Chlorinated Solvents Market Not Exempted From The Current Economic Climate

European sales of chlorinated solvents went down drastically end of 2008

28-Jul-2009 - Belgium

Sales of the chlorinated solvents Perchloroethylene and dichloromethane totalled in 154,000 tonnes last year, an average drop of 15% compared with the previous year (182,000 tonnes). The chlorinated solvents market went down primarily in the second half of 2008 under the grip of the economic crisis.

European sales of Perchloroethylene (PER) by ECSA member companies last year dropped to 44,000 tonnes (2007: 52,000 tonnes). Despite the influence of the current economic situation, PER remains the solvent of choice for dry-cleaning and continues to gain market share as a substitute for TRI in metal degreasing.

Dichloromethane (DCM) sales dropped in 2008 to 110,000 tonnes compared to 130,000 tonnes in 2007. DCM is the most widely-used of the chlorinated solvents, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, in adhesives, in paint stripping and as process agent. The percentage of the decrease in DCM sales (15% compared to the previous year) is equal to PER and reflects the economic situation in the second half of 2008.

The absolute sales of Trichloroethylene (TRI) can no longer be reported according to Cefic statistics rules that at least 3 companies are participating. Two producers were left in Western Europe in 2008: Dow Europe and INEOS Chlor. INEOS Chlor announced already to stop production of TRI and PER beginning of 2009. The decline of trichloroethylene (TRI) sales continued after the more stringent carcinogenicity classification for TRI introduced in 2002. The ECSA Members and the Romanian producer Chimcomplex Borzesti have taken further steps to ensure safe use in metal degreasing by stopping supplies of TRI to companies that are not equipped with closed systems after 2010.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/103835/chlorinated-solvents-market-not-exempted-from-the-current-economic-climate.html