US chlor-alkali production jumps to 82% in November

18 December 2009 21:50  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US chlor-alkali production was at 82% of capacity in November, up slightly from the October effective operation rate, a US trade group said on Friday.  

November 2009 chlor-alkali output was 893,730 tons (810,792 tonnes) of chlorine and 957,900 tons of caustic soda, The Chlorine Institute said.

Chlor-alkali production rates increased from October revised rates of 81%, according to The Chlorine Institute.

Chlorine contract prices rolled over each month in the fourth quarter, keeping to a benchmark high range of $390-410/dst (dry short ton) (€273-287/dst), buyers said.

Chlorine production is the driver for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the primary chlorine derivative.

Caustic soda contract prices were level in November and December, holding a range of $160-240/dst during the fourth quarter.

US chlor-alkali producers include Dow Chemical, Occidental Chemical, Formosa Plastics, Shintech, Georgia Gulf, Bayer, Olin and PPG Industries.

US PVC producers include most chlor-alkali producers.

($1 = €0.70)

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By: Judith Taylor
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