What is driving the recent surge in chloroform prices in China?

What is driving the recent surge in chloroform prices in China?
Chloroform prices in Shandong jumped 82.5% in November alone, with the national average reaching 3,800 yuan/ton by early December—roughly double the level two months earlier and the highest in five years. The rally stems from tight supply: high liquid chlorine feedstock costs prompted methane chloride producers to cut operating rates, while many adjusted their product mix away from chloroform. Inventories were largely depleted by late November. On the demand side, the R22 refrigerant market strengthened on better export conditions and higher industry operating rates, lifting chloroform offtake. With supply remaining constrained and downstream refrigerant demand firm, the price uptrend may persist into early next year, though sustainability depends on feedstock cost movements and any production restarts.