Fertilizers, Chemicals, Energy Transition, Renewables
April 04, 2025
Platts to launch FOB Southeast China, FOB China River caprolactam ammonium sulfate assessments; refine methodology for FOB China caprolactam assessment May 8
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, is to launch two new caprolactam ammonium sulfate assessments effective May 8.
Additionally, also effective May 8, Platts will refine its methodology for the current Ammonium Sulfate FOB China Caprolactam weekly range assessment (FASCD04).
This decision follows a proposal note published March 18, and will add further granularity to Platts caprolactam ammonium sulfate coverage in China.
The changes are detailed below:
Launch of FOB Southeast China and FOB China River caprolactam ammonium sulfate assessments
Platts will launch two weekly single-numbercaprolactam ammonium sulfate assessments, FOB Southeast China and FOB China River.
Detailed specifications for the assessments are as follows:
| Assessment Name | Ammonium Sulfate FOB Southeast China, Caprolactam | Ammonium Sulfate FOB China River, Caprolactam |
| Quality | 21% N, standard grade ammonium sulphate | 21% N, standard grade ammonium sulphate |
| Quantity | 6,000 mt -12,000 mt | 6,000 mt -12,000 mt |
| Location | FOB Xiu Yu (Fujian) | FOB Nantong (Jiangsu) |
| Timing | Loading 2- 4 weeks forward | Loading 2- 4 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, Caprolactam weekly range assessment (FASCD04)
Platts will change the methodology for its existing Ammonium Sulfate FOB China Caprolactam weekly range assessment, effective 8 May 2025. The assessment would reflect the Ammonium Sulfate FOB China Caprolactam price, with the range derived from the two new assessments outlined above rather than being assessed in its own right. No other market information would be taken into account.
For example, if Ammonium Sulfate FOB Southeast China Caprolactam was assessed at $145/mt and Ammonium Sulfate FOB China River Caprolactam at $150/mt on a given date, then Ammonium Sulfate FOB China Caprolactam would be calculated as a range of $145-$150/mt.
Please submit any feedback, comments or questions about this proposal to fertilizer@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.
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.