Energy Minister, Solvay Sodi’s Management Discuss EUR 20 Mln Investment in Decarbonization of Company’s Devnya Plant

Energy Minister Traicho Traikov held a working meeting with Solvay Sodi AD Managing Director Nicolas van der Heyden and industrial policy manager Eduard Tsvetanov to discuss issues of strategic importance for the future of the plant, which is one of the largest producers of soda ash in Europe, the Energy Ministry reported Saturday. The soda ash (light and heavy) and sodium bicarbonate produced by the plant account for a significant share of both the Bulgarian industry and the European market. In this context, the discussion focused on the company’s investment plans, which are key to maintaining the plant’s leading position in Devnya as the largest facility of its kind in Europe, as well as to ensuring its long-term sustainability. Solvay Sodi’s management presented plans for an investment of approximately EUR 20 million to build a new boiler – a critically important first step in the process of decarbonizing production. The project is part of a long-term roadmap for modernization and energy efficiency and is linked to an application to the EU Modernisation Fund, with the support of the European Investment Bank. Company representatives sought assistance from the Bulgarian government both in preparing and advancing the project proposal and in the context of the challenging market environment. Minister Traikov emphasized the company’s strategic role for Bulgarian industry and noted that the Energy Ministry has an established mechanism for supporting such initiatives. He explained that project proposals to the European Commission are submitted twice a year, with a national framework prepared in advance to serve as the basis for their subsequent development and application. The Ministry will provide the necessary expert assistance for the preparation and successful positioning of investment projects within the Modernisation Fund, the Minister stated. According to him, consistent investments in technological modernization and energy efficiency are key to ensuring that the industry not only meets the challenges of the energy transition but also strengthens its competitiveness in the long term.