Tosoh halts spot caustic soda exports in May-June

09 May 2008 09:35  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Japan’s Tosoh Corp is not exporting any caustic soda for the spot market in May and June because of a scheduled turnaround at its chlor-alkali complex in Nanyo, a company source said on Thursday.

The cut in export volume would further tighten supplies in Asia’s caustic soda market, traders said.

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

The company has another 180,000 tonne/year caustic soda line in Yokkaichi but its production would be used to supply its domestic and overseas term customers, the source said. Tosoh on average exports 1,000-1,500 tonnes/month of spot caustic soda, mainly to the US and southeast Asia.

South Korea’s Hanwha Chemicals is also cutting its June exports while caustic soda supplies are also heard to be tight in Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia.

Asian caustic soda was last week assessed at around $400/tonne (€256/tonne) FOB (free on board) northeast Asia according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing, with market players generally bullish due to tight supplies and strong demand.

For more on caustic soda visit ICIS chemical intelligence
To discuss issues facing the chemical industry go to ICIS connect

By: Ng Hun Wei
+65 6780 4359

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly