Most US produced material is a by-product of steel pickling. Imported ferrous sulfate is chiefly moist material from Europe, derived from sulfate process titanium dioxide manufacture. Mineral King Minerals formerly operated under the name, Liquid Chemical. Kemiron acquired Midland Resources and its St. Louis, Mo., plant in June 2000. Total moist demand, including feedstock for dried material, is estimated in excess of 340,000 tons, of which 250,000 tons were supplied by imports in 1998, and 233,000 tons imported in 1999.
Exports are negligible.
As the price of hydrochloric acid has been rising, some HCl steel pickling operations have converted to sulfuric acid, producing additional by-product ferrous sulfate. In water treatment, ferrous sulfate continues to be competitive with other coagulants such as alum and ferric chloride. The construction industry, a major user of iron oxide, continues to do well and is driving demand for ferrous sulfate for this application. There is no apparent weakness in ferrous sulfate at this time. Thus, prices should remain soft for the foreseeable future.