OUTLOOK '20: US soda ash faces new challenges at home and in global markets

摘要

HOUSTON (ICIS)--US soda ash is starting 2020 with longer supply, weaker exports and slumping demand in key end-use markets. It’s a sharp turnaround for US soda ash, which has enjoyed a low-cost production advantage and competitive price position in global markets for years. But new competition from trona-based production in Turkey, and a major production capacity expansion in that region. This has been met by a slowdown in manufacturing and, particularly, a slowdown in container glass production, a key end-use market.