Sodium Chlorite Market Dynamics Report – Recent Commodity Market Intelligence

I. Price Trends
1. Benchmark Price:
- As of May 26, 2026, the Business Network (Shengyishe) benchmark price for sodium chlorite stood at RMB 11,950.00 per metric ton, unchanged from the beginning of the month and at a one-year high.
- On May 16, 2026, the benchmark price was RMB 11,950 per metric ton, up by RMB 275 per metric ton from the previous quotation. The three-month average price was RMB 11,772 per metric ton, with a three-month low of RMB 11,583 per metric ton and a three-month high of RMB 11,950 per metric ton.

2. Regional Quotations:
- Shandong Province:
Solid sodium chlorite (80% purity): RMB 11,400–12,500 per metric ton;
Liquid sodium chlorite (25% purity): stable at RMB 3,150–3,200 per metric ton.
- Fujian Province:
Premium-grade solid sodium chlorite (typically high-purity, though exact concentration unspecified): RMB 13,500 per metric ton.
- Hubei Province:
Sodium chlorite (50% purity): RMB 6,500 per metric ton;
Sodium chlorite (≥80% purity, packaged in 50 kg drums): RMB 5,650 per metric ton.
- Jiangxi Province:
Liquid sodium chlorite (31% purity): RMB 4,100 per metric ton.

3. Historical Price Review:
- On December 23, 2025, liquid sodium chlorite (31% purity) in Jiangxi Province was priced at RMB 4,100.00 per metric ton; solid sodium chlorite (80% purity) in Jiangsu Province was priced at RMB 13,500.00 per metric ton.
- In July 2025, the price of liquid sodium chlorite (31% purity) in Shandong Province rose from RMB 3,600 to RMB 4,100 per metric ton.

II. Supply-Demand Situation
1. Market Demand:
- Water treatment accounts for a stable 55–60% share of total demand—making it the largest driver. With the implementation of the updated “Hygienic Standard for Drinking Water” (GB 5749–2022), technical requirements for drinking water disinfectants have intensified. Sodium chlorite’s high efficacy and low residual characteristics have led to increasing adoption in municipal water supply and industrial recirculating water systems.
- Pulp bleaching ranks second, representing approximately 20–25% of demand. Against the backdrop of China’s plastic ban (“Plastic Restriction Order”) and packaging industry upgrading, environmentally friendly, high-brightness bleaching processes are gaining favor—boosting sodium chlorite usage in specialty paper and food-grade packaging paper production.
- Food processing and textile dyeing/finishing collectively account for ~15–20% of demand, with food-grade sodium chlorite—used as a sanitizer in fruit & vegetable processing and foodservice—exhibiting notably strong growth.

2. Supply Situation:
- Industry concentration is accelerating: the CR5 (combined market share of the top five enterprises) increased from 35% in 2019 to 48% in 2023. Leading firms have adopted vertical integration strategies, securing upstream chlor-alkali resources and effectively hedging against raw material price volatility.
- Total industry capacity reached 450,000 metric tons per year in 2023, with actual output approximating 380,000 metric tons—yielding a capacity utilization rate of approximately 84%.

III. Analysis and Assessment
1. Price Trend:
- In the short term, sodium chlorite prices are expected to remain relatively stable, although regional price differentials may persist. Rapid development of emerging application sectors—and growing demand for high-concentration products—will provide continued pricing support.
- Given that upstream raw materials (e.g., liquid chlorine, caustic soda) account for over 60% of production cost—and exhibit significant price volatility—future sodium chlorite pricing will be markedly sensitive to fluctuations in input costs.

2. Supply-Demand Balance:
- Market demand continues to grow steadily, particularly in water treatment, pulp bleaching, and food processing. However, current capacity utilization is already at a relatively high level; thus, the pace and scale of new capacity additions will critically influence future supply-demand equilibrium.
- Rising industry concentration contributes to price stability but also intensifies competitive pressure on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

IV. Outlook
1. Price Forecast:
- Sodium chlorite prices are projected to remain relatively stable in the near term, yet subject to fluctuations driven by raw material cost changes, shifts in supply-demand dynamics, and regulatory/policy adjustments.
- With rapid expansion of emerging applications and rising demand for high-concentration, high-purity products, premium-grade sodium chlorite is likely to see upward price movement.

2. Market Trends:
- The water treatment sector will continue serving as the primary growth engine, with further penetration expected in municipal drinking water systems and industrial recirculating cooling water applications.
- Demand in pulp bleaching and food processing is also anticipated to maintain steady growth, supporting sustained expansion of the sodium chlorite market.
- Increasing industry concentration and growing demand for high-end products will intensify market competition. Firms must therefore strengthen R&D investment, enhance product quality, and improve service capabilities to remain competitive.