Solvay to expand capacity at Wyoming Soda Ash plant
Solvay Group has announced plans to resume construction of its 600,000 tonne soda ash capacity expansion in Green River, WY, USA, extending its position as a global leader. Production is expected to start at the end of 2024 in time to meet growing needs for a secure and cost competitive source of supply.
In addition, a project to deploy a new breakthrough technology to reduce emissions originating from Trona mining operations will be implemented, leading to a 20% reduction of the site’s greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with Solvay’s commitment to decarbonise its operations in line with the company’s One Planet sustainability roadmap. This will be the first implementation of regenerative thermal oxidation technology to abate emissions in a trona mine.
“These investments reinforce Solvay’s leadership position as a long-term, sustainable global supplier to our customers. I am also particularly proud of the role that our innovation is playing to cut greenhouse gas emissions at our Green River facility in the US – where CO2 emissions currently have no cost – contrary to Europe,” said Ilham Kadri, Solvay CEO. “This attractive investment expands our supply of trona-based soda ash and will position the business for superior and responsible growth into the future.”
The investments total around $200 million and complement the previous investment that secured sole ownership of the natural soda ash operation. The facility, operated solely by Solvay since May 2022, produces soda ash and sodium bicarbonate from trona, a naturally occurring mineral to serve markets such as flat glass for building insulation, container glass, detergents as well as fast growing markets including solar panels and lithium carbonate for electric vehicles.
Image: Solvay is expanding soda ash capacity in Green River, WY, USA.