C-DEP report says soda ash imports surged 81 per cent since 2021-22, putting domestic soda ash producers under pressure.
India’s growing dependence on imported soda ash is threatening domestic manufacturing capacity and the supply chains supporting its clean energy transition, a report released on Friday by the Centre for Domestic Economy Policy Research (C-DEP), in collaboration with the Centre for WTO Studies, has warned.
Soda ash is an essential input for solar glass used in photovoltaic panels and for processing lithium carbonate used in batteries.
The report reveals an 81 per cent surge in soda ash imports since 2021-22, with imports accounting for 22 per cent of India’s demand in 2024-25 despite sufficient domestic capacity. It attributes the surge to global overcapacity, falling international prices and surplus production redirected towards India by countries such as the US, China and Türkiye. Average dumping increased by 42.8 per cent between FY23 and FY25, intensifying pressure on domestic producers.
Jaijit Bhattacharya, president of C-DEP Research, said India cannot aspire to global leadership in solar energy and electric mobility while weakening the industries that supply their raw materials.
The report proposes implementing WTO provisions on quantitative restrictions on imports and quickly implementing the initial safeguard import quota of 7.55 lakh tonnes recommended by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies.
Source: Business Standard
