Solvay America Inc., through one of its wholly owned affiliates, has acquired complete ownership of American Soda, LLP from Williams. The purchase price was not disclosed. The acquisition provides unique opportunities for the Solvay Group to expand its resource of sodium minerals in the U.S. to include western Colorado nahcolite, a naturally-occurring form of sodium bicarbonate. In addition to valuable minerals reserves, Solvay will increase its customer base across a wide range of end uses in glass, detergents, chemicals and animal nutrition for soda ash and sodium bicarbonate. "We will optimize the operations of our two soda ash companies to bring greater efficiencies, overall reduced energy and other fixed costs, and better customer response capabilities," said Dick Hogan, senior vice president of Solvay Chemicals Inc.

For more information, visit http://www.solvay.com .