Chloroform

*Millions of pounds per year. Chloroform (trichloromethane) is coproduced with methylene chloride in direct reaction of methyl chloride with chlorine. Capacity figures assume maximum operation for chloroform.

Dow is presently modernizing its chloromethane plants in Freeport, TX, and Plaquemine, LA, but no specific capacity increase for chloroform has been announced.

Profile last published 12/1/97; this revision, 10/16/00.

DEMAND
1998: 575 million pounds; 1999: 606 million pounds; 2003: 656 million pounds, projected. Demand equals production plus imports (1998: 0.2 million pounds; 1999: 0.3 million pounds) less exports (1998: 184 million pounds; 1999: 220 million pounds).

PRICE
Historical (1994 - 1999): High, $0.44 per pound, technical, consumers, tanks, dlvd., list; low, $0.395, same basis. Current: $0.395, same basis.

USES
Hydrochlorofluorocarbon-22 (HCFC-22), 95% (refrigerants, 70%; fluoropolymers, 30%); miscellaneous, including laboratory reagents and extraction solvents for pharmaceuticals, 5%.

STRENGTH
HCFC-22 has grown at an annual average rate of 3.2% over the last decade, as a replacement for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in home and automobile air conditioners, and commercial freezers. Fluoropolymers which use HCFC-22 as a feedstock are strong too, reflecting a 3 to 5% annual growth rate in the principal products, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP).

WEAKNESS
Although HCFC-22’s primary duty as a refrigeration fluid continues, it is subject to substitution by other products which are not threatened by legislated restrictions. An azeotropic mixture of HFC-32 and HFC-125 is reported to have greater energy efficiency than HCFC-22, for example, in air conditioning systems.

OUTLOOK
Chloroform’s growth is expected to slow to 2.0% as substitute products anticipate the legislated phaseout of HCFC-22. Beginning in 2010, production will only go to feedstock use, EPA allowed exceptions, and for refrigeration use in equipment manufactured prior to 2010. By 2020 this latter use will be eliminated as well. Fluoropolymers, accounting for 30% of HCFC-22 use, should continue to increase steadily, driven by rising demand for high-performance wire and cable insulation. Miscellaneous chloroform uses, including laboratory reagent and solvent extraction use, are not expected to grow.