Japan caustic soda up $180-200/dry metric tonne

06 October 2008 08:37  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Japanese caustic soda producers have raised the domestic prices of cargoes by yen (Y) 18-20/kg, or 18,000-20,000/dry metric tonne ($180-200/dmt), from 1 October, bringing them on a par with international export prices, market sources said on Monday.

 

Negotiations with some customers were still ongoing at this stage but suppliers have largely achieved the full price hikes they had originally proposed, market sources said. 

 

Caustic soda cargoes for exports last week were assessed at $450-500/dmt FOB (free-on-board) NE Asia, according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

 

Tightening supplies as well as sluggish demand for chlorine derivatives such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prompted the domestic price hikes, sources said.

 

Weak demand for chlorine has limited caustic soda production as both chemicals are manufactured simultaneously using the same production process.

 

Tosoh Corp, Tokuyama and Shin-etsu are among Japan’s largest domestic caustic soda suppliers.

 

($1 = Y103.6)

 

For more on caustic soda visit ICIS chemical intelligence

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By: Ng Hun Wei
+65 6780 4359

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