In the United States, a slight drop in prices because of weak domestic demand has dimmed producers“ initial hopes of a second rise in soda ash prices. Domestic demand for 1996 was estimated to be dow…
In the United States, a slight drop in prices because of weak domestic demand has dimmed producers“ initial hopes of a second rise in soda ash prices. Domestic demand for 1996 was estimated to be down slightly on 1995 at 7.1 million tons. Exports, however, rose 10% to 4.4 million tons. Caustic soda prices also fell in the second half of 1996, resulting in substitution for soda ash. Exports from the US are expected to climb about 10% in 1997 to 7.19 million tons. Producers could also benefit from DuPont“s remediation project, which will use 240,000 tons/year, while Asahi is to close a 200,000 tons/year synthetic unit in Japan and acquire products from the US.