Chemicals, Fertilizers
April 03, 2025
Platts to launch FOB China River and FOB North China compacted ammonium sulfate assessments; refine methodology for FOB China assessment May 8
HIGHLIGHTS
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Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, will launch two Asian compacted ammonium sulfate assessments effective May 8, 2025.
Additionally, Platts will refine its methodology for the current FOB China Compacted/Granular ammonium sulfate weekly range assessment (FASCE04), also effective May 8, 2025.
This decision follows a proposal note(opens in a new tab) published March 18, and will add further granularity to Platts compacted ammonium sulfate coverage in the China region.
The specifications for the assessments are as follows:
Launch of FOB China River and FOB North China FOB China compacted ammonium sulfate assessments
Platts will launch two weekly single-number compacted ammonium sulfate assessments, FOB China River and FOB North China.
Detailed specifications for the 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 mt -70,000 mt | 50,000 mt -70,000 mt |
| Location | FOB Nantong | FOB Rizhao |
| 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 locations, cargo sizes 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 will revise the methodology for its existing FOB China, Compacted/Granular weekly range assessment. This involves removing the granular component in the existing FOB China, Compacted/Granular (FASCE04) assessment. Following this change, the assessment will 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.
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.