How does chlorine's role in PVC and water treatment shape its demand outlook?

How does chlorine's role in PVC and water treatment shape its demand outlook?
Chlorine's main downstream is PVC, which consumes a large share of chlor-alkali output in China. The construction and infrastructure sectors drive PVC demand, so chlorine prices often track property and infrastructure cycles. Beyond PVC, chlorine is essential for water treatment and disinfection, including drinking water and swimming pools, as well as for bleaching in pulp and paper. These uses provide a stable base load, but growth is modest. The push for greener, more energy-efficient chlorine production is also emerging, with recent research showing organic catalysts could rival precious metals in chlorine evolution, potentially lowering energy costs in the future. For now, chlorine's demand outlook remains tied to PVC and the broader industrial cycle.