Chlorine value chain: Caustic soda

Kite Chong

01-May-2015

CO-PRODUCT

■ Used in pulp and paper, alumina, textiles, commercial goods and chemicals.

■ Europe pricing driven by market rather than costs, as seen in Q1 2015, when contracts moved up on reduced supply

■ Demand impacts pricing and is not seasonal. Alumina/aluminium demand lower than pre-crisis. Nordic pulp and paper and detergents performing well

■ Changes to seller configuration with INEOS and Solvay’s chlorvinyls joint venture and divestment of some assets

■ US demand is driven by macroeconomic growth

■ US production driven by chlorine demand with long supply, although Q1 turnarounds supporting price hikes

■ Northeast Asia is a major exporter to southeast Asia, India, the US west coast and Australia. Supply tight in northeast Asia due to turnarounds But prices rises limited by muted demand

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