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.
Dow studying German cracker and chlorine/vinyl closures
Dow studying German cracker and chlorine/vinyl closures
London, 24 April (Argus) — Dow has announced an expansion of its strategic review of European assets, which it said may result in the potential idling or shutdown of its cracker in Boehlen, Germany, chlor-allkali and vinyl assets in nearby Schkopau, also in Germany, and the shutdown of siloxanes production in Barry, UK. The company aims to complete the review, including the initial scope of its polyurethanes business by mid-year. The European actions are part of a package of measures aimed at delivering $6bn in cash support to help it manage the current downturn. Outside Europe, Dow said that it would also delay construction of its Path2Zero project in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada until market conditions improve. The total includes $1bn in costs savings by 2026, $1bn in capital expenditure savings and proceeds from the sale of a stake in a newly-formed infrastructure-focused company resulting in the sale of a minority stake in select US Gulf Coast infrastructure assets. The measures were announced as Dow reported first quarter 2025 results with a net loss of $290mn, down by $444mn year on year, primarily driven by lower prices and higher energy and feedstock costs. Sales of $10.4bn were down by 3pc on the year but with a volume increase of 2pc. Dow chief executive Jim Fitterling said: "The significant impact of slower GDP growth and volatile market conditions on our industry underscores the importance of our proactive management and best-owner mindset. Today's announcements build on Dow's cost actions that are already underway, aiming to further strengthen our financial flexibility and support a balanced capital allocation approach." Dow's cracker in Boehlen has an annual ethylene nameplate capacity of 540,000 t/yr, with propylene capacity of 285,000 t/yr. The review comes in the same week that TotalEnergies announced a plan to close one of its Antwerp crackers by the end of 2027. LyondellBasell, which is also reviewing a number of European chemical assets, will announce its first quarter 2025 results tomorrow. At Schkopau, Dow operates a chlor-alkali unit with 250,000 t/yr chlorine capacity and 740,000 t/yr ethylene dichloride capacity. The site previously had around 330,000 t/yr of capacity for chloride monomer (VCM) production, with two lines operating at the site, but Dow closed the larger of the two lines to reduce capacity to roughly 110,000 t/yr of VCM earlier this year. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Caustic soda cargoes largely exempt from US port fees
Caustic soda cargoes largely exempt from US port fees
Houston, 21 April (Argus) — US caustic soda importers are expected to be able to circumvent new fees on Chinese built or owned vessels scheduled to be imposed this fall. Offshore caustic soda imports to the US are primarily shipped on vessels that fall within the list of exemptions provided by the US Trade Representative last week, including those with capacities less than or equal to 55,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt) and specialized vessels for liquid chemical transportation. The US is a net exporter of caustic soda, with only 3-5pc of total domestic supply supplemented by imports, according to census bureau data collected by Global Trade Tracker (GTT) and the latest estimates from Argus Chlor-Alkali Analytics . East Asia exporters are critical suppliers to west coast consumers, but domestic importers anticipate most vessels carrying caustic soda to the west coast to be exempt from fees based on ship sizes less than 55,000dwt. US caustic soda importers have faced several new regulations and policies this year increasing the cost of business, with established trade lanes facing reshaping. President Donald Trump's baseline 10pc tariff on most trade partners is expected to strengthen demand for US Gulf coast-produced caustic soda, especially from east coast importers vying to source less from EU producers. West coast distributors, though, are expected to continue importing from East Asia suppliers and pass along tariff-related expenses to end users. Additionally, west coast importers earlier this year imposed a $15/dry short ton (dst) line-item charge to customers following the rollout of The California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions control requirements for tanker vessels at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The newly-enforced regulation requires shippers to limit in-berth greenhouse gas emissions by connecting to shore power or utilizing a CARB Approved Emission Control Strategy (CAECS). By Connor Hyde Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US Senate seeks coordinated cargo theft probes
US Senate seeks coordinated cargo theft probes
Washington, 14 April (Argus) — US rail and other transportation industries are urging Congress to move forward on a bill that would create a division within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate investigations of organized cargo theft. The bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 was introduced on 10 April by Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada). The bill, similar to a 2023 effort, calls for creation of an organized retail and supply chain crime coordination center to unite experts from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as retail industry representatives. The Class I railroads also operate their own police forces with powers equivalent to public law enforcement. Coordinating investigations in a timely manner is difficult because of the proliferation of different agencies. Railroad police officials are limited to carriers' facilities, while local police forces are unable to quickly investigate railroad thefts because they need specific permission to enter railroad property. "Organized criminal operations continue to evolve and escalate their targeted attacks against our nation's supply chain and retailers," Association of American Railroads chief executive Ian Jefferies said. The nation's largest railroads experienced a 40pc spike in cargo theft last year, costing carriers more than $100mn, AAR said. Rail thefts tend to be split between flash mob robberies and organized efforts by criminal networks, according to Danny Ramon, director of intelligence and response at logistics platform Overhaul. Flash mobs often target containers in urban areas, seeking valuable products such as apparel and footwear that they can quickly sell. These thefts often occur in regions near ports where containers are loaded onto trains, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta. But thefts in rural areas are becoming more prolific, Ramon said. They have become popular locations because it can take law enforcement an hour or longer to reach trains as opposed to minutes for urban rail cargo thefts. Rural areas also make it easier for groups to stage larger thefts. The organized groups tend to track trains from origin and monitor them along the way, breaking in during breaks in rural areas. They come prepared with equipment and cargo vans to enable them to quickly empty products from trains. Arizona has become a popular location for thefts because of its vast portions of rural area. In addition, many trains are heading east with containers of goods recently loaded from west coast ports. Thefts by criminal organizations have increased in part because of the ease in selling to individuals. The proliferation of on line websites have allowed these organizations to bypass traditional third-party middlemen and sell directly to consumers, Ramon said. By Abby Caplan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Phillips 66 weighs Louisiana refinery expansion
Phillips 66 weighs Louisiana refinery expansion
Houston, 20 March (Argus) — US independent refiner Phillips 66 is seeking state tax incentives for a possible expansion of its 264,000 b/d refinery in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The expansion would increase production capacity and improve operational efficiency through upgrades and new specialized equipment, according to a summary of the project posted by the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. The agency, which administers state incentives, said that the Phillips 66 project is in review. Phillips 66 said today that it does not typically comment on refinery operations, regulatory filings or commercial activities. According to the Louisiana Department of Economic Development posting, the $99mn upgrade would include adding a 5MW steam turbine power generator, a boiler feedwater chemical system, LCR kerosene product rundown system upgrades, a reactor, a naptha fractionator, and other pieces of equipment. The budget includes $40mn for machinery and $59mn for labor and engineering. The project is estimated to be completed at the end of 2027. By Eunice Bridges Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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