September 2012 Chlorine production figures

12 Oct 2012

In September, the European chlorine production reached 795,605 tonnes.  With 26,520 tonnes, the September average daily production was 0.8% higher than in the previous month (August 2012: 26,312 tonnes), and 0.35% lower than in September 2011 (26,614
tonnes).

The September caustic soda stocks were 254,487 tonnes, i.e. 0.04% below the previous month (August 2012: 254,598 tonnes), and were 5899 tonnes above the level of September 2011 (248,588 tonnes).

Details of chlorine production and caustic soda stocks in the EU-27 countries plus Norway and Switzerland in September 2012 are provided in the following tables.

Chlorine production & capacity utilisation  -  EU
27 + Norway/Switzerland

Month Production (tonnes) Capacity Utilisation (%)
  2011 2012 % change 2011 2012
January 861,834 849,431 -1.4 80.5 79.5
February 809,138 759,089 -6.2 83.6 75.9
March 874,060 858,271 -1.8 81.6 80.3
April 832,085 833,821 +0.2 80.3 80.6
May 796,716 829,051 +4.1 74.4 77.5
June 863,890 760,463 -12.0 83.4 73.5
July 889,061 824,201 -7.3 83.0 77.1
August 845,338 815,664 -3.5 78.9 76.3
September 809,708 795,605 -1.7 78.1 76.9

Caustic soda stocks (tonnes)

  2011 2012
January 271,668 250,408
February 281,587 262,823
March 243,409 256,397
April 260,675 285,845
May 236,790 275,936
June 266,265 255,678
July 251,385 253,861
August 259,526 254,924
September 248,588 254,487

Further information: eurochlor [at] cefic.be


Footnote to Editors
Some of the totals for each month may vary slightly
compared with figures used earlier. Please rely on the most recent
information since it sometimes happens that estimates have to be
made when data is supplied late by a producer. This is subsequently
adjusted when the actual figure becomes available.

Euro Chlor is a Brussels-based business
association representing chlor-alkali producers in the EU and EFTA
regions employing about 39,000 people at 71 manufacturing
locations. Almost 2,000,000 jobs in Europe are directly or
indirectly related to chlorine and its co-product caustic soda
(sodium hydroxide). These two key chemical building blocks underpin
55% of European chemical industry turnover.