May 2012 Chlorine production

12 Jun 2012

With 26,737 tonnes, the May average daily production was 3.8%
lower than in the previous month (April 2012: 27,790 tonnes), but
4.2% higher than in May 2011 (25,653 tonnes).

With 269,670 tonnes, the May caustic soda stocks were 3.6% lower
than in the previous month (April 2012: 279,546 tonnes), but 32,880
tonnes above the level of May 2011 (236,790 tonnes).

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

EU 27 + Norway/Switzerland
Chlorine production & capacity utilisation

Month Production (tonnes) Capacity Utilisation (%)
  2011 2012 % change 2011 2012
January 861,834 847,983 -1.6 80.5 79.4
February 809,138 758,889 -6.2 83.6 76.0
March 874,060 856,902 -2.0 81.6 80.2
April 832,085 833,696 +0.2 80.3 80.7
 May 796,716  828,847 +4.0 74.4 77.6

Caustic soda stocks (tonnes)

  2011 2012
January 271,668 244,107
February 281,587 256,523
March 243,409 250,098
April 260,675 279,546
 May 236,790 269,670

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 70 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.