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Glass soda ash consumption to reach 49 million metric tons by 2012

November 5, 2008 – Growth in the soda ash industry continues to be influenced by three
key factors — economy, prices, and supply and demand scenario of
chemicals.

Growth in the soda
ash industry continues to be influenced by three key factors —
economy, prices, and supply and demand scenario of chemicals. Soda ash
consumption can be considered a strong indicator of strength of
economies. This is because demand for soda ash is mainly driven by
glass, an important constituent of the two volatile industries –
automobile manufacture and building industry. Though soda ash
consumption has been relatively flat over the past decade, renewed
demand stems from China and other developing economies of Asia and
Latin America. Demand is mainly being driven by strong demand for float
glass, buoyed by heavy construction activity in these regions.

San Jose, California (PRWEB) October 30, 2008 — Global market for soda ash
is projected to reach 49 million metric tons by 2012, reflecting a CAGR
of 3.56% for the period 2008-2012. Asia-Pacific represents the largest
as well as fastest growing market for soda ash with an estimated 17.2
million metric tons in 2008. Soda ash is primarily used in the
manufacture of glass bottles and other glass containers. It also finds
use in the manufacture of mirrors, windows, glass fibers, television
tubes, glassware, labware, lighting ware, and tableware. Worldwide
demand for soda ash in the glass industry is projected to reach 27.9 million metric tons by 2012, from an estimated 23.9 million metric tons in 2008.

As stated by the recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., global demand for soda ash in the chemical industry
is estimated at 10.2 million metric tons in 2008. Soda ash is also used
in water treatment for controlling pH levels, and in the pulp and paper
industries for wood fiber pulping. In the detergent industry, soda ash
is used in dry detergent applications as the prime alkali to make
phosphates and silicates.

In 2007, the worldwide installed soda ash capacity stood at 47.4
million tons with China and the US leading the pack. The industry has
been witnessing extremely high capacity utilization (85-88%) world
over, and the trend is expected to remain same till 2012. The
projection includes 6 million tons of additional capacities scheduled
to come in line by 2010-2011. Consumption of soda ash per person is
expected to register healthy rise in the next few years with china
leading the rankings with nearly 50% rise in consumption from 10.85
kilograms in 2007 to an expected 15.75 kilograms in 2012.

Major global players profiled in the report include Ciech Chemical
Group, DC Chemical Co. Ltd., FMC Corporation, Hubei Shuanghuan Chemical
Group, Nirma Ltd., Searles Valley Minerals, OCI Chemical Corporation,
Penrice Soda Products, Shandong Haihua Co. Ltd., Solvay, Soda Sanayi,
TATA Chemicals, General Chemical Industrial Products Inc. and Brunner
Mond Group.

The report titled "Soda Ash: A Global Strategic Business Report"
published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive
review of market trends, product overview, key markets worldwide,
product introductions/innovations, and recent industry activity. The
report highlights market drivers, and challenges, in addition to
outlining the changing competitive landscape. The report analyzes
market data and analytics for major geographic regions including the
US, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Spain, Russia,
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), Latin America, and Rest of World.
End-use segments analyzed include Glass (Container Glass, Flat Glass,
Fiber Glass, Other Glass), Chemicals, Soaps & Detergents, Pulp
& Paper, Fluegas Desulfurization, Water Treatment, and
Miscellaneous Applications.

For more details about this research report, please visit
http://www.strategyr.com/Soda_Ash_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA)
is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in
1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world's largest
market research publishers. The company employs over 700 people
worldwide and publishes more than 880 full-scale research reports each
year. Additionally, the company also offers a range of over 60,000
smaller research products including company reports, market trend
reports, and industry reports encompassing all major industries
worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Telephone 408-528-9966
Fax 408-528-9977
Email press@StrategyR.com
Web Site http://www.StrategyR.com/