Sodium Chlorite Pricing Assessment
UNSPC: 12352302

• Russia-Ukraine Conflict (2022): The conflict has disrupted the supply of key raw materials required for producing sodium chlorite. This has led to increased production costs as suppliers face challenges in sourcing and transporting materials. With the war affecting logistics in Eastern Europe, shipping routes have become unreliable. Increased transportation costs due to rerouted shipments or delays have contributed to higher prices for sodium chlorite. 
• Texas Winter Storm (2021): The extreme cold weather caused many chemical production facilities in Texas to shut down or operate at reduced capacity. As Texas is a key producer of sodium chlorite, these interruptions led to decreased supply and increased prices. The storm caused significant disruptions in the natural gas supply, which is crucial for the energy-intensive production of chemicals, including sodium chlorite. Increased energy costs due to shortages contributed to higher production expenses. 
• COVID-19 Pandemic (2020):  As the pandemic prompted heightened awareness of hygiene and disinfection, demand for sodium chlorite as a disinfectant soared. This spike in demand led to significant price increases as suppliers struggled to keep up. The demand for safe drinking water and effective treatment solutions also contributed to the increased consumption of sodium chlorite. 
• Geopolitical Tensions (2018-2019): The tariffs and trade barriers imposed during the U.S.-China trade conflict impacted the global supply chain for chemicals, including sodium chlorite. Increased tariffs on raw materials and intermediate goods raised production costs for manufacturers. Fluctuations in energy prices due to geopolitical tensions affected the production of sodium chlorite, which is energy-intensive. Rising energy costs directly influenced overall production expenses, leading to higher prices for end products. 
• Shale Gas Boom (2010): The surge in shale gas production led to a dramatic decrease in natural gas prices. Since the production of sodium chlorite is energy-intensive, lower energy costs reduced overall production expenses for manufacturers. 
• Global Financial Crisis (2008-2009): As businesses faced financial uncertainty, demand for many chemical products, including sodium chlorite, declined. Industries such as construction and manufacturing scaled back operations, leading to lower overall consumption of chemicals. In response to decreased demand, manufacturers reduced production levels. This led to an oversupply of sodium chlorite in the market, further driving down prices. 
• Hurricane Katrina (2005): The hurricane caused significant damage to production facilities, transportation networks, and distribution channels in the Gulf Coast region, disrupting the supply of sodium chlorite and its raw materials. Flooding and debris hindered transportation, leading to delays in shipments of both raw materials and finished products. This resulted in temporary shortages in the market. 

These events underscore the Sodium Chlorite market’s vulnerability to global disruptions and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of supply-demand dynamics.