China Soda Ash Industry: six "world first"

In 1949, there were only two soda ash factories in China. One was in Tanggu, Tianjiang; the other was in Dalian. The total annual output was only 88,000 tons. While in 2008, the annual output reached 18.3 million tons, ranking first in the world.

In 1991, China became a net exporter of soda ash. Since 2003, China's soda ash industry has been ranked No.1 in the world. Soda ash production capacity and production have accounted for of 1 / 3 or more of  the world's total capacity and output.

After the founding of New China, Chinese soda ash industry has a certain foundation. On one hand, Soda ash production and the number of firms were grown many times. Dalian Soda ash factory and Tianjin Soda Ash factory operated extension for three times. At the same time, China established many soda ash factories in Zigong, Sichuan, Qingdao, Shandong, Yingcheng, Hubei. On the other hand, synthesis ammonia production gradually became matured.

At the beginning of reform and opening up, China's demand for soda ash was rapidly increased. But the annual output was only 1.077 million tons, which couldn’t meet the demand. The situation of heavy dependence on imports stimulated China's soda ash industry's determination to expand large-scale development. Since then, after over 30 years, China soda ash industry rapidly rise. Mainly manifested are in the following aspects:

Substantial increase in productivity and output.
Technological innovation and technology transfer to promote large-scale production scale.
Energy reduction and recycling economy reaches achievements.
Product structure and process structure has been adjusted.

The President of China Soda Industry Association, Di Tongli pointed that China Soda Ash Industry has walked for 90 years. 2001-2005 period is the critic period for China Soda Ash Industry. He believed that in the 70th anniversary of founding of New China, China must become the strongest soda ash industry country.