Welcome
Asian caustic soda prices hit a record high of $600/tonne FOB NEAsia in August 2008 on the back of surging energy prices, tight supply and strong demand. Just three months later, caustic soda prices have fallen by 25% as major economies struggle to stave off a global recession.
While the slide seems minimal when compared with that of other petrochemical products, some of which saw price declines as steep as 80%, there’s no certainty about what lies in store for caustic soda.
While US demand for Asian caustic soda remains strong, all is not well in the downstream segments. Aluminium prices are softening while the Asian textiles sector appears to be weakening. How resilient will the demand for caustic soda be, given the current economic woes?
Chlor-alkali producers will also have to contend with the millions of tonnes of new caustic soda capacity coming on stream in China in the next two years. If the logistical bottlenecks could be overcome, China would be able to greatly increase its caustic soda export volumes.
At the same time, however, chlor-alkali producers have slashed operating rates as demand for chlorine derivatives, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plummeted. This has resulted in a tightening of caustic soda supply. How long will this scenario persist and how far will this support caustic soda prices?
The answers to these questions and more, will be discussed and debated at this unique conference.
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