SPS (CAS No. 27206-35-5) Market Summary
Introduction
Bis-(sodium sulfopropyl)-disulfide, commonly known as SPS, serves as a critical acid copper plating brightener predominantly used in electrolytic copper foil production for lithium-ion batteries and electronic manufacturing. This specialty electroplating additive plays an essential role in producing bright, leveled, and ductile copper deposits crucial for modern electronics and energy storage applications. The compound functions as a brightening agent in acid copper baths for decorative and electronic components, with copper layers deposited using SPS exhibiting superior brightness, levelness, and ductility. SPS finds extensive application in automotive components, semiconductor manufacturing, printed circuit boards, and increasingly in copper foil production for lithium-ion battery anodes where it refines plating coating crystallization and improves current density at concentrations typically ranging from 10-50mg/L.

Market Size and Growth Forecast
The electrodeposited copper foil for lithium battery market reached 12.74 billion USD in 2023 and is projected to reach 27.49 billion USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.61%. While specific market sizing for SPS remains limited in public sources, the compound's critical role in copper electroplating processes positions it as an essential component within the broader electroplating chemicals market. The SPS market is estimated to range between 80-120 million USD in 2026, with projected compound annual growth rates of 8%-12% through 2031, driven primarily by explosive growth in lithium-ion battery production and expanding electronics manufacturing capacity globally.

Regional Analysis
Asia Pacific dominates SPS consumption with estimated growth rates of 9%-13%, driven by concentrated lithium-ion battery manufacturing and electronics production. China represents the largest single market, fueled by massive battery manufacturing capacity expansion, robust printed circuit board production, and growing domestic semiconductor fabrication. The country's leadership in electric vehicle battery production creates substantial copper foil demand, directly driving SPS consumption. Japan and South Korea maintain sophisticated electronics and battery manufacturing sectors requiring high-purity electroplating chemicals, supporting stable regional demand.
North America shows growth rates of 7%-10%, primarily driven by expanding domestic battery manufacturing investments responding to electric vehicle adoption and supply chain security concerns. The United States is experiencing significant lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity additions, particularly supporting automotive electrification initiatives, which necessitate increased copper foil and associated electroplating chemical consumption.
Europe exhibits growth rates of 6%-9%, with Germany leading regional demand through advanced automotive electronics and growing battery cell production capacity. European battery manufacturing investments supporting electric vehicle production targets drive electroplating chemical requirements, though the region maintains smaller absolute volumes compared to Asia Pacific.
South America demonstrates modest growth potential of 4%-7%, with limited battery manufacturing but expanding electronics assembly operations supporting baseline electroplating chemical demand. The region primarily sources materials from established Asian and North American suppliers.
The Middle East and Africa region shows growth rates of 3%-6%, with minimal battery or electronics manufacturing currently but potential future demand from emerging renewable energy projects and regional industrialization efforts.

Application Analysis
Copper Plating represents the dominant application segment. This encompasses both functional and decorative copper plating across diverse industries. Lithium-ion battery copper foil production drives the most dynamic growth within this segment, as electric vehicle adoption and renewable energy storage expansion create escalating demand for high-quality copper foil used in battery anodes. Printed circuit board manufacturing maintains substantial SPS consumption, serving semiconductor packaging, consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment, and industrial electronics applications. The segment requires precise brightener formulations ensuring uniform copper deposition, appropriate grain structure, and consistent coating quality meeting stringent electronics industry specifications.
Semiconductor applications increasingly drive SPS demand as advanced packaging technologies require sophisticated copper interconnect structures. Through-silicon via filling, redistribution layers, and advanced bump processes necessitate specialized electroplating formulations where SPS functions as a critical brightener component enabling void-free copper filling and controlled deposition profiles.
Automotive components utilize SPS in decorative and functional copper plating for connectors, terminals, sensors, and electronic components. Growing automotive electronics content, particularly in electric vehicles with extensive battery management and power electronics systems, sustains demand growth in this application segment.
Other applications include decorative plating for consumer products, industrial equipment components, and specialty electronics where copper plating provides corrosion protection, electrical conductivity enhancement, or aesthetic improvements.

Key Market Players
ASAHI CHEMICAL operates as a significant specialty chemical manufacturer with capabilities in electroplating intermediates and additives. The company supplies various copper plating brighteners and related chemicals serving Asian and international electronics manufacturing markets.
Changshu Juhe Chemical, marketed under the HOPAX brand, maintains established production capabilities for electroplating additives including SPS. HOPAX manufactures and supplies SPS as a brightening agent for copper electroplating, particularly for acid copper baths used in automotive parts and semiconductor applications, with products registered under European REACH regulations. The company offers integrated electroplating chemical solutions combining SPS with complementary additives like DPS and ZPS for optimized plating performance.
Jadechem Group represents a major Chinese manufacturer with substantial production capacity. The company expanded its Hubei facility SPS capacity from 40 tons annually to 300 tons annually in 2023, with its Xiamen facility achieving 400 tons annual capacity in 2023 and an additional 200 tons capacity added in 2025, bringing total Xiamen capacity to 600 tons annually. Long-term planning targets 4,000 tons annual SPS capacity, demonstrating significant industry expansion expectations. Jadechem serves domestic and international markets including North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Middle Eastern regions.
Wuhan Pinestone Technology has established 3,000 tons annual SPS production capacity, representing substantial manufacturing scale within the industry. This capacity positions the company as a significant supplier supporting growing regional and international electroplating chemical demand.
Jiangsu Mengde New Materials Technology operates production facilities supplying SPS and related electroplating intermediates, serving domestic electronics manufacturing and export markets with technical support and customized chemical formulations.
Hubei Dimei Technology maintains regional manufacturing presence in Hubei province, China's emerging electroplating chemical production cluster, supplying SPS and complementary products to domestic battery and electronics manufacturers.
Jilin Qianli Chemical has established 300 tons annual SPS production capacity, serving regional electronics and plating industries with electroplating chemical solutions.
Hunan Sanyang New Energy Technology commissioned 500 tons annual SPS capacity in 2025, reflecting new market entrants responding to expanding battery manufacturing demand and market growth opportunities in electroplating chemicals.

Industry Value Chain Analysis
The SPS industry value chain begins with raw material sourcing, primarily 1,3-propane sultone and sodium sulfide or related sulfur-containing precursors. These specialty chemicals require careful handling and processing given their reactive nature and specific synthesis requirements. Raw material availability and pricing significantly influence SPS production economics, with feedstock quality determining final product purity and performance characteristics.
Chemical synthesis represents the core manufacturing step, involving controlled reactions producing bis-(sodium sulfopropyl)-disulfide through specific chemical pathways. Manufacturers must maintain stringent process control ensuring consistent product quality, appropriate molecular structure, and controlled impurity profiles. Advanced manufacturing facilities employ sophisticated reaction equipment, purification systems, and quality control infrastructure ensuring products meet electronics industry specifications.
Product formulation and quality control involve comprehensive analytical testing verifying chemical composition, purity levels, and performance characteristics. Manufacturers conduct electrochemical testing, plating trials, and compatibility assessments ensuring SPS performs consistently across diverse copper plating applications and formulation combinations.
Distribution channels primarily involve direct sales to large electroplating solution manufacturers, battery producers, and electronics companies requiring bulk quantities. Technical distributors serve smaller plating shops, electronics manufacturers, and specialized applications requiring diverse electroplating chemicals in smaller volumes. International trade plays significant roles as Asian manufacturers supply global markets while regional distributors provide local technical support and responsive delivery.
Technical service and application support represent critical value chain elements, as electroplating processes require precise chemical formulations and operational parameters. Suppliers provide formulation development assistance, process optimization support, analytical services, and troubleshooting expertise helping customers achieve desired plating results and maintain consistent production quality.

Market Opportunities and Challenges
Opportunities
●Electric Vehicle and Battery Manufacturing Expansion: The explosive growth in lithium-ion battery production for electric vehicles creates substantial opportunities for SPS suppliers. Global battery manufacturing capacity additions, particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia, drive sustained demand growth for copper foil and associated electroplating chemicals. Companies establishing robust supply relationships with battery manufacturers and copper foil producers can capture growing market segments and achieve long-term volume growth.
●Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Technologies: Evolving semiconductor packaging approaches including 3D integration, advanced fan-out packages, and chiplet technologies require sophisticated copper electroplating processes. SPS suppliers developing specialized formulations optimized for advanced packaging applications, high-aspect-ratio feature filling, and emerging node requirements can access premium market segments with technical differentiation and value-added positioning.
●Regional Manufacturing Diversification: Growing emphasis on supply chain resilience and regional manufacturing capacity creates opportunities for establishing production facilities near major consumption centers. Companies investing in North American or European manufacturing capabilities can address customer proximity requirements, reduce logistics complexity, and potentially benefit from local content preferences or incentive programs supporting regional chemical production.
●Sustainable and High-Performance Formulations: Developing environmentally preferable SPS synthesis routes, higher purity grades, or performance-enhanced variants can create market differentiation. Battery and electronics manufacturers increasingly prioritize sustainable chemical sourcing and improved process efficiency, creating opportunities for innovation-focused suppliers offering superior environmental profiles or enhanced technical performance.
Challenges
●Raw Material Availability and Cost Volatility: SPS production depends on specialty chemical precursors subject to availability constraints and price fluctuations. Supply disruptions, feedstock cost increases, or regulatory restrictions affecting precursor chemicals can create production challenges and margin pressures. Manufacturers must develop robust supplier relationships, alternative sourcing strategies, and potentially backward integration ensuring reliable raw material access.
●Technical Specification Requirements and Quality Consistency: Electronics and battery applications demand exacting chemical specifications, consistent product quality, and rigorous purity standards. Even minor variations in SPS composition, impurity profiles, or performance characteristics can cause plating defects, production yield issues, or device performance problems. Maintaining stringent manufacturing controls, comprehensive testing protocols, and consistent product quality across production batches requires substantial technical capabilities and quality management infrastructure.
●Competitive Pricing Pressure and Commoditization: While SPS serves critical functions, increasing manufacturing capacity and new market entrants create competitive pricing pressures. Chinese manufacturers expanding production capacity, potentially supported by lower cost structures, can pressure international pricing levels. Suppliers must differentiate through technical service, product quality, supply reliability, or specialized formulations rather than competing solely on price.
●Trump Administration Tariff Policy and Global Supply Chain Restructuring: Current trade policy uncertainty and potential tariff implementations create significant challenges for globally integrated supply chains. SPS production concentrated in China and other Asian locations faces potential tariffs when serving North American or European markets. Battery and electronics manufacturers increasingly emphasize supply chain security and regional sourcing preferences, potentially requiring suppliers to establish regional production facilities, diversify manufacturing locations, or navigate complex tariff structures. Companies must evaluate regional manufacturing investments, assess tariff impact scenarios, and potentially restructure supply chains balancing cost efficiency, customer requirements, and trade policy risks. The strategic importance of battery and electronics manufacturing may accelerate regional chemical production requirements, creating both challenges for established Asian suppliers and opportunities for regional manufacturers.
●Environmental and Regulatory Compliance: Electroplating chemicals face increasing regulatory scrutiny regarding environmental impact, worker safety, and product restrictions. Evolving chemical regulations in major markets require ongoing compliance investments, product reformulations, or alternative technology development. Manufacturers must navigate diverse regional regulatory frameworks while maintaining product performance and commercial viability.