<P> The Solvay process or ammonia - soda process is the major industrial process for the production of sodium carbonate ( soda ash , Na CO ) . The ammonia - soda process was developed into its modern form by Ernest Solvay during the 1860s . The ingredients for this are readily available and inexpensive : salt brine ( from inland sources or from the sea ) and limestone ( from quarries ) . The worldwide production of soda ash in 2005 has been estimated at 42 million metric tons , which is more than six kilograms ( 13 lb ) per year for each person on Earth . Solvay - based chemical plants now produce roughly three - quarters of this supply , with the remainder being mined from natural deposits . The method superseded Leblanc process . </P>
name the raw material used in the manufacture of sodium carbonate by solvay process
salt brine limestone