Chlorine, caustic soda and its derivatives are fundamental to the production chain of several segments such as paper and cellulose, civil construction, food and water treatment

By 2018, the entity's expectation is improvement, driven by the reaction of other segments of the economic activity.

Significant demands are expected from the chemical, automotive, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. In addition to these sectors, a recovery of the construction industry is expected. The Construction Industry Survey, released by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), pointed to a retraction of the level of activity in 2017. However, the same survey pointed to an improvement in entrepreneurs' optimism for 2018.

This year, the market signals improvement as a whole. We are seeing the industry recovering and we expect to follow the country's economy, "said Martim Afonso Penna, executive director of the Brazilian Association of Alkalis, Chlorine and Derivatives (Abiclor).