MARKET STUDY OF CAUSTIC SODA IN GCC

Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is used primarily for pH control, neutralization, off-gas scrubbing, and as a catalyst. Other uses of sodium hydroxide include, in the manufacture of organic intermediates and polymers, for example, production of propylene oxide, polycarbonate resin, epoxies, synthetic fibres, and surface-active agents. The approach for estimating the historical demand for caustic soda in the GCC in 2016 was based on identifying key users and analysing trade statistics and production rates. A number of caustic soda users and producers in the GCC have been interviewed to confirm certain hypotheses. For the demand forecast, it is believed that the demand is driven by the GDP growth in each country. The following GDP growth rates were used to derive demand levels for the forecast period.