Asia will lead in the building of new soda ash capacity over the next 10 years, according to ZN Langrana, GM of Tata Chemicals. Speaking at the International Conference on the Alkali Industry in Vadodara, India, Mr. Langrana said growth in synthetic soda ash capacity would be fastest in China, followed by the Indian subcontinent. Globally, soda ash plants have been operating at 90-99%, & such high rates are expected to continue in the near future. Prices are likely to remain at US$ 190-210/tonne for the next 4-5 years, he said. Glass accounts for 53% of global soda ash demand. "I believe glass will continue to lead, with demand growing by 6-7% a year", said Mr. Langrana. World trade is currently dominated by the US, China & Eastern Europe & Mr. Langrana expected this trend to continue with Kenya & Tanzania emerging as exporters. Export volumes from the US have been fairly steady but there has been a shift in focus with producers targeting Latin America where netbacks are higher, he added. Mr. Langrana expected demand to rise from 42M/t in 2006, to 50M/t in 2012. Global capacity is projected to expand from 48M/t, to 57M/t.
