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.
Middle East EDC flows to India fall sharply in 1H 2026
Middle East EDC flows to India fall sharply in 1H 2026
Singapore, 26 August (Argus) — Ethylene dichloride (EDC) imports into India from the Middle East fell sharply in the first half of 2026 after the US-Iran war and the closure of the strait of Hormuz disrupted supplies from one of the country's key source regions. Middle East EDC flows into India totalled 49,144t between January and June 2026, according to Global Trade Tracker (GTT) data. India received Middle Eastern EDC only in the first quarter, with recent GTT data showing no imports since then. The figures may lag slightly because of the conflict, market participants said. The total was 73.1pc lower than in January-June 2025, when Middle Eastern EDC accounted for just over 51pc of India's total imports for the year. Lower Middle East supplies have opened the door for higher imports from northeast Asia, southeast Asia and western Europe so far in 2026, but these gains have done little to offset overall losses. EDC imports from northeast Asia into India rose from zero during the first half of 2025 to 10,498t so far this year, while volumes from southeast Asia rose by 40.4pc and those from western Europe by 48.1pc. Is Indian PVC production at risk? Lower Middle East EDC flows reflect the impact of US-Iran war, with producers in the region either continuing to operate at lower rates or idling some production lines to prevent EDC oversupply. Indian polyvinyl chloride (PVC) producers have therefore sourced EDC feedstock from alternative markets, with higher EDC requirements also exacerbated by the closure of a domestic EDC production unit in mid-July . Most EDC shipments into India are delivered on a contractual basis. Higher EDC prices across Asia-Pacific reflect rising feedstock ethylene costs and continued weakness in caustic soda prices, prompting electrochemical unit (ECU) operators to preserve ECU margins through the chlorine chain where possible. Increased EDC demand in southeast Asia and reduced US EDC export availability have also pushed prices higher in recent months. Argus assessed July EDC spot prices at $307-308/t cfr northeast Asia and $282-284/t cfr southeast Asia on 30 July, with recent indications pointing to higher prices so far in August. Argus will assess August EDC spot prices on 28 August. Concerns over lower Middle Eastern EDC flows into India have so far had a limited impact on Indian PVC production, as major importers secured alternative supplies. Indian PVC producers also reported little difficulty passing higher feedstock costs on to the local suspension PVC (s-PVC) market, especially since s-PVC import prices have remained above domestic levels because of higher freight costs. India remains a net importer of PVC, with recent data showing a substantial increase in PVC imports during the first half of 2026 . But the continued closure of the strait of Hormuz could pose a short-term risk to Indian PVC producers if they are unable to secure sufficient feedstock supplies to maintain operating rates. This has led some market participants to consider potential changes in EDC trade flows, including increased offtake from western Europe and northeast Asia during the remainder of 2026. By Michael Vitiello Indian EDC imports '000t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Ineos to regain full ownership of Runcorn MCP
Ineos to regain full ownership of Runcorn MCP
London, 21 August (Argus) — Ineos Inovyn has agreed to acquire the remaining 50pc stake in Runcorn MCP, including the EDC assets of Vynova Runcorn, which entered administration in late 2025. The deal will return the site to full Ineos ownership, subject to regulatory approval. Runcorn MCP accounts for 89pc of UK chlorine capacity and has chlorine production capacity of 430,000 t/yr, underlining its importance to the country's chlor-alkali and downstream chemicals industries. The site is currently operated as a 50:50 joint venture between Ineos Inovyn and PVC producer Vynova. EDC is the largest outlet for chlorine production at Runcorn. Volumes were previously exported mainly to Wilhelmshaven in Germany and Martorell in Spain for PVC production. By Stephanie Koenig Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Higher PVC, soda prices boost Unipar Q2 results
Higher PVC, soda prices boost Unipar Q2 results
Sao Paulo, 7 August (Argus) — Brazilian chlor-alkali and PVC producer Unipar Carbocloro posted stronger second-quarter 2026 results supported by the ramp-up of its Cubatão plant, higher international soda and PVC prices, and increased sales volumes, it said during its earnings call. Sales volumes increased quarter on quarter, with soda up 9pc, PVC up 6pc and chlorinated products up 4pc. Unipar highlighted chlorinated products as a strategic segment because it is less exposed to petrochemical cycles than PVC. The improvement in Brazil was driven by Cubatão reaching full operating capacity in April, while operations in Argentina remained stable, chief financial officer Alexandre Jerussalmy said. Higher international soda and PVC prices driven by the ongoing conflict between US and Iran supported revenue and helped to offset higher ethylene and natural gas costs, although an appreciation of the Brazilian real against the US dollar had a negative effect on results. The company also reported progress in its chlorine liquefaction project in Camaçari, Bahia state, aimed at increasing purification and expanding higher-value product sales. In Santo André, Unipar is advancing an expansion project that will add 28,000 t/yr of PVC capacity through the installation of an additional electrolyzer. By Isabela Mendes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Middle East EDC output remains low post-Iran ceasefire
Middle East EDC output remains low post-Iran ceasefire
Singapore, 23 June (Argus) — Middle East ethylene dichloride (EDC) production remains constrained heading into the third quarter despite the US-Iran ceasefire and the reopening of the strait of Hormuz, as producers face persistent vessel congestion, high inventories, and weak vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) spot prices, market participants said. Before the US-Iran war, most Middle Eastern EDC suppliers were already running at reduced rates because of weakening chlorine netbacks into EDC and lower demand from the PVC sector. Most producers were either catering for EDC contractual supplies, or for their respective PVC production, rather than supplying the EDC spot market. Asian chlorine netbacks into EDC were assessed at -$86.30/t and -$76.51/t in January and February 2026, respectively, according to Argus data. Following the onset of the war, the closure of the strait of Hormuz made it uneconomical for domestic EDC producers to keep running since vessels could not leave the strait and domestic inventories piled up. QatarEnergy declared force majeure on deliveries of several chemical products on 9 March, while two Saudi EDC producers reduced rates heavily as they were unable to reach certain customers in south Asia. Since then, Argus suspension PVC (s-PVC) import prices into India, Vietnam and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have fallen by 35pc, 39pc, and 21pc, respectively, as of 19 June from their peaks on 20 March. May VCM monthly spot prices also saw declines of 20pc in northeast Asia and 29pc in southeast Asia, with recent indications pointing to further drops in June. This would bring both current PVC and VCM prices close to historical lows since before the US-Iran war, leading Middle Eastern EDC producers to reconsider increasing operating rates even as feedstock costs declined and the strait reopens. Most EDC producers are currently focusing on destocking efforts before ramping up production rates, but many expect that this will take time and likely determined by how quickly vessel congestion along the strait eases. Concerns from India remain surprisingly low Middle Eastern EDC supply primarily flows into India, as many PVC producers there rely on imported EDC feedstocks for their production. Total EDC imports into India in 2025 were 690,926t, with the Middle East contributing 51pc of the total, data from Global Trade Tracker (GTT) show. As a precautionary measure over the war-related uncertainty and reliability of feedstock supplies, the Indian government introduced duty waivers across different imports — including PVC — and the prioritisation of feedstock LPG output across certain sectors. But despite a potential delay in the resumption of EDC supply from the Middle East, along with other key feedstocks, Indian PVC producers are not so concerned over EDC supply security as some secured enough imports to meet more than three months of domestic demand. While current GTT data for 2026 is slightly delayed, EDC imports from western Europe into India between January and April 2026 were 57,776t — more than half of the full-year total for 2025. This could lead to a potential reintroduction of PVC import duties into India beyond 30 June to control overseas supplies into the country, with senior government officials recently investigation a potential extension to duty waivers before the ceasefire . But a decision has yet to be made on this, with market participants expecting further announcements from the government in the coming days. By Michael Vitiello India EDC imports '000t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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