Solvay Group is resuming a 600kT soda ash capacity expansion while implementing a new innovative technology to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Green River, Wyoming. The facility, operated solely by Solvay since May 2022, produces soda ash and sodium bicarbonate from trona, a naturally occurring mineral to serve markets such as flat glass for buildings, as well as fast growing markets like solar panels.
Production is expected to start at the end of 2024 in time to meet customers’ growing needs for a secure and cost competitive source of supply.
The investments total around $200 million and complement the previous investment that secured sole ownership of the natural soda ash operation
Expanding with sustainability in mind
In addition, a project to deploy a new breakthrough technology to reduce emissions originating from Trona mining operations will be implemented, leading to a 20 percent reduction of the site’s greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with Solvay’s commitment to decarbonize its operations in line with Solvay One Planet’s sustainability roadmap. This innovation will make Solvay the first company to implement regenerative thermal oxidation technology to abate emissions in a trona mine.
“These investments reinforce Solvay’s leadership position as a long-term, sustainable global 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,” says Ilham Kadri, Solvay CEO. “This attractive investment expands our supply of trona-based soda ash and will position the business for superior and responsible growth into the future.”
