Citric acid China recorded a sharp rise of Rs 100 at Rs 3,500 per 50 kg as landed cost went up because of firm dollar vis-a-vis Indian rupee. Bharat Starch citric acid flared up by Rs 200 at Rs 3,400 per 50 kg and Bombay Dyeing citric acid ruled firm at Rs 3,800 per 50 kg. Demand in citric acid from cold drink units was reported strong because of severe heat wave gripping the whole of Northern India. Sodium hydro sulphite China firmed upby Re 1 at Rs 54 a kg in anticipation of hike in import duty. Sodium hydro sulphite Kalali slipped by Re 1 at Rs 58 a kg on selling pressure from the producers.

Titanium dioxide China, K. brand, TTK and Dupont edged up by Re 1 at Rs 78, Rs 81, Rs 84 and Rs 128 a kg respectively on better buying support from paint and plastic units. RC-822 titanium dioxide ruled firm at Rs 117 a kg. Following hike in prices by the manufacturers, caustic soda flakes firmed up by Rs 20/30 at Rs 710/730 per 50 kg but later, due to slack demand from the consuming industries, prices dipped by Rs 10/20 at Rs 690/720 per 50 kg.

Sodium nitrite tumbled down by Rs 50 at Rs 1,200/1,250 per 50 kg due to lack of enquiries. Camphor powder and slab slipped by Rs 2 at Rs 113 and Rs 128 a kg respectively due to poor offtake and glycerine eased by Rs 2 at Rs 58/68 a kg due to slack demand. Acetic acid lost 50 paise at Rs 28 per kg due to dull demand. Paraffin wax declined by Rs 50 at Rs 1,700/1,750 per 50 kg due to weak demand from candleunits because of rising mercury, while residue, slackes and press wax maintained their previous week closings. If import duty is hiked in the ensuing budget, cost of imported chemicals is bound to go up. Demand in dyes and colours at their previous closings remained at a low ebb.