German petrochemical company Vestolit is planning a shutdown of its vinyl chloride monomer units at Marl in March and April, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. The company could not be reached for comment. The source said different units of the VCM production would have works during March and April. The source added that there would also be maintenance on chlorine production, which would also affect the production of chlorine's co-product caustic soda. The Marl complex in North Rhine-Westphalia has 400,000 mt/year of VCM capacity, as well as 265,000 mt/year chlorine and 294,000 mt/year caustic soda capacity. VCM spot prices have risen in Europe in recent weeks, reaching $650/mt FOB NWE Thursday March 8. Market participants have attributed rising VCM spot prices to good demand and tightening supply ahead of planned turnarounds in March and April.
