Short answer: the five grades differ in minimum sulfur content and in how tightly ash, organic substances, acidity and water are limited. Choose the grade your process can tolerate, then tell us the grade, quantity, port and Incoterm.
1. What granular sulfur is
Sulfur (spelled sulphur in many countries) is a non-metallic chemical element with the symbol S. The Sulphur Institute describes it as a valuable commodity and an integral part of the world economy. It can be mined (the Frasch process was long the main method), but recovery from oil and gas processing has become much more common. Elemental sulphur is sometimes called brimstone.
Granular sulfur is the standard traded form: dust-limited, free-flowing and stable in storage and bulk handling. SS Global Commodities supplies it as bright yellow granules of 3–10 mm (product code LS 3520, median size d50 about 5 mm).
2. Where it is used
According to The Sulphur Institute, sulphur is the primary source for making sulphuric acid, described as the world's most used chemical. The fertilizer industry uses sulphuric acid mainly to manufacture phosphate fertilizers, and also nitrogen, potassium and sulphate fertilizers. Sulphur is also used in non-ferrous metals, pigments, fibres, pharmaceuticals, agricultural pesticides, personal care products, cosmetics, synthetic rubber vulcanisation, water treatment and steel pickling. Sulphur asphalt is a further use, as an alternative road binder.
On our product page the main applications are fertilizer manufacturing, agricultural soil amendment, chemical synthesis and rubber processing, and industrial bulk supply.
3. The five purity grades
Columns show the grade by minimum sulfur content. The figures are limits for the grade; the analysis of the actual shipment lot is issued with the shipment. Pricing differs by grade.
| Parameter | 99.98 | 99.95 | 99.90 | 99.50 | 99.20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfur (S), % min | 99.98 | 99.95 | 99.90 | 99.50 | 99.20 |
| Ash, % max | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Organic substances, % max | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.25 | 0.5 |
| Acidity as H2SO4, % max | 0.0015 | 0.003 | 0.004 | 0.01 | 0.02 |
| Water, % max | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.0 |
| Mechanical impurities | None | None | None | None | None |
| Granules 0.5–8 mm, % min | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | — |
Swipe the table sideways to see all five grades.
The same table, with the specification notes, is on the granular sulfur product page.
4. Reading the limits
In plain terms:
- Sulfur (S), % min: the minimum share of the product that is elemental sulfur. It is what names the grade.
- Ash: the non-combustible residue left when the sulfur is burned off. Lower is cleaner.
- Organic substances: carbon-containing impurities. Lower is cleaner.
- Acidity as H2SO4: residual acidity expressed as sulphuric acid.
- Water: moisture content. Four grades are limited to 0.2%; the 99.20 grade allows up to 1.0%.
- Mechanical impurities: foreign matter. The specification lists none for any grade.
- Granule range: the minimum share of granules between 0.5 and 8 mm. It is specified at 75% on four grades and not specified for the 99.20 grade.
Which limits matter most depends on your process, so check the figures against your own purchase specification. If you are unsure, send us your specification and we will tell you which grade fits.
5. Sulfur in agriculture
The Sulphur Institute presents sulphur as the fourth major crop nutrient after nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and as one of 17 essential plant nutrients needed by all crops. About 90% of the sulphur in plants is found in three sulphur-containing amino acids (cysteine, cystine and methionine), the building blocks of protein, and it is also needed to make oils, which is why it matters for oilseeds. Plants absorb sulphur from the soil in the sulphate form.
The Institute reports that soil sulphur deficiency has become more common, linking it to three factors: more intensive cropping, wider use of high-analysis fertilizers that contain no sulphur, and reduced sulphur dioxide emissions in developed regions, which lowers the amount of sulphur arriving from the atmosphere.
6. Quality checks and supply options
- Every lot tested. Every lot is tested by an accredited laboratory, and the laboratory report travels with the shipment.
- Single cargoes or programmes. Supply is available on single cargoes, or on twelve-month programmes with scheduled monthly liftings.
- Packaging. 50 kg PP woven bags, 1,000 kg FIBC jumbo bags, or bulk container shipment options.
- Storage. Cool, dry, well-ventilated dedicated storage, away from heat, ignition sources, direct sunlight and strong oxidisers. Safety data sheets (SDS) are provided per commercial contract and shipment batch.
7. Questions to ask before you choose
- What does your process or purchase specification require? Compare its limits for ash, organics, acidity and water against the table.
- Do you need a single cargo or steady monthly supply?
- How will it be packed and shipped? Bags, big bags or bulk.
- Which port and Incoterm do you need?
8. What to send for a quotation
- The grade (99.98, 99.95, 99.90, 99.50 or 99.20)
- Quantity, and whether it is a single cargo or a monthly programme
- Destination port and Incoterm
- Packaging preference
The quotation form has a purity-grade selector for granular sulfur.
9. Frequently asked questions
What purity grades of granular sulfur do you supply?
Five: 99.98%, 99.95%, 99.90%, 99.50% and 99.20% S minimum.
Is it sulfur or sulphur?
Both spellings mean the same element. We use “sulfur” on the site; you may also see “sulphur” in many countries.
What granule size do you supply?
Standard granules of 3–10 mm, with a median size (d50) of about 5 mm.
Is every lot tested?
Yes. Every lot is tested by an accredited laboratory, and the laboratory report travels with the shipment.
Can I buy on a regular programme?
Yes, either single cargoes or twelve-month programmes with scheduled monthly liftings.
How do I request a price?
Use the quotation form, email sumanthans@ssgcommodities.com, or message us on WhatsApp at +1-613-324-3821.
Ready to request a quotation?
Tell us the grade, quantity, destination port and Incoterm.
Sources
- The Sulphur Institute, An Introduction to Sulphur: sulphurinstitute.org/about-sulphur/introduction-to-sulphur. Read October 2026.
- The Sulphur Institute, Sulphur – The Fourth Major Crop Nutrient: sulphurinstitute.org/sulphur-in-agriculture/sulphur-the-fourth-major-crop-nutrient. Read October 2026.