The dominant position of the glass industry
(1)The highest proportion of consumption
Globally, the glass industry accounts for 53.2% of the total consumption of soda ash (flat glass accounts for 28.7%, and glass packaging containers account for 19.5%).
As the world’s largest consumer of soda ash, China’s glass industry contributes about 43% of the demand for soda ash.
(2)Domestic demand structure
In the downstream demand for soda ash in China, the combined proportion of flat glass, photovoltaic glass, and daily-use glass exceeds 50%, far higher than secondary fields such as chemical and detergent industries.
The key role of soda ash in glass production
(1)Technical functions
Soda ash (sodium carbonate) is mainly used as a flux, significantly reducing the melting point of silica (from about 1700 ℃ to below 1400 ℃), improving glass melting efficiency, and reducing energy consumption.
The consumption of soda ash per ton of glass is about 0.16-0.2 tons, and the specific amount varies depending on the type of glass:
Flat glass/photovoltaic glass: 0.2 tons/ton glass 34;
Float glass: ≤ 0.16 tons/ton glass 11;
Daily glass: Light alkali accounts for 68%~73%, and the consumption of pure alkali per ton is lower than that of flat glass.
(2)Quality impact
Promote homogenization of glass melt, reduce bubble generation, improve light transmittance and finished product strength
