March 2013 Chlorine Production
In March the European chlorine production reached 809,409
tonnes. With 26,110 tonnes, the March average daily
production was 3.6% lower than in the previous month (February
2013: 27,076 tonnes), and 5.8% lower than in March 2012 (27,707
tonnes).
Continued low exports allowed a recovery of the March caustic soda
stocks to 260,204 tonnes, i.e. 7.4% above the previous month
(February 2013: 242,267 tonnes), and 3,807 tonnes above the level
of March 2012 (256,397 tonnes).
Details of chlorine production and caustic soda stocks in the
EU-27 countries plus Norway
and Switzerland in March 2013 are provided in the following
tables.
Chlorine production & capacity utilisation - EU
27 + Norway/Switzerland
|
Month |
Production |
Capacity Utilisation |
|||
|
2012 |
2013 |
% change |
2012 |
2013 |
|
|
January |
849,719 |
824,396 |
-3.0 |
79.5 |
76.9 |
|
February |
759,346 |
758,118 |
-0.2 |
75.9 |
78.3 |
|
March |
858,926 |
809,409 |
-5.8 |
80.3 |
75.5 |
Caustic soda stocks (tonnes)
|
2012 |
2013 |
|
|
January |
250,408 |
227,866 |
|
February |
262,822 |
242,267 |
|
March |
256,397 |
260,204 |
Further information:
Alistair J Steel, Executive Director, tel: +32 2
676 73 50
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.