Pakistan to Establish Soda Ash Plant in Khushab

Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) under the control of the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) and Sapphire Chemicals (Private) Limited has embarked upon a partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The objective of this non-binding MoU is to establish a State-Of-The-Art Soda Ash Plant. Engr. Asad Ahmad, Managing Director, PMDC, and Muhammad Ali, CEO of Sapphire Chemicals, signed the MoU on behalf of their organizations. The signing ceremony took place in Islamabad on the 03d of October 2024. The envisioned plant will be set up near the PMDC Salt Project, District Khushab, Punjab. The production capacity of the soda ash plant will be around 200,000 tons per annum, contributing to the market requirements of Pakistan as well as regional demands. PMDC will supply 360K tons per annum of industrial-quality rock salt to Sapphire Chemicals by following international standards for mechanized mining. This Soda Ash Plant will not only boost the Soda Ash industry but also provide job opportunities to the locals of the area. The project will also attract foreign investment, thus contributing to the economic growth of Pakistan. After completion of the project, the Soda Ash Plant will prove to be an important milestone in the industrial development of Pakistan. It is worth mentioning that Soda Ash is used in the industrial sector to manufacture glass, various detergents, and chemicals.