Chemtrade halts ultrapure H₂SO₄ project in Arizona

Chemtrade Logistics is putting its plans on hold for a plant in Arizona to make ultrapure H₂SO₄ for semiconductor manufacturing. The facility, a joint venture with semiconductor chemical supplier Kanto Group, was expected to cost $175 million–$250 million when it was announced in July 2022. The firm says increased labor costs and other price changes have now raised the price tag to between $300 million and $380 million. Chemtrade says it has already cut costs for the project as much as possible and is now renegotiating contracts with customers in hopes of salvaging the facility.