Olin to close Canadian chlor-alkali plant

By Dave Hannon -- Purchasing, 3/12/2008 9:08:00 AM

Chlor-alkali producer Olin Corp. plans to close its Dalhousie, New Brunswick, plant to streamline manufacturing operations. The New Brunswick plant makes chlorine, caustic soda, sodium chlorate and sodium hypochlorite and will be completely closed by August, with some portions shutting down earlier. According to a company statement, Olin will continue to supply its chlor alkali customers from other locations and will exit the sodium chlorate business.

Purchasing.com reported earlier that Olin declared force majeure on caustic soda because of plant shutdowns and the lack of chlorine demand which has restricted the company's ability to produce caustic soda. The Nova Scotia site will be used as a caustic soda storage and distribution center after production is closed.

Purchasing will provide a full report on the caustic soda and chlorine markets in its March issue, available on Purchasing.com March 13.