Solvay expects US soda ash mothballing 'within 4 months'

HOUSTON (CNI)--Solvay expects mothballing of its Colorado soda ash production and solution mining to go into effect "within four months," a company official told CNI Friday.

The official added that there are no plans to mothball the company’s sodium biocarbonate production at Parachute, Colorado.

Solvay’s American Soda unit said Thursday it plans to mothball soda ash production at the Parachute, Colorado site due to high energy costs and continuing losses. It further said that solution mining operations at its Piceance Creek, Colorado would also be mothballed.

The official at Solvay’s Houston office would not comment on the capacities involved in the shutdown or any market impact.

Belgium’s Solvay bought American Soda last year from US energy firm Williams.