Industries raise alarm over possible sulphuric acid shortage, warn of impact on fertiliser, chemical sectors

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Industrial bodies have raised alarm over a potential shortage of sulphuric acid in the coming weeks, cautioning that the ongoing conflict in West Asia had disrupted sulphur supply chains from the Middle East that could affect key manufacturing segments like fertilisers, chemicals, metal processing and textiles.Industry representatives said the concern stemmed from the tightening availability of sulphur, the essential raw material for sulphuric acid, which is largely recovered during crude oil refining. Since sulphur availability is tied to global crude output and refinery operations, any disturbance in supply routes immediately reflects in domestic stock levels.The issue was highlighted during a recent meeting between industrial organisations and Maharashtra industries minister Uday Samant. Members of the Chamber of Auric Industrial Association warned that if corrective measures were not initiated, sulphuric acid stocks could begin to shrink within the next 15-20 days.Director of Dharashiv sugar mills and MLA Abhijit Patil said, "Although sulphuric acid is used in sugar manufacturing, the impact on sugar mills may be limited because the crushing season is nearing its end and many factories are preparing to shut operations for the year. If the sulphur supply chain gets disrupted for few weeks or months, it will definitely have an impact on the crushing season that will start in next few months."Pramod Jadhav, who heads a Parbhani-bases sugar mill, said, "For now, there is not going to be any impact on the sugar mills, but if the sulphur supply neither resumes nor there is an alternative arrangement made, situation will be difficult."While industrialist Sandeep Deshmukh said, "Several other industries run throughout the year and depend on sulphuric acid as an essential industrial input and current situation suggests that many of them have stock to sustain a week or two."Utsav Machhar, president of the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture, said the fertiliser sector was among the largest consumers, using sulphuric acid to produce phosphoric acid and phosphate-based fertilisers. Shortages could hit fertiliser units that rely on uninterrupted chemical inputs.A senior chemical engineer from a Waluj-based firm said metallurgical industries, including steel pipe and copper manufacturers, used sulphuric acid for pickling and surface treatment. "Chemical producers rely on it for dyes, pigments and other industrial compounds. Textile processors use it in bleaching, while detergent and soap makers need it to manufacture intermediate chemicals. Certain petroleum refining processes also depend on it," the engineer said.Textile processing units use sulphuric acid in certain bleaching and treatment processes, while detergent and soap manufacturers rely on it during the production of intermediate chemicals. The petroleum refining industry too uses the compound in specific refining processes.Deshmukh said varying sulphur content in crude sourced globally made the supply chain particularly sensitive to geopolitical disruptions. "Any tightening would quickly reflect in sulphuric acid availability and pricing," he said.Industrial associations have urged the state government to coordinate with refineries, chemical producers and suppliers to ensure uninterrupted access to sulphur-based inputs and prevent disruptions across multiple manufacturing sectors.