In August, the European chlorine production reached 815,473 tonnes.  With 26,306 tonnes, the August average daily production was 1.1% lower than in the previous month (July 2012: 26,587 tonnes), and 1.9% lower than in August 2011 (26,819 tonnes).

The August caustic soda stocks were also little changed at 254,924 tonnes, i.e. 0.4% higher than in the previous month (July 2012: 253,861 tonnes), and were 4,602 tonnes below the level of August 2011 (259,526 tonnes).

Details of chlorine production and caustic soda stocks in the EU-27 countries plus Norway and Switzerland in August 2012 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 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.