Trona extraction and Soda Ash production

How we extract trona: Solution extraction

We only produce Soda Ash from naturally occurring underground ore, called trona, which is more environmentally friendly than alternative synthetic production methods, which use significantly more energy and water, and produce significantly more CO2 and solid waste. We operate the two lowest cost production facilities in the world – at Eti Soda and Kazan Soda in Turkey.

We are the only company in the world to use innovative solution extraction technology on a commercial scale.

This patented production method injects heated water into the underground ore body, which then dissolves the trona forming brine solution. The brine is then extracted to the surface, and pumped to a central processing facility.

How we produce Soda Ash?

Although we produce Soda Ash in enormous quantities, the process steps to manufacture Soda Ash from brine solution are quite simple.

Filtration

Once the brine solution is above ground, it is pumped into our production plant where it is filtered to remove insolubles.

Crystallisation

The filtered brine is then stripped and evaporated to concentrate the brine, resulting in sodium carbonate crystallising out of the solution.

Separation

This forms a sodium carbonate slurry, and the crystals are then separated out using a centrifuge.

Drying

Once separated, the crystals are dried to produce Soda Ash powder.