Fertilizers, Chemicals, Energy Transition, Renewables
March 18, 2025
Platts proposes to launch FOB China River, FOB North China compacted ammonium sulfate assessments; refine methodology for FOB China assessment May 8
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, proposes to launch two compacted ammonium sulfate assessments effective May 8, 2025.
Additionally, Platts intends to refine its methodology for the current FOB China Compacted/Granular ammonium sulfate weekly range assessment (FASCE04), also effective May 8, 2025.
This proposal would add further granularity to Platts ammonium sulfate coverage in China.
The proposed changes are summarized below:
Launch of FOB China River, FOB North China compacted AS assessments
Platts proposes to launch two weekly single-number compacted ammonium sulfate assessments, FOB China River and FOB North China.
Detailed specifications for the proposed assessments are as follows:
| Assessment Name | FOB China River, Compacted | FOB North China, Compacted |
| Quality | 21% N, compacted ammonium sulphate | 21% N, compacted ammonium sulphate |
| Quantity | 50,000-70,000 mt | 50,000-70,000 mt |
| Location | FOB Nantong | FOB Rizhao |
| Timing | Loading two-four weeks forward | Loading two-four weeks forward |
| Frequency | Weekly, every Thursday | Weekly, every Thursday |
| Appears In | Nitrogen market report - Nitrates | Nitrogen market report - Nitrates |
| Unit of assessment | $/mt | $/mt |
| Timestamp | 1630 Penang close, following the Penang publishing calendar | 1630 Penang close, following the Penang publishing calendar |
Information regarding different location, cargo size and timing may be considered and normalized, where necessary, to align with the standard specifications listed above.
Change in methodology for FOB China, Compacted/Granular weekly range assessment (FASCE04)
Platts simultaneously proposes to revise the methodology for its existing FOB China, Compacted/Granular weekly range assessment. The proposal involves removing the granular component in the existing FOB China, Compacted/Granular (FASCE04) assessment. Following this change, the assessment would only reflect the FOB China compacted price, with the range derived from the two new assessments outlined above rather than being assessed in its own right. No other market information will be taken into account.
For example, if FOB China River, Compacted, was assessed at $160/mt and FOB North China, Compacted, at $165/mt on a given date, then FOB China, Compacted, would be calculated as a range of $160-$165/mt.
Please submit any feedback, comments or questions about this proposal to fertilizer@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by April 1.
For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.