At the beginning of 2010, the global soda ash industry walks into the recovery channel

Stimulated by demand rebound in industry area,  global soda ash demand is expected to rebound in this year. Michael Wilson, General Manager of U.S. FMC Corporation said that at the beginning of 2010, the global soda ash industry was walking into the recovery channel at an investor call meeting. He said, “After 3% decreasing amplitude in 2009, there are expected to 4% increasing amplitude. The demand of soda ash will be back to the level in 2008, 480 million tons per year.

As the largest end market for soda ash, flat glass will become the main  driving force to increase the demand of soda ash. U.S. housing starts rate and auto sales have rebounded since 2009, which stimulated the demand of flat glass.

Besides, as the largest soda ash market, China have an increase of 5% of soda ash demand. Recently, price of soda ash starts rising in China. Wilson pointed that the Chinese demand of soda ash will take up 50% of the global market.

Total production capacity of five U.S. soda ash makers  is 145 million tons per year. According to the latest survey data, America soda ash output was 930 million tons in 2009, 18% less than that in 2008.