Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Amid concerns over supply disruptions linked to global tensions and fuel markets, industry representatives have warned that a shortage of sulphuric acid could soon affect sugar production and several other manufacturing sectors, Loksatta reported.
At a meeting with Uday Samant, Industries Minister of Maharashtra, entrepreneur Sandeep Deshmukh of the Chamber of Auric Industrial Association said stocks of sulphuric acid could fall sharply in the next 15–20 days, similar to the shortages recently seen in LPG supplies.
Deshmukh said sulphur obtained during petroleum refining is used in the production of sulphuric acid, which is required in sugar manufacturing. If supplies decline, sugar mills could face difficulties in maintaining production.
In sugar factories, sulphuric acid is used during the processing of sugarcane juice to separate sugar crystals by reducing the water content. Industry estimates show that around 1.05 lakh tonnes of the acid were used in the sector over the past year.
B. B. Thombare, president of the Western Sugar Mills Association, said the industry has been experiencing a shortage of sulphuric acid for several months. He noted that the price of the chemical has increased sharply from Rs 15,000 per tonne last year to nearly Rs 60,000 per tonne.
He added that sulphur used in the process is mainly obtained from petroleum refining. In Maharashtra, supplies have largely depended on companies such as Reliance Industries, which produce it during crude oil refining.
A medium-sized sugar mill typically requires around 250 tonnes of sulphuric acid during the production process. Industry representatives said disruptions in crude oil refining or supply chains due to geopolitical tensions could further affect availability.
Deshmukh explained that crude oil quality varies depending on sulphur content. Oil from the Middle East usually contains 1.5–2.5 per cent sulphur, while crude from Venezuela can contain 3–5.5 per cent sulphur. Oil imported from Russia generally contains lower sulphur levels.
He warned that sulphur availability and prices could become a challenge if global supply chains are affected by conflict.
Industry sources said sulphuric acid prices have already increased by nearly 30 per cent in recent weeks. Apart from sugar production, the chemical is widely used in fertiliser manufacturing, metal processing, oil refining and paint production.
Participants at the meeting urged the state government to coordinate with industry and suppliers to prevent a shortage that could disrupt several sectors.
