NaOH: price rise announcements fail to stabilise price range

摘要

According to EUWID respondents, the current situation on the market for caustic soda is far from transparent. After NaOH producers had successfully attained higher prices effective from the first quarter of 2005 for which prices had mostly risen to more than ?300/t, a second round of price hikes was announced to follow with effect from the second quarter. Producers justified this in saying that business was excellent as demand was high in all segments, adding that the first quarter saw a number of planned shutdowns. In view of the expected scarce supplies of caustic soda, the price range of ?290-330 valid as at the turn of the year was to be increased by another ?50.