Axiall's business revolves around the axis of commodity chemicals. The company makes chlorovinyls used by the construction and housing, plastics, pulp and paper, and pharmaceutical industries. Its primary chlorovinyl products are PVC (polyvinyl chloride), caustic soda, and chlorine; this segment also makes vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), used to make PVC resins, chlorinated ethylene, calcium hypochlorite, and hydrochloric acid. Its building products unit makes extruded vinyl window and door profiles and moldings products. In 2016 Axiall was acquired by rival Westlake Chemical in a $3.8 billion deal.