How Does WE Soda Lower the Carbon Footprint of Soda Ash?

WE Soda is a global leader in soda ash, producing more than nine million tonnes of natural soda ash and sodium bicarbonate every year.

Its production sites across the world extract, process, produce and sell soda ash and sodium bicarbonate, which can be used in glass manufacturing, cleaning and industrial processes.

The company describes soda ash as “one of life’s invisible ingredients which plays an essential role in the sustainable products we use in everyday modern life”.

WE Soda has published its Sustainability Approach, discussing its plan for the future and how other companies and organisations can lead change.

WE Soda’s sustainability goals

The Sustainability Plan includes milestones for WE Soda to achieve in its own operations and beyond, focusing on the impact it has on the environment and people.

It has a target to always produce soda ash with the world’s lowest carbon and water footprint.

It plans to achieve net zero across its business by 2050 and to be water neutral and nature positive by 2040.

As well as its climate targets, WE Soda is working towards product sustainability. 

It aims to produce its soda ash, sodium bicarbonate and specialty products with the lowest possible carbon footprint, water footprint and impact on nature.

The credentials of its products include up to 80% lower product carbon footprint, up to 60% lower energy use and up to 80% lower water intensity than other production methods.

“Sustainability is at the core of our business and we are excited to present our first integrated Sustainability Plan,” says Alasdair Warren, CEO of WE Soda. “This is not a sustainability report, it is a plan for our business that is realistic, honest, backed by science and published alongside the evidence that underpins it.

“Our targets are transparent and honest. Many of our goals have specific dependencies and we need external change to support us in achieving them.

“Our Plan outlines what is needed from regional and global enablers, including fair carbon pricing, fair regulation and market changes that support lower carbon products.”

Alan Knight, Chief Sustainability Officer at WE Soda, will be speaking at Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit in London on 5 March 2026.

Secure your tickets now.

Who leads sustainability at WE Soda?

WE Soda’s Chief Sustainability Officer is Alan Knight, who joined the company in 2024.

He brings more than 30 years of experience in sustainability leadership across a wide range of industries and supply chains, including renewable power, steel, brewing, transport and home improvement retail.

He has held senior sustainability leadership roles at Drax Group, ArcelorMittal, Virgin Group, SABMiller and Kingfisher.

Alongside his executive roles, Alan has held a variety of Board-level sustainability advisory positions at non-governmental organisations and other charitable organisations.

In his role at WE Soda, Alan builds on the company’s existing sustainability leadership to drive further climate and energy initiatives that underpin the Group’s strategy.

“Sustainability is a longstanding value for WE Soda and, looking ahead, we strive for continuous improvement,” Alan says.

“Awareness of the climate crisis is pushing more consumers to seek out low-carbon solutions and products, as well as to favour those companies who are addressing the wider spectrum of environmental and social issues such as climate change, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, resource circularity, social inequity and geopolitical instability.

“Our Sustainability Plan is therefore founded on the idea of working with our customers as partners – jointly developing products and solutions that will allow them to fulfil their own, and their customers’, sustainability goals whilst also achieving ours.”

Join us at Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit to hear from Alan and other sustainability experts on 4-5 March in London.

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CSO Strategy at The Net Zero Summit

Alan is joining The CSO Strategy Forum at Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit on 5 March 2026.

The panel will feature discussions from sustainability leaders about their priorities, challenges and leadership strategies.

Alan will share insights on aligning sustainability goals with business performance and driving transformation.

Secure your tickets now to hear from Alan and more than 50 sustainability experts in London.