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Chlor-alkali
Overview
The dynamic between chlorine and caustic soda and their varied end-uses creates a very dynamic market for chlor-alkali products, meaning that the markets do not grow equally.
Tracking this market requires a high level of understanding of the dynamics and the experience to interpret the market to provide an accurate price assessment.
Argus’ chlor-alkali experts will help you decide what trends to track and how to stay competitive in today’s ever-changing global markets.
Latest chlor-alkali news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global chlor-alkali industry.
Possible Canadian rail strike start delayed again
Possible Canadian rail strike start delayed again
Washington, 31 May (Argus) — The start of a threatened strike by some union workers at Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has been pushed back again as concerns about fuel and food supplies rise. If it goes forward, the strike would begin sometime after 17 June at the earliest. The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), which is investigating federal government concerns, has postponed reply comments to 14 June from 31 May. Original comments were due by 21 May. If CIRB ruled on 15 June, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) would have to provide three days' notice to CN and CPKC before workers could strike. But a strike may still may not occur for another 60 days . If CIRB issues any orders, the parties would likely not be in a position for a strike or lockout to begin for two months, CPKC said on 16 May. TCRC members had authorized a strike to start as early as 22 May. The railroads and union met with CIRB on Monday and discussed the comments filed by groups that could be affected by a strike. Canadian minister of labour Seamus O'Regan asked CIRB earlier this month to consider requiring some rail service to continue in the event of a strike to help avoid health and safety issues related to propane supply. A number of concerns arising from the comments have been identified, with many focused on the impact to commercial and economic interests, CIRB said. The theme of certain comments concerned delivery of supplies of propane and diesel to critical areas, including and remote communities in northern British Columbia. Transportation also is important to the province of Manitoba which has been using rail to deliver fuel because of a Winnipeg products pipeline. Other comments focused on domestic and global food security. They noted some sectors are dependent on rail for transportation, such as fertilizer, potash and canola products, CIRB said. The potential, immediate impact on the supply of water treatment materials for several municipalities also was highlighted. Other commentators sought advance warning of strike, asking CIRB to provide notice of when a decision would be made or that there be an extension of the notice required before a strike or lockout. Negotiations between the railroads and TCRC continue. CN and the union will meet next week from 4-6 June. CPKC declined to comment on talks but met most recently with TCRC leadership between 15-21 May. By Abby Caplan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Baltimore accident starting to strain US caustic
Baltimore accident starting to strain US caustic
Houston, 28 March (Argus) — Caustic soda distributors near Baltimore, Maryland, have started applying a logistics fee to all future deliveries to account for longer truck transits following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this week. Caustic soda storage the northeast US was already tight before the bridge accident. While market participants have caustic soda tanks outside of Baltimore, several in the region are out of service due to maintenance. Additionally, US Gulf coast producers have struggled to supply tanks in the northeast because of difficulties loading vessels on time. US producers have been stretched thinner on inventory throughout the first quarter due to a variety of unplanned outages, as well as planned maintenance taking longer than anticipated. US producers have been sending more material to the northern US east coast, including by Jones Act vessels, to account for reduced availability out of Europe in recent years. High energy costs in Europe have forced a reduction in operating rates for some time. As US-based supply and logistics have been complicated, a distributor indicated it has a vessel destined for Baltimore in the next few days that is being redirected to other tanks on the east coast. US chlor-alkali producers have announced price increases for caustic soda contracts in April between $35-75/dst. These increases have been announced over the course of several weeks, but may carry additional weight following the bridge collapse. With tighter inventories in the region, even buyers that are skeptical of rising prices are concerned about the ability to fight a price increase at the moment. By Aaron May Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Baltimore bridge collapse could slow US caustic transit
Baltimore bridge collapse could slow US caustic transit
Houston, 27 March (Argus) — The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge could slow movement of caustic soda in the northeastern US at a time when tank supplies in the region were already tight. Caustic soda distributors have tanks in Baltimore where material can be sourced from both domestic and European producers by truck, rail or ship. In the past US producers have moved caustic soda by ship up the east coast to meet demand in the region, particularly when European producers have had fewer cargoes available. Any threat to supply flow through Baltimore by ship is lessened by the presence of other tanks in the region, including nearby Philadelphia, that can be supplied by overland methods. But even modest complications to logistics for a couple of weeks could put pressure on pricing in the area. The Port of Baltimore closure comes as European chlor-alkali rates have risen to meet greater chlorine demand on the continent, producing more by-product caustic soda as a result that could be sold to the US east coast. Distributors and caustic soda buyers in the northeastern US have warned that inventory levels in the tanks at various sites were getting severely tight during the first quarter before seeing some slight improvement in recent weeks. This dynamic allowed for price increases from distributors to be implemented in the northeast more consistently in the first quarter compared to other parts of the country, where supply and logistics were better. Argus assessed Northeast US prices in March flat between $1,060-1,110/dst ex-tank after prices had risen $25/dst over the previous two months. US caustic soda producers have announced price increases for April and second quarter contracts between $35-75/dst. By Aaron May Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India launches anti-dumping probe into s-PVC imports
India launches anti-dumping probe into s-PVC imports
Singapore, 27 March (Argus) — India has launched an anti-dumping investigation into suspension polyvinyl chloride (s-PVC) imports originating from China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the US during October 2022 to September 2023. Three out of five Indian s-PVC producers have filed an application to investigate potential dumping of s-PVC imports into India. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) issued a notice on 26 March announcing the launch of the investigation. The investigation primarily revolves around PVC grades manufactured from a suspension polymerisation process, which are typically considered general-purpose grades across global markets. The investigation does not include cross-linked PVC, chlorinated PVC, mass PVC or paste PVC. MCI has already announced an anti-dumping investigation into paste PVC imports in October 2023. Applicants have also requested for a retrospective imposition of potential anti-dumping duties, saying that there is a clear history of s-PVC import dumping from the above mentioned origins since the expiration of previous anti-dumping duties on s-PVC imports in February 2022. Upcoming capacities and import barriers India has around 1.6mn t/yr of domestic PVC production capacity as of 2023, according to Argus data. India also imported 3.2mn t of PVC from various origins last year, with the largest growth in supplies from China, northeast Asia and North America. This was mainly attributable to rising PVC demand in India following continuing government incentives to boost construction and agricultural activity in the country, with both industries heavily reliant on supply of PVC pipes. Furthermore, the Indian market is readying itself for the addition of new chlor-vinyl production capacities in coming years, with an aim to bring total nameplate PVC capacity in India to 3.8mn t/yr as of 2028. Indian authorities have already announced several measures targeted at controlling the flow of PVC imports into India as a result. Fresh anti-dumping investigations have started after India's ministry of chemicals and fertilizers announced BIS quality restrictions on PVC and PP imports in February. A delay in some Indian PVC capacity start-ups remains plausible, but new production in the country will likely limit incremental PVC imports in the coming years, or at least prevent them reaching record-high levels as in 2023. By Michael Vitiello India PVC imports '000t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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