China's Caustic Soda Output Rises in January–November as Upstream and Downstream Production Shows Mixed Trends

According to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, China's caustic soda production (calculated at 100% purity) reached 4.012 million tonnes in November 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.6%. Cumulative output from January to November totalled 42.326 million tonnes, up 4.8% year-on-year.

On the upstream side, China's raw salt production in November stood at 4.649 million tonnes, down 2.7% from a year earlier. From January to November, raw salt output reached 56.059 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 0.5%.

Downstream production data showed mixed performance across sectors. China's alumina output reached 8.138 million tonnes in November, up 7.6% year-on-year, while cumulative production for the January–November period totalled 84.657 million tonnes, an increase of 8.4%. Production of machine-made paper and paperboard (excluding processing of externally purchased base paper) reached 14.588 million tonnes in November, up 5.3% year-on-year. From January to November, output totalled 148.871 million tonnes, representing a 2.8% year-on-year increase.

In contrast, China's cloth production declined slightly. Output in November reached 2.81 billion metres, down 0.7% year-on-year, while cumulative production from January to November totalled 27.83 billion metres, a decrease of 0.6%. Synthetic detergent production also recorded a decline, with November output at 1.099 million tonnes, down 2.0% year-on-year. From January to November, total synthetic detergent production reached 10.891 million tonnes, a year-on-year decrease of 0.6%.