How Nelson-Farrar indexes of chemical costs have changed

July 6, 2009
The costs of two important chemicals used in crude-oil refining changed very little during 2006-08, while the costs of three others varied significantly.

The costs of two important chemicals used in crude-oil refining changed very little during 2006-08, while the costs of three others varied significantly.

The two stable chemicals were hydrofluoric acid with an index constant of 414.9 and sulfuric acid with an index average of 397.4.

Platinum rose significantly to 1,768.7 from 762.1 in the first quarter of 2006 before falling back to 1,114 in the last quarter of 2008. However, the average for 2006 was 1,344.4 vs. the 1,524.5 average for 2008.

Sodium hydroxide rose to 1,054.4 in fourth-quarter 2008 from 586.2 in first-quarter 2006.

Sodium carbonate ended at 769.6 in fourth-quarter 2006 after rising mildly from 427.5 in first-quarter 2004.

During 2006-08, sodium carbonate averaged 452.4, 490.1, and 688.5 for the 3 years, respectively.

The Nelson-Farrar overall inorganic chemical index showed an increase throughout the period, varying from 648.9 during first-quarter 2006 to 1,167.7 in fourth-quarter 2008.