Boric Acid Recent Market Intelligence Report

I. Price Dynamics

1. Domestic Prices:
- On May 25, 2026, the price of industrial-grade boric acid (premium grade, H?BO? ≥ 99.9%) stood at RMB 10,520 per metric ton.
- On May 22, 2026, the price was RMB 10,300 per metric ton, representing a 7.57% increase over the past 60 days.
- Within Shandong Province, prices vary significantly across brands and specifications: for example, domestically produced premium-grade boric acid (content ≥ 99.5%) in Dongying City is priced at RMB 6,900 per metric ton, whereas Russian-imported premium-grade boric acid (H?BO? ≥ 99.9%) in Jinan City trades at RMB 9,600 per metric ton.

2. Import Prices:
- Imported boric acid prices vary depending on brand, country of origin, and specification. For instance, imported premium-grade boric acid (H?BO? ≥ 99.9%) in Jinan City, Shandong Province, ranges between RMB 7,100 and RMB 7,750 per metric ton; meanwhile, U.S.-imported 'Chemical Horse' brand boric acid (99% purity) is priced at RMB 9,900 per metric ton.

II. Market Supply and Demand Situation

1. Supply Situation:
- Global boric acid production is characterized by specialization, scale, and product diversification, with major producers including China, the United States, and Russia.
- China ranks among the world’s top producers and exporters of boric acid in terms of both capacity and output; however, overcapacity persists—particularly in the mid-to-low-end product segments.
- Recently, some boric acid manufacturers have adjusted production plans due to tightening environmental regulations and rising raw material costs, potentially impacting market supply.

2. Demand Situation:
- Boric acid is widely applied across industries such as glass manufacturing, ceramics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. With global economic recovery and rapid development of emerging industries, demand for boric acid continues to grow steadily.
- Emerging sectors—including new-energy vehicles, semiconductors, and biopharmaceuticals—are increasingly driving demand for boric acid, offering substantial growth opportunities for the industry.
- Recently, downstream demand has maintained stable growth, with certain sectors—such as glass and ceramic manufacturing—placing heightened emphasis on boric acid quality and performance specifications.

III. Market Dynamics Analysis

1. Causes of Price Volatility:
- Fluctuations in raw material prices: Variations in the prices of boron ore and borax directly affect boric acid production costs and thereby influence market pricing.
- Shifts in supply–demand balance: Changes in market supply and demand constitute a primary driver of boric acid price volatility. Recently, sustained growth in downstream demand—combined with production adjustments by some manufacturers triggered by stricter environmental policies—has led to relatively tight market supply, contributing to upward price pressure.
- Import-related factors: Import prices and volumes also impact domestic market pricing. Currently, import prices differ significantly across brands, origins, and grades; notably, higher-priced premium imported products provide some upward support to domestic price levels.

2. Competitive Landscape:
- The boric acid industry features intense competition, with key players including U.S. Borax (a Rio Tinto company), China Minmetals Corporation, and other leading domestic enterprises.
- Going forward, tightening environmental regulations and intensifying market competition are expected to drive consolidation—smaller-scale, technologically outdated enterprises may face elimination or merger-and-acquisition activity, reshaping the competitive landscape.

IV. Outlook and Forecast

1. Price Trend Forecast:
- Boric acid prices are projected to continue rising in the near term, driven primarily by sustained growth in downstream demand and relatively constrained supply resulting from production adjustments prompted by environmental policy enforcement.
- However, as newly commissioned production facilities gradually ramp up output and competitive pressures mount, the pace of price increases is likely to moderate.

2. Supply–Demand Forecast:
- Looking ahead, global economic expansion and the emergence of new industries will sustain robust demand growth for boric acid. Notably, demand from new-energy vehicles, semiconductors, and biopharmaceuticals is expected to accelerate rapidly.
- On the supply side, increasing capacity from newly operational projects and continuous technological advancement will gradually enhance market supply stability. Nevertheless, ongoing environmental regulation enforcement and rising raw material costs may continue to exert constraints on supply.

3. Industry Development Trends:
- Technological innovation and industrial upgrading will serve as key drivers of boric acid industry development. Future efforts will focus on developing novel production processes and technologies to improve efficiency and product quality.
- Green transformation and sustainable development will become central strategic directions. With growing environmental awareness and increasingly stringent regulatory frameworks, the industry will intensify investments in eco-friendly technologies and promote circular economy practices.
- The industry will shift toward high-end, fine-chemical-oriented development. As downstream users raise requirements regarding performance, purity, and functionality, the sector will prioritize R&D and commercialization of value-added, high-performance boric acid derivatives—meeting evolving market needs for efficient, environmentally sound, and high-performance chemical materials.