Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Caustic Soda Flakes Production Outlook

Caustic soda, also known as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), refers to an inorganic compound which comprises sodium cations Na+ and hydroxide anions OH-. It is industrially prepared through the electrolytic chlor-alkali process in which the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride solution produces chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide.
The global caustic soda market reached a volume of 75.9 Million Metric Tons in 2018. Caustic soda, also known as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), refers to an inorganic compound which comprises sodium cations Na+ and hydroxide anions OH−. It is industrially prepared through the electrolytic chlor-alkali process in which the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride solution produces chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide. It is an odorless and non-flammable white solid which is commercially available in the form of flakes, pellets, granules and aqueous solutions of different concentrations. Owing to its highly-corrosive nature, it can generate substantial heat and ignite combustible materials when dissolved in water.
In early 2018, caustic soda and chlorine production was not greatly changed compared to 2017 as utilisation rates at European plants reached levels not seen since the height of PVC demand in 2007, which compensated for the closure of capacity in the previous year.
However, later in 2018 the market began to register lower utilisation rates for chlorine and caustic soda production, which also reduced overall chlorine and caustic soda production in Europe.
Domestic production and availability from European producers may remain at the same level of tightness, or even tighten further in early 2019, due to lower utilisation rates and production in the market.
Initial expectations for first-quarter caustic soda contract are stable to firm as a result of the balanced or slightly tight domestic market in Europe.
Quarterly prices in Europe tend to feel the most limited impact via imports, compared to other caustic soda prices not settled quarterly.
Import availability is likely to remain healthy through the first quarter of 2019, with US prices falling significantly in the last weeks of 2018.
 Caustic soda is utilized as a raw material in a number of industries including chemical, automotive, water treatment, and food and beverage. On account of its easy availability and affordability over its substitutes, it is regarded as one of the preferred chemical compounds employed to control acidity and remove heavy metals from water. Caustic soda is also used in the production of paper wherein it helps in dissolving unwanted compounds present in the wood pulp. Similarly, it aids in separating the ink from paper fibers during the process of paper recycling. Apart from this, it is used in the extraction of alumina, one of the most common oxides of aluminum, from naturally occurring minerals. As aluminum finds vast applications in the production of lightweight vehicles, the growing demand for the metal is spurring the growth of global caustic soda market. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach a volume of 89.6 Million Metric Tons by 2024, registering a CAGR of around 3% during 2019-2024.

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