Occidental Chemical Corporation plans to increase all grades of liquid caustic soda by $50/ST effective immediately, industry sources said Thursday.
Confirmation from the company was not immediately available.
Tight supply and production issues have put upward pressure on the spot and contract markets.
Over the last two months, US caustic soda manufacturers posted contract increases totaling $100. The US caustic soda export price was last assessed at $450/mt FOB USG.
The latest production issue came April 20, when PPG Industries declared force majeure on all grades of liquid caustic soda and PELS-beaded caustic soda from its North American chlor-alkali system, the company said in a letter to customers.
According to the letter, which was obtained by Platts, the FM stemmed from operational necessity and unanticipated mechanical problems, which caused the company's plant in Natrium, West Virginia, to shut down.
