All times listed below are in Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Marguerite Morrin, Executive Director, Global Soda Ash, Dow Jones Energy
Hasan Copur, Director, Global Soda Ash, Dow Jones Energy
Sanjay Shah, Executive Director Consulting, Dow Jones Energy
An exploration of the fundamentals of soda ash, the global landscape, and current demand trends, followed by a thorough review of production technologies that analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of traditional methods alongside next-generation processes. The session concludes with a long-term outlook for soda ash technologies, evaluating the cost and market implications of shifting from synthetic to natural soda ash.
Sanjay Shah, Executive Director Consulting, Dow Jones Energy
Harry Chapman, Senior Analyst, Dow Jones Energy
A comparison of lithium refining technologies and their specific impacts on soda ash demand as well as a comparison between natural versus synthetic sodium bicarbonate production routes. Followed by a detailed analysis of the key raw materials essential for synthetic soda ash production and how sourcing varies by region.
An in-depth review of the soda ash industry in mainland China, focusing on shifting technologies, demand dynamics, spot market practices, and the evolving relationship between market mechanisms and spot pricing. Followed by an examination of mainland China’s role in the global market and the competitiveness of other major producing countries and regions.
An analysis of how scale, environmental factors, and energy costs impact overall production economics, paired with a comprehensive view of logistics and global trade. Discussions cover carbon and regulatory compliance—including carbon capture initiatives, EU ETS benchmark revisions, and cost implications for buyers and producers—as well as the impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and broader global carbon policies, finishing with an expanded analysis of distribution constraints and port bottlenecks.
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All times listed below are in Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Carlo Barrasa, Head of Research, Dow Jones Energy
Felix Kaiser, Partner, McKinsey & Company
Marguerite Morrin, Executive Director, Global Soda Ash, Dow Jones Energy
This presentation analyzes the critical structural shifts currently redefining the global soda ash industry. We are witnessing a significant geographic pivot: Mainland China is aggressively expanding its natural soda ash production, while planned expansions in the United States face delays. Simultaneously, economic and operational pressures have forced recent capacity closures in both Europe and the U.S.While mainland China has been the primary engine for global demand growth, several geopolitical factors are introducing new variables:
– Energy Security & Renewables: Is the ongoing conflict in Iran accelerating the global transition to renewable energy? If so, this could provide a sustained boost to soda ash demand via solar glass and lithium carbonate production.
– Onshoring Trends: Recent geopolitical volatility has underscored the need to onshore sectors critical to the energy transition. Will this drive a more geographically balanced distribution of global demand?
Moderated by Carlo Barrasa, Head of Research, Dow Jones Energy
Sameer Rupani, Global Chemicals Commercial Vice President, Şişecam
As the global soda ash industry faces a new wave of capacity additions, market fundamentals are increasingly challenged by supply-demand imbalances, shifting trade flows, and pricing pressures. Drawing on Şişecam’s integrated producer-consumer perspective, this session will explore why industry discipline, sustainable growth, and value chain collaboration are more critical than ever for ensuring long-term market stability and value creation.
China’s soda ash industry is trapped in overcapacity and rising costs amid a cyclical slump. The rapid expansion of domestic natural‑soda production is reshaping supply dynamics, challenging traditional synthetic processes. This presentation reviews the current landscape and explores strategic responses to the disruptive impact of natural alkali.
Moderated by Marguerite Morrin, Executive Director, Global Soda Ash, Dow Jones Energy
The global soda ash market faces shifting economics, evolving trade flows, and changing industrial demand across glass, detergent, and manufacturing sectors. Leaders from the industry examine key market forces shaping the supply chain today. Panelists will share practical strategies for maintaining operational resilience, managing raw materials, and positioning operations for long-term global growth.
India is a powerhouse in the global soda ash market, fueled by rapid urbanization and booming industrial demand. This session examines the region’s massive capacity expansions and the strategic push for self-sufficiency. Gain essential insights into how India’s evolving production landscape and “green” industrial revolution are reshaping global supply chains.
Kazakhstan is rapidly transforming into a strategic player in the global soda ash market. This session examines the nation’s leap toward industrial self-sufficiency through new
production facilities and large-scale infrastructure projects.
Moderated by Marguerite Morrin, Executive Director, Global Soda Ash, Dow Jones Energy
Mainland China currently commands approximately 50% of the global soda ash market. Since mid-2024, however, the domestic sector has faced significant downward price pressure, driven by a combination of aggressive capacity expansion and cooling demand. Despite these immediate headwinds, the industry is entering a critical phase of subtle rationalization and restructuring. This presentation will examine these emerging structural shifts and provide our five-year strategic forecast for the industry’s future landscape.
Southeast Asia remains the largest soda ash-importing region globally, a position likely to persist given rising demand and limited regional production until new capacity in Indonesia comes online in 2028. Growth is driven by glass, particularly solar glass, which remains the fastest-growing end use. This presentation covers current market conditions and the near-term supply and demand outlook for soda ash and its downstream end uses.
Moderated by Cristian Triana, Principal Analyst, Soda Ash, Dow Jones Energy
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All times listed below are in Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Carlo Barrasa, Head of Research, Dow Jones Energy
Carlo Barrasa, Head of Research, Dow Jones Energy
Volatile energy markets and shifting geopolitical alliances are redrawing the global soda ash map. This session analyzes how fluctuating gas prices and trade realignments are permanently altering production costs and supply chain security. Gain essential insights into navigating these macro-pressures to ensure long-term resilience in a fragmented global economy.
Alex Strogen, CCO, Port of Vancouver
Brian Johnson, CCO, Nautilus International Holding Company
Moderated by Carlo Barrasa, Head of Research, Dow Jones Energy
As global soda ash trade evolves, supply chains must adapt to rising demand, sustainability pressures, and market uncertainty. This session explores how infrastructure investment, digital innovation, and emerging logistics technologies are strengthening resilience, improving efficiency, and shaping the future of bulk commodity transportation.
Denny Sabah, Head of Business Development, Clarksons
Mining companies and industrial producers endeavour to optimise their operations and their supply chains, but often overlook maritime logistics. This is a mistake. Having deeper knowledge of the freight markets, and taking greater control over one’s shipping provides multiple benefits to one’s business.
The surge in electric vehicle adoption has established lithium carbonate processing as a critical demand driver for soda ash. This session examines the technical synergy between these commodities and how the battery supply chain is tightening the market. Discover how the “green” energy transition is reshaping global soda ash consumption.
Ángeles Romo, Business Development Director, NorQuim
Located in Mejillones, Antofagasta, Chile, NorQuim will supply low-carbon strategic inputs to the region’s lithium and copper industries, integrating circular economy principles, local biomass utilization, and renewable energy to support a more sustainable mining value chain.
Moderated by Marguerite Morrin, Executive Director, Global Soda Ash, Dow Jones Energy
As the industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, biomass is emerging as a critical alternative fuel and feedstock. This session explores the integration of bio-based energy into soda ash manufacturing and satisfies the growing market demand for “green” chemicals.
As industrial producers strive to meet net-zero targets and evolving regulatory standards, this session examines opportunities and trade-offs when integrating carbon capture technologies and shifting toward lower-emission production methods.
As a primary downstream derivative, sodium bicarbonate is a key driver of diversification for soda ash producers. This session explores how fluctuating soda ash feedstock costs impact bicarb margins and production strategies.
Moderated by Hasan Copur, Associate Director, Global Soda Ash, Dow Jones Energy
The global energy transition is rewiring the soda ash market. With solar PV installations surging, demand for ultra-clear, high-purity glass has become a primary structural growth driver. This session examines how the renewable energy build-out is creating new market balances and redefining quality standards for global producers
The flat glass industry remains the fundamental driver of global soda ash demand. This session explores how shifting dynamics in global construction and automotive manufacturing are reshaping the market. We analyze how evolving energy-efficiency standards and urbanization trends are recalibrating consumption, ensuring the glass sector’s central role in the commodity’s future.
Moderated by Cristian Triana, Principal Analyst, Dow Jones Energy