Soda Ash Prices Hit Asahi In The Usa

Soaring prices for soda ash, amongst other costs such as energy and freight as well as the US housing slump, have forced North America's third largest glassmaker, Asahi Glass Co., to close some plants. Around 900 jobs and 40% of capacity will be affected. Asahi will close or sell coating lines in Victorville, CA, in Iowa, and one float glass production line in Quebec, Canada. A separate float glass plant in the USA will be used to make glass for solar cells and one will be suspended until demand recovers. Asahi is scaling back production of construction glass to focus on glass used in solar cells and cars in an attempt to end five years of losses at North American operations in 2009. Soda ash prices are expected to remain high.