In the U.S. market in October, insoluble sulphur prices remained stable due to consistent domestic production levels and stable demand for replacement tires. Even with evidence of declining auto sales and a steep reduction in EV market share following the ending of federal-level subsidies, replacement tire shipments have been solid and returned remarkable use rates for insoluble sulphur. U.S.-based producers reported no interruptions in operations and benefitted from stable energy and feedstock costs, complemented by healthy Gulf Coast inventory levels. Imported material from Asia (Malaysia in particular) remained consistent and modest in volume, mostly in line with disciplined U.S. pricing. Industry projections for record tire shipments in 2025 based on replacement demand continue to bode well for insoluble sulfur. Insoluble sulphur continues to provide a market advantage due to its role as an essential vulcanizing agent in the manufacturing of radial tires, which entails periodic high-volume manufacturing without disruption to the cycle. October's market characteristics—stability in operation, balanced supply, and dependent customer demand—demonstrated the compound's resilience in a broader marketplace while exemplifying the compound's unique contribution to sustained manufacturing efforts for tires.
