Natron Processing opportunity

Natron, also known as atroun, is a sodium carbonate complex rich in minerals, widely used across Africa as a salt substitute. In Chad, the production of salt from atroun has historically been a major industry. It is used in food preparation to replace salt in traditional dishes, flavor sauces and local cereal dishes, and tenderize beans (niebé) and meat.

Natron Processing CAPABILITIES & FACILITIES IN Chad ZINDJAM

Consumption

annual consumption at 78-155 grams per person, and 12-15 kg consumed by camel in western Africa

Market

Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Ghana

Invest in Natron Processing Business in ZINDJAM, Chad: Key Advantages For Investors

Unique Opportunity: Natron is limited in occurrence, but Africa has several significant deposits. Notable deposits are found in Lake Magadi, Kenya; Lake Natron, Tanzania; and in western Africa, particularly in Lake Chad, which holds the highest deposits in the region. Outside Africa, natron deposits are also found in the US (Green River), Russia, and Turkey.
Global Production: In 2011, global natron production was 51.3 million tonnes per year. The main producing/ processing countries were: China: 23 million tonnes/year (36% of total world production, leading producer since 2003) | United States: 10.7 million tonnes/year (21%) | European Union: 9.2 million tonnes/year (18%)
Processing: Production is divided between industrial manufacture (38.5 million tonnes/year, 75% of total, using the Solvay process) and natural extraction from deposits.
Industry Demand Distribution: Glass industries: 55% | Detergent industry: 14% | Chemical industry: 10% | Metallurgy: 5%