US April chlorine operating rates steady at 94%

23 May 2007 23:21  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US chlorine operating rates in April were steady at 94% compared with March, but rose from 89% a year earlier, the Chlorine Institute said on Wednesday.

Stronger vinyls and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) demand pushed US chlorine operating rates in March to their highest level since May 2006, when the industry ran at 95%.

Chlorine derivatives demand in the export market has been strong in the second quarter, a large producer said, adding that higher consumption of PVC pipes in the US was also keeping demand for chlorine firm.

US second-quarter chlorine prices were assessed at $315-335/short ton, up from $290-310/short ton in the first quarter, according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

Top US chlor-alkali producers include Dow Chemical, Occidental Chemical, Formosa, Olin, Pioneer and PPG Industries.
By: William Lemos
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