Fluorspar (Acidspar ≥ 97% CaF₂ & Metspar)

Acidspar (CaF₂ ≥ 97%) for AHF, LiPF₆ & PVDF battery chemicals; Metspar for steel flux

Fluorspar (calcium fluoride, CaF₂) is the foundational, non-substitutable source of fluorine for the global chemical, semiconductor, and clean energy sectors. The international trade splits sharply at 97% CaF₂ purity: Acid-Grade Fluorspar (Acidspar, HS 2529.22) is a refined flotation concentrate containing ≥ 97.0% CaF₂, functioning as the sole commercial precursor for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid (AHF). Metallurgical-Grade Fluorspar (Metspar, HS 2529.21) assays at 75–85% CaF₂ as coarse gravel or briquettes, functioning as a slag fluidizer and dephosphorizing/desulphurizing flux in Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) and Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking.

In chemical AHF synthesis (Buss-Luwa rotary kiln process at 200–300 °C: CaF₂ + H₂SO₄ → 2HF + CaSO₄), practical operating factors dictate that producing 1.0 MT of AHF requires 2.15 to 2.25 MT of dry acidspar and 1.30 MT of concentrated sulphuric acid (generating 3.6–3.8 MT of synthetic anhydrite screed byproduct). Impurities trigger destructive side reactions: every 1.0 MT of silica (SiO₂) destroys 1.33 MT of high-value HF gas by forming volatile silicon tetrafluoride (SiF₄) and fluorosilicic acid while releasing water that strips the protective iron-sulphate passivating layer from the carbon-steel kiln shell, inducing severe electrochemical corrosion. Calcite (CaCO₃) consumes expensive acid parasitically and triggers violent foaming and dust carryover, while arsenic (As) volatilizes into toxic AsF₃ that disqualifies AHF from semiconductor-grade electronic wet chemical lines (SEMI Grade 5 UP-HF).

The global fluorspar balance has undergone a structural inversion: China—historically supplying > 55–60% of world volume—has become a structural net importer (importing over 1.02 million MT of raw fluorspar in 2024 alone to feed its domestic battery and solar manufacturing). Chinese acidspar exports collapsed 77% from 235,684 MT in 2022 to 54,561 MT in 2024, and MOFCOM/GACC reinstated strict export licensing effective 1 January 2026. Concurrently, EV lithium-ion battery demand is exploding: LiPF₆ conducting salt contains 75.0% fluorine by weight (consuming 2.5–2.8 MT acidspar per MT of salt), and PVDF cathode binders and separator coatings consume 150–240 MT acidspar equivalent per GWh of cell production.

To mitigate supply concentration risks, CBIL structures acidspar procurement across tier-1 non-Chinese primary corridors: Mexico's Las Cuevas mine (Koura / Orbia, San Luis Potosí, 280 kt/yr acidspar) evacuated via CPKC rail to dedicated deepwater bulk terminals at the Port of Tampico; South Africa's Bushveld complex (Minersa's Vergenoeg mine, 240 kt/yr, and SepFluor's Nokeng mine, 180 kt/yr) exporting through the Port of Durban and Richards Bay; Spain's Minersa Asturias operations; and Viet Nam's Masan High-Tech Materials Nui Phao polymetallic complex via Port Haiphong. Ocean shipments of acidspar filter cake (8.0%–10.5% moisture) are classified under the IMO IMSBC Code as Group A Cargoes that may liquefy if shipped above their Transportable Moisture Limit (TML); all seaborne parcels carry certified Flow Moisture Point (FMP) and moisture tests completed within 7 days of loading. Parcels move in 15,000–30,000 MT Handysize bulk carriers or in 1,000 kg FIBC bags in 20ft dry containers.

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Excluded origins are not offered, including product re-exported, blended or re-processed through a third country. Every lot moves with a certificate of origin naming the producing plant, mine or grower country, and nothing is quoted before the seller and loading point are known.