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Chemical Explorer: As per reports and information, Magadi Soda Company is expected to post a firmer run this year as the effects of global economic downturn and competition from cheaper synthetic imports ease.After a subdued 2009, soda ash production over the first quarter increased by 65.6 per cent from 64,006 tonnes over a similar period last year to 105,977 tonnes, signalling a good performance.Soda ash mining recovered to normal levels in the first quarter of 2010 as the industry recovered from the stiff competition from cheaper synthetic imports from China which forced closure of some plants at Magadi Soda Company at the beginning of 2009,Central Bank of Kenya said in its latest economic review for April.When the aftershocks of the global financial crisis hit Kenya, Magadi Soda was heavily affected owing to the fact that most of its products are for export.Magadi Soda’s production and export account for 40 per cent of the world soda ash, which is primarily used in the manufacturing of glass and detergents.Early last year, slowed export orders saw the company shut down one of its new $97 million (Sh7.7 billion) plant for the whole of February, slashing production almost to half.The affected plant can produce 365,000 tonnes of the company’s total 715,000 tonnes per annum capacity.

Chemical Explorer: As per reports and information,India imported approximately 32709 MT of Soda Ash in January 2010, 25385 MT in February 2010, 26084 MT in March, 44093 MT in April and 38770 MT in May 2010. India imported 224135 MT of Soda Ash during Jan – May 2009 while it was 167041 MT in Jan – May 2010. As per the data analysis by our team, imports of the country have decreased by 25% during Jan 2010 – May 2010, compared to the same period last year. Compared to last month i.e. April 2010 imports of the country have gone down by 12% in the month of May 2010.

Chemical Explorer: As per information and reports,The government's move to impose 16 per cent safeguard duty on soda ash imports from China is going to benefit Indian soda ash producers as it will help increase domestic offtake. However, market players do not see any rise in prices due to the safeguard duty.The 16 per cent duty would help increasing offtake of soda ash produced domestically as the safeguard duty has provided a cushion to the local producers.According to traders, the domestic price of soda ash is nearly Rs 15,000 a tonne, while the price of soda ash imported from China was around Rs 13,500 a tonne prior to the imposition of the levy.If the government had not imposed safeguard duty, the cost of soda ash imported from China would have been 10 per cent lower than the domestic prices.Recently, GHCL, one of the leading soda ash manufacturers in the country, discontinued price discounts, which it was forced to offer as China was selling the commodity at lower rates.Though safeguard duty augurs well for soda ash producers, the prices of the commodity will not rise due to the government decision.There is no proposal for soda ash price hike currently. We do not see any impact of this move on soda ash prices. Till April, the safeguard duty was already in place and the government has extended the levy by a year after a gap of two months from April," said Sanjay Dalmia, Chairman, GHCL, one of the top soda ash manufacturers in the country.Even the soda ash traders are of the view that the levy of safeguard duty will not affect the domestic prices. Soda ash prices have stabilised in the first quarter of the current financial year.Chinese imports had put the prices under pressure in the last quarter of the previous financial year.Soda ash producers say that the demand is good at present. However, traders are of the view that the demand gets affected during monsoon.According to market estimates,India's soda ash imports during January-April in 2009-10 stood at 128,271 tonnes compared with 178,534 tonnes in January-April 2009. However, the imports surged by 69 per cent in April from March 2010.

Chemical Explorer: As per information and reports,The value-added output of China's chemical industry increased 17.3% year on year in April this year, 6.7 percentage points higher than a year earlier,In April, the output of caustic soda increased 22.1% year on year and that of soda ash rose 3.5% year on year. Fertilizer's output increased 1.6%, nitrogenous fertilizer's output decreased 2%. Pesticide output increased 17.2%.From January to April, the value-added output of the chemical industry increased 21.4% year on year in the first four months, 15.3 percentage points higher than a year earlier. Caustic soda increased 22.4% to 6.73 million tons, and soda ash rose 19% year on year to 6.92 million tons. Fertilizer saw an 8.7% year-on-year increase to 22.22 million tons. Pesticide rose 20.1% to 862,000 tons.

Chemical Explorer: As per the data analysis by our team,India imported approximately 628950 MT of Soda Ash from January 2009 to April 2010. The country imported 51101 MT in January 2009, 35708 MT in February, 38727 MT in March, 52998 MT in April, 45602 MT in May, 29215 MT in June, 32295 MT in July, 35047 MT in August, 42679 MT in September, 40150 MT in October, 71503 MT in November, 25654 MT in December, 32709 MT in January 2010, 25385 MT in February, 26084 MT in March and 44093 MT in April. India imported 178534 MT of Soda Ash during Jan – April 2009 while it was 128271 MT in Jan – April 2010. As per the data analysis by our team, imports of the country have decreased by 28% during the Jan – April 2010, compared to the same period last year. Compared to last month i.e. March 2010 imports of the country have increased by 69% in the month of April 2010.

Chemical Explorer: As per information from our sources and reports Belgium's Solvay stated that the company is unable to complete its attempted acquisition of a majority stake in the Russian Berezniki soda ash, or BSZ soda ash plant from Sodium Group Investment Limited.Reportedly,On June 4,Solvay's proposal to acquire a majority ownership of the BSZ soda ash plant was cleared by Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service.On the same day, FAS also authorized the Bashkhim Group of Companies to acquire the control of the BSZ soda ash plant.Solvay produces soda ash and specialty polymers. The company's polymers are used widely in the construction, packaging and automobile sectors.

Chemical Explorer:As per the information and reports,FMC Wyoming Corp. is raising soda ash prices for some customers by $10 per short ton effective July 1, or as contract terms permit.The Philadelphia-based company announced Monday that the increase will apply to off-list prices, or discount prices negotiated by the company's larger customers.The company says the price increase is necessary to recover cost increases and support continued investment in the business. List prices will remain the same at $260 per short ton for bulk dense soda ash.FMC's Wyoming facility is the world's largest soda ash plant. FMC is one of four companies that mine trona in southwest Wyoming and process it into soda ash, a key ingredient in glass.

Chemical Explorer: As per the data analsysis by our team, India imported approximately 84178 MT of Soda Ash from January 2010 to March 2010 while 125536 MT in Jan - March 2009. Imports of the country have decreased by 32% during this quarter. The country imported 51101 MT in January 2009, 35708 MT in February 2009, and 38727 MT in March 2009 while 32709 MT in January 2010,25385 MT in February and 26084 MT in March 2010. Over a period of time imports of the country have seen a lot of fluctuations. In March 2010 imports have increased by 2% as compared by Feb 2010.

Chemical Explorer: As per the data analysis by our team.India imported 25385 MT of Soda Ash in February 2010. The imported quantum comprises two grades that is Light soda ash and Dense soda ash. Country imported 9353 MT (37%) from Romania, 3700 MT (15%) from Taiwan, 3071 MT (12%) from Kenya, 2424 MT (10%) from Turkey, 2401 MT (9%) from China, 1000 MT (4%) from Thailand, 1000 MT (4%) from Italy, 856 MT (3%) from UK, 567 MT (2%) from Iran, 513 MT (2%) from Bulgaria and 500 MT (2%) from Belgium. India imported 9671 MT (38%) into Madras, 7612MT (32%) into JNPT, 6334 MT (25%) into Tuticorin, 1221 MT (5%) into Vizag, 396 MT (2%) into Delhi TKD and 150MT (1%) into Cochin.