New Delhi, March 20 -- Industrial chemical maker GHCL Ltd is looking to tap India's fast-expanding solar energy space with a new soda ash plant in Gujarat's Kutch region that will eventually double the company's current production capacity.

Soda ash, or sodium carbonate, is a key raw material used in making glass, including for solar power panels. India is a major importer of both soda ash and solar glass.

For the first phase of the new facility, GHCL will invest about Rs.3,500 crore to set up an annual production capacity of 550,000 tonnes of soda ash, managing director R.S. Jalan said in an interview. "Total capacity will be 1.1 million tonnes, which will be added in two phases over a period of time," he said.

Noida-headquartered GHC...