Soda-Ash Prices - Glassmakers Condemn Increase

European glassmakers have expressed their opposition to proposed increases in soda ash prices now due to be implemented. Soda ash producers say the increases are relatively small, lower than the 1996 increase of 4-5%. The price increases at the beginning of 1996 were the first in three years in the Western European soda ash market. Producers are arguing that further increases are justified because prices are still well below those of the early 1990s.