China Caustic Soda Flakes Market Update: Liquid Alkali Prices Firm While Flake Soda Holds Stable

China's caustic soda market moved with a firmer tone during the week of June 19-25, 2026. Shandong 32% ion-membrane liquid caustic soda averaged RMB 666/mt, up 2.1% week on week, while Shandong 50% liquid caustic soda averaged RMB 1,065/mt, up 3.5%. Northwest 98% flake soda was reported at RMB 2,360/mt on June 25, unchanged from June 18. Using the working exchange-rate basis of USD 1 = RMB 6.8, these reference prices are approximately USD 98/mt for Shandong 32% liquid alkali, USD 157/mt for Shandong 50% liquid alkali and USD 347/mt for Northwest 98% flake soda. These are domestic market references and should be reconfirmed before export quotation.

Key Takeaways for Overseas NaOH Buyers

For buyers sourcing Caustic Soda Flakes, the main signal this week was that liquid alkali prices strengthened, but flake soda prices were still broadly stable. This means export buyers should not read the liquid alkali increase as an immediate flake soda price jump, but it does suggest that production cost, regional supply and factory sentiment need close monitoring for late-June and early-July shipments.

Liquid chlorine also strengthened in Shandong, rising from RMB 130/mt to RMB 150/mt on June 25, while sea salt in Shandong increased from RMB 225/mt to RMB 230/mt. These upstream and co-product movements helped improve chlor-alkali profitability. Shandong chlor-alkali producers recorded an estimated weekly gross profit of RMB 68/mt, recovering from a loss in the previous period.

Market Overview

According to the weekly market data supplied for June 19-25, the average utilization rate of China's caustic soda sample enterprises with capacity of 100,000 mt/year and above was 80.7%, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous week. Weekly output fell from 817,000 mt to 813,000 mt, while apparent demand also softened from 824,000 mt to 815,000 mt.

Supply was reduced by more maintenance activity and lower operating rates at some plants. Five chlor-alkali units were under maintenance during the week, while one unit resumed operation. The next week is expected to see national chlor-alkali utilization edge down to about 80.5%, with weekly output forecast near 812,000 mt.

Liquid Alkali Price Signals

In Shandong, 32% liquid caustic soda held at RMB 666/mt on June 25, only RMB 1/mt higher than June 18 on a daily closing basis, but the weekly average still rose 2.1%. Shandong 50% liquid caustic soda moved from RMB 1,050/mt to RMB 1,065/mt, a gain of RMB 15/mt, or 1.43% on a daily closing basis.

The market support came mainly from lower local inventories in northern Shandong, continued shipments to alumina buyers and reduced output of higher-concentration alkali. However, non-alumina demand remained moderate, and some regions outside Shandong still faced pressure from weak downstream buying and inventory accumulation.

Flake Soda and Pearl Soda Buying Context

Northwest 98% flake soda stayed at RMB 2,360/mt on June 25, unchanged week on week. Other regional flake soda references also remained stable: East China 99% flake soda at RMB 2,850/mt, Central China 98% flake soda at RMB 2,850/mt, South China 98% flake soda at RMB 3,050/mt, Shandong 99% flake soda at RMB 2,650/mt and Southwest 99% flake soda at RMB 2,900/mt.

For overseas buyers, this stability is useful for RFQ timing. Flake soda factories are expected to keep weekly new-order prices mostly stable in the near term, but some producers released slightly lower new-order prices during the week, which may weigh on trader sentiment. Buyers comparing flakes with NaOH pearl form should check real export availability, packing, port schedule and current factory quotation rather than relying only on domestic liquid alkali indicators.

Supply, Inventory and Demand

As of June 25, Longzhong data indicated that inventory at fixed liquid alkali sample enterprises with capacity of 200,000 mt/year and above reached 495,100 wet tons, up 2.72% from the previous week and 35.08% year on year. The national tank-capacity ratio was 28.65%, slightly lower week on week, but regional conditions were mixed.

North China saw inventory decline as Shandong operated at a relatively low load and maintained shipments to alumina. East China was under pressure because non-alumina demand such as printing, dyeing and paper remained weak. South China consumed inventory as major local plants entered maintenance, while Northwest and Southwest liquid alkali inventories increased due to limited buying enthusiasm from non-alumina downstream users.

On the demand side, alumina operating rates were around 82.1%, up 0.3 percentage points, and viscose staple fiber utilization was 89.87%, up 0.36 percentage points. Alumina demand still provided important support for liquid alkali shipments, but non-alumina demand was generally described as need-based.

Market Outlook

For the coming week, liquid alkali prices in Shandong are expected to remain supported by relatively low inventory in northern Shandong and further maintenance or load reductions in parts of the region. At the same time, the completion of some alumina delivery phases and generally weak non-alumina demand may limit the upside. Jiangsu liquid alkali supply is expected to be limited by scheduled maintenance, but weak new export orders may keep prices mostly rangebound.

For 98%-99% solid NaOH buyers, the near-term market is more balanced. Flake soda new-order prices are expected to be mostly stable, but buyers should still request fresh quotations because freight, packing availability, factory scheduling and port timing can change faster than the weekly domestic reference price.

RFQ Guidance for Caustic Soda Flakes Buyers

When requesting a quotation, buyers should specify whether they need flakes or pearl form, NaOH purity such as 98% or 99%, packing such as 25 kg bags or jumbo bags, order quantity, destination port, required documents, shipment window and any market-specific labeling requirements. For hazardous chemical shipments, buyers should also confirm documentation, container booking feasibility and local import compliance before placing the order.

FAQ

Did caustic soda flakes rise this week?

The source data showed Northwest 98% flake soda at RMB 2,360/mt on June 25, unchanged from June 18. Liquid alkali prices were firmer, but flake soda was still stable in the reported reference markets.

Can liquid caustic soda prices be used directly as a flake soda export price?

No. Liquid alkali prices help indicate chlor-alkali market sentiment and cost conditions, but export quotations for flakes or pearl form also depend on solid NaOH factory offers, packing, inland logistics, port availability, dangerous-goods handling and ocean freight.

What should overseas buyers watch next week?

Buyers should watch Shandong and Northwest supply changes, factory maintenance schedules, alumina purchasing volumes, liquid chlorine price movement and whether flake soda producers adjust new-order prices after the stable week.