2010 began a recovery of the European chloralkali industry with an overall chlorine make 881,303 tonnes above the 2009 figure and caustic soda exports 125,127 tonnes lower than 2009 (an increase in apparent European caustic soda consumption of just over one million tonnes).

The December 2010 caustic soda stocks reached 242,284 tonnes, i.e. a 12.1% increase compared to the previous month (November 2010: 216,159 tonnes), and 8,472 tonnes below the December 2009 level (250,756 tonnes).

Details of chlorine production and caustic soda stocks in the EU-27 countries plus Norway and Switzerland in December 2010 are provided in the following tables.

EU 27 + Norway/Switzerland
Chlorine production & capacity utilisation

Caustic soda stocks (tonnes)

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 77 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.