dynamics, and industry developments across hundreds of commodities through a centralized intelligence platform built for informed procurement decisions.
Understand market fluctuations using analyst-backed forecasts, historical pricing patterns, and evolving industry trends to strengthen sourcing strategies and budget planning.
Leverage cost models, pricing benchmarks, and procurement insights to evaluate purchasing opportunities, improve negotiations, and enhance operational efficiency.
Access region-specific price trends, trade activities, capacity changes, and supply chain developments influencing commodity markets worldwide.
