The Asian soda ash market remained steady in the week ending November 21, 2025, despite persistent weakness in glass prices. Glass futures and spot prices fell because demand remained weak, and buyers were targeting cheaper material. Soda ash futures fluctuated downward but stabilized in the spot market, supported by reduced production and active restocking of light soda ash.
The Asia soda ash market presented a stable performance in the week ended November 21st, 2025, though the challenges in the glass industry continue. In fact, the prices continue to face pressure, though the consumption of light soda ash has helped restrain the downward movement.
In the glass industry, the predominant futures contract ended at down relative to the previous week. The price of float glass at the spot market also dropped because the average price in China fell. The level of demand did not change because the downstream consumers preferred inexpensive products. As far as the supply side of the industry is concerned, the float glass producers worked at an average capacity of 74.86%, which slightly declined from the previous week. The capacity utilization rate also decreased to 79.29%. The inventory levels continue to grow from the previous week. The high inventory level remains a big concern because the number of cold repairs increases to cut the capacity.
The futures of soda ash fluctuated downwards throughout the week but appeared to be stabilizing in the spot market. According to LongZhong Information, the usage of soda ash production capacity decreased to 82.68%, which was down 2.12% from the previous week. Production declined as well. On the downstream side, the market for light soda ash improved compared to the market performance of heavy soda ash. Light soda ash buyers were actively restocking their inventory as prices dropped. The inventory of domestic soda ash declined from the previous week.
The proactive reduction of operating levels at alkali plants has helped avoid the commodity’s supply-demand disparity from worsening. Although inventory levels remain high, the reduction in production has helped mitigate the situation to a certain extent. However, the poor demand trend, especially in the glass sector, indicates that the price of soda ash will continue to be negatively affected in the coming weeks. It has been observed that the poor fundamentals of the commodity’s price performance continue due to the poor performance of hot glass soda ash demand. This has been contrasted by speculatory funds, which continue to flow into the market as commodity prices approach the production level.
As per ChemAnalyst, the price of soda ash in the Asia region will remain stable and volatile at low levels. Currently, the soda ash market has stabilized due to decreased production and active inventory replenishment. However, due to lowered glass consumption and ample inventory levels, the market needs to remain cautious at this point.
