The Urethane Blog
September 6, 2021
Ida Disrupts Chlorine Production, Raising Risk of Higher Prices
By Kevin Crowley August 30, 2021, 5:29 PM EDT Updated on August 30, 2021, 6:06 PM EDT
- Westlake, Formosa shut down facilities ahead of storm
- Chlorine was already in short supply after February’s freeze
Hurricane Ida’s landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast caused production outages in the heart of the country’s chlorine manufacturing industry.
Chlorine was already in short supply after a deep freeze in February knocked facilities offline for weeks. Now, widespread power outages around Baton Rouge, Louisiana may increase prices further, according to Robert Stier, a senior petrochemicals analyst at S&P Global Platts.
“Chlorine is going to get really tight” because of the industry’s concentration in the Louisiana area, he said.
READ: Ida’s Aftermath Raises Environmental Fears in ‘Cancer Alley’ (1)
Westlake Chemical Corp. shut two Louisiana facilities that make chlorine over the weekend. An assessment of the storm’s impact may take several days, the company said. Formosa Plastics also closed a plant in Baton Rouge, according to ICIS, a data provider.
Chlorine manufacturers also tend to make PVC, a key building material used in pipes, siding and other construction materials. Gulf Coast contracts for PVC were already trading at record highs before the storm, according to ICIS.
September 6, 2021
Ida Disrupts Chlorine Production, Raising Risk of Higher Prices
By Kevin Crowley August 30, 2021, 5:29 PM EDT Updated on August 30, 2021, 6:06 PM EDT
- Westlake, Formosa shut down facilities ahead of storm
- Chlorine was already in short supply after February’s freeze
Hurricane Ida’s landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast caused production outages in the heart of the country’s chlorine manufacturing industry.
Chlorine was already in short supply after a deep freeze in February knocked facilities offline for weeks. Now, widespread power outages around Baton Rouge, Louisiana may increase prices further, according to Robert Stier, a senior petrochemicals analyst at S&P Global Platts.
“Chlorine is going to get really tight” because of the industry’s concentration in the Louisiana area, he said.
READ: Ida’s Aftermath Raises Environmental Fears in ‘Cancer Alley’ (1)
Westlake Chemical Corp. shut two Louisiana facilities that make chlorine over the weekend. An assessment of the storm’s impact may take several days, the company said. Formosa Plastics also closed a plant in Baton Rouge, according to ICIS, a data provider.
Chlorine manufacturers also tend to make PVC, a key building material used in pipes, siding and other construction materials. Gulf Coast contracts for PVC were already trading at record highs before the storm, according to ICIS.
September 6, 2021
BASF to increase prices for polyurethane systems products in North America
WYANDOTTE, MI, September 3, 2021 – BASF will increase prices for polyurethane systems products in North America by $0.11/lb for orders shipping on or after October 1, 2021, or as contracts allow.
September 6, 2021
BASF to increase prices for polyurethane systems products in North America
WYANDOTTE, MI, September 3, 2021 – BASF will increase prices for polyurethane systems products in North America by $0.11/lb for orders shipping on or after October 1, 2021, or as contracts allow.
September 6, 2021
Sept 3, 2021
Subject: Force Majeure
Dear Valued Customer:
Hurricane Ida made landfall in the southeast region of Louisiana on August 29, 2021 and caused
unprecedented damage in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, LA as well as the surrounding areas. First
and foremost, BASF is taking necessary steps to support our employees and properly safeguard
operations and local communities.
As a result of the impact of Hurricane Ida, which is beyond BASF’s reasonable control, we regret to
inform you that we must declare force majeure on MDI and MDI containing products effective
immediately.
While it appears that the Geismar site has minimal damage from the storm, operations at the site have
not yet resumed due to supply chain and logistics impacts. BASF is restricted in its ability to receive
critical raw materials & utilities, manufacture product, and ship materials at our site. All modes of
transportation have been impacted including port closures, road closures, rail system interruptions,
carrier wash closures, and limitations in availability of bulk carriers. The restart of operations is
contingent on obtaining adequate and consistent supply of utilities and critical materials from suppliers.
Given the operational and logistical constraints, the duration of the force majeure is unclear at this time.
Your BASF account manager will be in contact with you to discuss the status of current and future orders.
We appreciate your patience during this challenging period and will keep you informed as the situation
progresses.
Everchem Updates Archive 
Sign Up for Email Updates