Soda ash (sodium carbonate) is predominantly produced by one of two major routes. The longest established method is the synthetic chemical process known as the Solvay ammonia-soda process. The second method is by the treatment of naturally mined trona ores. Soda ash is mainly used in the production of glass (flat, container, fibre etc), which accounts for around half of global consumption. Other significant applications are in the soaps & detergents and chemical industries. Smaller application sectors include the pulp & paper industry, water treatment and flue gas desulphurisation. Soda ash is both non combustible and non toxic.Europe traditionally produces soda ash synthetically while Turkey mines most of its soda ash. As a result, European soda ash tends to be more expensive because of the higher costs involved in its production.
ICIS pricing quotes soda ash in a global and Asian report.
To find out more Soda Ash Methodology June 2012
