Solvay Aims to Increase Its Annual Production Capacity of Natural Soda Ash

Solvay plans to increase its annual production capacity of natural soda ash at its Green River plant in Wyoming by 150,000 metric tons as of early next year, to meet growing demand of its U.S. export markets.

"This capacity expansion is an important step in Solvay's three-year action plan to reinforce its global leadership in soda ash by addressing different regional market dynamics. In line with the plan, announced last June, the Group is gradually expanding its U.S. production capacity by about 12 percent," said Christophe Clemente, President of Solvay's Soda Ash & Derivatives global business unit.

Construction works have already begun to expand production capacity at Solvay's Green River trona mine from more than 2 million metric tons a year currently. Green River's best-in-class industrial mining assets produce natural soda, used in glass manufacturing, from the trona mineral. Green River is Solvay's largest U.S. production site, with more than 400 employees.

Solvay Soda Ash and Derivatives is a world leader in its sector, with soda ash serving the glass, detergent and chemical markets and with sodium bicarbonate and trona serving the food, animal feed, flue gas cleaning and healthcare markets. The unit has 12 industrial sites worldwide, more than 4,000 employees and serves 90 countries.