Brenntag has announced the acquisition of the operating assets of US-based Suffolk Solutions, Inc’s caustic soda distribution business. “The business and the related terminals of Suffolk Solutions fit seamlessly into our ambitions to further link Brenntag’s caustic soda network in the Eastern United States. There is great potential to strengthen our supply chain and expand our customer base in this geography,” says Steven Terwindt, Member of the Management Board of Brenntag Group and CEO Brenntag North America. The Virginia headquartered company, founded in 2005, has access to a bulk terminal as well as to a rail transloading facility within the state. The business relies on long-term suppliers and a loyal customer base. Anthony Gerace, Managing Director Mergers & Acquisitions at Brenntag Group, summarises the locational advantages of the acquisition: “Suffolk Solutions will strengthen Brenntag’s footprint in the Virginia market ...

Price trend According to the monitoring system of toodudu, the overall weak price of flake caustic soda in December was the main trend. At the beginning of the month, the average market price was around 3,683.33 RMB/ton, and at the end of the month, the average market price was 3,500 RMB/ton, a decrease of 4.98%, and a decrease of 26.83% compared to the same period last year. Upstream caustic soda According to monitoring data from toodudu, the overall price of caustic soda decreased in a stepwise manner in December. At the beginning of the month, the average price in the Shandong market was 844 RMB/ton, and at the end of the month, the average price in the Shandong market was around 798 RMB/ton. The overall price dropped by 5.45%, a decrease of 29.26% compared to the same period last year. Market outlook toodudu’ analysts believe that the recent price consolidation in the flake caustic soda market had resulted in a moderate trading atmosphere. The price of liquid alkali was consolid...