Solvay Continues 600KT Capacity Expansion at Soda Ash Plant

Chemicals and materials firm Solvay recently restarted a $200 million project to expand its soda ash capacity at its Green River, WY facility by 600KT after work was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company announced this week.

In addition to the added production capabilities, Solvay is also implementing regenerative thermal oxidation technology to lower the Green River site’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20%. The technology originated from Trona mining operations.

“These investments reinforce Solvay’s leadership position as a long-term, sustainable 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,” chief executive officer Ilham Kadri said in a release. “This attractive investment expands our supply of trona-based soda ash and will position the business for superior and responsible growth into the future.”

Work on the expansion is slated to reach completion by the end of 2024. Solvay has operated the Wyoming location since May 2022. Soda ash and sodium bicarbonate produced at the plant is used in a range of markets, including building insulation, detergents, solar panels, and lithium carbonate for electric vehicles.

Solvay’s Soda Ash & Derivatives business unit operates 11 industrial sites across the world. The company revealed plans in September to invest about $14.9 million in an action plan to cut the amount of limestone residue released into the sea from soda ash manufacturing activities at its Rosignano, Italy facility.