PROJECT REPORT OUTLINE

Sulfuric Acid Market &

Plant Setup for 300TPD
(North India)
 SULFURIC ACID: INTRODUCTION
Sulfuric acid, also spelled sulfuric acid, is a strong acid that
is made up of three elements: sulfur, oxygen, and
hydrogen, and its chemical formula is H₂SO₄.

It looks like clear, thick water, has no smell, and can easily
mix with water. It's a powerful and important chemical
used in many industries like making fertilizers, cleaning
agents, and batteries. Pure sulfuric acid doesn’t exist in
nature because it quickly absorbs water from the air —
it’s hygroscopic (loves moisture).
Concentrated sulfuric acid is very strong and dangerous.
It:
• Oxidizes (burns through) many materials like rocks
and metals.
• Dries things out because it pulls water out of them.
• Can cause serious burns if it touches your skin—both
chemical burns and burns from heat (since it removes
water from your body tissue).
Sulfuric acid is made in several ways, like:
• The contact process
• The wet process
• The lead chamber process
It’s very important in industry, especially for making
fertilizers, but also used in:
• Fertilizers (phosphatic): 63% demand of total.
• Car batteries: 7% demand of total.
• Refining oil: 8% of total demand
• Treating wastewater: 5% of total demand
• Metal Processing : 7% of total demand
• Chemical Manufacturing: 10% of total demand
You can also make it by mixing sulfur trioxide with
water.
Different grades (types) of sulfuric acid based on their
concentration:
S.No. Concentration Density Concentration Common name
of H2SO4 (kg/L) (mol/L)
1 <29% 1.00– <4.2 diluted sulfuric acid
1.25
2 29–32% 1.25– 4.2–5.0 battery acid
1.28 (used in lead acid battery)
3 62–70% 1.52– 9.6–11.5 chamber acid fertilizer acid
1.60
4 78–80% 1.70– 13.5–14.0 tower acid Glover acid
1.73
5 98.3% 1.84 18.4 concentrated sulfuric acid
 PRODUCTION
1. Contact process:
Step 1: Make sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
Burn sulfur (S) in air (oxygen, O₂):
S + O₂ → SO₂
This gives you sulfur dioxide gas.

Step 2: Make sulfur trioxide (SO₃)

Now, sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is mixed with more oxygen and
passed over a vanadium(V) oxide catalyst (V₂O₅).
2 SO₂ + O₂ ⇌ 2 SO₃
This forms sulfur trioxide (SO₃).
The reaction gives off heat (exothermic) and is
reversible.

Step 3: Make oleum (H₂S₂O₇)

SO₃ is not directly mixed with water .
Instead, SO₃ is absorbed into concentrated sulfuric acid
(97–98%):
H₂SO₄ + SO₃ → H₂S₂O₇
This forms a compound called oleum (a super-
concentrated form of sulfuric acid).
Step 4: Dilute oleum to make sulfuric acid
Finally, water is added to oleum to make standard
concentrated sulfuric acid:
H₂S₂O₇ + H₂O → 2 H₂SO₄

2. Wet sulfuric acid process:

Step 1: Make sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from sulfur:
S + O₂ → SO₂
Sulfur is burned in air to make SO₂.
Step 2: Convert SO₂ to SO₃
2 SO₂ + O₂ ⇌ 2 SO₃
This uses a vanadium(V) oxide catalyst and produces
sulfur trioxide (SO₃).

Step 3: Make gaseous sulfuric acid

Now the SO₃ is reacted directly with steam (not liquid
water) to create sulfuric acid vapor.
SO₃ + H₂O → H₂SO₄ (gas)
Step 4: Condense it to liquid acid
H₂SO₄ (gas) → H₂SO₄ (liquid) (−69 kJ/mol)
Finally, the gas is cooled and condensed to get liquid
sulfuric acid (97–98%).

3. Lead Chamber Process

Step 1: Make sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
From burning sulfur
S + O₂ → SO₂

Step 2: Convert SO₂ into sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)

This is done inside a huge lead-lined chamber, by
reacting SO₂ with:
Water (H₂O) (as mist)
Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO₂) (as catalysts)
Reactions:
1.SO₂ + NO₂ → SO₃ + NO
2.SO₃ + H₂O → H₂SO₄
3.NO is recycled by reacting with oxygen to make NO₂
again:
 2 NO + O₂ → 2 NO₂
Step 3: Acid collects at the bottom
The diluted sulfuric acid (around 65% concentration)
forms and is collected.
They can evaporate water later to get stronger acid if
needed.

Process block diagram for sulfuric acid (Contact Process)

Sulfur Handling & Melting

Sulfur Melter: Solid sulfur (flakes/lumps) is melted to form a
uniform liquid. 120–140°C

Filtration of Molten Sulfur

Sulfur Filter: Removes impurities from molten sulfur to avoid
catalyst poisoning.

Sulfur Burner
Sulfur Burner: S+O2→SO2
Output: SO₂ gas + heat
 Waste Heat Boiler
Heat Recovery Unit: Recover heat from hot SO₂ gas to produce
steam (used internally).

Gas Cleaning System

Gas Cleaning Tower/Electrostatic Precipitator:
Removes ash, mist, and particles before entering converter.

Drying Tower
Drying Tower (with H₂SO₄): Removes water vapor from
incoming air.
• Absorbent: 98.5–99% H₂SO₄
•
Converter (Catalyst Tower)
Catalytic Converter: Catalyst: Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅)
Reaction: 2SO2+O2⇌2SO3 (exothermic)

Intermediate Absorption Tower (Double Absorption Process)

Intermediate Absorber: Absorbs part of SO₃ in H₂SO₄ to prevent
SO₃ losses.
 2nd Stage Converter (optional if double pass)
2nd Stage Converter (optional if double pass):
Converts unreacted SO₂ → SO₃ to boost efficiency.

Final Absorption Tower

Final Absorber: SO3+H2SO4→H2S2O7(Oleum)

Dilution System (Oleum to H₂SO₄)

Dilution Tank: H2S2O7+H2O→2H2SO4

Product Cooling
Acid Cooler: Cool down the acid to safe storage temperature.

Storage Tanks
Sulfuric Acid Storage Tanks: Brick-lined, alloy steel or HDPE-lined.
 Utility / Auxiliary Systems
1. Nitrogen (N₂) System
Where it's used:
• Inert gas blanketing of storage tanks
• Purging pipelines or equipment before maintenance
• Start-up and shutdown safety
Why needed:
• Sulfuric acid can react violently with water or
organics. Nitrogen prevents accidental contact with
oxygen or moisture.
• Ensures a non-flammable, inert atmosphere during
sensitive operations.
How it's supplied:
• Nitrogen cylinders or on-site nitrogen generator
• Low consumption but critical for safety compliance
2. STP – Sewage Treatment Plant
Where it's used:
• Treats domestic wastewater (from toilets, canteen,
etc.) — not industrial process effluents.
 • Required by pollution control board (PPCB/CPCB)
• Even if it’s not part of acid processing, you need it for
EIA clearance
3. Blowdown System
Where it's used:
• In boilers and cooling towers
• Water in boilers/cooling systems accumulates
dissolved salts
• Blowdown means periodically draining a part of
water to maintain water chemistry (avoids scaling or
corrosion)
4. Irrigation / Green Belt Reuse
Where it's used:
• Treated water from STP or blowdown used for
irrigation of green belt
• Regulatory requirement under environmental
clearance
• Reduces fresh water demand
5. Air Compressor / Instrument Air
Where it's used:
• Operates pneumatic valves, DCS/PLC controls, and
automation
• Air purge for blowers and some burner systems
Why needed:
• Ensures precise plant control and automation
• Instrument-grade dry air prevents corrosion

6. Emergency Scrubber / Alkali Scrubber

Where it's used:
• Exit gas treatment before chimney/stack
Why needed:
• Captures any unreacted SO₂ or acid mist before
venting to atmosphere
• Often uses caustic soda (NaOH) to neutralize acidic
gases
 Raw Materials & Utilities for 300 TPD Sulfuric Acid Plant
S. Item Estimated Approx. Daily Cost Source / Storage Transport
No. Qty / Day Rate (INR) Supplier Mode Mode
(INR/MT or
unit)

1 Sulfur (99.9%) 99 MT ₹12,000/MT ₹11.88 lakh Indian Refineries Covered By Truck

/ Import (Kandla, sulfur yard
Mundra)

2 Process Water 1,200–1,500 ₹25/KL ₹30,000– Borewell + Overhead + Pipeline

KL ₹37,500 Treated raw water
tank

3 Air (via 2,000 Nm³/h — Electricity only On-site Blower + —

Blowers) Drying tower

4 Electricity 60 MWH ₹7/unit ₹4.2 lakh PSPCL / Grid Power room —

5 Steam (LP) 40 MT ₹1,800/MT (if ₹72,000 (if Internal WHB Steam —

purchased) external) (self-gen) or headers
boiler

6 Cooling Water 2,000 KL ₹10/KL ₹20,000 Internal cooling Cooling tower —

(recirculated) (make-up tower & tank
only)

7 Vanadium 2.5 MT ₹2,50,000/MT ₹6.25 lakh MECS / Indian Catalyst beds By Drum /
Pentoxide (V₂O₅ (initial fill) (one-time) Vendors (converter) Truck
Catalyst)

8 Caustic Soda 100 kg/day ₹40/kg ₹4,000 GSFC / Local HDPE drums By Truck
(NaOH) Chemical
Supplier

9 Nitrogen (N₂) 10 Nm³/h ₹40/Nm³ ₹9,600 Nitrogen Cylinder By Truck

cylinders / on- storage
site gen

10 Acid-resistant 50 ₹500/m² ₹25,000/month Local vendors On —

Lining/Packing m²/quarter avg equipment

11 Lubricants / Monthly Lump sum ₹20,000/month Local industrial Store room —

Consumables supply
 CAPEX and OPEX Summary for 300 TPD
1. Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)
S. Component Estimated Cost Remarks
No. (INR Crore)

1 Land & Site Development 4.0, (0.3/acre) Purchase, leveling, fencing, legal

2 Sulfur Handling & Melting Unit 6.0 Melter, filter, conveyors

3 Sulfur Burner & WHB 8.0 Burner + Waste Heat Boiler

4 Converter & Catalyst 6.5 4-bed V₂O₅ converter + support

structure

5 Absorption & Drying Towers 5.5 Towers, acid-proof lining, pumps

6 Acid Storage & Loading 3.5 Tanks, pipelines, loading bay

7 Utilities (Steam, Water, Cooling) 5.0 Cooling tower, DM plant, boiler

8 Power & Electricals 4.0 LT/HT panels, cabling, transformer

9 Pollution Control (Scrubbers, 4 Wet scrubber, stack, monitoring

Stack)

10 Instrumentation & DCS 3.5 Automation, control systems

11 Nitrogen System & Safety 1.5 Nitrogen plant, gas safety system

12 Civil & Structural 7.0 Buildings, RCC foundation, sheds

13 Preoperative Expenses 2.5 Legal, consultancy, interest during

construction

14 Contingency (10%) 6 Cost buffer for escalation

Total Estimated CAPEX: ₹67.00 Crore

 2. Operating Expenditure (OPEX) - Monthly
S. Component Monthly Cost Remarks
No. (INR crore)
1 Sulfur 3.6 99 MT/day @ ₹12,000/MT
2 Electricity 1.3 40,000 kWh/day @ ₹7/unit
3 Manpower (50–60 0.30 Operators, supervisors, admin
staff)
4 Water & Steam 0.12 Water treatment, boiler, makeup
Utilities water
5 Catalyst & Chemicals 0.05 Catalyst amortization, NaOH,
lubricants
6 Maintenance & 0.15 Pumps, valves, gaskets, etc.
Spares
7 Pollution Control 0.03 Scrubber chemicals, stack
O&M monitoring
8 Insurance & 0.02 Licenses, audits, insurance
Compliance
9 Administrative 0.03 Office, security, misc.
Expenses

Total Estimated Monthly OPEX: ₹5.6 crore

working capital cushion:1.5–2.0 months raw material
+ utility cost buffer (₹10 crore).
 Power Optimization via Captive Generation
The sulfuric acid manufacturing process (via elemental
sulfur) generates high-temperature gases during the
combustion of sulfur and the catalytic conversion of SO₂ to
SO₃.
A Waste Heat Boiler (WHB) is installed after the sulfur
burner and converter units to recover this thermal
energy, generating low-to-medium pressure steam
This steam is routed to a steam turbine generator,
allowing captive generation of electricity that can
partially or fully meet plant demand.
For a 300 TPD sulfuric acid plant:
• Estimated power consumption: 60 mwh/day
• Potential self-generation: 30 mWh/day
• Cost savings: 50%
This system improves energy efficiency, reduces OPEX,
and strengthens the plant’s environmental performance
by reducing external power demand and greenhouse gas
emissions.
 Additional capex required for self-generated
electricity
Installed Capacity (MW) Estimated CAPEX (₹ crore)

3.0 MW ₹14.8 crore

Cost Savings & Payback Analysis:

Gross Annual Savings:
30,000 kWh/day × ₹7 × 330 days= ₹6.93crore
Annual Operating & Maintenance (O&M) Costs:
30,000 kWh/day × ₹0.50 × 330 = ₹0.4950 crore/year
Net Annual Savings After O&M:
₹6.93crore − ₹0.4950crore = ₹6.435crore/year
Payback Period Calculation
Payback Period= 14.8cr/ 6.435cr = 2.3 years
"The internal electricity generation is essentially fuel-free
(steam is a by-product), but incurs an O&M cost of ₹0.50
per unit (kWh), covering all turbine-related maintenance,
manpower, and auxiliary loads. This cost is factored
proportionally to the units generate
 MARKET RESEARCH OUTLINE
Sulfuric Acid Market – India & Punjab/North Zone
1. Sulfuric Acid Demand Analysis (North India Focus)
India’s annual sulfuric acid consumption is estimated to
grow from 16.94MTPA in 2023 to 25.82 million tonnes in
2030 translating to a market size of ₹13,500 crore to
₹20,600 crore, assuming an average bulk price of ₹8,000
per tonne. CAGR being 6.2%.
North India accounts for approximately 5 to 7 million
tonnes per year, based on fertilizer and industrial
activity. At ₹8,000/tonne, this equates to a regional
market value of ₹4,000 crore to ₹5,600 crore annually.
Key Insight:
Unlike Western India where producers like GACL and
GNFC have integrated acid capacities, North India has
limited local manufacturing. A significant portion is
transported from Gujarat and Maharashtra, adding ₹800–
₹1,200/tonne in logistics cost. This creates a pricing and
delivery advantage for regionally located plants.
2.Regional Market Distribution
Sulfuric acid demand in India is concentrated in regions
with strong fertilizer, refining, and chemical industries.
Based on industrial distribution and fertilizer
consumption patterns:
1. Western Region – 40% share (6.5 million tonnes)
• States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
• Dominated by integrated chemical hubs (Vadodara,
Bharuch), large public/private sector fertilizer plants
(GSFC, RCF, GNFC), and refineries.
• Gujarat alone accounts for over 25% of national acid
consumption due to a high density of chemical and
intermediate manufacturers.
• Proximity to sulfur import ports (Kandla, Mundra)
reduces cost.
2. Northern Region – 30–35% share (~5 - 6 million
tonnes)
• States: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR
• High usage in phosphatic fertilizer plants (e.g., NFL,
IFFCO), battery units, and metal processing.
 • Despite the demand, local acid production is low —
much is supplied from Gujarat or imported through
northern depots, leading to high landed cost.
3. Southern Region – 18% share (3 - 3.5 million tonnes)
• States: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,
Karnataka
• Usage led by refineries (Chennai, Vizag), fertilizer
blending units, and growing electronics & battery
sectors.
4. Eastern Region – 12% share (2 - 2.5 million tonnes)
• States: West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar
• Smaller base, driven by mining, steel, and fertilizer
industries (e.g., Paradeep Phosphates).
• Seasonal demand peaks due to agriculture cycles.
3. Market Opportunity (supply-demand gap)
With steady demand across fertilizers, batteries, refining,
and chemical sectors, North India remains structurally
short on sulfuric acid capacity, relying heavily on
supplies from western states. This creates a clear supply-
demand gap that a locally established 300 TPD plant can
address.
Key Opportunity Drivers:
• Import substitution within the region
Acid transported from Gujarat, Maharashtra, or via
imports adds ₹800–₹1,200/tonne in logistics costs. A
local plant can offer competitive landed pricing to
customers in Punjab, Haryana, UP, and NCR.
• Growing downstream consumption
Rising demand in phosphatic fertilizers, battery acid,
and wastewater treatment — all linked to
government focus on agriculture, EVs, and pollution
control — ensures stable year-round offtake.
• Logistics & lead-time advantage
Supplying within 300–400 km radius by road tankers
ensures faster turnaround, just-in-time deliveries,
 and lower transit risk compared to long-haul bulk
supply chains.
• Stable pricing environment
Sulfuric acid prices have remained in the range of
8000-11000/tonne in North India, with seasonal and
fuel-linked variations.
4.Competitive landscape
Key Players Operating in India:
Annual
Estimated
Rank Company Capacity
TPD
(Mt/year)
Hindustan Zinc Ltd 4,109.59
1 1.5
(HZL) TPD
Coromandel 3,013.70
2 1.1
International TPD
GSFC (Gujarat
1,747.95
3 State Fertilizers & 0.64
TPD
Chemicals)
IFFCO (Paradeep 1,643.84
4 0.6
Unit) TPD
PPL (Paradeep 1,369.86
5 0.5
Phosphates Ltd) TPD
Special Case: Vedanta Ltd – Hindustan Zinc's
Sulfuric Acid Model

Overview
While most sulfuric acid producers in India (e.g.,
Coromandel, GSFC, IFFCO) build dedicated plants
using elemental sulfur as feedstock, Vedanta Ltd
(through its subsidiary Hindustan Zinc Ltd, or HZL)
follows a fundamentally different approach. HZL is
India’s largest sulfuric acid producer by volume — but its
cost structure, production drivers, and margins are not
directly comparable to traditional sulfur-burning acid
units.
Production Model

• HZL produces sulfuric acid as a byproduct of

non-ferrous metal smelting, primarily zinc and
lead.
• During the roasting of zinc sulfide ores, large
volumes of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are generated.
• Instead of venting this SO₂, it is captured and
converted to sulfuric acid using the contact process
essentially turning a pollution control requirement
into a revenue stream.
 Raw Material Advantage
HZL's acid production is essentially cost-free on the raw
material side, giving it a major margin advantage over
standalone acid plants.

Margin Structure

• Since sulfur is not purchased, HZL enjoys industry-

leading gross margins on sulfuric acid.
• The acid is either sold to third parties or used
internally for processes like leaching and ore
beneficiation.
• Revenue from acid sales further offsets the cost of
environmental compliance, making the model both
profitable and sustainable.

Other Byproduct-Based Sulfuric Acid Producers

• Hindalco Industries (Aditya Birla Group):

Converts SO₂ from copper smelting to sulfuric acid at
its Dahej and Jharkhand units. Mostly used internally
for phosphoric acid production.
• Hindustan Copper Ltd (Govt. of India):
Produces sulfuric acid at its Ghatsila smelter as a
byproduct of copper refining; primarily for captive
use.
 Revenue Model & Profitability Analysis

1. Revenue Model
Plant Capacity: 300 TPD
Operational Days: 330 days/year
Annual Output: 99,000 MT/year
Average Selling Price Assumed: ₹9,000/MT
Annual Revenue:
99,000 MT × ₹9,000 = ₹89.1 crore

2.Variable Cost Breakdown

Annual Cost Per MT
Cost Component
(₹ crore) (₹)

Sulfur (Raw Material @

₹12,000/MT, 0.33 MT/MT 39.2 3,960
acid)

Electricity (net after captive

6.93 700
generation)

Water, Steam, Cooling

1.90 192
Utilities
 Annual Cost Per MT
Cost Component
(₹ crore) (₹)

Manpower 3.00 303

Catalyst & Chemicals 0.26 27

Maintenance & Spares 1.50 152

Pollution Control (Scrubber

0.24 24
& Monitoring)

Admin, Insurance, Licenses 0.18 18

Total Operating Cost (OPEX) 53.22 5,376

Gross Profit per MT = ₹9,000 - ₹5,376 = ₹3,624

Total Annual Gross Profit = ₹3,624 × 99,000 = ₹35.88
crore
 3. Gross Margin Analysis
Selling Gross
Cost/MT Profit/MT
Scenario Price Margin
(₹) (₹)
(₹) %

Bear
8,000 5,376 2,624 32.8%
Case

Base
9,000 5,376 3,624 40.3%
Case

Bull
10,000 5,376 4,624 46.2%
Case

Peak
11,000 5,376 5,624 51.1%
Case
4. Break-Even Point
Fixed Costs Estimate: ₹10 crore/year
Profit per MT (Base Case): ₹3,624
Break-even Output = ₹10 crore / ₹3,624 ≈ 27,600
MT/year
Break-even Capacity = 27,600 / 99,000 ≈ 28%
*This means the plant becomes profitable at just 28%
utilization
5. Payback Period
Annual
CAPEX Investment Payback
Profit (₹
Scenario (₹ crore) Period
crore)

Without
~1.9
captive 67.0 35.88
years
power

With
~2.3
captive 81.8 35.88
years
power
6. Summary
• Revenue: ₹89.1 crore/year
• Operating Cost: ₹53.22 crore/year
• Gross Profit: ₹35.88 crore/year
• Gross Margin: 40.3%
• Break-even Capacity: ~28%
• Payback Period: 1.9 to 2.3 years depending on
captive power setup
 SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths Weaknesses

Strategic Location: Proximity to

High Initial CAPEX: ₹67–82 crore
high-demand regions (Punjab,
including captive power — requires
Haryana, UP, NCR) reduces
significant upfront investment
logistics cost by ₹800–₹1,200/MT

Low Break-even Point: Plant Raw Material Dependency:

becomes profitable at just 28% Reliance on sulfur pricing
capacity utilization (commodity-sensitive input)

Captive Power Generation: Limited Product Range: Single-

Waste heat recovery generates product plant with no secondary
~50% of electricity demand, revenue stream (unless oleum or
cutting OPEX derivative expansion is planned)

Stable End-use Demand:

Storage & Handling Complexity:
Fertilizers, batteries, wastewater
Requires specialized acid-resistant
treatment, and refineries offer
infrastructure and logistics
year-round offtake
 Opportunities Threats

Import Substitution: Local plant fills Commodity Price Volatility:

supply-demand gap in North India, Fluctuations in sulfur or acid
currently served by Western players prices can impact margins

Market Saturation Risk: New

Government Push: Growth in
entrants or capacity addition by
agriculture, EVs, and wastewater
existing players could pressure
treatment will drive acid demand
prices

Pollution & Compliance

Backward/Forward Integration:
Scrutiny: Sulfuric acid plants
Potential to produce oleum,
face tight environmental
phosphoric acid, or even captive
oversight, even if not covered in
fertilizer blends in future
this report

Transport Hazards: Acid being

Quick Payback: ~2–2.3 years
hazardous, mishandling or
payback makes it attractive for banks
accidents could disrupt
or investors
operations or reputation
 SSP & GSSP Overview
SSP and GSSP Production
A major end-use segment for sulfuric acid in India is the
manufacture of phosphatic fertilizers, primarily Single
Super Phosphate (SSP) and Granulated Single Super
Phosphate (GSSP). These products account for
approximately 60–65% of total sulfuric acid
consumption, making them the largest acid-consuming
downstream sector.
Chemical Overview & Composition
Single Super Phosphate (SSP) is produced by reacting
finely ground rock phosphate with concentrated sulfuric
acid.
Process Overview
• SSP Production Reaction:
Ca₃(PO₄) ₂ (Rock Phosphate) + 2 H₂SO₄ →
Ca(H₂PO₄) ₂ + 2 CaSO₄
The reaction yields a solid mixture containing:
 Component Typical Content Function

Monocalcium 16% P₂O₅ Primary phosphorus

Phosphate (water-soluble) source for plants

Gypsum Adds sulfur and

(Calcium 18–21% calcium; improves
Sulfate) soil

Secondary nutrient,
Sulfur 11–12%
vital for oilseeds

Enhances root
Calcium 18–20% strength and pH
balance

Maintains physical
Moisture <12% form and
granulation

Minor residuals
Unreacted Rock
1–3% from incomplete
Phosphate
reaction
GSSP is granulated SSP with improved physical
properties for storage, transport, and field
application. Nutrient values remain the same.
Acid Consumption Rate: ~2.2–2.5 tonnes of H₂SO₄ are
required per tonne of SSP.

Customer Segmentation & Regional Demand

SSP and GSSP are widely used in agriculture, especially
in regions with phosphorus- and sulfur-deficient soils.
These fertilizers are promoted under the Nutrient-
Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme.
 Primary Customers:
Northern Region (High Potential Zone):
Key Clusters &
State Drivers
Plants

NFL Bathinda, High phosphorus

Punjab private SSP demand, rice-wheat
blenders cycle

GSSP preferred due

IFFCO Panipat,
Haryana to mechanized
Haryana Agro
application

Fertilizer units in
Uttar Heavy cropping, soil
Kanpur, Agra,
Pradesh deficiency zones
Ghazipur

Due to freight sensitivity, SSP plants prefer sourcing acid

within a 300–400 km radius. A local sulfuric acid plant
offers a clear cost and turnaround advantage over
western suppliers.