Tosoh to halt spot caustic soda export in May-June

25 March 2008 08:24  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Japan’s Tosoh Corp is unlikely to export caustic soda for the spot market in May and June because of a scheduled turnaround at its chlor-alkali complex in Nanyo, a source close to the company said on Tuesday.

 

The Nanyo complex, which produces 950,000 tonnes of caustic soda annually, would be closed for maintenance and expansion works from late May to early June.  

 

The company’s other 180,000 tonne/year caustic soda line in Yokkaichi, currently undergoing a month-long turnaround, will resume production by the end of April.

 

“Tosoh will continue supplying its domestic and overseas term customers [in May and June] but it will only start offering spot cargoes for export in July,” the source said.

 

Tosoh on average exports 1,000 to 1,500 tonnes of spot caustic soda each month, mainly to the US and southeast Asia, the source added.

 

The company’s offers for spot April cargoes were heard at $370-380/dry tonne FOB (free on board) NE Asia (northeast Asia), largely in line with other Japanese and South Korean producers.

 

Sellers said offers for May cargoes could increase to as high as $400/dry tonne FOB NE Asia due to strong demand and tight supplies amid the turnaround season in Asia.

 

For more on caustic soda visit ICIS chemical intelligence 

By: Ng Hun Wei
+65 6780 4359

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