The availability of soda ash for glassmaking looks set to improve as producers increase output, but the producers are also raising prices. Gujarat Heavy Chemicals of India has increased production capacity from 600,000/tpa to 850,000/tpa, but has also increased prices by around 8%. It says margins continue to be robust on the back of strong demand. Another Indian supplier, Tata Chemicals, already owns Brunner Mond and Magadi Soda in Kenya, now plans a new production site for natural sod ash in Tanzania. The project at Lake Natron, is expected to produce around 500,000/tpa but is currently subject to objections on environmental grounds. Meanwhile, prices for soda ash are expected to rise further following the end of the 13% tax rebate on domestic soda ash production in China.
