India's Tata Chemicals is restructuring of the soda ash and sodium bicarbonate business of its UK-based subsidiary Tata Chemicals Europe (TCE). The former Brunner Mond business acquired by Tata in 2005 is the UK's only manufacturer and supplier of the two products.

As part of the plans, a soda ash and calcium chloride plant in Northwich, Cheshire, will be closed, while a sodium bicarbonate production facility at the same site will be expanded, and a soda ash and bicarbonate plant at Listock, Cheshire, will be retained. Altogether, some 220 jobs will be lost in the realignment.

The plant closures are planned to take place during the first quarter. The company cited problems of energy-intensive companies in international competition. Other observers pointed to the need to reduce overcapacity in the market.

Solvay already has announced that it will end soda ash production at its 230,000 t/y plant in Povoba, Portugal during January, as well as cutting capacity at its plant in Rosignano, Italy.