This week, the caustic soda price remained stable overall in China (5.11-5.15)

May 15 news

I. Price Trends

According to the commodity analysis system, the caustic soda prices in China showed a stable trend this week. The average market price from the beginning to the end of the week was 624 CNY/ton, a decrease of 26.5% compared to the same period last year. On May 14, the chlor-alkali index was 740 points, down 3 points from the previous day, and down 65.23% from the highest point of 2128 points (October 24, 2021). It has increased by 4.67% from the lowest point of 707 points on February 27, 2026. (Note: The period refers to December 1, 2011, to the present.)

II. Market Analysis

According to the commodity analysis system, the caustic soda prices remained stable this week. In Shandong, the mainstream market price for 32% ion-exchange membrane caustic soda is around 580-680 CNY/ton. In Zhejiang, the caustic soda prices are stable, with the mainstream market price for 32% ion-exchange membrane caustic soda delivered to Xiaoshan around 850-900 CNY/ton. In Inner Mongolia, the caustic soda prices are consolidating, with the mainstream market price for 32% ion-exchange membrane caustic soda (converted to 100%) around 2200-2300 CNY/ton. This week, there was no significant improvement in the supply and demand of caustic soda, and the inventory clearance by enterprises was not obvious, with general sales. Downstream buyers are cautious, and the pace of shipments from enterprises has slowed down. Coupled with the off-season demand, it is difficult to see a short-term improvement in production. Currently, the market prices represented by Shandong liquid caustic soda are weakly consolidating. There is no significant improvement in alumina, and the current producers are mainly in a wait-and-see mood, with few spot transactions in the market, leading to cautious purchases of caustic soda.

Analysts believe that the caustic soda prices will remain stable in the near term, this week. Recently, downstream sectors in China have been purchasing according to their needs, and there has not been a substantial improvement in demand. Caustic soda producers still face significant inventory pressure, with resistance from downstream buyers. The interplay of supply and demand suggests that caustic soda prices may continue to consolidate in the future, depending on the specific market demand from downstream sectors.