European chlorine production fell in June, reversing the sharp increase recorded a month earlier, while caustic soda stocks remained significantly above year-ago levels, according to the latest figures from Euro Chlor.

 

Chlorine production across the EU-27, Norway, Switzerland and the UK reached 625,552 tonnes in June 2026, down 3.9% from 651,120 tonnes in June 2025.

 

The decline was steeper on a daily basis. Average daily production fell to 20,852 tonnes, an 8.9% drop from May, when daily output averaged 22,897 tonnes.

 

The June figures mark a sharp reversal from May, when production surged 18.3% year on year to 709,821 tonnes. Capacity utilisation also weakened, falling to 65.3% in June from 71.7% in May, and down from 68.8% a year earlier.

 

The latest monthly figures show a volatile production trend in 2026. Output was down year on year in January, February and March before rising 3.8% in April and jumping 18.3% in May. June then brought a return to year-on-year decline.

 

Caustic soda inventories also fell in June, but remained well above their level a year earlier.

 

Stocks stood at 222,159 tonnes, down 5.5% from May's 235,086 tonnes. However, inventories were still 42,111 tonnes higher than in June 2025, when stocks stood at 180,048 tonnes.

 

The June stockpile was the second-highest monthly level recorded so far in 2026, behind May.

 

Euro Chlor said its latest tables cover chlorine production and caustic soda stocks across the EU-27 plus Norway, Switzerland and the UK.

 

The figures are subject to subsequent revisions, with Euro Chlor noting that monthly totals can change when producers submit late data.