US caustic soda contract prices could decline in February for the first time in two years due to weakening demand. It is said that the ontract prices for caustic soda have held at a record high of $1,075-1,145/dst (dry short ton) (€849-905/dry tonne) since September 2008. However, a US producer said it had settled some February contracts lower by $50-75/dst due to the impact of the global economic downturn on industrial caustic soda consumers. But another producer said supply and demand conditions were currently balanced in the US caustic soda market, and it was not reducing February contract prices.