Jan US caustic soda exports rise by 31% year on year

11 March 2010 21:17  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS new)--US liquid caustic soda exports in January were 356.0m tonnes, up by 31% from the same month one year earlier, according to the US International Trade Commission (ITC) data released on Thursday.

Brazil was the top destination for US liquid caustic soda exports in January at almost 51% of the total, followed by Canada, Mexico and Chile, the ITC said.

ITC data showed US liquid caustic soda imports were 86.1m tonnes in January, down by 56% from the same month one year earlier, reflecting the evaporation of arbitrage from Asia due to low US prices that struck beginning the second half of 2009.

US caustic soda export spot prices were assessed at $170-195/dmt (dry metric tonne) (€124-142/dmt) FOB (free on board) US Gulf, according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

US caustic soda producers include Dow Chemical, Occidental Chemical, Formosa Plastics, Bayer, Georgia Gulf, Shintech and PPG Industries.

($1 = € 0.73)

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By: Judith Taylor
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