Report: The Economics of Soda Ash, 10 th Edition TOC

1. Summary 1

2. Occurrence, mining and processing of soda ash 7

2.1 Occurrence of natural soda ash 9
- 2.1.1 Mining of natural soda ash minerals 11
  - 2.1.1.1 Trona extraction in the Green River Basin 11
  - 2.1.1.2 Trona extraction at Lake Magadi 12
  - 2.1.1.3 Trona extraction at Searles Lake 12
  - 2.1.1.4 Nahcolite extraction in the Piceance Creek Basin 13
- 2.1.2 Processing methods for the conversion of trona to soda ash 13
  - 2.1.2.1 Monohydrate process 14
  - 2.1.2.2 Sesquicarbonate process 14
2.2 Synthetic soda ash processes 14
- 2.2.1 Solvay process 15
- 2.2.2 Ammonium Chloride Co-production (AC, Dual or Hou) process 18
- 2.2.3 New Asahi Process 19
- 2.2.4 Akzo Dry Lime Process 20
- 2.2.5 Nepheline syenite process 20

3. World soda ash production capacity 22

4. World production of soda ash 29

4.1 Soda ash production in China and India 32
4.2 Soda ash production in the USA 32
4.3 Soda ash production in Europe 33
4.4 Outlook for world soda ash production 33

5. World soda ash production by country 35

5.1 Soda ash production in Argentina 35
5.2 Soda ash production in Australia 35
- 5.2.1 Penrice Soda Products Ltd. 36
5.3 Soda ash production in Austria 37
- 5.3.1 Solvay Osterreich GmbH, Austria 38
5.4 Soda ash production in Bangladesh 38
5.5 Soda ash production in Belgium 39
- 5.5.1 BASF Antwerpen NV 39
- 5.5.2 Solvay SA 40
5.6 Soda ash production in Bosnia-Herzegovina 42
5.7 Soda ash production in Botswana 42
- 5.7.1 Botswana Ash (Botash) 43
5.8 Soda ash production in Brazil 44
- 5.8.1 Compania Nacional de Alcalis 45
5.9 Soda ash production in Bulgaria 46
- 5.9.1 Solvay Sodi AD, Bulgaria 46
5.10 Soda ash production in Canada 47
5.11 Soda ash production in China 48
- 5.11.1 Companies producing synthetic soda ash in China 52
  - 5.11.1.1 Dahua Group Dalian Chemical Industry Company Limited 52
  - 5.11.1.2 Hangzhou Longshan Chemical Co. 53
  - 5.11.1.3 Nanjing Chemical Industries Group Co. Ltd. (NCI) 53
  - 5.11.1.4 Qingdao Soda Co. Ltd. 54
  - 5.11.1.5 Qinghai Soda Co. Ltd. 55
  - 5.11.1.6 Shandong Haihua Group Co. Ltd. (SHG) 55
  - 5.11.1.7 Tangshan Sanyou Chemical Corp. (SanYou Chemical) 56
  - 5.11.1.8 Tianjin Soda Plant 57
  - 5.11.1.9 Other companies 58
- 5.11.2 Companies producing natural soda ash in China 59
  - 5.11.2.1 Ihju Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. (Ihjuchem) 59
- 5.11.3 Soda ash consumption in China 61
- 5.11.4 Chinese imports and exports of soda ash 62
5.12 Soda ash production in Egypt 64
5.13 Soda ash production in Ethiopia 65
5.14 Soda ash production in France 65
- 5.14.1 Novacap 67
- 5.14.2 Solvay Carbonate France 67
5.15 Soda ash production in Germany 68
- 5.15.1 Solvay Soda Deutschland GmbH 69
- 5.15.2 Sodawerk Stassfurt GmbH & Co. KG 70
5.16 Soda ash production in India 70
- 5.16.1 Dhrangadhra Chemical Works (DCW) 75
- 5.16.2 Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Limited (GHCL) 76
- 5.16.3 Nirma Ltd. 76
- 5.16.4 Saurashtra Chemicals 77
- 5.16.5 Tata Chemicals Ltd. 77
- 5.16.6 Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals & Fertilisers Ltd. 79
5.17 Soda ash production in Indonesia 79
5.18 Soda ash production in Iran 81
- 5.18.1 Kaveh Soda 82
- 5.18.2 Shiraz Petrochemical Co. (SPC) 82
- 5.18.3 Solforin Co. 82
5.19 Soda ash production in Italy 82
- 5.19.1 Solvay Chimica Italia SpA 83
5.20 Soda ash production in Japan 84
- 5.20.1 Central Glass Co., Ltd. 86
- 5.20.2 Tokuyama Corp. 87
5.21 Soda ash production in Kazakhstan 87
5.22 Soda ash production in Kenya 88
- 5.22.1 Magadi Soda Co. 89
5.23 Soda ash production in North Korea 90
5.24 Soda ash production in South Korea 90
5.25 Soda ash production in Kyrgystan 91
5.26 Supply of soda ash in Malaysia 92
5.27 Soda ash production in Mexico 92
- 5.27.1 Industria del Alcali SA de CV 92
- 5.27.2 Tronamex SA de CV 93
5.28 Soda ash production in Netherlands 93
- 5.28.1 Brunner Mond BV 94
5.29 Soda ash production in Pakistan 95
- 5.29.1 ICI Pakistan 96
- 5.29.2 Olympia Chemical Industries Pvt. Ltd. 97
5.30 Soda ash production in Poland 97
- 5.30.1 Ciech SA 98
5.31 Soda ash production in Portugal 99
- 5.31.1 Solvay Portugal - Produtos Quimicos 99
5.32 Soda ash production in Romania 100
- 5.32.1 Bega Group 101
  - 5.32.1.1 Uzinele Sodice Govora (USG) 101
  - 5.32.1.2 Bega Upsom Ocna Mures 102
5.33 Soda ash production in Russia 102
- 5.33.1 JSC Glinozem 105
- 5.33.2 JSC Soda Berezniki 106
- 5.33.3 JSC Soda Sterlitamak 106
- 5.33.4 Achinsk Alumina Refinery (AGK-Rusal) 107
5.34 Supply of soda ash in Saudi Arabia 108
5.35 Supply of soda ash in South Africa 110
5.36 Soda ash production in Spain 110
- 5.36.1 Solvay (Electrolisis de Torrelavega AEI) 111
5.37 Soda ash production in Taiwan 112
5.38 Soda ash production in Tanzania 113
5.39 Supply of soda ash in Thailand 113
5.40 Soda ash production in Turkey 114
- 5.40.1 Eti Soda AS 115
- 5.40.2 Rio Tur Madencilik (RTM) 115
- 5.40.3 Soda Sanayii AS 116
5.41 Soda ash production in Turkmenistan 116
5.42 Soda ash production in Ukraine 117
- 5.42.1 Crimsoda 118
- 5.42.2 JSC Lisichansk Soda 120
5.43 Soda ash production in UK 120
- 5.43.1 Brunner Mond 121
5.44 Soda ash production in the USA 123
- 5.44.1 Trona mining royalty issues in the USA 128
- 5.44.2 FMC Wyoming Corp. 129
- 5.44.3 General Chemical (Soda Ash) Partners 131
- 5.44.4 OCI Wyoming LP 131
- 5.44.5 Searles Valley Minerals Inc. (SVM) 132
- 5.44.6 Solvay Chemicals Inc. 133
- 5.44.6.1 American Soda LLP 134
- 5.44.7 Wold Trona Co. 135
- 5.44.8 Other trona and nahcolite operations in the USA 136
- 5.44.9 ANSAC and US exports of soda ash 136
5.45 Soda ash production in Uzbekistan 139

6. World consumption of soda ash 140

6.1 Consumption of soda ash in east and southeast Asia 141
- 6.1.1 Consumption of soda ash in China 142
- 6.1.2 Consumption of soda ash in Japan 142
6.2 Consumption of soda ash in the USA 144
6.3 Consumption of soda ash in Europe 146
6.4 Soda ash consumption by end use 147
- 6.4.1 Outlook for soda ash consumption in glass 147
- 6.4.2 Outlook for soda ash consumption in detergents and detergent chemicals 148
- 6.4.3 Outlook for soda ash consumption in other chemicals 149
- 6.4.4 Outlook for soda ash consumption in other markets 150

7. International trade in soda ash 151

7.1 World exports of soda ash 151
7.2 World imports of soda ash 158
7.3 National import duties on soda ash 163
- 7.3.1 EU import duties on soda ash 163
- 7.3.2 Brazils import duties on soda ash 164
- 7.3.3 Indias import duties on soda ash 165
- 7.3.4 Pakistans import duties on soda ash 166
- 7.3.5 South African import duties on soda ash 166
- 7.3.6 Import duties on soda ash imposed by other countries 166

8. Consumption of soda ash in glass 167

8.1 Raw materials used in glassmaking 169
- 8.1.1 Use of soda ash in glassmaking 170
- 8.1.2 Impact of other glassmaking raw materials on soda ash consumption 170
  - 8.1.2.1 Dolomite 170
  - 8.1.2.2 Feldspar and nepheline syenite 171
  - 8.1.2.3 Other raw materials 171
  - 8.1.2.4 Cullet 172
8.2 World production of glass 172
- 8.2.1 Production of glass in western Europe 174
- 8.2.2 Production of glass in eastern Europe 178
- 8.2.3 Production of glass in the USA 179
8.3 Production of container glass 180
- 8.3.1 Production of container glass in Europe 181
- 8.3.2 Production of container glass in the USA 182
- 8.3.3 Production of container glass in the Asia-Pacific region 183
- 8.3.4 Main producers of container glass 188
  - 8.3.4.1 Owens Illinois (O-I) 189
  - 8.3.4.2 Saint Gobain 190
8.4 Demand for container glass 191
- 8.4.1 Demand for container glass in beverage markets 193
- 8.4.2 Lightweighting in container glass 196
- 8.4.3 Alternative packaging materials to container glass 197
  - 8.4.3.1 Production and markets for PET in packaging 197
  - 8.4.3.2 Production and markets for aluminium and tinplate in packaging 199
- 8.4.4 Recycled container glass and other packaging materials 203
  - 8.4.4.1 Recycled container glass 204
  - 8.4.4.2 Recycled PET 206
  - 8.4.4.3 Recycled aluminium 208
8.5 Production of flat glass 211
- 8.5.1 Production of flat glass in Europe 213
- 8.5.2 Production of flat glass in North America 214
- 8.5.3 Production of flat glass in South America 217
- 8.5.4 Production of flat glass in the Middle East 217
- 8.5.5 Production of flat glass in Asia 219
  - 8.5.5.1 Flat glass production in China 219
  - 8.5.5.2 Flat glass production in India 223
  - 8.5.5.3 Flat glass production in Indonesia 224
  - 8.5.5.4 Flat glass production in Taiwan 225
  - 8.5.5.5 Flat glass production in other Asian countries 226
- 8.5.6 Main producers of flat glass 228
  - 8.5.6.1 Asahi Glass 230
  - 8.5.6.2 Guardian Industries 231
  - 8.5.6.3 Pilkington 231
  - 8.5.6.4 Saint Gobain 234
- 8.5.7 Trends in demand for flat glass 234
  - 8.5.7.1 Demand for architectural glass 235
  - 8.5.7.2 Demand for automotive glass 237
8.6 Production of fibreglass 242
- 8.6.1 Manufacture of textile grade fibreglass (TGFG) 243
- 8.6.2 Manufacture of insulation grade fibreglass (IGFG) 243
- 8.6.3 Production of fibreglass by region 244
- 8.6.4 Production of fibreglass by company 248
  - 8.6.4.1 Owens Corning 248
  - 8.6.4.2 Saint Gobain 250
  - 8.6.4.3 PPG 251
- 8.6.5 End uses for fibreglass 252
8.7 Production of cathode ray tube (CRT) and other display panel glass 253
- 8.7.1 CRT glass production 254
- 8.7.2 CRT glass market outlook 257
8.8 Production of other types of glass 258
- 8.8.1 Tableware 258
- 8.8.2 Optical fibres 260
8.9 Consumption of soda ash in glass 261
- 8.9.1 Outlook for soda ash in glass 262

9. Consumption of soda ash in the production of chemicals 264

9.1 Consumption of soda ash in sodium silicates 264
- 9.1.1 Manufacture of sodium silicates 265
- 9.1.2 Production of sodium silicates 266
- 9.1.3 Consumption of sodium silicates 274
  - 9.1.3.1 Use of sodium silicates in detergents 278
  - 9.1.3.2 Use of sodium silicates in precipitated silica production 280
- 9.1.4 Future demand for sodium silicates 281
9.2 Consumption of soda ash in sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) 282
- 9.2.1 Production of STPP in western Europe 283
- 9.2.2 Production of STPP in the Americas 285
- 9.2.3 Production of STPP in Asia 287
- 9.2.4 Production of STPP in the Middle East and Africa 290
- 9.2.5 Outlook for STPP production 290
9.3 Consumption of soda ash in caustic soda 291
9.4 Consumption of soda ash in sodium bicarbonate 292
- 9.4.1 World production of sodium bicarbonate 292
- 9.4.2 World consumption of sodium bicarbonate 295
9.5 Consumption of soda ash in other sodium carbonate chemicals 297
- 9.5.1 Sodium percarbonate 297
- 9.5.2 Hydrated sodium carbonate 298
- 9.5.3 Sodium sesquicarbonate 298
9.6 Consumption of soda ash in sodium chromate and dichromate 299
- 9.6.1 World production of chromium chemicals 299
- 9.6.2 Markets for chromium chemicals 300
- 9.6.3 World demand and outlook for chromium chemicals 302
9.7 Consumption of soda ash in other chemicals 303
- 9.7.1 Consumption of soda ash in strontium carbonate 303
- 9.7.2 Consumption of soda ash in sodium hexacyanoferrate 304
- 9.7.3 Consumption of soda ash in sodium cyanide 304
9.8 Demand for soda ash in chemicals 304
9.9 Outlook for soda ash demand in chemicals manufacture 307

10. Direct use of soda ash in soap and detergents 308

10.1 The detergent industry 309
10.2 Trends affecting soda ash consumption in detergents 310

11. Use of soda ash and its derivatives in other applications 312

11.1 Use of soda ash in water treatment 312
11.2 Use of soda ash in flue gas desulphurisation 313
11.3 Use of soda ash in pulp and paper 315
11.4 Use of soda ash in drilling fluids 318
11.5 Use of soda ash in calcium bentonite conversion 318
11.6 Use of soda ash in electroplating 319
11.7 Use of soda ash in the primary production of lead 320
11.8 Use of soda ash in hydrogen sulphide recovery 321
11.9 Use of soda ash in foundry sands 321
11.10 Use of soda ash in bromine production 322
11.11 Other uses of soda ash 323

12. Prices for soda ash 324

12.1 Soda ash prices in the USA 324
12.2 Soda ash prices in Europe 331
12.3 Soda ash prices in other countries 333
12.4 Prices of chemicals derived from soda ash 335
12.5 Future prices of soda ash 335
- 12.5.1 Factors affecting soda ash prices in Europe 336
- 12.5.2 Factors affecting soda ash prices in the USA 337
- 12.5.3 Factors affecting soda ash prices in Asia 337

List of Tables

Table 1: Composition of soda ash produced from various sources 8
Table 2: Properties of soda ash 9
Table 3: Sodium carbonate containing minerals 10
Table 4: World: Natural soda ash reserves and reserve base 11
Table 5: Nepheline process: Material balance 21
Table 6: Nepheline process: Co-product recoveries 21
Table 7: World: Regional soda ash production capacity by type, 2005 22
Table 8: World: Soda ash production capacity by main company, 2005 23
Table 9: World: Soda ash capacity by country and company, 2004-5 23
Table 10: World: Summary of soda ash capacity closures, 1991 to 2005 26
Table 11: World: Added and projected start-up capacity since 2003 27
Table 12: World: Summary of soda ash plant expansions since 2001 28
Table 13: World: Regional production of soda ash, 1995 to 2004 29
Table 14: World: Production of soda ash by country, 1995 to 2004 31
Table 15: World: Forecast soda ash production by main producing area, 2005 and 2010 34
Table 16: Argentina: Soda ash imports by country of origin, 1996 to 2004 35
Table 17: Australia: Exports and imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1999-2004 36
Table 18: Austria: Imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1999 to 2004 38
Table 19: Belgium: Imports and exports of soda ash, 1999 to 2004 39
Table 20: Solvay: Worldwide soda ash capacity by plant, 2004 40
Table 21: Botswana: Soda ash exports, 2000 to 2001 43
Table 22: Brazil: Imports of soda ash, 1998 to 2004 45
Table 23: Bulgaria: Exports of soda ash by main countries of destination, 1996 to 2004 46
Table 24: China: Soda ash production and trade, 1991 to 2004 49
Table 25: China: Soda ash production capacity by company, 2004 50
Table 26: Dahua Group: Production of soda ash, 1997 to 2002 52
Table 27: Ihjuchem, China: Estimated natural soda ash capacity, 2004 60
Table 28: China: Exports of soda ash by country of destination, 1996 to 2004 63
Table 29: Ethiopia: Production of soda ash, 1995 to 2004 65
Table 30: France: Soda ash production and trade, 1991 to 2004 66
Table 31: France: Imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1997 to 2004 66
Table 32: France: Estimated exports of soda ash, 1997 to 2004 67
Table 33: Germany: Soda ash production and trade, 1991 to 2004 68
Table 34: Germany: Imports and exports of soda ash by country, 1997 to 2004 69
Table 35: India: Soda ash production and trade, 1991 to 2004 71
Table 36: India: Soda ash capacity production by company, 2003/4 72
Table 37: India: Imports and exports of soda ash, 1996 to 2003 74
Table 38: GHCL: Production and sales of soda ash, 1997 to 2003 76
Table 39: Nirma Ltd.: Production and sales of soda ash, 2001 to 2004 77
Table 40: Tata Chemicals: Soda ash production and sales, 1997 to 2004 78
Table 41: Tuticorin Alkali: Soda ash production and sales 1997-2002 79
Table 42: Indonesia: Imports of soda ash by country, 1997 to 2004 81
Table 43: Iran: Imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1998-2003 81
Table 44: Italy: Soda ash production and trade, 1991 to 2004 83
Table 45: Italy: Imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1996 to 2004 83
Table 46: Japan: Soda ash production, demand and trade, 1991 to 2004 84
Table 47: Kenya: Soda ash exports by country of destination, 1997 to 2004 88
Table 48: Magadi Soda: Typical analysis of raw material used in soda ash production 89
Table 49: South Korea: Soda ash imports by country of origin, 1996-2004 91
Table 50: Malaysia: Imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1997 to 2004 92
Table 51: Netherlands: Imports and exports of soda ash by main partner country, 1997 to 2004 94
Table 52: Pakistan: Potential soda ash supply-demand balance 1999 to 2004 96
Table 53: ICI Pakistan: Soda ash production and sales, 2003 and 2004 97
Table 54: Poland: Soda ash supply and demand, 1995-2004 98
Table 55: Poland: Exports of soda ash by country of destination, 1996 to 2004 98
Table 56: Portugal: Soda ash production and trade, 1991 to 2004 99
Table 57: Romania: Soda ash production and trade, 1991 to 2004 100
Table 58: Romania: Exports of soda ash by country of destination, 1996 to 2004 101
Table 59: Russia: Soda ash production and trade, 1992 to 2004 103
Table 60: Russia: Soda ash capacity by company, 2004 104
Table 61: Russia: Production of synthetic soda ash by company, 1997 to 2004 104
Table 62: Russia: Soda ash exports by country of destination, 1997-2003 104
Table 63: Russia: Soda ash sells pattern by company in 2004 105
Table 64: Russia: Structure of soda ash consumption by industry in 2004 105
Table 65: Saudi Arabia: Imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1997 to 2003 109
Table 66: South Africa: Estimated imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1998 to 2004 110
Table 67: Spain: Soda ash production and trade, 1991 to 2004 111
Table 68: Taiwan: Production and trade of soda ash, 1991 to 2004 112
Table 69: Taiwan: Imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1996 to 2004 112
Table 70: Thailand: Imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1996 to 2004 113
Table 71: Turkey: Soda ash production and trade, 1991 to 2004 114
Table 72: Turkey: Imports of soda ash by country of origin, 1996 to 2004 115
Table 73: Ukraine: Soda ash capacity by company, 2004 117
Table 74: Ukraine: Soda ash production and trade, 1992 to 2004 117
Table 75: Ukraine: Production of synthetic soda ash by company, 1997 to 2004 118
Table 76: Ukraine: Exports of soda ash by country, 1999 to 2004 118
Table 77: UK: Soda ash production and trade, 1991 to 2004 120
Table 78: UK: Soda ash exports by country of destination, 1996 to 2004 121
Table 79: Brunner Mond: Soda ash capacity by plant, 2004 122
Table 80: Brunner Mond: Soda ash products 122
Table 81: USA: Soda ash production, trade and consumption, 1986 to 2004 123
Table 82: USA: Soda ash production capacity, 2003 125
Table 83: USA: Production of trona in Wyoming by company, 1994 to 2003 126
Table 84: USA: Active and idled soda ash production capacity, 2001-2004 127
Table 85: USA: Exports of soda ash by region, 1995 to 2004 137
Table 86: Japan: Demand for soda ash by end use, 1995 to 2003 143
Table 87: USA: Consumption of soda ash by end use, 1985 to 2003 145
Table 88: World: Exports of soda ash by main countries of origin, 1996 to 2004 151
Table 89: World: Exports of soda ash by main countries, 2002 155
Table 90: World: Exports of soda ash by main countries, 2003 156
Table 91: World: Exports of soda ash by main countries, 2004 157
Table 92: World: Imports of soda ash by main countries of destination, 1996-2004 159
Table 93: World: Imports of soda ash by main countries, 2002 161
Table 94: World: Imports of soda ash by main countries, 2003 162
Table 95: World: Imports of soda ash by main countries, 2004 163
Table 96: Characteristics of the most commercial types of glass 167
Table 97: Typical batch compositions of various glass types 169
Table 98: Typical oxide contents of glass types 169
Table 99: EU: Production of glass by type, 1985 to 2003 174
Table 100: Germany: Glass production by type, 1990 to 2003 175
Table 101: France: Glass production by type, 1990 to 2003 176
Table 102: Italy: Glass production by type, 1990 to 2003 176
Table 103:UK: Estimated sales of glass by type, 1990 to 2003 177
Table 104: Czech Republic: Production of glass, 1994 to 2003 178
Table 105: Poland: Production of glass by type, 1994 to 2001 179
Table 106: USA: Production of container glass and flat glass, 1991 to 2003 179
Table 107: EU: Container glass production, 1995 to 2003 181
Table 108: USA: Production of glass containers, 1995 to 2003 183
Table 109: Japan: Production of container glass, 1990 to 2000 184
Table 110: Japan: Shipments of glass bottles by type, 1996 to 1998 185
Table 111: India: Glass container capacity by company, 2003 186
Table 112: Sisecam: Container glass capacity by plant, 2002 188
Table 113: ACI Glass, Australia: Container glass production capacity by plant, 2003 189
Table 114: Owens Illinois: Location of container glass plants, 2004 190
Table 115: Saint Gobain: Location of container glass plants, 2002 191
Table 116: Saint Gobain: Container glass capacity in France and Brazil by plant, 2002 191
Table 117: USA: Forecast demand for food container packaging, 1995, 2000 and 2005 192
Table 118:World: Production of beer, 1996-2002 193
Table 119: World: Production of wine, 1996-2003 195
Table 120: Reporting European countries: Division of beverage containers by type, 2001 196
Table 121: USA: Demand for carbonated soft drinks containers, 1990 to 1998 196
Table 122: World: Historic and forecast PET consumption by region, 1983-2005 198
Table 123: World: Estimated forecast demand for PET by end use, 2005 199
Table 124: Europe: Producers of beverage cans, 2004 200
Table 125: Europe: Beverage can usage and recycling, 2001 201
Table 126: USA: Beverage can shipments, 1990 to 2002 202
Table 127: Container Recycling Alliance: Details of processing plants, 2001 206
Table 128: Japan: Recycling of PET bottles, 1993 to 2003 207
Table 129: USA: Recycling of PET bottles, 1995 to 2003 207
Table 130: USA: Consumption of recycled PET by market, 1996 to 2003 207
Table 131: EU: End use markets for RPET, 2003 208
Table 132: USA: Recycling of aluminium beverage cans, 1990 to 2004 209
Table 133: World: New float glass lines 2003-2006 213
Table 134: EU: Flat glass production, 1993 to 2003 214
Table 135: USA: Production of flat glass, 1990 to 2002 215
Table 136: USA: Production and shipments of flat glass by type, 1997 to 2002 215
Table 137: USA: Production of flat glass by thickness, 1992 to 2002 216
Table 138: USA: Production of flat glass by colour, 1992 to 2002 216
Table 139: South America: Leading flat glass companies by country, 2002 217
Table 140: Middle East: Current float glass capacity by country and company, 2004 218
Table 141: Middle East: Proposed float glass capacity by country and company, 2004 218
Table 142: China: Production of plate glass, 1993 to 2003 220
Table 143: Western China: Flat glass capacity by company, 2004 221
Table 144: China: Joint venture float glass plants with foreign ownership, 2001 222
Table 145: PT Asahimas Flat Glass, Indonesia: Production and capacity utilisation, 1995-2003 225
Table 146: Taiwan Glass Industrial Corp.: Glass capacity by plant, 2004 226
Table 147: World: Company contol of regional float/sheet glass production capacity, 2003 229
Table 148: World: Float glass joint ventures since 2001 230
Table 149: Pilkington: Locations of float glass plants, 2004 232
Table 150: World: Recent demand for high quality float glass and outlook by region, 2004 235
Table 151: USA: Historic and forecast consumption of advanced flat glass by product, 1993-2013 235
Table 152: Selected countries: Average construction rate of housing, 1996 to 2003 236
Table 153: Selected countries: Average construction rate of non-residential buildings, 1996 to 2003 237
Table 154: World: Production of cars by country 1997-2002 238
Table 155: World: Production of light commercial vehicles by country, 1997-2002 240
Table 156: Typical chemical composition of types of fibreglass 243
Table 157: EU, Japan & the USA: Production of fibreglass, 1986 to 2003 246
Table 158: Germany, France & Italy: Production of fibreglass, 1995 to 2003 246
Table 159: Owens Corning: Locations of fibreglass plants, 2002 249
Table 160: Saint Gobain: Locations of plants producing fibreglass, 2002 251
Table 161: PPG: Location and ownership share of fibreglass plants, 2003 252
Table 162: Asahi & NEG: Worldwide CRT glass operations, 2004 255
Table 163: China: Major manufacturers of CRT panels, 2002 256
Table 164: World: Historic and forecast output of flat screen displays, 1997-2007 256
Table 165: World: Display market by type, 2000 to 2006 258
Table 166: EU: Production of tableware by country, 1990 to 2003 259
Table 167: USA: Shipments of glassware, 1994 to 2003 259
Table 168: USA: Consumption of soda ash in glass, 1970 to 2004 261
Table 169: USA: Consumption of soda ash compared to production of container and flat glass, 1991 to 2003 262
Table 170: World: Estimated forecast soda ash consumption in the glass industry, 2003 and 2008 263
Table 171: USA: Sodium silicate production capacity by company, 2001 268
Table 172: Europe: Sodium silicate plants using furnace technology, 2004 269
Table 173: South America: Sodium silicate production capacity by company, 2000 270
Table 174: China: Known capacity of sodium silicate producers, 2004 271
Table 175: Europe: Sales and consumption of sodium and potassium silicates, 1999 274
Table 176: Principal applications of sodium silicates 276
Table 177: INEOS Silicas: Detergent applications of soluble silicate products 277
Table 178: Typical material balance for the hydrogel process 279
Table 179: World: Specialty silica production capacity, 1998 and 2002 280
Table 180: Europe: STPP production capacity by company, end 2001 285
Table 181: North & South America: STPP production capacity by company, 2004 286
Table 182: China: STPP production capacity by company, 2004 288
Table 183: Africa & Middle East: STPP production capacity, 2004 290
Table 184: World: Production capacity of sodium bicarbonate from soda ash by company, 2003 293
Table 185: World: Leading producers of sodium dichromate, 2002 300
Table 186: Japan: Demand for domestically produced soda ash by the chemical sector, 1995 to 2003 306
Table 187: World: Wood pulp production by type, 1998-2003 315
Table 188: World: Producers of sodium exchanged bentonite, 2003 319
Table 189: Typical formulations of alkaline cleaning solutions used prior to electroplating different metals 320
Table 190: World: Companies producing bromine from seawater, 2001 322
Table 191: USA: List and large contract prices for dense, natural soda ash from Wyoming, 1993 to 2004 324
Table 192: USA: Year end list prices of soda ash (58% Na2O), 1981 to 2004 325
Table 193: USA: Average annual value and year end list prices by mine of dense natural soda ash, 1981 to 2004 327
Table 194: USA: Unit value of soda ash exports for selected countries of destination, 1995-2004 328
Table 195: USA: Monthly unit value of exported soda ash to principal countries of destination, January 2004 to February 2005 329
Table 196: Europe: Changes in list prices for synthetic light and dense soda ash, 1994 to March 2005 331
Table 197: Western Europe: Average values of imported soda ash from main countries of origin, 1998 to 2004 332
Table 198: Non-European countries: Average values of imported soda ash from main countries of destination, 1996 to 2004 334
Table 199: USA: List prices of selected chemicals related to soda ash, 1998 to 2004 335

List of Figures

Figure 1: Processing steps in the production of soda ash from trona by the monohydrate and sesquicarbonate processes 13
Figure 2: Flow diagram for the production of soda ash by the Solvay process 16
Figure 3: World: Soda ash production by region, 2004 29
Figure 4: Botash: soda ash production, 1991 to 2004 43
Figure 5: Canada: Imports and exports of soda ash 1999 to 2004 48
Figure 6: China: Soda ash production by province, 2003 51
Figure 7: SanYou Chemical: Typical demand for company soda ash by end use 57
Figure 8: China: Estimated soda ash consumption, 1999-2010 62
Figure 9: China & USA: Exports to Southeast and East Asia, 1999 to 2004 63
Figure 10: India: Growth in soda ash production compared with national GDP, 1991-2004 71
Figure 11: India: Trade in soda ash by grade, 2003 75
Figure 12: Indonesia: Imports of soda ash, 1994 to 2004 80
Figure 13: Japan: Soda ash supply and national GDP growth, 1992-2004 85
Figure 14: Japan: Origin of soda ash imports by country, 1996-2004 86
Figure 15: Kenya: Soda ash production and exports, 1995 to 2004 88
Figure 16: South Korea: Growth in soda ash imports from China and the USA, 1996 to 2004 91
Figure 17: Netherlands: Soda ash trade, 1991 to 2004 94
Figure 18: AGK-Rusal: Soda ash production, 1997-2005 107
Figure 19: Saudi Arabia: Imports of soda ash from the USA, 1996-2004 109
Figure 20: Crimsoda, Ukraine: Soda ash production by grade, 2000-2003 119
Figure 21: USA: Growth in soda ash production, consumption and exports, 1990 to 2004 124
Figure 22: USA: Growth in soda ash production costs due to rise in natural gas price, 1990-2005 128
Figure 23: ANSAC & China: Share of Asian soda ash market, 1997-2001 138
Figure 24: World: Estimated soda ash consumption by region, 2004 140
Figure 25: China: Estimated soda ash demand by industrial sector, 2000 142
Figure 26: Japan: Growth in soda ash demand and GDP, 1995-2004 144
Figure 27: USA: Consumption of soda ash by end use, 1970 to 2003 145
Figure 28: Western Europe: Estimated consumption of soda ash by end use, 2004 146
Figure 29: World: Estimated soda ash consumption by end use, 2003 147
Figure 30: World: Ranking of countries exporting soda ash, 2004 152
Figure 31: USA: Exports of soda ash by region, 1995 to 2004 153
Figure 32: USA: Soda ash shipments by destination region, 2004 153
Figure 33: China: Exports of soda ash by region, 1999 to 2004 154
Figure 34: World: Ranking of countries importing soda ash, 2004 160
Figure 35: World: Total and regional glass production by type, 2000 173
Figure 36: World: Glass production by region, 2003 173
Figure 37: EU: Production of glass by type 1985 to 2003 175
Figure 38: EU: Glass production by type and main producing country, 2003 177
Figure 39: World: Container glass production by region, 2003 180
Figure 40: EU: Annual changes in container glass production, 1990-2003 182
Figure 41: India: Production of container glass and hollow wares, 1995-2003 185
Figure 42: India: consumption of container glass by end use, 2003 186
Figure 43: BSN Glasspack: Sales of container glass by end use sector, 2003 189
Figure 44: USA: Comparison of materials used in beer packaging, 1993 to 2002 194
Figure 45: Europe: Empty can shipments for alcoholic and soft drinks by country, 2001 202
Figure 46: Europe: Glass recycling rates by country 2003 205
Figure 47: USA: Recycling of aluminium beverage cans, 1972 to 2004 210
Figure 48: Europe: Recycling rates of used aluminium beverage cans by country, 2001 211
Figure 49: China: Plate glass production, 1991-2003 220
Figure 50: India: Consumption of float glass by end use, 2004 223
Figure 51: South Korea: Production of plate glass, 1990 to 1999 227
Figure 52: World: Control of high quality float glass production capacity, 2003 228
Figure 53: World: High quality float glass capacity by main producer, 2003 229
Figure 54: Asahi Glass: Regional sales in terms of value, 2004 230
Figure 55: Pilkington Glass: End uses for flat glass, 2003 233
Figure 56: China: Consumption of fibreglass in application form, 2003 247
Figure 57: World: Glass reinforcement market by end use (volume), 2003 253
Figure 58: World: Display market by type, 2000-2006 258
Figure 59: World: Production of optical fibres by company, 1999 260
Figure 60: Manufacturing sodium silicates by the furnace process 266
Figure 61: Japan & USA: Production of sodium silicate, 1985 to 2004 267
Figure 62: USA: Consumption of sodium silicate by end use, 2002 275
Figure 63: World: Demand for specialty silicas by region, 2002 281
Figure 64: Japan: STPP production, 1980 to 2003 289
Figure 65: Process for manufacturing caustic soda using soda ash 291
Figure 66: USA & China: Sodium bicarbonate production, 1995-2003 294
Figure 67: World: Estimated demand for sodium bicarbonate by region and end use, 2003 296
Figure 68: World & USA: Estimated consumption of soda ash in chemical manufacture 305
Figure 69: USA: Reported consumption of soda ash by the chemical industry, 1970 to 2003 306
Figure 70: USA & Japan: Consumption of soda ash in soaps and detergents, 1976 to 2003 311
Figure 71: USA: Consumption of soda ash in water treatment, 1970 to 2003 313
Figure 72: USA: Consumption of soda ash in flue gas desulphurisation, 1984 to 2003 314
Figure 73: World: Historic and forecast production of wood pulp, 1990-2009 316
Figure 74: USA: Consumption of soda ash in the production of pulp and paper, 1970 to 2003 317
Figure 75: USA: Year end list prices of light and dense soda ash, 1981 to 2004 326
Figure 76: USA: Average annual value and year end list prices by mine of dense natural soda ash, 1981 to 2004 328
Figure 77: USA: Monthly unit value of exported soda ash to principal countries of destination, January 2004 to February 2005 329
Figure 78: Western Europe: Average value of soda ash imports for selected countries, 1998 to 2004 333

List of Appendices

Appendix A - International trade statistics A1-A24

List of Appendix A Tables

Table A1: Argentina: Imports of disodium carbonate A1
Table A2: Argentina: Imports of other disodium carbonate A1
Table A3: Australia: Imports of disodium carbonate A1
Table A4: Austria: Imports of disodium carbonate A1
Table A5: Bahrain: Imports of disodium carbonate A2
Table A6: Belgium: Exports of disodium carbonate A2
Table A7: Belgium: Imports of disodium carbonate A2
Table A8: Brazil: Imports of disodium carbonate A3
Table A9: Canada: Exports of disodium carbonate A3
Table A10: Canada: Imports of disodium carbonate A3
Table A11: Chile: Imports of disodium carbonate A3
Table A12: China: Exports of disodium carbonate A4
Table A13: China: Imports of disodium carbonate A4
Table A14: Colombia: Imports of disodium carbonate A4
Table A15: Czech Republic: Imports of disodium carbonate A5
Table A16: Denmark: Imports of disodium carbonate A5
Table A17: Finland: Imports of disodium carbonate A5
Table A18: France: Imports of disodium carbonate A6
Table A19: Germany: Exports of disodium carbonate A6
Table A20: Germany: Imports of disodium carbonate A7
Table A21: Greece: Imports of disodium carbonate A7
Table A22: Hong Kong: Exports of disodium carbonate A7
Table A23: Hong Kong: Imports of disodium carbonate A8
Table A24: India: Exports of disodium carbonate A8
Table A25: India: Exports of disodium carbonate, light A8
Table A26: India: Imports of disodium carbonate A9
Table A27: India: Imports of disodium carbonate, light A9
Table A28: Indonesia: Imports of disodium carbonate A9
Table A29: Iran: Imports of disodium carbonate A9
Table A30: Italy: Imports of disodium carbonate A10
Table A31: Japan: Exports of disodium carbonate A10
Table A32: Japan: Imports of disodium carbonate A10
Table A33: Japan: Imports of soda ash A10
Table A34: Jordan: Imports of disodium carbonate A11
Table A35: Malaysia: Imports of disodium carbonate A11
Table A36: Mexico: Exports of disodium carbonate A11
Table A37: Mexico: Imports of disodium carbonate A11
Table A38: Netherlands: Exports of disodium carbonate A12
Table A39: Netherlands: Imports of disodium carbonate A12
Table A40: Norway: Imports of disodium carbonate A12
Table A41: Oman: Imports of disodium carbonate A13
Table A42: Pakistan: Imports of disodium carbonate A13
Table A43: Philippines: Imports of disodium carbonate A13
Table A44: Poland: Exports of disodium carbonate A14
Table A45: Poland: Imports of disodium carbonate A14
Table A46: Portugal: Exports of disodium carbonate A14
Table A47: Portugal: Imports of disodium carbonate A15
Table A48: Romania: Exports of disodium carbonate A15
Table A49: Romania: Imports of disodium carbonate A15
Table A50: Russia: Exports of disodium carbonate A16
Table A51: Russia: Imports of disodium carbonate A16
Table A52: Saudi Arabia: Imports of disodium carbonate A16
Table A53: Singapore: Exports of disodium carbonate A17
Table A54: Singapore: Imports of disodium carbonate A17
Table A55: South Africa: Exports of disodium carbonate A17
Table A56: South Africa: Imports of disodium carbonate A18
Table A57: South Korea: Exports of disodium carbonate A18
Table A58: South Korea: Imports of disodium carbonate A18
Table A59: Sri Lanka: Imports of disodium carbonate A19
Table A60: Sweden: Imports of disodium carbonate A19
Table A61: Switzerland: Exports of disodium carbonate A19
Table A62: Switzerland: Imports of disodium carbonate A20
Table A63: Taiwan: Exports of disodium carbonate A20
Table A64: Taiwan: Imports of disodium carbonate A20
Table A65: Thailand: Exports of disodium carbonate A20
Table A66: Thailand: Imports of disodium carbonate A21
Table A67: Turkey: Exports of disodium carbonate A21
Table A68: Turkey: Imports of disodium carbonate A21
Table A69: Ukraine: Exports of disodium carbonate A22
Table A70: Ukraine: Imports of disodium carbonate A22
Table A71: United Kingdom: Imports of disodium carbonate A22
Table A72: United Kingdom: Exports of disodium carbonate A23
Table A73: United States: Exports of disodium carbonate A23
Table A74: United States: Imports of disodium carbonate A24
Table A75: Venezuela: Imports of disodium carbonate A24

The Economics of Soda Ash, 10 th Edition

Table of Contents

1. Summary 1

2. Occurrence, mining and processing of soda ash 7

3. World soda ash production capacity 22

4. World production of soda ash 29

5. World soda ash production by country 35

6. World consumption of soda ash 140

7. International trade in soda ash 151

8. Consumption of soda ash in glass 167

9. Consumption of soda ash in the production of chemicals 264

10. Direct use of soda ash in soap and detergents 308

11. Use of soda ash and its derivatives in other applications 312

12. Prices for soda ash 324

List of Tables

List of Figures

List of Appendices

List of Appendix A Tables