Published · ANFA Chemical technical team
This month's industry news commentary is written for buyers in India: stainless steel pickling lines, glass etching and frosting units, mineral processors using fluoride reagents in flotation, and formulators who add hydrofluoric acid to industrial cleaning agents. We picked the news items that matter most to Indian purchasing teams. Every figure links to its source, and the comments are our own.
1. China: HF benchmark jumps at the start of November
The biggest move this week is in hydrofluoric acid itself. SunSirs' China benchmark for anhydrous HF was RMB 17,383.33/t on 2 November, up 6.0% from RMB 16,400/t, where it had held through late October. 100ppi places this price at the high end of its one-year range (SunSirs; 100ppi, 3 Nov). ChemPriceHub reported November AHF contract references in East China at RMB 15,300–15,650/t, noting a "significant upward adjustment" in downstream AHF pricing (ChemPriceHub, 2 Nov).
Fluorspar, the main raw material, has barely moved. The 97% wet powder price was RMB 3,300–3,750/t delivered depending on region (ChemPriceHub), and Zhejiang ex-works offers were RMB 3,650–3,750/t, with HF plants buying only as needed (100ppi, 3 Nov).
What it means for India: AHF is the feedstock for aqueous hydrofluoric acid and ammonium bifluoride. A step up in AHF usually shows up in offers for HF solutions and ABF within weeks, not months. If you buy aqueous HF or ABF for pickling or glass, now is a sensible time to confirm Q4/Q1 volumes rather than waiting for the next quote.
2. Fluorspar costs more in India than in China
ChemAnalyst's assessments put September 2026 fluorspar at about USD 750/t in India, compared with about USD 553/t in China and USD 612/t in Japan. It noted that Indian distributors kept lean inventories and that limited local output meant import costs passed straight into domestic offers (ChemAnalyst, Q3 2026). Its Japan assessment also pointed to Chinese mine-safety inspections and export licensing as factors limiting spot acid-grade volumes.
What it means: for many Indian users, importing a finished fluoride (HF solution, ABF or fluosilicic acid) from an integrated Chinese producer may be more competitive than buying fluorspar-based material made locally from imported spar. The comparison depends on freight, duty and packaging, so ask for CIF Nhava Sheva, Mundra or Chennai quotes rather than comparing ex-works prices.
3. Stainless steel: Indian consumption is growing fast
The Ministry of Steel's H1 FY2026-27 update shows Indian stainless steel consumption of 2,637.9 thousand tonnes in April–September 2026, up 17.4% year on year. Domestic stainless production fell 3.5% to 2,127.7 kt, and imports rose 114.2% to 805.7 kt (PIB, 23 Oct 2026).
What it means: more stainless is going into fabrication, pipes, kitchenware and process equipment in India. Even when the coil is imported, it is often welded, pickled and passivated locally. Mixed nitric–hydrofluoric pickling is still the standard way to remove scale and the chromium-depleted layer after heat treatment and welding (see our guide Hydrofluoric Acid for Stainless Steel Pickling). Pickling-paste makers and job-shop picklers should plan HF supply to match this demand.
4. Aluminium: NALCO looks for aluminium fluoride supply security
NALCO invited Expressions of Interest (Doc. NALCO/BD/ST/2026/5805) from manufacturers, investors and JV partners to set up aluminium fluoride (AlF₃) production. The deadline was extended to 30 October 2026, and the stated aim is to reduce import dependence as the Angul smelter expands from 0.46 to about 0.96 million tonnes a year (PSU Connect, 13 Oct; SMM, 14 Oct).
What it means: fluosilicic acid is one of the industrial routes to AlF₃, and HF is the other. Any new AlF₃ capacity in India will need a steady fluorine feedstock. Fluosilicic acid in China remains inexpensive: 35–40% acid was quoted at RMB 950–1,300/t ex-works across the main regions on 26 October (Fuwu Zaixian, 26 Oct). For ocean shipments, freight and packaging usually matter more than the domestic price.
5. Indian fluorochemical makers are doing well, and they are busy
Navin Fluorine reported Q2 FY27 revenue of ₹1,191 crore (up 57%) and net profit of ₹269 crore (up 82%). It cited firm HFC pricing and a new R32 capacity of up to 15,000 t/yr due to be commissioned shortly (Indian Chemical News, 30 Oct). SRF also commented on price pressure from Chinese overcapacity in specialty chemicals (ChemicalIndustry.in).
What it means: India's large fluorine producers are putting much of their HF into refrigerants, fluoropolymers and CDMO work. Smaller industrial users of HF, ABF and fluosilicic acid, such as pickling shops, glass processors, flotation plants and cleaning-agent formulators, may benefit from adding a second, import-based supply source.
A note on duties
India imposed anti-dumping duty on hydrofluoric acid from China in 2003 and extended it in 2008. It was withdrawn by Notification No. 57/2011-Customs in July 2011 (TaxGuru; DGTR case record). In September 2026, DGTR's recent fluorine-related action concerned HFC refrigerant blends, not inorganic fluorides (TPM). Always confirm the current tariff, IGST and any notifications for your HS code (HF: 2811 11 00) with your customs broker before ordering.
Application checklist for Indian buyers
- Stainless steel pickling: specify HF concentration (our industrial grades cover 30–70%) and packaging (drums, IBC). Plan stock ahead of price moves.
- Glass etching and frosting: ammonium bifluoride is easier to store and ship than liquid HF. Ask for assay and moisture specs, since ABF crystals tend to cake. See ABF for Glass Frosting & Etching.
- Mineral flotation: ABF and fluosilicic acid are used as activators and depressants in feldspar–quartz, spodumene and similar separations. See Fluoride Reagents in Mineral Flotation.
- Cleaning agents: hydrofluoric acid is the usual fluoride additive for metal brighteners and descalers. See HF in Industrial Cleaning Agents.
- Shipping: HF moves as UN 1790 dangerous goods. Agree on packaging, labelling and port handling in advance (our UN1790 guide).
Sourcing HF, ABF or fluosilicic acid for India?
ANFA Chemical manufactures inorganic fluorides in Hangzhou, China, and supplies hydrofluoric acid, ammonium bifluoride and fluosilicic acid to industrial buyers. HF and ABF are dual-use controlled items that we export under licence, so an end-user declaration may be requested. SDS and COA are provided once an inquiry is confirmed. Send us the product, grade, monthly volume, packaging and Indian destination port through our contact page or [email protected], and we will quote against current conditions.
Commentary by the ANFA team based on the public sources linked above. Prices quoted are third-party reference prices reported by those sources, not ANFA offers.