Position papers
Sodium carbonate (soda ash) is a white alkaline powder soluble in water which is produced in two grades -light and dense. Light soda ash is a fine powder whereas dense soda ash, with twice the bulk density is a granular product.
Soda ash is manufactured using the locally-available natural raw materials of salt, in the form of brine, and limestone.
The members of ESAPA operate 16 soda ash plants across 9 European countries and Turkey : Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom. The combined capacity represents over 10 million t/year and one quarter of global production.
Soda ash does not present any major harm or hazard to human activities although as with all chemicals ESAPA and its members promote the concepts of Responsible Care and confidence in chemicals.