Europe Chlorine Output Down 5.14% in Dec 2025

In December 2025, Europe's chlor-alkali industry recorded lower chlorine output year on year, while plant operating rates improved slightly for the full year. Caustic soda inventories declined month on month but edged up compared with the same period in 2024.

In December 2025, chlorine production in Europe totaled 629,500 tonnes, representing a year-on-year decrease of 5.14% compared with 663,600 tonnes in December 2024. On a cumulative basis, total chlorine output in 2025 reached 7.7874 million tonnes, down 3.14% from 8.0399 million tonnes recorded in 2024.

Average daily chlorine production in Europe stood at 20,300 tonnes in December 2025, reflecting an increase from 19,600 tonnes in November. However, the figure marked a 5.14% decline compared with 21,400 tonnes in December 2024.

For the full year 2025, the average operating rate of chlor-alkali plants in Europe was 67.6%, slightly higher than the 66.9% recorded in 2024, indicating a modest improvement in capacity utilization despite the overall decline in annual output.

Regarding downstream inventory levels, caustic soda stocks in Europe totaled 229,100 tonnes at the end of December 2025. This represented a decrease from 237,700 tonnes in November, while remaining marginally higher than the 226,700 tonnes reported in December 2024.

Overall, the data indicate a year-on-year contraction in chlorine production in December and across 2025, alongside a slight recovery in plant utilization rates and relatively stable caustic soda inventory levels.