French petrochemicals firm Arkema has announced increases across is July and third-quarter caustic soda contract prices, a company source said Friday.
Arkema will seek to raise its prices in the French market by Eur60/dmt ($75/dmt) to Eur500/dmt, while it will seek to raise prices in the Italian and Spanish markets by Eur120/dmt to Eur500/mt.
The weak PVC demand was seen as supportive of strengthening caustic soda prices, market participants said.
"Euro Chlor figures pointed to a trending down of chlorine demand, in which case, we shall see a drop in caustic inventories."
Elsewhere, Dow announced a Eur50/mt increase on its Q3 contracts effective immediately, a company source said Tuesday.
Another producer was heard nominating a Eur40 increase, but it could not be immediately verified.
However, some producers had yet to make their nominations for Q3 contracts.
"We are refusing to commit to Q3 talks at the moment -- talks should start next week," a NWE producer said.
The Q2 NWE caustic soda price was assessed in March at Eur437.50/dmt. Contract negotiations for Q3 were expected to commence next week.
