Us Soda Ash Feels Chinese Squeeze

The economic recession, including weak demand for glass in the auto and construction sectors, contributed to a 24% drop in US soda ash production between the last 3m of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, according to the US Geological Survey, and this is now costing jobs. As well as that, American producers say their competitors in China have flooded the international market with help from a Chinese government export incentive. Chinese soda ash exports grew 40% in the first 3m of 2009, compared with the same period in 2008. This article takes a closer look at the situation.