Sodium Thiosulfate: Recent Commodity Market Intelligence Report

I. Market Price Dynamics
1. Quotation Status
- On May 21, 2026, Liaocheng Jinxinda New Materials Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 850 per metric ton (tax-inclusive) for sodium thiosulfate (99% purity), with delivery in Shandong Province.
- On May 25, 2026, Shandong Jinshengrun Chemical Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 1,000 per metric ton (tax-inclusive) for sodium thiosulfate (98% purity), with delivery in Jinan City, Shandong Province.
- On May 26, 2026, Shandong Jinshengrun Chemical Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 1,300 per metric ton (tax-inclusive) for sodium thiosulfate (99% purity), with delivery in Jinan City, Shandong Province; on the same day, Jia’en Chemical (Shandong) Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 1,400 per metric ton (tax-inclusive) for sodium thiosulfate (99% purity), also with delivery in Jinan City, Shandong Province.

2. Price Range
- For pentahydrate sodium thiosulfate (Analytical Reagent grade, AR ≥ 99.0%), the price for 500 g packaging ranges from RMB 3.33 to RMB 5,500, with significant variation attributable to purity level, brand, supplier, and regional differences.
- In the bulk commodity market, pentahydrate sodium thiosulfate at 98% purity trades at approximately RMB 1,300 per metric ton, reflecting the prevailing transaction price level for industrial-grade products.

3. Price Trend
- On April 13, 2026, the market price of pentahydrate sodium thiosulfate stood at RMB 1,040 per metric ton—down RMB 60 per metric ton from the previous quotation. The three-month average price was RMB 1,078 per metric ton, with a three-month low of RMB 980 and a high of RMB 1,100 per metric ton, placing it at a seasonal low within the past year.

II. Supply-Demand Analysis
1. Supply Situation
- China’s effective annual production capacity for pentahydrate sodium thiosulfate reaches 486,000 metric tons; however, actual output is only 312,000 metric tons, yielding a capacity utilization rate of 64.2%, indicating a structural contradiction between overall overcapacity and insufficient effective supply.
- Production capacity is highly concentrated in Shandong, Jiangsu, and Hebei provinces, collectively accounting for 58.7% of national capacity. In contrast, supply remains inadequate in South China and Northwest China, necessitating inter-regional transportation.

2. Demand Situation
- Downstream demand exhibits pronounced volatility: the textile dyeing and printing industry faces declining demand due to shifts in global trade patterns and tightening environmental regulations; the electroplating industry has reduced usage of conventional chemical precipitation methods following stricter discharge standards, leading to lower demand; and the photographic industry continues its long-term contraction.
- Demand growth potential is notably strong in the pharmaceutical sector—particularly for applications as an antidote and anti-allergic agent. Additionally, emerging applications in environmental dechlorination and gold extraction are driving incremental demand for sodium thiosulfate.

III. Industry Policies and Market Environment
1. Policy Impact
- The Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued the “List of Key Chemical Substances Subject to Environmental Risk Management (2025 Edition)”, designating sodium thiosulfate as a recommended low-risk alternative reducing agent. It is prioritized for procurement across 12 typical industrial scenarios—including electroplating wastewater treatment and harmless disposal of chromium-containing waste liquids.
- The National Medical Products Administration launched the “Action Plan for Upgrading Quality Standards of Pharmaceutical Excipients”, which tightened maximum permissible limits for heavy metal residues in injectable-grade sodium thiosulfate, thereby driving upward price pressure on high-purity products.

2. Market Environment
- Increasingly stringent environmental regulations have further elevated compliance burdens: additional environmental investment per metric ton has risen significantly, raising industry-wide annual compliance costs and severely constraining the operating space for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- The sodium thiosulfate market comprises numerous domestic and international players, exhibiting relatively low market concentration and intense competition. Leading enterprises are strengthening competitive advantages through technological innovation and M&A activities, while SMEs pursue differentiated strategies focused on niche segments.

IV. Analysis and Outlook
1. Price Trend Forecast
- Driven by raw material price fluctuations and rising environmental compliance costs, sodium thiosulfate prices are projected to rise moderately, with average prices expected to increase by 3–4% year-on-year. Intensifying market competition will further incentivize enterprises to enhance cost control and operational efficiency.

2. Demand Outlook
- With continued expansion across downstream sectors—including pharmaceuticals, environmental protection, and gold mining—the overall demand for sodium thiosulfate is expected to maintain steady growth. Notably, the pharmaceutical segment is anticipated to drive increased demand for high-purity sodium thiosulfate, fueled by ongoing new drug development and expanding clinical applications.

3. Industry Development Trends
- The sodium thiosulfate industry is undergoing a pivotal transition—from a basic chemical commodity toward a functional fine chemical product. Looking ahead, the industry will accelerate its transformation toward greener, more intensive, and higher-value operations. Leading enterprises are expected to enhance competitiveness through capacity replacement, regional rebalancing, and circular economy models. Concurrently, with the advancement of intelligent manufacturing upgrades, single-facility production capacity will increase, enabling total national capacity to surpass current levels.