Caustic soda market in Chile rapidly recovering from quake

29 March 2010 21:55  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--The wood pulp and caustic soda markets in Chile are on the way to a rapid recovery from the 27 February earthquake, sources in Chile said on Monday.

Some wood pulp plants have cautiously initiated operations after proper testing, sources said.

Others are in advanced inspection stages, participants indicated. Most wood pulp plants in Chile are expected to be running by the end of April, according to sources.

The country’s infrastructure is also getting back to normal.

Puerto San Antonio, Chile’s main port, is operational, although perhaps at reduced rates, sources said.

Puerto San Antonio is the largest and busiest port on the west coast of South America. San Antonio is 100 km west of the capital, Santiago.

San Antonio has four terminals with nine docking stations, eight of which are operating.

Road travel may be somewhat slower than usual, but most roads are passable. If not, alternate routes are available, local sources said.

In the production of paper, cellulosic material such as wood chips is cooked with caustic soda to produce pulp.

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By: Ron Coifman
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