It has been an ominous start to the year in the soda ash industry with major market players predicting price increases for 2012, an Indian producer being closed down and Saudi Arabia eyeing a massive new project.
On 2 January news broke that Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd (GHCL), one of India’s largest soda ash producers, had been served a closure notice by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) for causing heavy water and air pollution.
GHCL’s 850,000 tpa synthetic soda ash plant is located in Sutrapada, Junagadh district, Gujarat, and the notice was issued on 29 December 2011. Prior to this, the pollution board had served a 15-day closure notice that ended on 28 December.
With GHCL seeking an extension, the GPCB issued a fresh notice and extended notice period lasting until 28 January 2012.
A joint field inspection comprising locals and the Gandhinagar GPCB...