Sulphuric Acid: an unrecognized, yet key component of our daily lives

NorFalco, a Glencore Company, is among North America’s largest merchant marketers of sulphuric acid, distributing approximately 1.5 million metric tonnes annually. NorFalco has exclusive access to sulphuric acid production from our Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, CEZinc in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and Sudbury INO in Sudbury.

This key chemical is used across multiple industries that can touch everyday life, from pulp and paper to batteries, drinking water and wastewater treatment, aluminum, fertilizers, paints and more.

As demand for sulphuric acid is projected to rise, Canada’s role as a significant producer presents an economic opportunity. This growth is expected to be fuelled by advances in low-carbon technologies and agriculture.

For example, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles is expected to drive greater demand for sulphuric acid, which can be used in both manufacturing and recycling electric vehicle batteries. Extracting critical heavy metals like nickel, cobalt, and rare earths can depend on chemical processes using sulphuric acid to separate these metals from their ores. These metals, which can be integral to lithium-ion batteries, wind turbines and solar panels, underscore sulphuric acid’s role in supporting the energy transition.

Additionally, as the global population rises, the demand for food is expected to also grow. Over half of the sulphuric acid sold worldwide is used to make fertilizers, which support enhancing plant growth and crop yields.

By capturing sulphur dioxide from our smelting and refining operations and converting it into sulphuric acid, we contribute to the circular economy. This process helps to prevent waste gases from being released into the environment, repurposing them instead into a valuable commodity.

NorFalco, our marketing and transportation arm, supports the safe distribution of this sulphuric acid. With a strong record of safety awards and reliable shipping, NorFalco supplies numerous customers across Eastern Canada and the United States, providing a secure, local supply for North American businesses.

For further information on sulphuric acid and its economic significance, we encourage you to consult the "Study on the Economic Importance of Sulphuric Acid."