Brussels, 10^th August 2012

The July European chlorine production reached 824,253 tonnes.  With 26,589 tonnes, the July average daily production was 4.9% higher than in the previous month (June 2012: 25,349 tonnes), but 7.1% lower than in July 2011 (28,636 tonnes). 

Despite continued low exports and a significantly higher chlorine make, July caustic soda stocks  fell to 253,861 tonnes or 0.7% lower than in the previous month (June 2012: 255,678 tonnes), and were 2,476 tonnes above the level of July 2011 (251,385 tonnes). 

Details of chlorine production and caustic soda stocks in the EU-27 countries plus Norway and Switzerland in July 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 70 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.