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.
A Strait of Hormuz blockade and export bans from Russia and Kazakhstan severely curtailed sulfur supply, pushing global sulfuric acid prices to multi-year highs. The Chinese smelter acid index gained 94% and CFR Indonesia sulfuric acid rose 185% in H1. Despite a post-ceasefire retreat, inventories remain low and supply recovery is slow, keeping prices elevated.
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viscose Staple Fibre | China | FOB | USD 2,083.96/MT | June 2026 |
| Viscose Staple Fibre | India | CIF | USD 2,171.95/MT | June 2026 |
| Viscose Staple Fibre | USA | CIF | USD 2,238.95/MT | June 2026 |
| Viscose Staple Fibre | Brazil | CIF | USD 2,255.95/MT | June 2026 |
| Viscose Staple Fibre | Canada | CIF | USD 2,233.95/MT | June 2026 |
| Viscose Staple Fibre | China | FOB | USD 2,047.41/MT | May 2026 |
| Viscose Staple Fibre | India | CIF | USD 2,114.34/MT | May 2026 |
| Viscose Staple Fibre | USA | CIF | USD 2,166.19/MT | May 2026 |
| Viscose Staple Fibre | Brazil | CIF | USD 2,179.00/MT | May 2026 |
| Viscose Staple Fibre | Canada | CIF | USD 2,166.19/MT | May 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest viscose staple fibre prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
Asia
Viscose Staple Fibre prices in China increased to ~USD 1,948.31/MT in April and ~USD 2,084.00/MT in June, showing a ~7.0% increase. Meanwhile, in India, prices increased to ~USD 1,998.30/MT in April and ~USD 2,172.00/MT in June, showing a ~8.7% increase. Asian markets strengthened during April and May as low VSF inventories, firm fibre prices and producer discipline supported higher offers. Dissolving pulp conditions remained relatively stable, shifting the main price support toward supply management rather than raw-material inflation. China’s pulp imports reached 3.218 million tonnes in April, indicating comfortable broader cellulose availability. Textile buyers remained cautious, with spinning and weaving mills mainly purchasing for immediate production requirements, limiting further price gains by June.
Europe
European VSF conditions remained mixed as higher logistics and production costs supported pricing, while weak textile demand restricted stronger increases. Fibre producers faced elevated energy and operating expenses, but downstream purchasing remained cautious. European retail activity weakened, with non-food retail declining, affecting apparel-related demand. Broader pulp availability remained comfortable, reducing the likelihood of severe feedstock shortages. The market therefore remained supported by cost factors but limited by slower textile-chain recovery.
North America
North American VSF prices increased to ~USD 2,035.30/MT in April and ~USD 2,239.00/MT in June, showing a ~10% increase. Imported fibre costs received support from higher freight rates and supply-chain expenses, while manufacturing activity provided some demand support. However, pulp availability remained mixed, with adequate softwood supply limiting raw-material pressure. Inventory building in manufacturing supported procurement activity, but final textile demand remained uneven.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, in the near-term, VSF prices are expected to remain stable to firm as producers maintain supply discipline, while demand recovery across textile markets will determine further movement.
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Asia
The Viscose Staple Fibre market in Asia showed a weak-to-stable trend in Q1’26, followed by slight strengthening toward the end of the quarter. High operating rates and slow downstream offtake in January kept the market subdued, as textile mills focused on inventory management during the seasonal slowdown. By February, production remained steady, but inventories started easing as operating discipline improved. In March, the market turned firmer due to restocking from the downstream yarn and textile segments and controlled supply levels. Trade flows remained stable, with China continuing to dominate exports of viscose-based fibres, while logistical disruptions linked to Middle East tensions increased freight costs and delayed shipments, tightening short-term availability without creating raw material shortages.
Europe
The Viscose Staple Fibre market in Europe remained range-bound with slight firmness in Q1’26, largely tracking Asian supply dynamics. The region depended on imports for fibre requirements, and trade data indicate continued reliance on external supply chains for textile inputs. Weak downstream demand from the apparel and home textile sectors limited a strong recovery, while stable feedstock conditions prevented supply-side pressure. Rising freight and insurance costs linked to Gulf disruptions increased landed costs, supporting marginal upward movement toward the end of the quarter.
North America
The Viscose Staple Fibre market in North America remained stable to slightly soft in Q1’26, reflecting cautious downstream demand and reliance on imports. Textile and apparel demand stayed moderate, with steady but not expanding consumption patterns reflected in import activity. Supply availability remained adequate due to stable global flows, preventing shortages. However, higher logistics and energy costs linked to geopolitical tensions increased procurement costs. The market largely mirrored global conditions, with no significant regional supply disruptions but gradual cost-driven firmness emerging late in the quarter.
Viscose Staple Fiber (VSF) is a cotton-like fibre which is natural and biodegradable. It is widely used in the production of various clothing materials, home textiles, knitted wear and non-woven applications. It is industrially produced as a sustainable alternative to cotton from cellulose-dissolving pulp like cotton, wood, bamboo and others.
(C6H10O5)n
Silk treatment and staple fabrics, knitted goods, technical goods like nonwoven products, tyre cords, and medical-surgical products, in other products like feminine hygiene, baby wipes, and kitchen wipes.
LENZING AG, Birla Cellulose, Sateri Holding Ltd.Kelheim Fibres GmbH., Tangshan Sanyou Group Xingda Chemical Fibre Co. Ltd., Aditya Birla Chemicals, Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Co. Ltd
Rayon staple fiber, Viscose Rayon, Cellulose Rayon
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
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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.
Cellulose is dissolved in caustic soda, pressed, and crumbled to create white crumbs. It is aged, then mixed with carbon disulfide in xanthation process forming yellow crumb. The "yellow crumb" is dissolved in caustic solution to form viscose, which is ripened, filtered, and degassed. The viscose is extruded through a spinneret and lands in a sulfuric acid bath to form rayon filaments. The filaments are stretched, washed, and cut to produce staple fibers.
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