Due to high levels of domestic heavy soda ash price, part of glass manufacturers, in order to save costs, resort to low-priced trona imports from the United States.
Chen Qiusha, analyst with Chem99, noted that domestic heavy soda ash market will suffer greatly.
Data from Chem99 showed that the price of heavy soda ash has climbed since September and currently stands at high levels of 1,700 yuan ($279.99) to 1,800 yuan ($296.46) per metric ton, greatly higher than that of trona imports, which is $161.8 per metric ton (including costs, insurance and freight rate).