Roskill - Expanding The World's Knowledge of Metals and Minerals Markets
Table of Contents
- 1. Summary
- 2. Occurrence
- 3. World soda ash production capacity
- 4. World production of soda ash
- 5. World soda ash production by country
- 6. World consumption of soda ash
- 7. International trade in soda ash
- 8. Consumption of soda ash in glass
- 9. Consumption of soda ash in the production of chemicals
- 10. Direct use of soda ash in soap and detergents
- 11. Use of soda ash and its derivatives in other applications
- 12. Prices for soda ash
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Soda Ash
Tightening market causes increased soda ash prices
A global upswing in soda ash prices since the second half of 2004 reflects a tightening market caused by a surge in demand, as well as increased energy and transportation costs. The tight conditions are expected to remain through to 2006, driven by high growth rates in China, which may continue through to 2010 in connection with construction projects related to the Olympic Games and the World Trade Fair in 2008 and 2010, respectively. World consumption of soda ash in 2004 was an estimated 38Mt having grown by an average of 2.6%pa in recent years but is forecast to increase at a higher rate of 3-4%pa through to 2010. Glass will remain the main market for soda ash in the future, consuming an estimated 16-17Mt in 2004 and forecast to grow at around 3%pa through to 2010, driven more by flat glass (4%pa) than container glass (2%pa). Growth in flat glass has exceeded GDP in recent years because of high demand rates from the world's construction and automotive industries, especially those in China and other Asian countries. The more mature western markets are also experiencing growth, however, helped by the growing demand for value added products, such as solar reflective glass or enhanced security glass. Widespread recycling of cullet will have a direct impact on soda ash consumption in container glass, particularly in mature markets, as the use of cullet reduces the need for raw materials.
The key trends, issues and developments in the market are now analysed in this major new report from Roskill. It provides a clear insight into all areas of the industry and an authoritative analysis of the prospects for the future.
- Independent, in-depth research and analysis
- Essential market intelligence for successful business planning
- Detailed survey of production in 45 countries
- Up-to-date profiles of over 60 producing companies and projects and their activities, including Solvay, FMC Wyoming Corp., General Chemical (Soda Ash) Partners, Soda-Sterlitamak and Brunner Mond
- Forecasts for end-use consumption and world supply and demand
Report highlights
Consumption of soda ash in chemicals manufacture was around 8Mtpy in 2004, and is forecast to grow by 2-3%pa. It is dominated by its use in the production of sodium silicate and STPP for detergents, which accounted for 5.0Mt in 2004. Consumption of soda ash in the production of sodium bicarbonate was around 1.8Mt in 2004, though demand for sodium bicarbonate is growing at an estimated 3-4%pa, reaching 6-9%pa in China and India.
The low cost of producing soda ash in the USA and China allows companies in these countries to absorb higher transportation costs than would be possible for other parts of the world. For this reason, US soda ash, through the export association ANSAC, competes in virtually every market in the world. US producers shipped 4.7Mt (approximately 50% of world total exports) of soda ash to overseas markets in 2004, with an increase largely prompted by the lower value of the US$ against the Euro.
In Europe, the recent growth in production has been limited to eastern countries, as modernisation and plant efficiency become more widespread, along with the low production costs that have made Eastern European soda ash very competitive in the export market. Total European output of 12.5Mt in 2004 represents a 5% increase on the stable level of the previous three years, with Russia growing at an average of 9%pa since 1998. However, there has been very little growth in soda ash demand in Europe since 2002, and this is unlikely to change significantly in the near future.
In 2004 and 2005, China was a key factor in soda ash pricing around the world. Its position in the Asian market has a direct influence on demand for US exports, currently the main driver of soda ash demand in the US. Shortages of both coke and salt in 2004 led to major price rises at home as well as a reduction in exports to Asia in the second half of that year, thereby enhancing demand for US material and contributing to the worldwide tightening of the market. The shortage of metallurgical coke in China and elsewhere, driven by the requirements of the steel industry, has affected coke availability and price in Europe, thereby influencing the cost of soda ash production there.
Buy This Report Now
The Economics of Soda Ash, 10th edition published 01/07/2005
338 pages, 199 tables and 78 figures.
ISBN 0 86214 503 1
Complete report price:
GBP 2100
EUR 3675
USD 4200
plus postage/packing.