Updated to mid-November 2009
European market review by Nel Weddle, ICIS pricing
European perchloroethylene prices rose in October because of tighter supply and planned maintenances. Limited availability from Russia resulted in more demand from non-traditional sources and fewer export opportunities.
Spot prices shifted from €505-570/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE (northwest Europe), up to €570-635/tonne by mid-November. Consumers were pushing for some price reductions in the run-up to the year-end as upstream ethylene settled lower for November, but the finely balanced market enabled sellers to so far hold prices steady.
US market review by Leela Landress, ICIS pricing
US perchloroethylene spot market values weakened slightly, dropping by 3 cents/lb, or 7%, to $794-882/tonne FOB (free on board) USG (US Gulf) during the three months to mid-November.
Little spot market activity due to lacklustre demand and reduced production rates kept the market largely stable in September, October and November.
Record-high unemployment rates and a further weakening economy continued to plague the manufacturing industry during the three months to mid-November. Amid uncertain downstream demand due to reduced output from the manufacturing sector, perchloroethylene prices were expected to remain steady through to the end of 2009.
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Perchloroethylene
Uses and Outlook
A major outlet for perchloroethylene (perc, also called tetrachloroethylene) is as a chemical intermediate, particularly as the basic raw material in the manufacture of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) 134a, an alternative to chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants. It is also used in the synthesis of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) 123 and 124 and HFC 125.
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Perchloroethylene
Process Technologies
Traditionally, perchloroethylene was produced by reacting acetylene with chlorine via trichloroethylene as an intermediate but acetylene has now been replaced by a variety of feedstocks such ethylene dichloride (EDC), C1-C3 hydrocarbons or chlorinated hydrocarbon wastes. The decline in demand for carbon tetrachloride and CFCs has also led to the switch of processes.
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