Four more maintenance shutdowns in European caustic soda

10 July 2009 21:42  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Producers confirmed on Friday four planned maintenance shutdowns in the European caustic soda market.

Major manufacturer Dow said it was planning to close its 240,000 tonne/year Schkopau facility in Germany at the end of July for at least one month for routine but major maintenance work.

Italian producer Syndial confirmed that it would be undertaking a three-week maintenance outage at the end of July or the beginning of August, but no firm date or further details were immediately available.

Polish producer PPC Rokita also was due to shutdown production for one week in mid-August for a routine maintenance at its 140,000 tonne/year Brzeg Dolny plant in Poland.

In addition, Hungarian producer BorsodChem said that it would halt production for two weeks in mid-August for planned work at its 270,000 tonne/year facility in Kazincbarcika, Hungary.

Numerous sellers said that they expect the volatile caustic soda market would begin to stabilise as production of chlorine (the by-product of caustic soda) would be significantly reduced over the summer because of falling demand for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a key end market for chlorine.

These planned turnarounds, combined with numerous other anticipated shutdowns (see below), would help balance the market, suppliers said.

For more on Dow, Syndial, PCC Rokita, BorsodChem, visit ICIS plants and projects

For more on caustic soda visit ICIS chemical intelligence

To discuss issues facing the chemical industry go to ICIS connect

By: Stephanie Wilson
+44 20 8652 3214

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