Search

Focuses on the prolonged slump in chlorine and caustic soda prices that has rattled producers in North America. Factors cited by manufacturers that will boost the price of chlorine; Reason cited by producers that will make the price of caustic soda to decline; Decline in utilization rate in the United States.

Deals with the confidence of North American polyvinyl chloride (PVC) producers on the price increase for their products. Demand for PVC in the domestic market; Increase in the contract price of chlorine; Export price of PVC in North America.

Reports on the preparation of North American methanol producers for a wave of capacity overseas. Decline of domestically produced methanol consumed in the United States (US); When will Saturn Methanol's plant begin its commercial production; Country that is the largest methanol exporter to the US; Producers that closed their plants in the US.

Reports the effort of four fertilizer producers in North America to stop their production to reduce unwieldy inventories and firm prices across all fertilizer lines. Prices of ammonia in the Gulf Coast; Comments from Robert Koort, an analyst at Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown.

Reports on the rise in chlorine prices in North America in 1999. Reason for the increase in prices of chlorine in the first quarter; Impact of outages and plant shutdowns on spot prices of chlorine; Status of caustic soda prices since the beginning of the year.

Focuses on the price increase of spot methanol after outages tightened North America's methanol supplies. Plants that have restarted after its shut down in the first few months of 1999; Nominated price of spot methanol given by producers.

Reports the acquisition of Methanex's methanol plant in Kitimat, British Columbia by Acetex company. Properties included in the deal; Option offered by the deal to Acetex; Purpose of Methanex for shutting down several of its North America plants; Improvement in prices of methanol.

Reports on the success of increasing the prices for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in North America in 1998. Comment from a PVC producer.

Reports that the scarcity of caustic soda is expected to push up prices in Gulf Coast in the fourth quarter of 1998. Price of chlor-alkali in the United States and Canada; Information on companies who announced price increases in caustic soda and chlorine.

Reports that Praxair, Air Liquide, BOC Gases and Air Products and Chemicals have increased the industrial gas prices blaming rising energy and distribution costs in North America. How the power curtailments in Midwest affect the activities of Air Liquide America; Gasses of the Praxair that will be affected by the price increase.