Unlike some industrial minerals, which are unique to certain areas of the Earth, Soda ash (or sodium carbonate), is mined and produced all over the world. Indeed, at least 95 natural sodium carbonate deposits have been identified globally - yet not all of these have been quantified. According to data from the 2012 US Geological Survey, China dominates the market producing 23m/t in 2011, followed by the US, which produced 10.9m/t, with a total value of around US$ 1.6BN. The US has around 23bn tonnes proven natural soda ash reserves. Turkey produced 1.6m/t in 2012, Botswana 250,000/t and Kenya produced 600,000/t. Glass is soda ash's biggest market. The glass industry was hit hard by the global downturn in the housing market during the period 2008-12, as well as a dip in automobile manufacturing, which significantly reduced demand. However, the global economic state is now improving, which has in turn buoyed the soda ash supply situation with suppliers around the world noting improve demand for their products.
