Tata Chemicals, which has opened a
new soda ash plant in Magadi, Kenya,
already owns a 700,000 tpa operation
in the area (
pictured)
The last quarter has seen positive performance for the soda ash industry with leading producers reporting healthy financial results thanks to a strong demand in end market such as Asia and South America.
Solvay, the world’s largest synthetic soda ash producer which also operates fluorspar and strontium mines, posted a 13% year on year rise in recurring earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (REBITDA) to Û264m ($371m) in Q3 2011and a net income of Û73m. ($102.5m) despite falling profit in fluorinated chemicals.
Sales of essential chemicals Ð which include soda ash Ñ into North America declined 9% when compared to levels last year, while sales into Asia and South America increased. This was attributed to Solvay selling directly to markets this...