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Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is a salt, appearing as a white crystal. It is commercially
available as anhydrous and dihydrate flakes, pellets and powder, or as a 30–45%
solution. Calcium chloride is produced by refining naturally occurring brine,
by neutralizing hydrochloric acid with limestone or as a by-product from the
Solvay process of synthetic sodium carbonate (soda ash) production. The major
applications for calcium chloride include deicing, dust control, and oil field
drilling and completion fluids.
Global capacity for calcium chloride is estimated at almost 3 million metric
tons. Global consumption was approximately 2.6 million metric tons in 2005.
Capacity utilization in the United States and Europe was over 93% during the
winter of 2005, when use in deicing led to seasonal consumption peaks. The
tight supply is a consequence of plant closures that have occurred over the
past five years as a result of nonprofitable operations.
The Dow Chemical Co. of the United States is the largest world producer; the
second-largest is Tetra Chemicals, with production plants in the United States
and Europe.
Capacity additions will be required in the future to meet projected demand,
because of the currently tight market, and an expected annual growth in consumption
of 4%. The supply situation may even worsen, since capacities based on limestone
neutralization may be threatened by local undersupply of hydrochloric acid.
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