Russian soda industry marks 133rd anniversary

UFA, 21 July 2016. /Bashinform News Agency/. On July 1, 1883 the first in Russia soda ash plant started operating near the Berezniki settlement (Perm Province). The joint venture of the Russian merchant Ivan Lyubimov and Belgian engineer-entrepreneur, Ernest Solvay, marked the beginning of the domestic chemical industry.

The soda industry received its further intensive development already in the 20th century in Sterlitamak (Bashkiria), where large reserves of limestone and rock salt deposits were discovered in the thirties - the main components for the soda production. The unique combination of natural resources and proximity to the White River played a major role in the decision to build there the largest plant for the soda ash production in the USSR and in Europe.

Today JSC "Berezniki Soda Plant" and JSC "Bashkir Soda Company" (part of the "Bashchim Group ") continue to be industry leaders: companies produce about 65 percent of Russian soda ash.

The companies actively develop, contributing largely to investment programs, modernization of production facilities and new technologies.