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.
US government shutdown delays construction data
US government shutdown delays construction data
Houston, 1 October (Argus) — The US government's shutdown that started today will delay the release of monthly domestic construction spending data closely watched by a number of commodity markets, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, asphalt, steel and non-ferrous metals. The partial government shutdown started today and marks the first in six years after talks among lawmakers and the White House to reach a last-minute funding agreement failed. The US Census Bureau, which was expected to release its monthly residential and commercial construction data today, anticipates 7pc of its 11,100 staff will be exempted from furloughs during the shutdown, but "most activities will cease", according to the bureau's updated shutdown plan. The bureau's website today posted a message saying information would not be updated due to the lapse of funding and inquiries not answered until after funding has resumed. The monthly report is a critical dataset for domestic PVC market participants and others because it provides insight into construction activities that consume large volumes of certain commodities, especially in the residential market. Domestic PVC and polyurethane demand have remained under pressure this year on a weaker housing market. Participants are closely monitoring construction spending, housing starts and permits for a fundamental shift to stimulate demand, especially after the US Federal Reserve cut its target interest rate and announced a series of cuts during the fourth quarter. The building blocks of polyurethanes, such as isocyanates including polymeric MDI (PMDI), go into insulation, roofing applications and carpet underlay. It is unclear which other government agencies will delay releases or maintain operations. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which publishes key data on employment, prices and inflation, plans to "completely cease operations" if funding lapses, according to a shutdown plan dated 26 September. The US Department of Agriculture today added it will not update information on its website during the shutdown. By Catherine Rabe and Gordon Pollock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Ineos to close European PO, PG production
Ineos to close European PO, PG production
London, 18 September (Argus) — UK-based Ineos will indefinitely shut down propylene oxide (PO) and propylene glycol (PG) production in Europe even if chlorine supply resumes to its idled 210,000 t/yr chlorohydrin-based PO production plant in Germany. The firm has notified clients, in a letter dated 8 September, it would cease production of PO and PG with immediate effect. Argus understands Ineos has also withdrawn from industry association Cefic's PO and PG working group from 2026. Ineos' PO production plant at Cologne supplies its 120,000 t/yr PG production unit nearby. Both plants have been offline since a fire on 12 July caused a power outage at Germany's Chempark Dormagen. That in turn prompted German chemical firm Covestro on 15 July to declare force majeure on a range of products, including chlorine. Covestro provides chlorine to Ineos' Cologne PO production plant, which then had to shut down, and Ineos declared force majeure on its PG production on 18 July. Ineos did not declare force majeure on its PO production, which is mainly for captive use. Repairs are underway at Chempark Dormagen but the damage was extensive and full operations are unlikely to resume before the first quarter of 2026. But Ineos has told clients it will not resume PO or PG production. The decision may predate the fire in July, as some downstream users of Ineos' PO have been seeking alternative sources since at least the middle of the second quarter. Ineos has this week declined to comment. By Laura Tovey-Fall Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Shell abandons Rotterdam biofuels plant plan: Update
Shell abandons Rotterdam biofuels plant plan: Update
Updates with SAF, HVO pricing and fundamentals, adds quote from Shell London, 3 September (Argus) — Shell has abandoned a plan to build an 820,000 t/yr biofuels facility in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, saying it could not be competitive. Shell temporarily halted construction at the facility in July 2024. The plant was planned to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) — also known as renewable diesel — from waste feedstocks. It would have been the third largest HVO and SAF refinery in Europe, behind Preem and Neste's plants in the Sweden and the Netherlands, respectively. "Following an in-depth commercial and technical evaluation to reassess the project's competitiveness, Shell will no longer proceed with the project," it said today. It already took an up to $1bn write down on the Rotterdam project. Shell has been streamlining its renewables production portfolio, and said most of its renewables activities were loss-making in the second quarter of 2025. Prices for SAF in 2025 had generally held below recent years and Argus Consulting expects a structural surplus of SAF supply globally until mandates rise in the 2030s. More plants are scheduled to come online globally, but the EU plans to keep mandates steady at 2pc until the end of this decade, and fresh SAF mandates from other countries are not expected to soak up the surplus. Spot prices in northwest Europe for HEFA-SPK — currently the primary commercial pathway for physical SAF — averaged around $1,939/t fob during January-September so far, compared with roughly $2,316/t during the same period last year. The HVO Class II fob ARA price averaged around $1,954/t and $1,626/t during the same periods. HVO and SAF can be made from used cooking oil via hydrotreatment, but HVO requires fewer processing steps, making it usually the cheaper grade. But recently, HVO had fetched higher prices, supported by firm demand. An increase in spot demand for HVO has been supported by changes to renewable fuel ticket carryover rules. Tickets are tradeable credits primarily generated by the sale of biofuel-blended fuels and are used to help obligated parties meet mandates for the use of renewable energy in transport. The Netherlands cut its allowance from 25pc to 10pc for 2025 compliance, and Germany froze its carry-over, reducing flexibility for obligated blenders and prompting more near-term buying. Protectionist trade tariffs have also been reshaping HVO trade. The EU imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese biodiesel and HVO in February in addition to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties in place for HVO and biodiesel of US and Canadian origin. US-origin HVO flows to the UK were unaffected, but London began an anti-dumping investigation into US HVO in March, which could raise demand for European product instead. By Ben Winkley, Evelina Lungu and Aidan Lea Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Chemtrade’s ultrapure acid plant reaches trial phase
Chemtrade’s ultrapure acid plant reaches trial phase
Houston, 15 August (Argus) — Canadian chemicals producer Chemtrade Logistics' Cairo, Ohio, ultrapure acid plant reached its quality validation phase during the second quarter of 2025, with the facility currently producing trial samples of ultrapure acid for customers. The facility is expected to ramp up commercial operations before the end of the year, the company said in its earnings call on 15 August. Chemtrade also announced on 14 August the acquisition of US water treatment solutions provider Poltec. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to regulatory approval. Despite headwinds in the form of US tariffs on Canadian goods, Chemtrade's outlook for the second half of the year remains supportive of its sulfur and water chemicals business. Higher selling prices and volumes of merchant acid, water solutions products and regen acid, along with higher selling prices for sulfur products, boosted sales during the second quarter, Chemtrade said. The company did not provide an update regarding its joint venture (JV) ultra-pure acid project in Casa Grande, Arizona. Chemtrade, along with its JV partners decided to place the project on indefinite hold in 2023 following surging estimates for construction costs. Chemtrade reported a profit of $9.7mn during the second quarter of 2025, down from a $14.6mn profit during the same period a year earlier. By Chris Mullins Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.